by Nick Drew | Mon 29 Jun 2026
Diggers Hillhead Highlights (Part One)
Over the years we have experienced Hillhead shows with biblical rainfall, and blinding sunshine, but it’s safe to say, I don’t think any of us had ever experienced anything like the weather we faced this time around.
This time around my assigned task for Earthmovers Magazine was to cover compact machines, which I will report on in a future edition of the magazine. But for this mini series of blog posts, I’m going to share images and video of some of the larger items of kit that appealed to me.
Hillhead is without a doubt the premier construction machinery show, in the UK now and attracts all the big players in the industry.
My first port of call was as ever, to the Takeuchi UK stand, it’s safe to say that with my operators hat on, I’ve always been a fan of the red & grey products, and the team at Takeuchi UK are some of the friendliest people in the industry, so it’s always my favourite place to start.
Amongst all the more familiar red & grey machines was a stunning new TB3150R, the first example to be sold in the UK to long standing customer Eagle Plant Hire, which featured a special edition wrap marking the 1,800th Takeuchi machine to join their fleet.
On the Develon Europe stand one of the major attractions was the new 40-tonne class DX400LC-9 hydraulic excavator. The latest addition to the Dash-9 series this machine features a whole host of new technology and safety features that we encountered when we test drove the smaller DX260LC-9 in Finland last year, following the launch during Bauma 2025.
Sporting some stunning reflective decals from Brandfix, the machine was partnered on the stand by a Develon DA30 articulated hauler which features the new updated cab.
Talking of stunning liveries, over on the Liebherr GB stand, they presented a new PR 736 Gen 8 hydrostatically driven bulldozer sporting the colours of contracting business Sirius Group. Tipping the scales at between 21,200 – 25,500kg depending on spec, the machine has a blade capacity of 4.10 – 5.56 m3 and is powered by a 4-cylinder, Stage V emissions compliant Liebherr diesel engine offering a power output rating of 160kW (217hp) offering a very frugal average fuel consumption of 15.24 l/h.
Sany UK & Ireland showcased a wide variety of their products including two of their electric powered machines, with the SW965E wheeled loader and the SY215E 21-tonne class hydraulic excavator. We visited an early example of the SY215E at the premises of Explore Plant some time ago, however it was not possible to put it through its paces on a site location, but it’s something I’m keen to do at some point for a full report in Earthmovers Magazine in the future.
Across the way on the McHale Komatsu stand, they showcased the all-new Komatsu HM460 articulated hauler. The new-generation dump truck features a completely redesigned engine, transmission, drivetrain, frame, cab and body.
The output of Komatsu’s Stage V engine has increased by nine percent to 386 kW, raising payload capacity to 42 tonnes. Exhaust gas recirculation has been eliminated, and the variable geometry turbo has been replaced with twin conventional turbochargers. Emissions are controlled with a particulate filter and AdBlue injection system. According to Komatsu, fuel consumption has decreased with the new engine.
Big news at the show was that Stokey Plant have bought 6 of these new trucks, the first ever Komatsu ADT’s to be added to their fleet.
And finally in this batch, the new Hyundai Construction Equipment HX210L, the latest addition to their Next Generation line-up. This machine which competes in the 22-tonne sector, has been designed and engineered to compliment the high spec HX230 model. This machine will appeal to the UK plant hire and rental markets for its simplicity, while delivering increased efficiency, compared to previous models.
Power comes from a Stage V compliant, four cylinder, Hyundai DX05 diesel engine, which Hyundai say consumes 7% less fuel and 30% less AdBlue. It also features a pilot hydraulic system, which is sure to be popular with us older operators.
The HX210L is built on the same robust platform as the HX230L, ensuring maximum durability and reliability. It features a standard 4,200kg counterweight, 10% higher than the A-Series model to maximise stability and lifting capacity. The counterweight has the distinctive ‘Tiger Eye’ rear design, already seen on other Next Generation machines.
Look out for more Hillhead Highlights across the week here on the Digger Man Blog.