At ConExpo 2026, Link-Belt Excavators will debut the new 245 X4S, reinforcing its "Here By Hard Work" message with a reduced-tail-swing excavator engineered for maximum performance in confined spaces.
Delivering 160 horsepower in a compact footprint, the 245 X4S is built for contractors who need maneuverability without sacrificing power. From urban infrastructure and roadwork to utility installation and demolition, the machine is designed to meet production demands where space is limited and precision matters.
Smart Features for Precise Control
The 245 X4S enters the market as a technology-ready solution, offering optional advanced features such as Digital Level, Height and Depth Alarms, and an integrated Payload system. To further streamline jobsite accuracy, the machine arrives Precision Grade-ready. This factory-prepped configuration reduces the time and labor required to install IMU sensors and Machine Guidance kits, allowing contractors to deploy automated control systems with minimal downtime.
Link-Belt’s electronically controlled hydraulic pump system, paired with Spool Stroke Control (SSC), delivers smooth, responsive operation with improved controllability. The new Customizable Hydraulic Flow Balance allows operators to fine-tune flow distribution to their specific preference and reduces arm drift when maneuvering heavy attachments during a swing.
Power Modes That Match the Job
The 245 X4S is powered by the Isuzu AR-4HK1X Final Tier 4 engine, combining strong performance with improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions impact. By eliminating the need for a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), the system reduces service complexity while supporting consistent productivity.
Four selectable operating modes allow crews to match machine performance to the demands of the job:
• Lifting: Increases hydraulic pressure and control for lifting and precision placement
• Eco: Optimizes fuel efficiency while maintaining productive performance for general excavation.
• Power: Maximizes productivity and heavy-duty cycling.
• Speed Priority: Prioritizes faster cycle times and responsive operation for applications requiring quick movement.
This flexibility gives operators greater control over fuel consumption and performance, helping fleet managers lower operating costs without sacrificing productivity.
Designed to Reduce Downtime
A 500-hour fuel filter service interval and DEF tank with a consumption rate of only 2 to 3 percent compared to diesel allows for longer operational periods between refills. Ground-level access to service points streamlines routine maintenance and minimizes downtime.
Enhanced Visibility and Customized Cab Controls
Inside the operator's cab, a high-definition 10-inch anti-glare LCD monitor can be customized to display critical information, including hydraulic work tool names, system alerts, SCR regeneration status, and in-cab pressure controls. Integration with WAVES (Wide Angle Visual Enhancement System) to provide a comprehensive 230° of visibility around the machine, enhancing situational awareness on active jobsites.
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Specifications: |
245 X4S |
245 X4S DZ |
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SAE Net HP |
160 HP (119.3 kW) @ 1800 min-1 (rpm) |
160 HP (119.3 kW) @ 1800 min-1 (rpm) |
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Operating Weight |
57,800 lbs. (26,200 kg) |
61,200 lbs. (27,300 kg) |
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Max Digging Depth |
21’10” (6.65 m) 9’ 8” ARM (2.94 m) |
21’10” (6.65 m) 9’ 8” ARM (2.94 m) |
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Max Reach at Ground Level |
32’ 4” (9.85 m) 9’ 8” ARM (2.94 m) |
32’ 4” (9.85 m) 9’ 8” ARM (2.94 m) |
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Engine Make |
Isuzu |
Isuzu |
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Engine Model |
AR-4HK1X |
AR-4HK1X |
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Max Travel Speed |
3.1 mph (5.0 km/h) |
3.1 mph (5.0 km/h) |
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.