Landcros Compact Track Loaders: A New Partnership, More Possibilities
Big changes are coming to Hitachi Construction Machinery in 2027, and the company’s latest announcement shows just how much is in store for the new LANDCROS brand.
As Hitachi prepares to transition to LANDCROS in April 2027, the manufacturer is expanding its equipment lineup through strategic partnerships with established construction equipment manufacturers.
The latest development? A new collaboration with Yanmar Compact Equipment to introduce Landcros Compact Track Loaders to the North American market.
Under the agreement, Yanmar will manufacture compact track loaders for Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas, with the machines scheduled to arrive under the LANDCROS brand in fall 2027.
For contractors, landscapers and equipment owners, this means another equipment category is joining the growing LANDCROS lineup.
At Tracey Road Equipment, we’re excited to see how this partnership will expand the options available to customers as the LANDCROS brand takes shape.
Let’s take a closer look at the announcement and what customers can expect.
Small Machines, Big Plans: LANDCROS Expands with Yanmar
The CTL supply program recognizes the strength of Yanmar’s product engineering and manufacturing capabilities in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and creates an opportunity to expand production and strengthen the operation’s long-term competitiveness.
Hitachi and Yanmar Announce New Compact Equipment Partnership
On October 28, 2026, Hitachi Construction Machinery and Yanmar Holdings announced the next step in their strategic collaboration to strengthen compact construction equipment offerings in North America.
The partnership builds on a Letter of Intent signed by the two companies on July 23, 2026, which established their intention to explore opportunities within the compact equipment market.
Now, those discussions have resulted in an agreement.
Yanmar Compact Equipment North America will manufacture compact track loaders for Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas, which will market and sell the machines under the LANDCROS brand.
The agreement brings together two established equipment manufacturers with extensive experience in their respective markets.
Yanmar contributes its compact equipment manufacturing expertise, while Hitachi/LANDCROS brings its established North American dealer network and construction equipment experience.
Together, the companies aim to provide customers with more equipment choices while expanding their presence in the compact construction equipment market.
Landcros Compact Track Loaders Are Coming in Fall 2027
One of the biggest takeaways from the announcement is the expected timeline.
* Landcros Compact Track Loaders are scheduled to begin selling in North America in fall 2027.
The machines will be manufactured by Yanmar Compact Equipment North America at its existing facility in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
This manufacturing arrangement allows LANDCROS to expand into the compact track loader market by working with an established manufacturer that already has experience producing compact construction equipment.
While specific LANDCROS models, horsepower ratings, operating capacities and hydraulic specifications have not yet been released, the announcement confirms the company’s intention to introduce compact track loaders as part of its expanding North American product portfolio.
Additional product information is expected as the launch approaches.
For customers interested in the new machines, 2027 will be an important year to watch.
Why Yanmar Is an Important Partner for LANDCROS
Yanmar is a recognized manufacturer in the compact construction equipment industry.
The company has a long history of engineering and manufacturing equipment designed for construction, landscaping, agriculture, forestry and other demanding applications.
Its current compact equipment portfolio includes:
Compact Track Loaders
Mini Excavators
Wheel Loaders
Tracked Carriers
This experience makes Yanmar a valuable partner as LANDCROS enters a new equipment category. Rather than developing a completely new compact track loader manufacturing operation, LANDCROS will benefit from Yanmar’s existing engineering expertise, manufacturing infrastructure and experience in the North American compact equipment market.
For contractors, this partnership provides an important foundation for the upcoming machines.
The new LANDCROS compact track loaders will be backed by an established compact equipment manufacturer while becoming part of the growing LANDCROS product family.
Both companies also plan to maintain their distinct brand identities and dealer networks as the partnership develops.
What Are Compact Track Loaders Used For?
Compact track loaders have become essential machines for contractors who need versatility, maneuverability and performance across changing jobsite conditions.
Unlike wheeled skid steer loaders, compact track loaders use rubber tracks to distribute machine weight across a larger ground contact area. This design can provide improved traction and flotation in certain soft, muddy or uneven conditions.
Combined with their compact dimensions and ability to operate multiple attachments, these machines are useful across a wide range of industries.
Construction and Site Preparation: Compact track loaders are commonly used for grading, material movement, excavation support and general jobsite cleanup. Their maneuverability makes them particularly valuable on construction sites where space is limited or multiple machines are working in the same area.
Landscaping and Property Maintenance: Landscaping contractors rely on compact track loaders to move soil, mulch, stone and other materials. With compatible attachments, these machines can also assist with grading, land preparation, brush clearing and property improvements.
Forestry and Land Clearing: Compact track loaders can support vegetation management and forestry applications when properly configured with compatible attachments. Depending on machine capabilities, these applications may include brush cutting, mulching and debris handling.
Road Construction and Infrastructure: Compact track loaders can assist with material handling, site cleanup, grading and other tasks on road construction and infrastructure projects. Their versatility makes them valuable support machines alongside excavators, wheel loaders and other heavy equipment.
Municipal and Seasonal Maintenance: Municipalities and property maintenance crews can use compact track loaders for grounds maintenance, material movement and snow removal.
