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Let's back up for a second. Hitachi Construction Machinery has been around for 75 years. They've built a reputation on manufacturing and engineering that people trust . But the construction industry doesn't stand still, and neither are they. In October 2025, the company announced that starting April 2027, they'll officially become LANDCROS . Same manufacturing standards. Same dealer support. Same attention to customers. Just a new name that reflects where they're going.
So why does this matter at CONEXPO? Because this is the first time the public gets to see what that transition actually looks like. It's not just a new logo or a different color scheme. It's about how they're approaching technology, partnerships, and the way equipment fits into the bigger picture of a jobsite .
If you've spent any time in construction, you already know the challenges. Labor shortages aren't going away. Operators are harder to find and keep. Jobsites need to be more efficient with fewer people. And the technology that's supposed to help? Sometimes it feels like it was designed by people who've never stepped foot on a jobsite.
Hitachi is walking into CONEXPO with a pretty clear message: they've been listening. The technology they're showing isn't just cool for the sake of being cool. It's aimed at stuff that actually matters—like keeping equipment from getting stolen, helping less experienced operators work more precisely, and finding ways to let machines handle repetitive tasks so people can focus on the work that needs a human touch .
You don't fill 30,000 square feet with empty space. Hitachi's bringing over 20 machines, including some new ones that haven't been in the spotlight before . The ZX500LCK-6 high reach demolition configuration is going to turn some heads—that's the kind of machine that makes demolition crews pay attention. They've also got two updated wheel loaders, the ZW120-7 and ZW140-7, and a mass excavation configuration for the ZX890-7 .
And if you're into attachments, they've got you covered. More than 15 types from various manufacturers, showing just how versatile these machines can be .
Here's where things get interesting. Hitachi has been working with some startup companies that won their 2024 challenge—Sodex, Teleo, and Veristart . These aren't just partnerships on paper. They've invested in these companies and developed real technology that addresses things like labor shortages and equipment access .
You'll be able to see a Teleo wheel loader running with supervised autonomy. That means it can handle itself, but there's still an operator in the loop when needed. Sodex brings real-time survey capabilities from a cab-mounted lidar system—so you're not guessing about grade. And Veristart? That's about keeping your equipment where it belongs with anti-theft access control .
There's also Ramblr.ai with Assist Pro, which is basically an AI assistant you can run on your phone. Imagine having someone in your pocket who can help answer questions whether you're in the cab or underneath the machine trying to figure out what's wrong .
Dimaag.ai is bringing the ZX17e compact excavator with a swappable battery system and a remote mobile charging station . That's worth paying attention to because electric equipment is only useful if you can keep it running. Swappable batteries change the equation on jobsites where plugging in isn't always an option.
Hitachi's also showing their new Machine Guidance system—3D guidance that helps operators work more precisely without overthinking it . And LANDCROS Connect, their fleet management system, now has attachment management capabilities. Because if you're running multiple attachments, you need to know where they are and how they're being used .
For the mining folks in the crowd, they're showing an autonomous framework for haul trucks. This isn't science fiction—it's running on jobsites already, and it's about making mining operations safer and more efficient .
Hitachi's theme for this year is "Connecting Harmony to Innovation" . That sounds like marketing speak until you actually walk through what they're doing. The Japanese manufacturing and engineering isn't going anywhere—that's the foundation. But they're building on it with technology developed in partnership with companies that know things Hitachi doesn't. That's the open partnership model they talk about, and it's a big part of why they're becoming LANDCROS .
The booth itself is designed to be a peaceful experience. That's intentional. They want people to walk through, see the equipment, talk to the people, and actually have room to think . There's even a two-story building inside the booth with historical exhibits—models of their hydraulic systems, a timeline of industry firsts. Because you can't know where you're going if you don't remember where you came from .
Hitachi at CONEXPO 2026 is worth your time if you're serious about equipment. Not because they're showing off flashy concepts that might exist someday, but because they're bringing real machines and real technology that solve real problems. The brand is changing, but the stuff that matters—the reliability, the dealer support, the engineering—that's staying put .
Stop by booth F19012 in the Festival Grounds. See the machines. Play with the technology. Ask the hard questions. That's what CONEXPO is for.
A: The official transition happens in April 2027. CONEXPO 2026 is the first chance for the public to see what that change looks like and what it means for customers .
A:They're bringing over 20 machines, including the ZX500LCK-6 high reach demolition configuration, updated ZW120-7 and ZW140-7 wheel loaders, and a mass excavation configuration for the ZX890-7 .
A:Most of what they're showing is either available now or close to it. The technology developed with startups like Teleo, Sodex, and Veristart has been in development since 2024 and is ready for real-world applications .
A:Dimaag.ai is showing the ZX17e compact excavator with a swappable battery system. That means you can keep working by swapping batteries instead waiting for a charge, which solves one of the biggest headaches with electric equipment on jobsites .
A:Booth F19012 in the Festival Grounds. It's 30,000 square feet, so it's not hard to find .
