Innovative Iron Award: New Holland’s E90D Is a Standout in the Midi Excavator Category

The off-highway equipment industry has made significant strides in 2024, introducing machines that are smarter, greener and more efficient and powerful than ever before. Compact Equipment‘s 2024 Innovative Iron Awards celebrate these advancements, highlighting equipment that sets new standards in performance, sustainability and operator comfort. See all the winners here. Now, let’s celebrate…

New Holland Construction’s E90D Midi Excavator

New Holland Construction’s E90D midi excavator, released in October 2024, is aiming to redefine performance in the midi market. With class-leading 73-hp diesel engine, this machine is built to handle tough tasks, even in tight urban spaces. It boasts a 15-ft dump height and 14-ft dig depth, making it an excellent choice for high-demand jobs with space constraints. The E90D’s hydraulic system delivers an impressive 42 gpm max auxiliary flow to wield all types of attachments. The unit also integrates New Holland’s FleetForce telematics system for real-time monitoring, helping operators maximize productivity and minimize downtime. Simplified serviceability, an ergonomic cab and customizable controls elevate the operator’s experience, while low fuel consumption and a powerful hydraulic system make this excavator a cost-effective powerhouse.

“This will be the largest model that we currently have,” explained Dan Kakareka, product marketing manager at New Holland Construction North America, during an interview at Equip Exposition 2024. “New Holland has always focused generally on light equipment because that’s been our target audience forever. That’s kind of where our dealer network strives at with the landscaper, material handling and agriculture markets. Now, we’re upgrading in size a little bit. Wit this unit, we’ll start to get some of that utility work we maybe haven’t before. We’ll probably get into a little bit of the bigger construction side as well, branching out to customers in brush cutting too.”

Power That Stands Out

The E90D is powered by a 73-hp, four-cylinder engine, offering the highest horsepower in its class. Its 203-cu-in. displacement ensures consistent, reliable performance for demanding applications. Operators benefit from a hydraulic aux flow system delivering 42 gpm, providing the power needed to run a wide range of attachments. With a bucket breakout force of 13,000 lbs and an operating weight of 20,305 lbs, the E90D excels in tasks like grading, trenching and site preparation. Its impressive power and durability are matched by its ability to navigate tight spaces, thanks to a compact footprint.

Versatility with Attachments, Tracks, Six-Way Dozer Blade

The E90D supports a broad array of attachments, making it a versatile tool for multiple industries. Standard features include:

• One-way and two-way auxiliary hydraulics for hammers, breakers and other tools.
• A dedicated constant flow provision for mulchers, optimizing performance without sacrificing hydraulic power. As we’ve all heard, mulchers continue to be a popular attachment choice for excavators.
• “We’ll also offer a six-way blade as well for this machine,” noted Kakareka

Operators can also customize the E90D with rubber tracks, steel tracks or steel tracks with rubber pads, ensuring adaptability across different terrains and jobsite conditions. Optional counterweights enhance lifting performance and stability for heavy-duty applications.

New Holland E90D Midi Excavator’s Compact Footprint

Despite its robust capabilities, the E90D is engineered for work in confined areas. Its monoboom design improves maneuverability, allowing operators to navigate tight jobsites with ease. This makes the E90D ideal for urban construction, landscaping, and municipal projects where space is limited.

Operator Comfort and Safety

The E90D prioritizes operator experience with a high-tech cab that combines comfort and safety. Key features include:

• Climate-controlled cab with an ergonomic joystick for intuitive operation.
• LED lighting and walk-up lights for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions.
• A ROPS- and FOPS-certified cab that protects against rolling and falling objects.
• Customizable settings for breakout forces on the arm, boom and bucket.

“We have three different work modes in there,” said Kakareka. “So you’ve got your economy mode. That’s just going to be your fuel saver mode. Then you’ll having standard mode and heavy mode. Just giving you a little bit more performance when needed. Another nice feature in here is you’ve got the ability to do all of your travel functions from your joystick. So if you’ve got a little ways to travel, you don’t want to use the pedals. Activate it from the monitor and then use that left joystick.”

Additional safety features include a rearview camera, travel alarms and optional Level 2 ROPS protection with reinforced grates for demolition or brush cutting work. The front operational window is also cleverly designed.

“The front window goes up like every other excavator, but some guys like looking down when they’re digging into that trench,” said Kakareka. “They want to remove this lower window just because it’ll get dirt and dust on it, and you want to have a clear line of sight. This window will actually slide up and lock in place into the top window. When you roll that up, you don’t have to worry about storing that lower window anywhere. It just stores right above you. Visibility all the way around is excellent. We’ve got a large back window and a large front window.”

Maintenance, Counterweight and Zero Tailswing

The E90D simplifies maintenance with operator-friendly design features:

• A hydraulic reversible fan automatically cleans the engine area, reducing manual maintenance.
• A centralized grease container allows operators to perform lubrication tasks from the cab.
• Telematics integration with FleetForce provides real-time performance tracking, geofencing and maintenance alerts.

These features help reduce downtime and improve the machine’s longevity, making it a cost-effective choice for business owners.

“You’ve also got the additional counterweight on it with the long arm,” noted Kakareka. “You can even get it in a zero tail swing configuration as well. So when you’re doing your swinging, you don’t have to worry about that back end hitting anything.”

Efficiency for Every Industry

With a fuel consumption rate of 3 gal per hour, the E90D delivers excellent efficiency. Its combination of power and economy ensures operators can handle heavy-duty tasks while minimizing operating costs. The machine’s versatility and customization options make it suitable for a range of industries:

• Construction: Grading, trenching and material handling.
• Landscaping: Site preparation, brush cutting and debris removal.
• Rental: Easy operation and adaptability for various client needs.

Advanced Technology for Better Performance

The E90D incorporates New Holland’s FleetForce telematics system, giving operators and fleet managers remote access to performance data. Features include:

• Real-time tracking of machine location and usage.
• Maintenance alerts to reduce downtime.
• Diagnostic tools for proactive issue resolution.

These capabilities enhance operational efficiency and ensure machines stay in top condition, maximizing their value for owners and operators.

New Holland Construction’s E90D Midi Excavator Specifications

The E90D’s standout specifications highlight its strength and versatility:

• Max Power: 73 hp at 2,300 rpm
• Operating Weight: 20,305 lbs
• Max Dig Depth: 181.9 in (long arm)
• Max Dump Height: 191.8 in (long arm)
• Hydraulic Auxiliary Flow: 42 gpm

These specs position the E90D as a leader in its category, capable of handling tough tasks with precision and efficiency.

Attachments and Options

The E90D supports an extensive range of attachments, including buckets, augers, breakers, grapples and mulchers. Operators can customize joystick sensitivity and hydraulic response, ensuring smooth and efficient operation. Optional counterweights and track configurations further enhance the machine’s versatility.

Why the New Holland E90D Midi Excavator Is a Smart Investment

The E90D combines advanced technology, operator-focused design and excellent efficiency, making it a valuable investment for businesses in construction, landscaping and rental industries. Its compact size and robust capabilities allow contractors to tackle a wide variety of tasks with a single machine, reducing the need for additional equipment. With its industry-leading power and thoughtful design, the E90D midi excavator is poised to become a game-changer in the compact equipment market. For more information on the New Holland construction E90D and other equipment, visit the New Holland Construction website.

Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.

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