Komatsu PC78US-11 vs. New Holland E85D: Short Tail Swing or True Zero Tailswing

The compact excavator class between 7 and 9 tons is where a lot of utility and general construction work actually happens, and Komatsu's PC78US-11 and New Holland's E85D take two different approaches to the same job: working in confined spaces without sacrificing real digging power.

Why Tail Swing Design Gets So Much Attention in This Class

Machines in the 7-to-9-ton bracket spend an unusually high proportion of their working life in semi-confined conditions — utility right-of-ways, residential lots, single-lane road closures — compared to larger excavators that more often work in open cuts. That's exactly why manufacturers have put so much engineering effort into tail swing geometry at this size specifically, and why the difference between "short tail swing" and "true zero tailswing" is a genuinely meaningful spec here in a way it might not be on a 30-ton mass-excavation machine.

Two Different Swing Philosophies

The PC78US-11 is a short tail swing excavator — not zero tailswing, but a conventional boom design engineered with a greater raising angle that reduces the front bucket swing radius, which Komatsu specifically positions for working in a single lane of traffic or other confined areas. It runs a 68 hp Komatsu SAA3D95E-1 engine, weighs 17,438 to 18,188 lbs depending on track and shoe configuration, and uses up to 13% less fuel than its prior-generation equivalent. Standard high-flow auxiliary hydraulics with in-cab programmable flow rates give it real attachment versatility for a machine this size — one-way flow of 21.1 gallons per minute and two-way flow of 36.5, enough to run hydraulic breakers, compaction plates, and augers without a separate flow kit.

New Holland's E85D goes a step further on access: true zero tailswing, meaning the counterweight never extends past the tracks during rotation. At 73 hp and 19,467 lbs, it's a bit heavier and more powerful than the PC78US-11, with a 12-foot-6-inch dig depth and a monoboom design New Holland specifically engineers for maneuverability in tight jobsites. The E85D also carries New Holland's seven-year myNewHollandConstruction telematics subscription standard, and its main pump delivers 50.7 gallons per minute — notably higher flow than the PC78US-11, which translates into faster cycle times on digging and material-handling attachments alike.

What the Difference Actually Means on a Jobsite

Short tail swing and zero tailswing aren't the same thing, and the distinction matters more than it sounds like it should. On the PC78US-11, there's still some rear counterweight overhang during rotation — manageable in most situations, but something to account for when you're working directly against a wall, a fence, or parked vehicles. The E85D's true zero tailswing eliminates that consideration entirely, which is the deciding factor for crews working in genuinely tight urban lots or alongside active traffic.

In exchange, the PC78US-11 undercuts the E85D on weight and operating cost for jobs that don't require the absolute tightest clearance, and its KOMTRAX 5.0 cellular telematics and Komatsu dealer network — already established with sibling models like the PC88MR-11 — may matter more if you're already running Komatsu iron. The PC78US-11's fuel tank also holds 33 gallons versus the E85D's 27.7, which means fewer refueling stops on long days, a small but real operational detail for a crew working a remote site without easy fuel truck access.

Cab, Comfort, and Day-to-Day Operation

Both manufacturers put real engineering into the operator environment at this size, which matters because machines in this class often run full eight-to-ten-hour shifts. The PC78US-11's cab includes a sliding door for easier entry and exit in confined spaces, an air-suspension seat, Bluetooth radio, and a high-resolution monitor with a rearview camera built in as standard. The E85D's monoboom design and zero-tailswing geometry give the operator a slightly different sightline advantage: because the counterweight never swings past the tracks, there's one less thing to track mentally while rotating near an obstacle, which can reduce operator fatigue on jobs with constant starts and stops next to structures.

Maintenance and Long-Term Ownership Costs

Komatsu's PC78US-11 uses a Komatsu Diesel Oxidation Catalyst rather than a diesel particulate filter, which the company specifically notes lowers cost of ownership and reduces maintenance compared to DPF-equipped competitors — no forced regeneration cycles to manage, no DPF replacement down the road. New Holland's E85D, powered by a Yanmar engine, follows a similar simplified-emissions philosophy at this size, meaning neither machine saddles an owner with the added complexity and cost that diesel particulate filters introduce on larger equipment.

