The Hitachi booth at CONEXPO 2026 represents a massive turning point for the company. Following the dissolution of their joint venture with John Deere, Hitachi is moving toward a total rebrand as LANDCROS, effective April 2027. This year’s showcase is a “fusion of past and present,” where “Reliable Orange” heritage meets high-tech concepts that will define the brand’s independent future.
A major brand shift for the future
One of the biggest stories at the show is not a machine at all. Hitachi announced that it is officially changing its corporate and brand name to LANDCROS, effective April 1, 2027. While the name is changing, the 75 years of Japanese engineering we all trust remains exactly the same.
The shift is about more than just a new logo; it is about becoming more agile. “Technology piece, that’s not really our bread and butter,” explains Gabe Weiss, Head of Marketing at Hitachi. “So why not look for groups, technology partners… that we can partner with to come to market more quickly?” By transitioning to LANDCROS, the company is moving away from its heavy iron roots to embrace a future where they can be “more agile, more friendly” as an independent company.
What does LANDCROS stand for?
The name is actually an acronym that outlines the company’s new approach to creating solutions:
- LAND: Represents the company’s 75-year history and the reliability of their machines.
- CROS: Stands for Customer first, Reliable equipment, Open source (technology), and Solutions.
Innovation in harmony
At the booth, the company showcased this new identity through the theme of “Harmony” (or Wa in Japanese). They are building a full ecosystem of solutions that connect the machine, the operator, and the office. One of the most exciting examples of this open source approach is a partnership with a San Francisco-based group to rethink electrification.
Instead of a traditional fixed battery, they are demonstrating a cartridge system. “Think like a laser printer toner,” says Weiss. “They have eight of those that go in there… pull them out as you need to. So it continuously operates.” This mobile charging approach allows for 24/7 operation without the long downtime usually associated with recharging heavy equipment.
Hitachi has always been a leader in digging, and this evolution ensures they remain one for the next 100 years. “It’s not an end of an era,” Weiss notes. “It’s our next evolution.” While the decals will change on April 1, 2027, the “reliable orange” color and the team behind the machines aren’t going anywhere.
Hitachi’s latest heavy machine models were showcased at CONEXPO
The ZX500LCK-6 High Reach Demolition Excavator Concept
The concept ZX500LCK-6 high reach demolition excavator.
The ZX500LCK-6 is a specialized excavator designed specifically for high-reach demolition work. If you are tasked with tearing down tall structures in tight urban areas, this machine is engineered to handle that exact stress. Because it is a concept model, Hitachi is using this time to gather feedback by testing it out with select companies before releasing the next-generation version to North America.
According to Chad Salisbury, Product Manager at Hitachi, this is more than a standard excavator with a long arm attached. “It is purpose-built for demolition… Hitachi Japan builds the entire thing,” Salisbury explains. “They’re not sending over a modified 500 with an aftermarket front. They’ve taken great care to make sure the design is stable, reliable, safe, and efficient for that specific application.”
The machine is based on the proven ZX490 platform and offers a level of versatility that is critical for demolition crews who need to switch between high-reach work and traditional digging. The front options can be swapped out in as little as 20 minutes, allowing the machine to pivot from a towering high-reach setup to a mid-reach or two-piece boom system. “Being able to bring that in knowing that it’s a complete purpose-built machine from Hitachi is a great asset for our customers,” says Salisbury.
ZX500LCK-6 specs:
| Machine Class | 50-Metric Ton |
| Base Platform | ZX490 Series |
| Maximum Vertical Reach | 88’ 9” (27.05 m) |
| Maximum Crusher Weight | ~5,700 lbs (2,600 kg) |
| Boom Type | High-Reach / Multi-Boom (3-stage) |
| Front Change Time | Approximately 20 minutes |
| Operating Weight | ~142,000 lbs (64,500 kg) High Lift Spec |
| Engine Output | ~367 HP (270 kW) |
| Hydraulic System | Hitachi TRIAS III (3-pump system) |
ZW140-7 and ZW120-7 Wheel Loaders
The latest ZW120-7 Wheel Loader from Hitachi.
Hitachi is expanding its 7-series lineup with the introduction of the ZW120-7 and ZW140-7 wheel loaders. These machines are designed for high-efficiency material handling in residential construction, snow removal, and tight industrial settings.
One of the most noticeable changes in the 7-series is the shift in aesthetics and visibility. “You can tell the difference between the six and seven just by looking at the boom,” says Product Manager Chris Trampush. “It is gray on our sixes; they are orange on the sevens.” Beyond the color change, the machines now come standard with high-intensity LED lights, replacing the older halogen systems to provide better illumination for early morning or late-night shifts.
Safety is further enhanced by a 360-degree bird’s-eye view camera system. This allows operators to see the entire perimeter of the machine on a single display “In those confined, tight spaces, this is allows you to move and operate the machine safely, not only for you but for those around you as well,” says Trampush.
