Capable 5.5-tonne Compact Radius Mini Excavator

Hyundai’s HX55A CR has been around since June 2024 which was its official launch date, but if I’m honest, it’s a model I have had nothing to do with personally, so it was good to take a look around one at Hillhead last month.

The 5-6-tonne class compact radius mini excavator is an extremely popular size these days in a wide range of applications, especially on ever congested building sites and on single lane closure road works, where the machines prove to be extremely capable.

Powering the Hyundai HX55A CR is the well proven, Stage V emissions compliant Yanmar 4-cylinder diesel engine offering a power output of 35.5kW (47.6hp). As one would expect the machine features an auto-idle function, which lowers the engine speed when not working, ensuring fuel savings.

The machine features a load-sensing hydraulic system designed to extend the life of hydraulic components, as well as increase efficiency, simplify operation and further reduce fuel consumption.

The HX55ACR also comes standard with auto-shift travel speed designed to smooth out the switch from high to low speeds for increased efficiency and productivity. In the video below Product Manager Ben Gorton, who is rapidly becoming the face of HD Hyundai in Europe, talks us through all the features of the machine in more detail.

I’m hoping to get up close and personal with one of these in due course with our good friend Simon Tobin, of Tobin Plant, for a full Earthmovers test drive report, so look out for that in a future edition of the magazine.