Highlights and Happenings from the Show Floor at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020

Positivity. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say this was one of the key themes of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020. Even facing longtime challenges like the industry’s labor shortage and newer unknowns like COVID-19 and an early closure of the show, the show still reported registered attendance of more than 130,000 for the week and buyer attendance improvement of almost 5%.

The RDO Equipment Co. team had a strong presence at this year’s CONEXPO show, both supporting manufacturing partners in their booths and meeting with customers to talk about solutions and looking ahead at the rest of the year.

Take a closer look at highlights from some of our partners and customers, and a few additional, exciting happenings from this year’s CONEXPO.

John Deere
Deere unveiled its Compact Track Loader with SmartGrade technology – the same advanced GPS machine control used on dozers and motor graders, now integrated on one of the most popular compact construction machines.

Beyond the technology aspect and helping customers be more accurate in their grading work, the fully-integrated system provides additional benefits, according to Gregg Zupancic, Product Marketing Manager, Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders, John Deere Construction & Forestry.

“There are no masts and no cables to potentially be damaged and the monitor is mounted in the cab,” he said.

While the new equipment is exciting, one of the highlights of Deere’s booth wasn’t a new machine at all. To celebrate its 50^th anniversary of skid steers, the booth featured a restored version of the original JD24 model skid steer. It was a great way to celebrate an important milestone, while also showing the contrast of just how far technology has come in 50 years.

Take a look at the recap video below for more:


Wirtgen Group
Outside, rain and chilly temps didn’t stop attendees from checking out Wirtgen’s booth, featuring several new machines including the new F Series milling machines, the Pro Series of Kleemann crushers, and Wirtgen’s coal recyclers.

Looking at the mills, the new machines boast more than 300 update, according to Cory Fuhrmann of Wirtgen Group.

“Another big point with our new milling machines is technology,” he added. “It used to be three individual drum speeds that the operator would select, now we’ve changed to a pattern mode, a power mode, or eco mode. The machine calibrates the engine RPM and drum speed to maximize the performance of the machine.”


Vermeer
Attendance was booming at the Vermeer booth, and the team took full opportunity to connect with customers and potential buyers with its Talk Shop theme, aimed at putting conversations in customers’ hands to discuss the industry, jobsites, challenges, or equipment.

Equipment was still the star of the show at the Vermeer booth, with featured machines including the newly-introduced VXT line of vacuum trucks.

According to Ken Hugen, General Manager of Sales for RDO’s Vermeer business, Vermeer’s newly-expanded full line of products, from trailer mounted vacs up to the largest units like the new XR2 vacuum excavator, helped the company achieve a significant milestone in the space.

“With the latest release of the XR2 vacuum excavator, Vermeer is proud now to be the largest manufacturer in the world of hydro-excavation products,” he said.

To hear more about Vermeer equipment, including one customer’s partnership with Vermeer, watch the recap video:


Topcon
As expected, technology was the focus in the Topcon booth, where companies saw and got hands-on with solutions designed to solve problems and make their operations more efficient and productive. Hear more from the RDO Equipment Co. and Topcon teams.

Also not surprising, the new X-53x Auto Excavator System stole the show in Topcon’s booth, the industry’s first fully-automated excavator control system. With the industry’s continued focus on workforce development and addressing the labor shortage, this system is predicted to be a game-changer, allowing inexperienced operators the opportunity to work fast and efficiently, similar skill to that of a veteran operator.

According to Oscar Cantu, Construction Content Manager for Topcon Positioning Group, most of the companies visiting the booth were already aware of or operating Topcon technology solution, and, instead, looking for ways to take their existing technology investment to the next level.

“We’re finding out very few folks who came to CONEXPO were looking to get into the machine control business,” he said. “We’re showing them how they can accelerate what they do every day with our solutions right now.”

In this special recap video, the RDO team shares more about the exciting Topcon technology on display at this year’s busy show. Plus, hear how one customer approaches new technology:

While seeing products and technology unveilings, discovering new companies and solutions, and exchanging optimism and best practices with others are hallmarks of every tradeshow, the real impact of CONEXPO will be felt long after the last few exhibitors have moved their equipment out of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

RDO is here to partner with all companies interested in implementing new machines, technology, or ideas going forward.

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To learn more about new and used equipment for sale, parts, service, and technology opportunities, contact your local RDO Equipment Co. store.