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At The Rental Show 2021, Sany unveiled the SLB95, a machine that represents the company's official entry into the backhoe market here in North America.
With this machine, the Chinese manufacturer has taken the same approach it does with all of its machines—undercut the competition on cost and value proposition, by only equipping its machines with the features contractors need the most.
Now, in terms of size, Sany has definitely picked the sweet spot in the market for a first machine. The SLB95 is a 14-foot-3-inch-dig-depth backhoe weighing in at 17,637 pounds.
It’s powered by a 95 horsepower, 3.6-liter Tier 4 Final Deutz engine—the TCD3.6-L4. Bucket breakout force on the backhoe is 12,354 lbf., while the front end loader bucket has a breakout force of 11,240 lbf.
Everything you need
With these specs, the Sany SLB95 is aimed to go head-to-head with the most popular backhoe models on the market: the Cat 420, Deere 310SL and the Case 580 Super N. And in terms of the spec sheet, Sany has done a pretty good job of making sure all the right numbers are either in the ballpark of the more established models.
Hydraulics, engine rating, operating weight, breakout forces, 4WD speeds—all of it matches up favorably to the competition. So you might be asking “Where are the cost savings then?”
Essentially, Sany is positioning this as a “good enough” machine. It’s not top-of-the-line, it’s not state-of-the-art, and it’s comprised of off-the-shelf components that, while not the latest and greatest, are proven.
Nothing you don't
For starters, take the transmission. While Cat and Case make PowerShuttle standard on their 14-foot backhoes, Sany, like Deere on the 310SL, has opted for a more cost effective power shift drivetrain that still provides clutch-less shifting.
The SLB95 uses a ZF, 4WD transmission with four forward speeds and reverse. The axles are produced by ZF as well. Top speed in 4th gear is 22 miles per hour, offering easy self-transport between jobsites or parts of a jobsite.
Another way Sany is cutting costs with this backhoe is the absence of electronics or technology in general on this machine.
There are no standard telematics to be found and while electro-hydraulic controls are slowly becoming the industry standard on new machines, Sany feels they’re currently unnecessary, due to the added cost and the fact that Sany has heard from operators that they prefer the feel of pilot controls anyway.
But just because Sany has omitted certain features, that doesn’t mean they haven’t provided some nice standard features on the SLB95.
Solid standard feature set
For starters, the the ZF transmission does feature a limited slip differential and a drive shaft guard. And the pilot controls are bolstered by load sensing hydraulics with ISO/SAE pattern changes.
The main hydraulic pump is a Kawasaki variable displacement unit with a very capable 41.2 gallons per minute of flow at 3,625 psi. Plus, Sany has also included a breaker line auxiliary circuit as standard as well.
Again, specs that match up well with the competition.
Another nice bundle of standard features on this machine are boom float, which comes in handy when backfilling and finishing, a return to dig function for faster cycles.
And while those features are becoming more common in the industry, they’re not necessarily features you’d expect to find on a Sany backhoe as standard equipment.
Sany also includes flip-over pads and cylinder guards for the outriggers, and eight LED working lights. The backhoe is also equipped with a rotating beacon and traffic lights.
As you’d expect, a ROPS/FOPS certified canopy is standard on the SLB95. But it does include an air suspension seat with retractable seatbelt. A sealed and enclosed cab is an available option bringing climate control and Bluetooth radio with it.
The machine is backed by a 4-year/4,000-hour warranty, whichever comes first. The company has also made daily check and maintenance points easily accessible and says that if you don’t have a Sany dealership in your area, because the machine features components by Deutz, ZF, Kawasaki and others, parts availability should be easy enough to come by.
