Equipment Innovation Trends from the 2017 Contractors Top 50 New Products: What Construction Professionals Should Know

Each year, the Contractors’ Top 50 New Products program, hosted by Equipment Today and ForConstructionPros.com, showcases the equipment and products that construction equipment owners and end users identify as the most intriguing innovations in the industry. The 2017 edition brought together 50 products across eight major categories, from earthmoving machinery to worksite tools, all selected through a peer-driven methodology that relies on actual reader engagement rather than editorial preference. For contractors evaluating new equipment, understanding what earned recognition provides valuable insight into market trends and technological priorities. This analysis builds on coverage in Contractors Select Top 50 Products a Peer Driven and explores the specific products and industry shifts represented in the 2017 winners list.

The Peer-Driven Methodology Behind the Awards Program

The Contractors’ Top 50 New Products program operates on a different principle than typical industry awards. Instead of relying on a panel of judges, winners are determined by the volume of reader inquiries on new products featured in Equipment Today magazine over twelve months, combined with page views and inquiries on ForConstructionPros.com. This approach ensures winning products represent genuine interest from the professionals who purchase and operate this equipment.

Selection and Ranking Process

The selection methodology is designed to surface impactful new products:

1. New products in Equipment Today are tracked for reader inquiry volume over twelve months.
2. Page views and inquiry submissions on ForConstructionPros.com are aggregated as secondary metrics.
3. Each manufacturer receives only one award, ensuring fifty distinct companies are represented.
4. The winning product for each manufacturer is the single highest-ranking unit.
5. Winners are grouped into categories by product type for easier comparison.

The one-award-per-manufacturer rule is a critical feature. It prevents dominant brands from capturing multiple slots and spreads recognition across the broader industry, giving specialized manufacturers fair opportunity alongside global brands.

Why Peer-Driven Awards Matter

For contractors planning equipment procurement, peer-driven awards signal genuine market demand. When hundreds of construction professionals independently research the same product, that collective behavior indicates real interest. The awards function as a crowdsourced recommendation system reflecting what operators and fleet managers are actively investigating. This aligns with trends where contractor-driven evaluation methods supplement traditional manufacturer specifications. See Construction Equipment and Project Controls Equipment Selection Earned for more on peer-driven evaluation approaches.

Earthmoving and Attachment Innovations Lead the Winners

The earthmoving category had the largest concentration of winners, with ten products across compact track loaders, excavators, wheel loaders, and skid steers. The attachments category added six winners, reflecting the growing importance of versatile tooling systems that let a single base machine perform multiple jobsite functions.

Compact Track Loaders and Skid Steers

Major manufacturers earned recognition for compact track loader and skid steer platforms: the Bobcat T595 Compact Track Loader, Case SV340 Skid Steer, JCB 260T Compact Track Loader, and Wacker Neuson medium-frame skid-steer and compact track loaders. These machines share priorities including improved operator comfort, enhanced visibility, and higher hydraulic performance for attachments. The John Deere Large Frame G Series Loaders and SDLG Tier 4 Final Wheel Loaders rounded out the category, with SDLG signaling growing interest in value-focused equipment from global manufacturers expanding in North America. For related developments, see New Equipment From Lingong Group Sdlg and Lgmg.

Excavators and Attachments

Hitachi secured recognition with ZX135US-6 and ZX245USLC-6 Ultrashort Excavators, while Takeuchi earned a spot with the TB2150 Hydraulic Excavator. The Hitachi models are designed for confined-space work with limited tail swing clearance. The Caterpillar D3K2 Mulcher and Gehl 650 and 750 Articulated Loaders added diversity to the category. The attachments group featured six products:

The variety in attachment winners illustrates a shift in investment strategy. Rather than buying dedicated machines for every task, many contractors invest in a primary power unit with a fleet of attachments, reducing capital expenditure, simplifying maintenance, and improving fleet utilization.

Lift Equipment, Road Building, and Technology

The 2017 awards highlighted activity in three interconnected categories: lift equipment, road building machinery, and construction technology. These areas represent where safety, precision, and productivity improvements are driving rapid adoption of new systems.

Aerial Lifts and Cranes

• Genie SX-105 XC and SX-125 XC Telescopic Boom Lifts – Extra capacity models offering increased load ratings for demanding aerial work.
• JLG X770AJ Compact Crawler Boom – A compact tracked boom for rough terrain access in confined spaces.
• Liebherr LRT 1090-2.1 and LRT 1100-2.1 Rough-terrain Cranes – Advanced load charts and mobility for infrastructure projects.
• Skyjack SJIII 4740 Electric Scissor Lift – Emission-free operation with rugged construction for construction environments.