With appropriate attachments, a single machine can perform different tasks throughout the year. This versatility is one reason compact track loaders remain an important equipment category for contractors and fleet managers.
How Compact Track Loaders Will Expand the LANDCROS Equipment Lineup
The addition of compact track loaders represents an important step in the growth of LANDCROS.
Hitachi Construction Machinery is already well known for its excavators and wheel loaders, including machines designed for both compact and large-scale applications.
The upcoming compact track loaders will complement those existing products.
For example, a contractor may use a compact excavator for trenching and digging, a compact track loader for grading and material handling, and a larger excavator or wheel loader for more demanding earthmoving operations.
Having multiple equipment categories available under the same brand can help customers evaluate solutions for different stages of a project.
The new compact track loaders will also give LANDCROS an opportunity to reach customers who may not currently operate Hitachi equipment.
Landscaping businesses, smaller construction contractors, property maintenance companies and other compact equipment users will have another reason to explore the LANDCROS brand.
This expansion reflects the company’s broader strategy of providing solutions across more jobsite applications.
A Two-Way Partnership: Compact Excavators for Yanmar
The collaboration between Hitachi and Yanmar extends beyond compact track loaders.
The companies are also preparing a reciprocal original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supply arrangement.
Under the proposed agreement, Hitachi Construction Machinery would manufacture compact excavators for distribution through Yanmar Compact Equipment’s North American dealer network.
This arrangement would allow both manufacturers to strengthen their product portfolios by drawing on each other’s areas of expertise.
Yanmar would supply compact track loaders for LANDCROS, while Hitachi would supply compact excavators for Yanmar.
The compact excavator supply arrangement is still being prepared, with additional details expected as discussions progress.
The broader goal is to create opportunities for both manufacturers and their dealers while providing customers with more equipment choices.
LANDCROS: More Than a New Name
For customers familiar with Hitachi Construction Machinery, the upcoming transition to LANDCROS may initially look like a branding change, but recent announcements demonstrate that the company has bigger plans.
On April 1, 2027, Hitachi Construction Machinery will officially transition to the LANDCROS corporate name and brand.
The transition builds on the manufacturer’s established engineering heritage while introducing a new focus on partnerships, technology and solutions beyond traditional machinery.
Existing Hitachi customers can expect continuity in equipment support, manufacturing quality and dealer relationships as the new brand is introduced.
At the same time, LANDCROS is actively working to expand its product offerings. The Yanmar compact track loader partnership is one example of that strategy.
Another recent announcement introduced plans for LANDCROS-branded articulated dump trucks through a partnership with Bell Equipment.
Together, these developments show how LANDCROS is preparing to serve a broader range of construction and earthmoving applications.
For customers, the message is straightforward: the name is changing, but the commitment to equipment performance and customer support continues, with more product options on the way.
Why the North American Compact Track Loader Market Matters
The decision to introduce compact track loaders is also driven by growing demand in North America.
According to Hitachi Construction Machinery, the North American compact track loader market exceeds 100,000 units in annual demand, making it the largest segment of the compact equipment market.
That demand reflects the versatility of these machines and their importance to contractors across multiple industries. From small landscaping businesses to large construction fleets, compact track loaders provide an effective way to perform a wide variety of tasks without requiring a dedicated machine for every application.
By entering this market through its partnership with Yanmar, LANDCROS is positioning itself to compete in a major equipment category while expanding the solutions available through its dealer network.
What Does This Mean for Tracey Road Equipment Customers?
At Tracey Road Equipment, we’re proud to be an authorized Hitachi Construction Machinery dealer and look forward to the transition to LANDCROS in 2027.
Our customers have relied on Hitachi excavators and wheel loaders for years, and we’re excited to see the manufacturer continue developing new products and partnerships.
The announcement of Landcros Compact Track Loaders gives contractors another reason to pay attention to the brand’s future.
As the expected fall 2027 launch approaches, we’ll continue following developments and sharing information about the upcoming machines. Specific models, specifications, dealer authorizations and local availability have not yet been confirmed.
In the meantime, our team remains available to help customers with their existing Hitachi equipment needs, including sales, service and parts support.
With 11 locations throughout New York and Pennsylvania, Tracey Road Equipment is committed to helping customers find the equipment and support they need to keep working.
The LANDCROS Lineup Keeps Growing
The partnership between Hitachi Construction Machinery and Yanmar marks another milestone in the development of the LANDCROS brand.
With Yanmar manufacturing compact track loaders for LANDCROS beginning in 2027, the company is expanding into a major equipment category while building on the experience of an established compact equipment manufacturer.
Combined with its existing excavators and wheel loaders, as well as upcoming articulated dump trucks, the addition of compact track loaders will help LANDCROS offer more solutions for construction, landscaping, earthmoving and property maintenance.
For customers familiar with Hitachi, the future is becoming clearer.
A new name. More equipment options. The same commitment to keeping customers moving.
Interested in learning more about Landcros Compact Track Loaders or the upcoming LANDCROS transition?
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