DEVELON Unveils -9 Series Excavators

DEVELON debuted the -9 Series heavy excavators at ConExpo-Con/AGG 2026.

The company showcased four models — the DX230LC-9, DX260LC-9, DX360LC-9 and DX400LC-9 — to address customer concerns about operator comfort, fuel costs and job site safety risks.

These crawler excavators provide smart technologies, performance and versatility features to help operators work smarter and more efficiently. DEVELON will eventually expand its lineup of -9 Series excavators to replace the current -7 Series models offered in North America. The first four models previewed at ConExpo-Con/AGG will be available at DEVELON dealerships in 2026.

"We've built on the success of our existing excavator platform with the new -9 Series machines, which are engineered with a full electric over hydraulic control system, replacing traditional mechanical pilot controls to deliver up to 8 percent greater fuel efficiency," said Brian Kim, heavy excavator product manager of DEVELON. "A new smart around view monitor camera system, advanced lift assist, remote smartphone starting, factory 2D grading system and real-time oil diagnostics help keep operators safer and more productive."

Increased Operator Productivity

With greater lifting power, the -9 Series boosts excavator operators' productivity throughout the workday, according to DEVELON. Advanced lift assist, a new feature in the -9 Series machines, displays the excavator's current lifting capacity and alerts operators to potential tipping hazards. Advanced lift assist uses a lifting force table to highlight risk zones during maneuvers and on slopes or uneven ground.

"Our new advanced lift assist uses a color-coded arrow system on the monitor to show operators how to safely work in various terrains," said Kim. "This factors in the machine's tilt to verify safety even when operators are working on slopes, allowing operators to work confidently without the risk of rollover."

The excavator breaker assist feature prevents blank firing, protecting internal components from unnecessary wear while reducing the physical strain on the operator. With auto breaker, constant button pressing is eliminated for smoother operation in demolition applications.

The excavator's new weighing system helps operators easily monitor production levels and manage volumes to make sure dump trucks are loaded to the proper and safe capacities. Plus, the new stick steer feature lets operators steer the tracks using the joystick, which simplifies movement in tight spaces, according to DEVELON.

The newly designed joystick gives operators the ability to personalize controls for maximum comfort and ease. It enhances movement with options like stick steer and thumbwheel steer, in addition to traditional levers and pedals. This flexibility ensures smoother, more precise operation that's tailored to the operator's preferred style, making every task easier to manage, according to DEVELON.

Enhanced Safety Features

The new -9 Series excavators use the smart around view monitor camera system and human detection system: Six cameras, radar sensors and AI-powered human detection provide a 360-degree view around the machine. Additional safety features include the following:

• Active E-Stop: If a person enters the danger zone (within 10 ft.), the machine automatically brings all movement, including the swing and travel, to a complete stop.

• Virtual Walls: Operators can set digital boundaries to prevent the excavator boom or bucket from striking overhead power lines or underground obstacles.

Redefining Operator Experience

The DEVELON -9 Series excavators include several new smart solutions to give operators greater comfort and control.

• Larger touch screen: A 12-in. high-resolution monitor features an easy-to-use, split-screen interface to access machine information and manage various functions. A dual monitor option also is available, which enables up to four screen splits to streamline workload and boost performance.

• Smart Control 2D and Machine Guidance 2D: Operators can take the guesswork out of grading and digging with these standard machine features. The new excavators will be fully compatible with an optional 3D smart control and machine guidance system.

• Advanced prognostics and health management (PHM) technology: The basic option continuously monitors critical components like hydraulic oil, engine oil and main pumps. This smart system predicts maintenance needs to help minimize downtime and lower service costs. The premium option includes the controller, pressure sensors, vibration sensors to provide diagnosis and abnormality detection functions for the main pump, swing motor and swing reduction gear.

Available through the MY DEVELON fleet management app, a Bluetooth-enabled digital key lets operators unlock the cabin, start the engine and adjust the air conditioning, offering machine control from any distance without a physical key.

Experienced Operator Input

Matt Quinnell, owner of Advanced Wall Structures in Minnesota, participated in an exclusive project with DEVELON that focused on gathering operator feedback for the new excavators. As an experienced equipment operator and long-time advocate for the brand, Quinnell has a deep understanding of DEVELON construction equipment.

"Experiencing the prototype crawler excavators was an awesome experience," said Quinnell, who traveled to South Korea from North America to participate in the project. "There's a lot of technology in these machines, ranging from alerting operators of a person or different objects in the swing path of the machine to the standard 2D machine control. At the time, I had 13 engineers from DEVELON asking me questions about the machine. We'd test the function, and then I'd write notes and give them feedback."

For more information, visit develon-ce.com/en.

This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.