Takeuchi’s latest compact excavator, the TB257FR, features the company’s patented side-to-side boom, which allows offset digging left or right without having to reposition the excavator.
The 5.8-metric-ton TB257FR also has a 7.5-inch tail-swing overhang that when combined with the STS boom enables 360-degree rotation nearly within the machine’s footprint. Takeuchi says that makes the compact excavator a key addition to jobs such as road and bridge work, city streets and working in between buildings where crews face tight space restrictions. The STS boom also keeps the counterweight in line with the center of the excavator for added stability.
The pressurized cab gets automotive styling with heating and air conditioning, defrost, windshield wiper and washer, skylight with sunshade and AM/FM/MP3 Bluetooth radio. Operators also get a high-back suspension seat, multifunction joystick controls, hand-dial electronic throttle control, adjustable armrest, cupholder and 12-volt power socket. The floor mat is removable and washable.
The 52.3-horsepower turbocharged Kubota engine meets Tier 4 Final emissions standards by diesel particulate filter and diesel oxidation catalyst. The excavator has three working modes of Standard, ECO and High Altitude. Engine features include automatic idle, automatic cold start and an engine safe start system.
Performance specs for the TB257FR include 141.5 foot-pounds of torque; dig depth of 12 feet 9.3 inches; reach of 20 feet 4.7 inches; and bucket breakout force of 10,431 pounds.
Undercarriage and frame features include integrated load-sensing and automatic downshift, Automatic Fail-Safe Mechanical Parking Brake, high-torque planetary final drives, Automatic Slew Brake with Shockless Relief Valve, and a heavy-duty backfill blade with float. The standard rubber tracks are 15.7 inches wide, with steel tracks as an available option.
Other features include LED working lights, travel alarm and multiple attachment presets. The excavator has an integrated hydraulic quick coupler control system. Options include dual pin position bucket, mechanical bucket quick coupler, hydraulic pin grabber quick coupler and main pin hydraulic thumb.
The TB257FR has ground clearance of 11.8 inches; overall crawler length is 8 feet 2.4 inches; overall crawler width is 6 feet 6.7 inches. The machine’s overall length is 17 feet 8.4 inches, and overall height is 8 feet 5.4 inches high.