Zeppelin flies high with new skidsteer

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

No it's a skidsteer - but it's made by Zeppelin (yes the very same) in Germany.

If the connection is unclear then just remember that Zeppelin is the Cat dealer for Germany.

First spotted at Bauma in 1992, the ZK 32B is a 600kg capacity machine. It has been marketed in its home territory with some success - now it's available here.

CJ understands it'll be joined by another model later this year.

The ZK 32B is powered by a Perkins 104-22 four cylinder diesel developing 33kW and driving through a fully hydrostatic transmission utilising twin chains on each side. The speed range is 0-12km/hr forward/ reverse.

The ZK 32B weighs 2250kg and looks it! Sturdy is the word that springs to mind.

The operator's ROPS FOPS cab looks like it's part of the machine rather than a tacked-on afterthought. A suspension seat, safety belt and rollbar are standard. There's also a built-in condition monitoring system with acoustic/visual warning indicators.

There are more than a dozen attachments in the Zeppelin range - and that's without tackling any of the proprietary offerings.

Dealers are being actively considered.

Details: enter 916 on card