The infrastructure segment is in a trough right now and is likely to pick up only towards the end of this calendar year. However, in the long term, based on the estimates, the market size for skid steers is expected to exceed 800 units by 2017, says Sunil Tiku, Senior Director - Sales, Terex Equipment. Excerpts of the interview.

What is the overall market for skid steers in India? What is Terex?s share in this sector? The market for skid steers is still in its infancy but the industry has a good potential for growth. As per our estimates, the market should touch more than 500 units in 2013. Terex is the second largest player in the skid steer market.

Brief us about Heman 175.
The Heman 175 skid steer loader is an engineering marvel in the earthmoving equipment industry, complete with compactness, manoeuvrability and versatility. The finest quality of the machine is its dexterity, which is made possible by the four-wheel drive system. Each side is independent, while the other maximising the mobility in a very small radius. Generic to skid steer loaders, it has a hydrostatic drive system by which each set of wheels on either side connected to an independent drive motor, through a gear train, which provides slip free drive to the wheels. The forged gears are hardened for a longer life and are immersed in an oil bath providing continuous lubrication. This machine is built on the foundation of providing operator safety, reliability, easy maintenance and low ownership cost. When it comes to the test of strength, endurance and surviving the tough Indian conditions, the Heman 175 skid steer loader is the only machine tabbed as ?Made for India, Made in India?. Terex manufactures all its construction equipment in India. Our plant at Greater Noida manufactures and provides backup services and aftermarket support for backhoe loaders, skid steer loaders, light towers, wheel loaders, walk behind rollers and site dumpers.

Tell us about the attachments available with Heman.

The Heman skid steer is available with a variety of attachments like:

Sweeper collector - to sweep, clean, scrape mud, garbage in forward or reverse modes

Backhoe/ trenching - for small scale digging, trenches for canals and ditches

Auger - for drilling holes for 4 to 24 inches

Industrial grapple - for handling general purpose bulk or scrap

Pallet fork - To handle palleted material in tight spaces

Combination bucket- for leveling, dozing, digging, grappling, loading and dumping.

Side dump bucket - for side tipping of load, without positioning machine for dump.

Could you elaborate on the safety features inbuilt in the skid steer range? The skid steer loader is inbuilt with safety features ensuring both operator and general site safety requirements. The operating bar is electronically connected to the engine and drives. The machine shuts down all its systems once the operator bar is not in position, eliminating any possibilities of accidental discharge of load. Visibility from the cabin is also an important design feature ensuring safe operation during movement in controlled spaces. Terex work safety standards also serve as our guiding document to train operators and users.

The Heman 175 skid steer loader is an engineering marvel in the earthmoving equipment industry.