Road Building Equipment

Five road building products earned recognition in 2017:

1. BOMAG Cedarapids CR662RM RoadMix MTV/Paver – Combines material transfer and paving to reduce thermal segregation.
2. Diamond Road Smoother – Improves surface finish during paving operations.
3. Dragon Asphalt Mixer – Portable mixing for smaller projects and patching.
4. GOMACO G+ Remote Control – Remote operation for concrete paving precision.
5. Wirtgen W 35 Ri Milling Machine – Compact cold milling for urban pavement removal.

The BOMAG Cedarapids RoadMix system addresses thermal segregation, a challenge where material cools unevenly during transport. By remixing asphalt immediately before placement, it produces more uniform mat temperatures and longer-lasting pavements.

Technology Tools

The technology category showcased the intersection of equipment with digital systems and analytics:

• 3D Robotics Site Scan Aerial Analytics Platform – Drone-based surveying generating maps, 3D models, and volumetric measurements.
• Con-Cure NEX Concrete Monitoring System – Wireless sensors for real-time concrete strength and temperature monitoring.
• GSSI PaveScan RDM Asphalt Density Assessment Tool – Ground-penetrating radar for non-destructive density measurement.
• Topcon 3D-MC MAX Machine Control System – 3D grading control with GNSS positioning.
• Trimble Spectra Precision LT52 Point and Crossline Laser – Self-leveling laser for layout and elevation control.

By 2017, construction technology had moved beyond niche applications into mainstream evaluation. Contractors researching drones, wireless sensors, and machine control systems were signaling that digital tools had become essential components of the construction workflow.

Trucks and Worksite Equipment for Operational Efficiency

The trucks and worksite equipment categories accounted for fifteen winners, the broadest range of applications in the program. These products address material transport, job site access, lighting, compaction, and trenching.

Truck Innovations

• American Eagle Heavy-duty Aluminum Drawers – Lightweight storage for service truck bodies.
• A.R.E. Truck Cap Options for 2016 Nissan Titan XD – Weatherproof tool storage caps.
• Chevy Silverado HD with Duramax 6.6L Diesel – Heavy-duty pickup platform for contractor fleets.
• Crysteel Paradox and Raptor Series Dump Bodies – Corrosion-resistant dump bodies for light and medium trucks.
• Ford F-150 Pickup Truck – Aluminum body with weight savings and improved fuel economy.
• Minimizer Fast Flaps – Durable mud flaps for heavy-duty trucks.
• Nissan Titan Single Cab – Lower-entry configuration for fleet budgets.
• Venturo VC750FB Van Crane – Van-mounted crane for material handling from service vehicles.
• VMAC Direct Transmission-mounted PTO-driven Air Compressor – Under-hood compressor eliminating separate engine-driven units.
• Western Star 6900XD Offroad MBT-40 – Severe-duty chassis for heavy hauling.

The VMAC transmission-mounted air compressor is a notable innovation, eliminating a dedicated engine to reduce weight and operating costs for service trucks.

Worksite Equipment

Six products rounded out the worksite equipment category:

• Barreto RTK Stand-On Track Trencher – Compact design improving operator visibility during trenching.
• BN Products BNCE-50 Cutting Edge Saw – Portable saw for concrete, asphalt, and steel.
• Generac MLT6S Mobile Light Tower Family – Mobile lighting for nighttime operations.
• Chicago Pneumatic MV 58A Forward Asphalt Plate Compactor – Plate compactor for asphalt patch compaction.
• Somero S-10A Laser Screed Machine – Laser-guided screed for large floor slabs with high flatness tolerances.
• Whelen Pioneer LiFe LF35 Area Light – LED area light for temporary illumination.

The Somero S-10A Laser Screed Machine allows a single machine to place and level concrete at rates far exceeding manual methods while achieving tight floor flatness tolerances. For contractors handling large floor slabs in warehouses and distribution centers, this technology directly impacts productivity and quality. On equipment consolidation trends, see Flooring Equipment Consolidation National Flooring Equipment Acquires Syntec.

Key Takeaways for Equipment Buyers

The 2017 Contractors’ Top 50 New Products winners offer several lessons for equipment acquisition planning. First is the importance of versatility. Across multiple categories, contractors showed strong interest in products that extend existing equipment capabilities: attachments letting one machine do the work of several, truck-mounted systems eliminating separate support equipment, and technology platforms improving accuracy without new base machines.

Second is the value of peer-driven research. Because awards are based on actual inquiry behavior rather than editorial preference, the winners reflect genuine market demand. Products that generated high inquiry volumes were addressing real problems, making the list a practical reference for fleet planning.

Third is the accelerating integration of technology into every equipment category. From drone surveying to wireless concrete monitoring to 3D machine control, digital tools appeared alongside traditional equipment, signaling they had become mainstream. Contractors who integrate these technologies gain measurable advantages in productivity, quality, and cost control, making technology evaluation a critical part of every equipment purchase decision.

By studying the products recognized in the 2017 Contractors’ Top 50 New Products program, construction professionals can better understand the equipment trends that fellow contractors found most compelling during a period of significant technological change in the industry.