The interior of these loaders has been completely redesigned with a focus on reducing fatigue. Hitachi has moved the control buttons from the traditional lower console to the B-pillar post, placing them directly in the operator’s line of sight and within easy reach. The cab also features:
- Integrated payload system: This allows the operator to see exactly how much weight is in the bucket in real time, ensuring trucks are loaded to capacity without being overloaded.
- New ergonomic seats: Designed for comfort during 8 to 12-hour shifts.
- Hydrostatic transmission: Features a creep mode for precise control when using specialized attachments.
Hitachi ZW-7 series technical specifications:
| Hitachi ZW120-7 | Hitachi ZW140-7 | |
| Engine Model | Deutz TCD 3.6 | Cummins F4.5 |
| Net Rated Power | 100 HP (74 kW) | 154 HP (115 kW) |
| Operating Weight | 19,100 – 20,340 lbs | 25,760 – 26,490 lbs |
| Bucket Capacity | 1.8 – 2.4 yards | 2.5 – 3.1 yards |
| Breakout Force | 18,840 lbf (75 kN) | 21,300 lbf (94.8 kN) |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic (HST) | Hydrostatic (HST) |
Despite the high-tech upgrades, Hitachi hasn’t lost sight of the basics. Trampush emphasizes that the company still prides itself on the “reliability and quality of the machine.” These loaders are built to be a dependable, long-term part of your fleet.
Anticipating the ZX890-7 Bulk Excavation configuration
The new ZX890-7 Bulk Excavation Excavator.
Hitachi is also developing a Bulk Excavation configuration for the massive ZX890-7. This setup is being designed to move massive amounts of dirt in record time, making it a potential game-changer for large-scale earthmoving projects. Like the demolition model, this configuration is still being perfected behind the scenes to ensure it meets the aggressive timelines and durability standards that North American contractors expect.
The ZX135-7EB electric excavator concept
The ZX135-7EB electric excavator concept plugged in to charge.
For those looking to go green, the ZX135-7EB electric excavator was recently announced in February 2026. This 13-ton machine features dual-mode operation: battery-powered via a 198 kWh lithium-ion battery or wired grid-assist mode, which allows the machine to operate 24/7 while connected to a CEE 400 V AC three-phase power supply. It is quiet and produces zero emissions, making it the perfect choice for jobs in residential neighborhoods or areas requiring quiet operation.
Hitachi brings in smart tech to revolutionize it’s fleet
Hitachi is leaning into open partnerships to bring some new tools to the cab.
One of the standout features by far is Assist Pro. This is an iOS mobile app developed with Ramblr.ai that helps operators and technicians, whether they are in the seat or walking around the site. Think of it like a smart assistant that knows your machine inside and out. “Ramblr’s AI Assist Pro development marks the start of a much broader journey with Hitachi Construction Machinery,” said CEO of Ramblr.ai, Roman Hasenbeck, in a press release. “By combining their industry leadership in engineering and future-centric outlook with Ramblr’s AI agents, we’re transforming documentation and expert know-how into always-available, AI-powered intelligence, delivering interactive, AI-driven guidance that scales seamlessly across machines, teams, and global operations.”
AI Assist Pro demo images showcasing capabilities.
They also plan to equip their machines with a semi-autonomous excavator system developed with Gravis Robotics. Using the Gravis Rack retrofit kit on a ZX135US-7, the machine can learn to perform repetitive tasks from an operator. Once it knows the move, it can repeat it with perfect precision. This helps address the labor shortage by enabling less-experienced operators to meet high-level goals. It can also allow a single operator to control multiple machines at the same time without ever stepping foot inside the cab.
Better control with LANDCROS Connect
Managing a fleet can be a headache, but the new LANDCROS Connect system is looking to fix that. This machine monitoring platform gives you a bird’s-eye view of your entire operation.
You can track fuel use, check machine health, and even manage attachments. They will also introduce a new system called Solution Linkage Machine Guidance. It gives operators real-time data on depth and grade right on a screen in the cab. This means no more over-digging and a lot less rework, which keeps your budget on track.
“Machine guidance on excavators is no longer a luxury feature … it’s becoming a standard expectation on job sites today,” said Tony Carden, Technology Product Manager with Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas. “With Solution Linkage Machine Guidance, we’re combining advanced positioning technology with an intuitive design to create a system that enhances operator performance and improves overall project visibility. This is a step forward in our commitment to providing practical technology solutions that increase precision, productivity, and job site control.”
The connected future of the modern job site
Hitachi is proving that they understand the modern job site. Projects are getting more complex, and finding skilled help is becoming increasingly more difficult. By focusing on AI, autonomy, and electric power, they are providing machines that are more efficient to stay competitive. Whether you are an owner, a fleet manager, or an operator, Hitachi’s innovations are designed to make your life easier and jobs more productive.
With the adoption and integration of advanced technology into their heavy machines, Hitachi is positioning itself to thrive for the next 100 years. The move toward LANDCROS is a strategic push into high-tech automation, making sure their brand remains the backbone of job sites around the world.
For more on the latest tech and gear reveals from CONEXPO 2026, subscribe to our newsletter today and stay in the loop!
