The annual Contractors Top 50 New Products program, hosted by Equipment Today and ForConstructionPros.com, has become one of the most anticipated events in the construction equipment industry. Each year, this peer-driven awards program showcases the new equipment and products that construction equipment owners and end users identify as the most interesting and intriguing. Unlike awards determined by editorial panels or manufacturer marketing budgets, the Contractors Top 50 is driven entirely by reader engagement — page views and inquiries on the ForConstructionPros.com web portal over a 12-month period determine which products earn recognition. As discussed in Contractors Select Top 50 Products a Peer Driven, this approach ensures the winning products reflect genuine fleet owner priorities rather than industry hype. This article examines the 2019 winners across eight categories and explores the equipment trends, productivity gains, and profit opportunities they represent for construction fleets of all sizes.
Earthmoving Equipment: Compact Innovation Meets Operator Efficiency
Earthmoving equipment accounted for the largest number of award recipients in the 2019 Contractors Top 50, reflecting the centrality of digging, loading, and grading work to virtually every construction project. The winners in this category reveal two dominant themes: the continued rise of compact equipment and the integration of operator-assist technologies.
Compact Track Loaders and Skid Steers Dominate
Several compact track loader models earned recognition, including the Case TV450, Gehl RT105, John Deere 325G Mid-frame, and Kubota SVL65-2. Wacker Neuson also received an award for its Series II Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders. These machines continue to gain market share because they offer the versatility of larger loaders in a footprint that works on confined job sites and sensitive surfaces. Key advantages include:
- Reduced ground pressure for working on turf or soft terrain
- Superior stability compared to wheeled skid steers on slopes
- Higher torque delivery for demanding attachment work
- Lower transportation costs due to compact dimensions
Electric and Hybrid Excavators Enter the Mainstream
The recognition of the Kato 9VXE-3 Electric Compact Excavator and the Volvo ECR18E Compact Excavator signals a growing interest in electrified earthmoving equipment. These machines offer zero-emissions operation for indoor and urban job sites while delivering the hydraulic performance contractors expect from diesel-powered equivalents. The Liebherr Generation 8 Crawler Excavators and Mecalac MCR Series further demonstrate that manufacturers are investing heavily in operator comfort, fuel efficiency, and precision control systems.
Dozers and Wheel Loaders See Technology Upgrades
Caterpillar D6 and D6 XE Dozers earned a spot on the list alongside Hitachi ZW-6 Wheel Loaders. The D6 XE, in particular, represents a significant technological leap with its electric drive powertrain that separates the engine from the final drives, allowing the engine to run at optimal RPM regardless of ground speed. This translates to fuel savings of up to 25 percent compared to conventional dozers, making it a compelling option for fleet managers focused on total cost of ownership.
Attachments and Work Site Tools: Maximizing Machine Versatility
Attachments remain one of the most cost-effective ways to expand a fleet’s capabilities without purchasing dedicated machines. The 2019 winners in this category range from mulching heads to screeds, each designed to help contractors tackle more applications with existing equipment. Understanding how to select and maintain these tools is essential for fleet profitability, much like knowing which Top Construction Products Every Builder Should Know Recip can make or break daily productivity on site.
Specialized Attachments for Skid Steers and Excavators
The Indeco IMH Series Mulching Head Line and the Loftness Battle Ax Skid-steer Mulching Attachment both earned recognition for their ability to turn compact loaders into powerful vegetation management tools. These attachments are especially valuable for clearing and site preparation contractors who need to process brush and small trees without bringing in dedicated forestry equipment.
The Road Widener Offset Vibratory Roller Attachment and Dragon Screed Skid-steer Attachment demonstrate how attachments can streamline road building and paving tasks. These tools allow a single machine to perform multiple functions — spreading, leveling, and compacting — reducing the need for additional equipment on the job site.
Work Site Equipment Covers the Basics
The work site equipment category includes supporting tools that keep projects running smoothly. The Atlas Copco XAS 110 Air Compressor, Doosan LCV6 and LCV8 Portable Light Towers, Hilti TE 2000-AVR Demolition Hammer, MQ Whiteman J3036H55 Trowel, and Somero Sky Screed 25 Knuckle Boom Laser Screed each earned recognition. These products highlight the importance of reliable ancillary equipment in maintaining job site productivity. A fleet is only as efficient as its supporting tools, and investing in quality work site equipment reduces downtime and rework.
Fleet Management and Technology: Data-Driven Operations
The fleet management and technology categories in the 2019 Contractors Top 50 reflect the industry’s accelerating shift toward data-driven operations. From tire pressure monitoring to telematics and grade control, these products help fleet managers reduce operating costs and improve machine utilization. The push for smarter equipment management mirrors broader trends in the construction industry, where sustainable practices and operational efficiency are becoming competitive differentiators. For context on how material sourcing connects to these trends, see Sustainable Forestry in Maine How Certified Wood Products.
Telematics and Grade Control
The Derive VQ Telematics Solution, Topcon T-18 Handheld Controller for MAGNET Field, and Trimble Earthworks GO! Grade Control Platform all earned awards, signaling strong contractor interest in precision technology. Grade control systems reduce the need for stake-out and manual checking, allowing operators to work faster and with greater accuracy. Telematics solutions provide fleet managers with real-time data on machine location, fuel consumption, idle time, and maintenance needs.
