Wacker Neuson’s compact excavators have firmly established themselves as indispensable multitool carriers in South and Sub-Saharan Africa’s agriculture, forestry, construction, and mining sectors. By integrating cutting-edge technology, energy-efficient solutions, and future-ready features, these machines deliver superior performance, reliability, and versatility in the toughest conditions.
‘Compact’ refers to their sleek design and small footprint, yet these capable workhorses deliver big when it comes to performance, versatility, reliability, and efficiency. “Our compact excavators punch well above their weight,” says Wacker Neuson Managing Director – Sub-Saharan Africa, Stefan le Roux. “Built for tough conditions, they withstand the harsh African environment while delivering consistent, reliable performance.”
“Compact excavators are becoming the go-to choice for operators, as a single machine with multiple attachments can handle a wide range of tasks on virtually any job site, even in tight spaces,” continues le Roux. He emphasizes that compactness is crucial for many limited-space applications across the four sectors mentioned. “The growing demand for compact excavators reflects their ability to adapt to Africa’s diverse industries, providing both productivity and sustainability in a rapidly developing region. Their popularity is further driven by increasing demand for efficient, small-scale machinery, particularly in areas with limited access to larger equipment.” He further notes that several regional factors, including population growth, infrastructure development, mechanised agriculture, and sustainable resource extraction, have contributed to a significant rise in demand for these multitool carriers over the past two decades.
Wacker Neuson excavators have evolved over 40 years to meet shifting industry demands worldwide. As Wacker Neuson South Africa celebrates 45 years of trusted service and the global Wacker Neuson Group marks 177 years of engineering excellence, the brand remains synonymous with quality, reliability, and customer trust – values that continue to drive its success in South and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Compact excavators have become indispensable in agriculture. From trench digging to more complex tasks like field preparation, tree planting, and material handling, these machines play a key role in an industry that contributes approximately 23% to Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP. Wacker Neuson’s EZ17, EZ17e, and EZ28 lead the charge on small to medium-sized farms, with the ET66 and ET75 stepping up for larger tasks or operations.
In forestry operations, these excavators’ compact design once again proves to be invaluable. Their small footprint minimises soil disruption, making them ideal for environmentally sensitive tasks such as land clearing or selective logging. Wacker Neuson’s full range of excavators are up to the task, combining high manoeuvrability in dense areas with the power required for tree clearing, logging, and handling large logs with specialised attachments. “Our 1.6-ton to 7-ton models excel in confined spaces, offering unmatched versatility that makes them the top choice over larger competitor machines for more expansive operations,” notes le Roux.
Construction, which contributes more than 13% to the GDP in countries like South Africa and Kenya, is another key segment for Wacker Neuson. Its entire excavator fleet – the ET16, EZ17, EZ17e, EZ28, ET35, ET66, and ET75 – serves as the backbone for small to medium-scale contractors across the region.
In mining, compact excavators have carved out a niche in small-scale and artisanal operations, thanks to their efficiency and safe handling of tasks like ore transport and path clearing. This sector supports over 40 million people across the continent and contributes to vital resources such as gold and diamonds. Wacker Neuson’s full excavator range is well-suited to this space, with the EZ17e all-electric, zero-emissions excavator specifically matched for underground mining conditions.
“The premium quality and reliability that the Wacker Neuson brand is globally renowned for directly speak to customer trust in our products, which is why we dedicate meticulous attention to our engineering and design, ensuring best-in-class reliability and efficiency,” asserts le Roux. Wacker Neuson excavators incorporate advanced, future-ready features that help customers optimise operations and ensure long-term business sustainability. Alongside a compact design, innovations include energy efficiency, advanced hydraulic systems, zero-emission technology, intelligent technology integration, and a rich selection of attachments.
The advanced hydraulic systems provide precise control and efficient operation for enhanced productivity and safety. This technology also enables the use of a wide range of attachments, elevating these machines into powerful, multi-functional tool carriers that adapt to evolving project requirements. “As new attachment technologies emerge, our machines can seamlessly adapt, adding another layer to their unmatched versatility,” notes le Roux.
Paired with a wide range of quality attachments – such as standard, heavy-duty, and tilt buckets, augers, grapples, hydraulic breakers, and winches – Wacker Neuson compact excavators handle diverse tasks across farms, forests, construction, and mining sites. For precision work, hydraulic augers ensure accurate drilling, while tilt buckets allow for precise grading and shaping, making them especially popular in construction. Rippers break through tough surfaces and loosen rocks, while thumbs provide a strong grip for moving debris, both widely used in construction and mining. With brush mulchers, these excavators easily clear vegetation and light overgrowth in agriculture and forestry. Quick couplers and other specialty attachments enable fast, efficient, and safe tool changes, maximising productivity on the job.
Weighing in on sustainability and energy efficiency, le Roux highlights that alongside electric models like the EZ17e, Wacker Neuson’s conventional excavators are designed to be fuel-efficient, reducing overall operating costs and carbon footprints. “Tailored for urban, indoor, and underground (mining) projects where environmental and safety regulations are stringent, the future-orientated EZ17e aligns with the global shift towards sustainable practices and operations, ensuring compliance with future environmental standards in our four focus sectors,” affirms le Roux.
Wacker Neuson offers smart technology, including telematics and remote monitoring systems, enabling operators to track machine performance, maintenance schedules, and fuel consumption. These insights help optimise operations, reduce downtime, and support better decision-making for sustained productivity.
“Staying true to our value proposition, we are committed to continually developing machines that set new benchmarks in versatility and reliability. We also pledge to provide exceptional after-market service and forge lasting customer partnerships, further strengthening the trust they place in us. Our customers can be confident that Wacker Neuson machines will perform reliably even in challenging conditions, taking care of projects today and in the future. Through these commitments, we ensure that we not only meet but consistently exceed expectations,” concludes le Roux.
