A wide variety of earthmoving equipment was on show at FarmFest, which celebrated its 50th anniversary of being Queensland’s go-to machinery field day
The 50th anniversary of FarmFest once again saw thousands of visitors head to Toowoomba for Queensland’s largest machinery field day.
As the name suggests, FarmFest is renowned for the agricultural machinery displayed, but there was also a significant presence of earthmoving equipment.
Held over three big days from June 3–5, the event returned to Kingsthorpe Park in the heart of the Darling Downs, with FarmFest attendees being greeted with sunny weather on all three days.
The Earthmovers & Excavators team was on-site and had the opportunity to explore an extensive variety of earthmoving products.
Here are some of the highlights from exhibitors at the event:
Komatsu
At the Komatsu exhibit it was a D51EX-22 bulldozer that caught the eye of FarmFest attendees.
The forward-sloping bonnet design ensures exceptional visibility of the working area, complemented by a highly efficient hydrostatic transmission.
The Komtrax remote monitoring and location system is included as standard, with this model suited to various applications including civil construction and local government among others.
Weighing in at 12.7-tonnes, the Komatsu dozer is powered by a 130hp (97kW) engine and has a 2.9 cubic metre blade capacity.
A key factor in the performance of this machine is the hydrostatic drive, which supplies high drawbar pull when needed and a highly fuel-efficient drive line for grading and precision work.
Hastings Deering
Celebrating 100 years of Caterpillar, dealer Hastings Deering had an eye-catching limited-edition Cat 938-wheel loader painted in centennial grey at its exhibit.
This was in addition to the brand-new Cat 285 compact track loader, along with a range of other Cat machines.
First unveiled to the country at Diesel Dirt & Turf, the new compact track loader boasts a 110hp (82kW) Cat C3.6 turbo charged engine, making it bigger and more powerful than any other Cat compact track loader on the market.
Hercules Machinery Group
Having recently rebranded from Brisbane Mini Excavator Sales, Hercules Machinery Group showcased its cost-effective Hercules wheel loader range, which has proven to be popular both in the civil and agricultural industry.
The 12-tonne Hercules H1250-2 is currently the largest wheel loader in HMG’s offering, boasting a 180hp (134kW) genuine Cummins engine and a four-tonne rated load capacity.
As part of the company’s Series 2 models, which are an upgrade of the previous H Series machines, the Hercules H1250-2 features new design changes, including new engine cowlings and an enhanced systems display with more information for the operator.
This model also comes standard with a hydraulic quick hitch, GP bucket and a reverse camera.
CJD Equipment
The Australian distributor of Volvo Construction Equipment, CJD, displayed a variety of Volvo machinery both large and small.
One of which was Volvo’s 1.8-tonne ECR18 electric mini excavator, a machine that is becoming more and more popular, due to the lack of emissions and noise produced.
It features a 2.34m maximum dump height and has a two to five-hour run time, depending on the application.
Another highlight was the 12.36-tonne Volvo L60H wheel loader, boasting a 122kW (166hp) engine and a 2.1 cubic metre bucket capacity.
Toyota Material Handling Australia
Fresh off being appointed the national importer and distributor of a range of Takeuchi machinery, Toyota Material Handling Australia brought various models of its new offering to the event.
This included the Takeuchi compact track loader range, encompassing five different models – three with the choice of radial arm and two with a vertical arm configuration.
Radial arm models are ideal for tough excavating and grading applications or loading and unloading flat-bed trucks, while the vertical arm variation is ideal for loading high-sided trucks and hoppers due to the generally larger dump height.
All models feature a tilt up operator’s station to provide access to all remote filters and hydraulic equipment for easy serviceability and maintenance, while a heavy-duty rear swing door enables quick access for daily service check points.
Tilly’s Crawler Parts
2025 marks one year since Tilly’s Crawler Parts was acquired by the USCO ITR Group, and its new offering was out in full force at FarmFest, including ITR rubber tracks.
This is in addition to Tilly’s comprehensive selection of its own and ITR’s compact tracked loader parts, including rollers, sprockets, idlers and final drives.
Also on the stand was a variety of Tilly’s quality, near-new earthmoving machinery, including a 2024 Caterpillar 307.5 Next Gen track-mounted excavator.
Only showing six hours, this machine is powered by a 48.3hp (36kW) engine and comes with a bucket package including 300mm, 450mm, and 600mm GP attachments, as well as a 1,200mm mud variation.
Cobra Equipment Sales
Customisation was a feature of Shantui machinery authorised distributor and dealer Cobra Equipment Sales’ stand, displaying a Shantui DH17-C3 bulldozer model with a range of options able to be integrated at the specific request of customers.
Many contractors have been procuring this model with options like PAT (Power-Angle-Tilt) blades, stick rakes, tree spears and additional forestry protection.
The dozer weighs 19.2-tonnes with three shank rear rippers and boasts a 152kW (204hp) fuel-efficient Weichai engine, making the DH17-C3 a highly versatile and reliable machine.
Other customisable features offered include reverse cameras, air suspension seats, SALT (sealed and lubricated track chains), alligator links, wider and heavier track plates, and heavier duty blades.
United Heavy Industries
Many FarmFest attendees made inquiries about United Heavy Industries’ six-tonne UME60 excavator, due to its cost-effective nature.
The 60hp (44.1kW) excavator is powered by a Yanmar engine and comes with a full attachment package including a 300mm, 450mm, 700mm and 1,200mm bucket set, as well as a hydraulic thumb and hydraulic quick hitch.
Confidence can be instilled in customers that the UME60 excavator is a quality product with a one-year full parts & labour warranty, two-year engine full parts & labour warranty, and a three-year full parts warranty.
JCB
JCB Teleskid models were on show among JCB CEA’s machinery, which was represented by dealer Wideland Group.
Combining the flexibility of a telehandler’s single telescopic boom with the mobility and toughness of a skid steer loader, the Teleskid offers a compelling package of versatility, safety and productivity.
Operators can load and unload a standard 8-foot trailer from one side for faster turnaround times and the machine offers greater tractive force with greater pushing power for sticky conditions versus a standard forklift or telehandler.
3TS Teleskid models are equipped with the JCB EcoMAX engine, while the 2TS model is equipped with the JCB Kohler engine, both producing 74hp (54.4kW).
LiuGong
Having recently introduced new machinery models to the Australian market, LiuGong was represented at FarmFest by national distributor McIntosh Group, which displayed the all-new 22-tonne LiuGong 922F excavator.
Suitable for civil, quarry, waste and recycling works, the 922F features the latest improved Cummins engines used in many LiuGong machines, and the cabin has been significantly upgraded.
The larger cabin incorporates advanced technologies with updated operating features, such as the new electro-hydraulic system, which provides lightning-fast signals between the joysticks, pumps and valve blocks to deliver pinpoint precision and maximise available engine power.
New boom float technology also improves performance and prolongs tool life by preventing excessive pressure during braking applications.
Case Construction Equipment
Various compact track loaders were on show at Case Construction Equipment dealer Engage Ag’s FarmFest booth, including the TR270B.
With an operating weight just over 3.7-tonnes, the Case TR270B is the smallest compact track loader in Case’s offering, making it easy to transport from site to site.
It is powered by a 74hp (54.4kW) engine and includes a variety of safety features in the cabin, including a new backup camera (operational in both forward and reverse), cab-wide rearview mirror, and large front and side windows.
This is in addition to a low entry threshold for easy entry and greater visibility down to the bucket, a low sloping rear hood and 360-degree lighting.
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