Key benefits of integrated telematics and grade control systems include:
- Reduced material overruns through precise grading
- Lower fuel consumption by identifying excessive idle time
- Predictive maintenance alerts that prevent catastrophic failures
- Improved operator accountability and performance tracking
- Faster project completion through reduced rework
Tire Pressure Monitoring and Engine Innovation
Fleet maintenance winners included the Blue Ink Technology Tire Pressure Monitoring System, the Bridgestone PressureStat System, the Cummins X12 Engine, and the LockNLube Grease Coupler. Tire pressure monitoring is one of the highest-ROI investments a fleet can make, as proper tire inflation directly affects fuel economy, tire life, and job site safety. The Cummins X12 engine, meanwhile, represents the ongoing refinement of diesel powertrain technology, offering improved power density and fuel efficiency for heavy-duty applications.
Training Simulators and Workforce Management
The CM Labs Excavator Simulator Training Pack and Verizon Connect Workforce Management Solution highlight the growing importance of workforce development technology. Simulator-based training reduces the risk of damage to real equipment during the learning process and allows operators to practice in conditions that would be unsafe or impractical to create on an actual job site. Workforce management solutions help contractors optimize crew scheduling, track hours, and manage compliance with industry regulations. For a deeper look at how workforce policies affect construction businesses, see Workers Compensation Reform in New England Essential Knowledge.
Trucks, Lifting Equipment, and Road Building: Specialized Solutions
The remaining categories in the 2019 Contractors Top 50 cover specialized equipment that many contractors rely on for specific applications. Trucks and transportation equipment, lifting equipment, and road building machinery each serve distinct niches within the broader construction industry.
Trucks and Transportation Winners
The truck category featured an unusually strong showing from light-duty and medium-duty pickups, including the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD, 2019 Ford F-150 Limited, 2020 Jeep Gladiator Midsize Truck, and 2019 Ram Chassis Cab. The International CV Series Class 4/5 truck and Western Star Enhanced 4700 truck represented the commercial vehicle segment. Supporting equipment such as the Cemen Tech DT-100 and DT-200 Dump Trailers, Felling FT-12 EZ-T Tilt Trailer, and VMAC DTM70-H Underdeck Air Compressor rounded out the category. This diverse mix reflects the reality that construction fleets need everything from daily-driver pickups for supervisors to heavy-duty trucks for material hauling.
Lifting Equipment Highlights
In the lifting equipment category, the Genie Lift Tools Access Deck for Booms and Scissor Lifts, JCB 504-13 Loadall Subcompact Telescopic Handler, JLG Upgraded LRT Scissor Lift Series, Merlo Heavy-duty Telehandlers, and Skyjack SJ519 TH Compact Telehandler all earned recognition. Telehandlers continue to gain popularity because they combine lifting capacity with the ability to place loads at height and reach, making them more versatile than traditional forklifts on construction sites.
Road Building Equipment
Road building winners included the Carlson CP75 II Commercial Paver, Dynapac MF2500CS Material Transfer Vehicle, GOMACO Xtreme GT-3600 Curb and Gutter Machine, Weiler P265 Asphalt Paver, and Wirtgen W 150 CFi Compact Milling Machine. These products represent the precision and productivity gains available in modern paving equipment. Material transfer vehicles, for example, help eliminate the gaps and temperature segregation that can compromise asphalt mat quality, while compact milling machines allow for more targeted pavement removal.
Summary Table: 2019 Top 50 Winners by Category
| Category | Example Winners | Key Trends Represented |
|---|---|---|
| Earthmoving | Bobcat Rear Camera Kit, Caterpillar D6 XE, Kato 9VXE-3 Electric Excavator | Compact equipment growth, electrification, operator-assist technology |
| Attachments | Indeco IMH Mulching Head, Loftness Battle Ax, Dragon Screed | Machine versatility, multi-function capability, reduced equipment count |
| Trucks & Transportation | Chevrolet Silverado HD, International CV Series, VMAC Underdeck Compressor | Mixed fleet strategy, light-duty work trucks, support equipment integration |
| Lifting Equipment | Genie Lift Tools Access Deck, JCB 504-13 Telehandler, Skyjack SJ519 TH | Telehandler market expansion, access deck innovation, compact lifting solutions |
| Road Building | Carlson CP75 II Paver, Wirtgen W 150 CFi Mill, GOMACO GT-3600 | Precision paving, material transfer quality, compact milling capability |
| Technology | Derive VQ Telematics, Topcon T-18, Trimble Earthworks GO! | Grade control adoption, telematics integration, training simulation |
| Fleet Management | Blue Ink TPMS, Bridgestone PressureStat, Cummins X12 Engine | Tire monitoring ROI, engine efficiency, maintenance optimization |
| Work Site | Atlas Copco XAS 110, Hilti TE 2000-AVR, Somero Sky Screed 25 | Ancillary equipment reliability, laser screed adoption, portable power |
The 2019 Contractors Top 50 New Products program offers fleet owners and managers a valuable snapshot of where the construction equipment industry is heading. Several actionable takeaways emerge for fleet decision-makers:
- Electrification is no longer a future concept — it is arriving now in compact excavators and other small equipment categories
- Attachments continue to offer the fastest path to fleet diversification at the lowest capital cost
- Telematics and grade control technology have moved from optional extras to essential tools for competitive operation
- Operator comfort and training technology are receiving serious investment from manufacturers, reflecting industry concern about workforce retention
- Tire pressure monitoring and predictive maintenance tools deliver measurable ROI and should be prioritized in fleet upgrade budgets
By studying the products that peers in the industry found most compelling, construction fleet managers can make more informed purchasing decisions and position their operations for improved profitability in the years ahead.