Innovative Iron Awards 2021: Recapping the Coolest Compact Equipment Released This Year
The last two years have been low on hot new product launches. Off-highway construction equipment manufacturers are currently in a vortex of pandemic-induced supply chain challenges, making it difficult for machine makers to maintain even their current product lineups on dealer and rental lots. I’ve had the same conversation with brands both big and small: We’re not going to promote new products if we are not able to deliver them. That makes this set of Innovative Iron Awards feel even more impressive. These equipment companies — from Case to Kubota — not only successfully launched industry-changing products but overcame a variety of manufacturing challenges to deliver these groundbreaking machines and systems. I’d like to honor all of them by highlighting what I consider the best compact, off-highway machines, technologies and OEM systems released for sale or concept in 2021. Congrats to all the companies included, and thanks to all the men and women behind these brands. They continue to be essential in today’s rapidly changing world.
JCB’s Electric Loadall Telescopic Handler
ASV’s MAX-Series and John Deere’s Anti-Vibration Undercarriage
Mini Excavators from Bobcat, Caterpillar and Kubota
Case and New Holland Unleash Some of the Largest Track Loaders Yet
The Ditch Witch RT70 Ride-On Trencher
Doosan Evolution Series P185 and Kioti’s NS Series Tractors
The Club Car Electric Truck and John Deere’s Long Bed Special Application Vehicle
JLG’s 670SJ Self-Leveling Boom Lift and Genie’s GS Micro Scissors
Yanmar Utility Hook, Road Widener Offset Vibratory Roller and Bobcat’s Log Grapple
Engine Awards Go to Kohler and Kubota
Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.
