Gearing up for Plantworx 2025 (Part Two)

Continuing our look at some of the machinery and equipment you will be able to see at the UK’s largest construction machinery event of the year, Plantworx 2025.

There is no mistaking the distinct green livery of Merlo UK and they are back at PlantWorx 2025 with thier most comprehensive range yet, showcasing performance, safety, comfort, and sustainability on an expanded stand on Avenue B.

Leading the line-up is the Gold award-winning eWorker 25.5 – Merlo’s fully electric telehandler with a 2.5-tonne lift capacity, 5m lift height, and 8-hour runtime. With zero emissions and whisper-quiet operation, it's ideal for urban, indoor and low-noise zones.

Visitors can explore compact telehandlers like the P27.6PLUS and TF33.7G, plus heavy-duty models including the P40.13PLUS, P40.17, and 12-tonne P120.10HM. Merlo’s flagship ROTO 50.30SPLUS high-reach model (30m lift height, 5-tonne capacity) will be on display with hydraulic winch.

Merlo’s dumpers include the compact CINGO M700TD Hi-Tip, just 750mm wide, and the 9-tonne dual-view DM9 with 180° swivel seat and rotating skip for safer site handling.

Live demos will run daily, featuring the ROTO 50.35SPLUS with 3-person basket, the popular P40.13 with chassis side-shift, the all-electric CINGO M600TD-E, and the compact tracked M12.3-EVO HANDLER 400.

With hands-on access and expert guidance, Merlo’s stand offers a full look at its latest innovations for construction’s real-world demands.

Also sporting a distinctive green and silver plumage, Chinese manufacturer Zoomlion, will present three standout machines at PlantWorx 2025, combining operator comfort, precision control, and reliable performance across its latest excavator and compact loader models.

The ZE55GU is a high-powered compact excavator offering 5% improved digging capacity and excellent climbing and bulldozing performance, thanks to its large-displacement travel motor. Load-sensitive hydraulics provide smoother, more precise control aligned with European operator preferences. Inside the spacious cab, users benefit from an air-suspension seat, ergonomic layout, and a powerful heating and cooling system.

For tight site conditions, the ZE27GU mini excavator offers zero-tail swing, swingable work equipment, and a removable cab for added flexibility. Built with an 8,000-hour structural lifespan and four-track roller undercarriage for improved stability, it comes with a factory-fitted air-conditioned cab as standard.

Also on display is the ZS090V compact loader with vertical lift geometry—delivering a 14% performance gain. Dual throttle control adapts to load changes for better fuel efficiency, while a pressurised cab reduces dust ingress. Operator safety is enhanced through a panoramic cab and willow leaf-shaped boom design, improving lateral visibility by 30%.

It wouldn’t be Plantworx without the presence of Xwatch Safety Solutions, and the company which is now part of Hexagon, will debut its new MK2 system at PlantWorx 2025 – the UK’s first chance to see this next-generation safety solution in action following its international launch at Bauma.

MK2 is a significant upgrade from the original system, combining smarter engineering and an industry-first PL d-rated architecture to deliver trusted safety performance. Designed from the ground up, it features a 30% faster installation time, fewer components and a simpler system layout for improved reliability and easier integration.

New to MK2 is patent-pending proportional motion control for smoother, more accurate hydraulic movement – and a multilingual interface to reduce operator error across global sites.

Xwatch will also be demonstrating XW-INSITE, its most advanced and fully integrated telematics and safety platform to date. Developed with technology partner PVS Data, XW-INSITE connects live machine and safety data through a cloud-based dashboard accessible on-site and remotely. The system provides real-time visibility of machine health, fuel usage, operator behaviour and live safety event data, helping plant managers and contractors to improve compliance, efficiency and operational planning across mixed fleets.

Another Plantworx regular exhibitor is Rototilt, who will be showcasing a wide selection of its tiltrotator systems and attachments at PlantWorx, covering machines from 1.5 to 43 tonnes. Visitors can explore everything from plug-and-play models to the flagship Quick Change system – part of the Open-S Alliance, a global standard that ensures compatibility across brands, helping users reduce downtime and get more value from attachments.

Quick Change allows operators to remain in the cab while switching tools, improving site safety and reducing manual handling. The system builds on Rototilt’s well-established design: cast bodies for strength and low weight, oil-filled rotation systems for consistent internal lubrication, and minimal hosing to reduce maintenance needs.

Brining a taste of Finland to the event, dealers Watson & Hillhouse will showcase the new Movax SG-VA Series at PlantWorx, introducing four models – SG-45VA, SG-50VA, SG-65VA and SG-80VA – designed to replace the previous range of vibratory pile drivers.

Each model features the Variable Active (VA) Eccentric Moment System, which adjusts in real time to changing soil conditions, improving efficiency while reducing fuel use. Resonance-free starts and stops help protect equipment and minimise vibration impact.

With higher driving power, increased amplitude, and improved hydraulics, the SG-VA Series achieves greater depth and performance in tougher ground. Operating at high frequency (2300–3000 RPM / 38–50 Hz), the new models offer faster, more accurate piling cycles – essential for time-sensitive work.

Built for durability, each unit has a reinforced structure, improved service access, and extended component life, lowering overall operating costs. The machines integrate with Movax’s mControl+, mLogbook™, and mFleetCare™ systems for accurate control, jobsite data capture and fleet monitoring.

An upgraded modular system and increased tilt angle (up to 45°) make the SG-VA series suitable for a wide range of piles. Compatible with standard excavators and rail-roaders, the new range will be on display at Watson & Hillhouse’s stand and demo area.

Con Mech Engineers return to PlantWorx with an expanded line-up, strengthened by new distribution deals with BS Track Undercarriage and Dozco Rock Breakers. The move adds undercarriage systems and a full range of rock breakers to Con Mech’s offering, broadening the appeal for contractors working across infrastructure, civils, and heavy plant.

The company’s Blademaster range remains front and centre. Manufactured in the UK using British steel, these cutting edges and ground-engaging tools are engineered for durability and minimal downtime. Con Mech’s team will be on hand to explain what sets their blades apart—from consistent ‘through hardness’ to the importance of steel chemistry and quenching methods.

BS Track brings UK-made track groups to the home market, while Dozco’s rock breakers—tried and tested globally—are now available through Con Mech’s UK distribution network.

For those wanting reliable wear parts and support from a team that understands the demands of UK sites, the stand is worth a visit. It’s a chance to get hands-on with proven tools and speak to the people behind them.

Register now for free at https://plantworx.yourticketpurchase.com/p/visitor and be part of the UK's biggest working construction show of the year.

We will take a final preview look at the Plantworx 2025 highlights in Friday’s blog post.