Mecalac has introduced its innovative line of crawler skid-excavators — the newly updated MCR series. Comprised three models, the 6MCR, 8MCR and 10MCR, Mecalac’s line of compact skid-excavators offers superior speed, productivity and compact operation over traditional mini-excavators. The machines provide the swiftness of a skid-steer with the 360-degree rotation of an excavator for versatility and travel speeds two times faster than any small excavator. A compact footprint brings Mecalac’s signature end-user-focused design 

to new applications and industries for increased safety, sustainability and efficiency. 

The new MCR Series features a hydrostatic transmission and drive motors strong enough to take on any job. A dedicated pump drives the motor, allowing for twice the speed of any traditional mini excavator on the market. Each of the three machines is capable of travel speeds up to 6.2 mph (10 km/h). This significantly reduces time spent travelling across jobsites, resulting in faster cycle times and less unnecessary downtime. 

On the jobsite, the MCRs’ groundbreaking versatility increases productivity and reduces congestion. This is due in part to the company’s patented quick coupler, CONNECT. The advanced system allows operators to quickly transition between attachments — such as pallet forks or digging buckets — without leaving the cab, decreasing downtime between tasks and increasing overall productivity. Additionally, once the pins are engaged, CONNECT guarantees zero risk of dropping a bucket. 

Using a range of attachments, contractors can easily do the job of several machines with a single unit, freeing up resources and space without sacrificing efficiency. With a skid bucket attachment, contractors can move up to 0.98 cu yd (0.75 cu m) of material at top speed or rest the bucket against the blade for applications such as grading and ground levelling. This innovative feature stabilises the bucket, distributing the forces to the frame of the machine and reducing stress on the boom, prolonging component life.