Mecalac 7MWR
with Becx mower deck

When Wilko te Lindert was looking for a replacement for his Neuson EW65, he came across a Mecalac 7MWR by chance at his local service dealer. He was immediately impressed by its compactness, stability and unique boom configuration. In late 2023, Wilko took delivery of the keys to his own little powerhouse, which has more than proven itself in 2,300 hours of operation.

The 7-ton tire crane is the smallest model in the MWR series. Thanks to its 3-part Mecalac boom, it combines the qualities of an excavator with those of a wheel loader, making it possible to dig, load as well as shovel, both close to the machine and far away. By positioning the turntable lower, the 7MWR is unparalleled in stability, has a low step-in, and the engine compartment and hydraulic components are accessible from the ground. The diesel tank is placed on the undercarriage which makes for easy and safe refueling. Loonbedrijf Te Lindert from Winterswijk sometimes uses the compact all-rounder for excavation work, but mainly uses the Mecalac for pruning or mowing work.

Additional hydraulics

To that end, the machine has been modified somewhat. To continuously supply the mower deck with sufficient oil flow, a separate 40 l/min pump is coupled to the Deutz engine. The machine thus has a separate closed-circuit pump for the travel drive, a load sensing pump for the boom control and a pump for the mower deck. Everything can thus be used simultaneously without affecting each other. To enable the four-wheel-drive 7MWR to pass through narrow passages, the blade has been narrowed to 210 cm. Also chosen are 500/45R22.5 wide BKT tires with studded tread, which stay within the machine width. Attached to the dipperstick is a Steelwrist swivel tilt attachment, and since the Mecalac frequently spends time on or along public roads, it is equipped with a rear action frame and strobe lights on the fenders.

In fifteen months, the tool carrier has put 2,300 hours on the counter, mainly in public green and park work for ROVA in the Winterswijk region. “In the beginning I had to get used to the special boom construction, now I couldn't live without it,” says Wilko. “The arm is placed next to the cab instead of at the front of the machine, which makes the 7-tonner extremely stable and compact all around. The three-piece boom is a gem, making it possible to work both fully extended and right next to the machine. The construction is light and low, so ideal for working under branches during mowing operations.”

Powerful cutting deck

For ditch work, Te Lindert has a Hobelman mowing basket of no less than 3.8 meters. Trimming hedges or hedgerows and mulching ground covers is done with a 150 cm wide mowing deck from Becx Machines. Thanks to a powerful trimming mechanism with three motors and three knife heads, each with four double blades, the HS150HR is widely applicable to various types of hedges and ground cover. Thanks to the high feed, hedges can be substantially shortened in a single pass. The versatility of Mecalac's 7MWR comes in handy for quick and efficient work.

The machine is multifunctional and also comes in handy outside the mowing season for use in the green sector, contract work or GWW. The lowered center of gravity impacts on all fronts; the strengths have remained, while the MWR series gains in stability, balance, performance, accessibility and safety. The design was developed to meet demanding situations and complex deployment. Work in which a compact and strong machine is needed. The result? A multifunctional and exceptionally stable machine with XS dimensions and XL lifting power.