Trade Fit

Underground utility crews working single-lane closures, municipal subcontractors, and general excavation contractors who don't need absolute zero tailswing clearance every day will do fine with the PC78US-11's lower weight and strong fuel economy. Demolition subs, crews working inside fenced residential lots, and anyone doing regular work directly against structures should lean toward the E85D's true zero tailswing and deeper dig envelope — the kind of job New Holland has also engineered into its smaller D-Series models like the E38D and E60D.

Financing the Right Machine

Both machines sit in a price range where excavator loans make clear financial sense over repeat rentals for any contractor using one regularly. A machine in this class that sees even moderate regular use pays for itself against rental rates within a relatively short window, and every month after that is value that flows straight to your business rather than a rental company's. BFC finances both brands, with down payment requirements scaled to credit profile rather than a flat number for every buyer — strong, established credit can mean $0 down, while newer businesses should plan for 20-40%.

Undercarriage and Ground Conditions

Both machines are available with multiple shoe and track width options, which matters more than it might seem for Florida contractors working on soft, sandy, or recently-filled ground common across much of the state. Wider rubber or steel shoes reduce ground pressure and improve flotation on soft sites, at some cost to transport width and maneuverability in truly tight spaces. If your typical jobsite alternates between tight residential access and softer open ground, it's worth discussing shoe width options with your dealer for either machine rather than accepting the narrowest default configuration, which is usually optimized for access rather than flotation.

Attachment coupler compatibility is another practical consideration: Komatsu and New Holland both support standard pin-on and quick-coupler attachment systems in this size class, but the specific coupler hardware differs between brands. If you're adding either machine to a fleet that already includes buckets, thumbs, or breakers from a different manufacturer, confirm coupler compatibility with your dealer before assuming existing attachments will transfer over without an adapter.

Working Mode Flexibility and Fuel Management

Komatsu's PC78US-11 offers six selectable working modes through its HydrauMind system, letting an operator dial in anywhere from a fuel-saving light-duty mode for fine grading to a maximum-power mode for aggressive digging — real flexibility that directly affects fuel burn over a full day of mixed-task work. New Holland's E85D similarly allows operators to tailor hydraulic response to the task, though the specific mode nomenclature differs between the two manufacturers. For a contractor tracking fuel costs closely across a fleet, understanding how to actually use these working modes — rather than leaving the machine in one default setting regardless of task — can meaningfully affect operating costs over a machine's service life.

As with any comparison in this guide, confirm current configuration options and standard equipment directly with your Komatsu or New Holland dealer, since trim packages and standard features can shift within a model's production run.

Trenching and Grading: Where Each Machine Shines

Beyond the headline swing-radius difference, the two machines bring slightly different strengths to routine trenching and grading work. The PC78US-11's standard grading blade uses a redesigned moldboard profile Komatsu says improves backfilling and light grading efficiency over its previous model, a detail that matters for crews doing a lot of utility backfill where blade performance affects how many passes a trench takes to close properly. The E85D's higher hydraulic flow and greater arm tearout force give it an edge in harder, more compacted soil conditions, where raw digging force matters more than fine grading finesse.

Neither advantage is dramatic enough to be the sole deciding factor, but for a contractor whose work leans heavily toward one task or the other — mostly utility backfill versus mostly hard-soil trenching — it's a legitimate secondary consideration after swing radius and overall size.

Final Thoughts

Both the PC78US-11 and the E85D represent genuinely strong engineering for their size class, and the right choice comes down to how often your specific jobs demand absolute minimum swing clearance versus how often you're working in moderately open conditions where a short tail swing design is perfectly adequate. Measure your actual job mix honestly before deciding, rather than defaulting to the machine with the more impressive-sounding spec.

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