The National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo (DD&T) returned to the Sydney Dragway this past weekend in a blaze of sunshine, enthusiastic crowds, and the latest and greatest in earthmoving equipment.
The stands were bigger and better than ever, with the show’s Gold Sponsor Komatsu leading the way. Smart machinery was a big focus at the Komatsu stand, with a range of iMC 2.0 enabled dozers on show, including a couple available for tests in the dig pit. Also towering over the stand was a brand new WA480-8 large wheel loader – the first of its kind in Australia.
More of the latest tech was on show at the Westrac Cat stand, where regular live demonstrations showed off the innovative Ease of Use suite, which is now available on the Cat® mini excavator range. The busy stand was rounded out with a robust selection of the latest Cat machinery and attachments, and even a well-equipped small sandpit for the event’s smaller attendees.
For those keen on the big stuff, XCMG’s stand was greatly expanded from what was already a strong offering in 2022. Likewise, CJD Equipment boasted a wide range of Volvo excavators and wheel loaders, and the STM Trucks & Machinery and adjacent Kobelco stands were densely packed with slick looking equipment of all sizes and colours.
On day two, long-time DD&T supporter Pickles Auctions had success with its popular equipment auction, which has become an annual expo tradition. A range of big-ticket items went under the hammer, with bids coming in from online and in person. Thanks to a partnership with Semco Equipment Sales, proceeds from several of the items sold went to support the Clancy Ward at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Innovation was another theme running through the stands at DD&T 2023. From home-grown screening bucket heroes Flip Screen to the latest in remote concrete batching solutions out of Italy with Carmix, there was no shortage of outside-the-box earthmoving equipment and attachments on show.
As always, there was a seemingly endless supply of quality goodies up for grabs across the site – from equipment finance experts Finlease’s famous socks to much-needed free bananas at the Divall’s Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage stand, where the team was looking to tempt job hunters with the Goulburn lifestyle.
On the other end of the goodies spectrum, machinery insurance company NTI was showing off an eye-catching 1954 Chevrolet COE hot rod pick up truck, which it is currently raffling off in support of the MND and Me Foundation.
For more on DD&T, visit: www.dieseldirtandturf.com.au
