PRODUCT SHOWCASE: OFFERING NEW VALUE, PERFORMANCE

LiuGong and Dressta An 830D combo cuts wood.

CrossTrac Equipment is focused on delivering machine solutions for loggers that maximize value, performance and reliability. The company said it has established a strong leadership position with innovative products, and backs them up with product support that understands the unique needs of loggers.

New Value, Performance

CrossTrac also is a strong supporter of Great Lakes manufacturing. Its most prominent lines are built in the area. The company’s motto is “From the Great Lakes, for the Great Lakes.” This strategic priority made it easy to partner with LiuGong and Dressta to add construction equipment to its lineup.

LiuGong excavators and wheel loaders offer a combination of premium components and warranty, all at a price that makes them very competitive options for new equipment, according to the company. Cummins and Yanmar engines; Rexroth and Kawasaki hydraulics; and ZF axles put global leaders in the most critical areas of the machines. LiuGong supports these with a 3-year, 4,000-hour bumperto-bumper warranty. On larger machines, this is extended to 5 years and 7,000 hours for the powertrain.

LiuGong is one of the largest construction equipment manufacturers in the world. Starting in 1958, its presence was built on wheel loaders. The company has since expanded its product line to include excavators, skid steer and compact track loaders, motor graders, fork lifts and several other machines. Not all of these are available in the United States yet, but there is a plan to offer them in the near future.

Excavators in the United States currently range from 1.8 to 50 metric tons. Wheel loaders range from 2.5 to 7.1 cu. yds. CrossTrac added LiuGong to its offerings earlier this year. Reception has been brisk, and customers have praised the power, smooth operation and solid stance of the machines.

Dressta dozers have a long presence in the United States, especially in the Great Lakes. Starting out as a product of International Harvester, these machines passed through Dresser and Komatsu before ending up in Poland as a product of Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW). LiuGong bought the company in 2012, and has invested heavily since then to upgrade and modernize the designs. New versions of its TD8 and TD9 models will be offered later this year.

Wisconsin Jobs

So how are these machines “from the Great Lakes”? Excavators sized 15 metric tons and up are assembled in Prentice, Wis. LiuGong has partnered with SpecSys at the former assembly plant for Caterpillar’s forestry products. Caterpillar shuttered this facility in 2016. SpecSys acquired it the same year and has continued to expand its business of contract manufacturing, product design, project management and other services for the heavy equipment industry.

In addition to supporting Wisconsin jobs, this arrangement benefits CrossTrac by having new unit inventory accessible and close by.

Barko and TimberPro with LogMax 700XT fixed

New Financing,

Rental Options

Hitachi Capital is LiuGong’s financing partner for wholesale floor plan, retail sales and CrossTrac’s rental units. Flexible programs, promotional rates and an appetite for deals have been a huge contributor to the early successes in delivering machines to customers eager to try these new machines. Hitachi also offers financing for other lines of machines, both new and used.

The additions of LiuGong and Dressta have not just expanded the products CrossTrac can offer. Hitachi financing has made it possible to launch a rental fleet as well. Excavators have been the most common request, though wheel loaders also have found traction. As snow season comes around, rental of wheel loaders is expected to be in high demand and Hitachi has special financing programs for these seasonal opportunities.

Fixed Heads On Tracked Machines Have Come Far

CrossTrac focuses on delivering the value and innovation loggers need to succeed in a tough industry. Tracked machines with fixed head harvester attachments offer huge advantages in productivity, safety and reliability.

LogMax introduced its fixed head in 2011. Jon Goettl and Pioneer Equipment (the former name of CrossTrac) worked with Log Max to develop the 7000XT fixed head, and it was so successful that Goetti has never bought another brand of head since then. Over the years, LogMax has made several improvements to the heads. Upgrade options for the saw unit, measuring wheels, knives and several other components demonstrate Log Max’s commitment to continuous improvement.

JP Skidmore introduced its CF18 head in 2013. A rotary design that allows continuous 360 degrees of rotation quickly set it apart by eliminating the risk of broken