Made in the USA: Wacker Neuson's Two New Excavators

In the face of tariffs, tariff threats, and generally high component costs, a number of OEMs are bringing more of their production to the U.S. – Wacker Neuson is among them.

“Our new 4-ton ET40 and 3.5-ton EZ35 compact crawler excavators have been designed and are being built here in the United States,” said Gert Reichetseder, president and CEO, Wacker Neuson Americas. “They are designed for this region’s needs.”

The two excavators will be sourced from the company’s Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, factory.

Wacker’s ET40 is a conventional tail swing machine, while the EZ35 is a minimal tail swing model.

Following significant input from customers, the EZ35 and ET40 were designed with operator comfort, productivity and serviceability in mind. “Wacker Neuson is raising the bar for compact excavation equipment across a wide range of applications,” Reichetseder said.

“Our focus is on delivering the benefits of being closer to our customers, which includes the manufacturing in the USA and market competitive pricing, as well as reduced lead times over prior models in this class. We’ve heard our customers and our selection of packages and configurations are flexible to their needs.”

Operator environment

Customers were eager to see improvements to the cab, according to product manager John Dotto. There will also be a commonality between cabs.

"There's a new 7-inch touchscreen display with customizable settings and a keyless start," Dotto said. "This is a modern and user-friendly cab."

“The EZ35 and ET40 are built on a common 3- to 4-ton platform featuring shared components, operating systems, and operator interfaces,” said Wacker Neuson commercial product manager, Jay Quatro.

Learn about safe excavator operation

“This platform-based design ensures consistent machine behavior across both models, simplifies operator training, and supports easier long-term ownership for fleets managing multiple machines," Quatro said.

"For dealers, the shared platform streamlines product familiarity and service support. For contractors, it means faster operator onboarding and predictable performance from job to job.”

More features and options

A standard dozer blade with float function is designed to enhance grading performance and finish quality, allowing operators to work faster while maintaining accuracy across a wide range of tasks.

How blades benefit excavators

Powered by reliable Yanmar engines, the EZ35 and ET40 are designed with excellent service access for fast, straightforward maintenance. Easily accessible service points and a thoughtful machine layout help minimize downtime, reduce routine maintenance time, and keep machines working productively day after day, the company says.

To meet diverse job site needs, the EZ35 and ET40 offer flexible configuration options, including coupler packages, auxiliary hydraulics, and hydraulic thumb packages.

These options allow fleets to tailor each machine for specific attachments, applications, and work styles – maximizing versatility and return on investment.

The ET40 is in production now, with the EZ35 coming online in the second half of 2026.