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Show Time Returns

However, there is now a glimmer of hope for the return of these great events, and just this past weekend, The National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo took place in Sydney, Australia, and we have very kindly been sent in a few mobile phone photos from the event to get a flavour of the action that we have all been missing for so long.

The National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo was first established in 2016, and is managed by representatives of the Australian earthmoving equipment industry. Like all trade shows the concept allows for manufacturers and dealers alike to showcase their latest products and technologies to keep visitors up to speed with the latest developments.

This year, the show had moved to a brand-new venue, due to the previous venue being earmarked for building development. The organizers have partnered up with the Sydney Dragway site in Eastern Creek, which offers great tarmac walkways with good digging areas adjacent to them.

Over on the Caterpillar dealer Wes Trac Cat's stand, the New South Wales based dealer had a wide range of the latest products from the American construction machinery giant, including this 150 model motor grader in a stunning all black livery, captured on camera by Gavin of Nugget Haulage Pty Ltd.

Eagle eyed readers may also spot Jamieson Civil & Earthmoving’s Cat 325 in the retro paintwork style that we featured on this blog in the background of this alternative view of the grader.

The Jamieson Civil & Earthmoving Cat 325 is also seen here captured on this occasion by Stephen Hanbury.

Komatsu Australia were well represented and were displaying some of the latest examples from their PXi dozer line up including the all-new D71 PXi which was on static display.

Gavin is a long-standing Komatsu customer and he was keen to take a look at the latest products, including a visit to the Komatsu demo plot, where amongst other machines, the D61 PXi Intelligent Machine Control dozer was being put through its paces.

A bit of classic kit with a modern twist now, literally! This fine restoration of a 1984 Hitachi UH063 hydraulic excavator, was displayed with the latest Swedish built Engcon tiltrotator system fitted. This superb restoration of arguably one of Hitachi’s finest ever machines, has been a no expense spared job, and I think you will agree, it’s a cracker!

And an alternative view of the Hitachi UH063, I’m sure many of us of a certain age will remember these machines fondly, they were a great digger!

Liebherr have great presence in Australia and brought along an example of the latest reincarnation of its PR 736 hydrostatically driven dozer.

Kobelco Australia were proudly displaying the latest short radius model in the Kobelco range, the all-new SK380SRLC. Weighing in at over 36 tonnes, the beast of a machine now leads the way as one of the heaviest and fastest SR excavators on the market.

The SK380SRLC features a 200kW, Stage 5-compliant turbocharged Hino diesel engine with Power Boost function giving an extra 10% more power – with no time limit. The machine’s powertrain also delivers drawbar force of 314kN. In addition, the combination of high hydraulic pressure (Heavy Lift) and balanced chassis layout helps to deliver a lifting capacity of 12,390kg (from ground level) even when digging at a reach of 6m.

Our friends at Miller Groundbreaking put on a colourful display at Diesel Dirt & Turf, and it was certainly going down well with the kids at this family friendly event, which in my opinion, is ideally held over a long weekend, from Friday to Sunday evening, allowing everyone an opportunity to visit.

Talking of family friendly, checkout this video taken by some visitors to the show, featuring the adventures of their young child, who just may have been inspired to take a career in the heavy equipment industry when he grows up, its great stuff!

The Digger Man Blog would like to thank Gavin @nuggethaulageptyltd and Stephen @S.hanbury1 for taking the time to share these photos with us.