Gidday $FirstName!

Well after a huge show in Bris-Vegas, we have packed up the gear and are moving back to Melbourne Showgrounds this month to do it all again.  Over 8,000 tradies gave us the thumbs up in the land of the canetoads, and so it's time for all you Vics to empty out the ute and fill up the wallet, because this month, the National Tradesman's Expo is bigger and better than ever. After our huge launch show last year, the team at the Tradie's Expo has worked hard to make sure that this year, we bring you a bigger range of gear, better deals and top class entertainment to make a day out you won't forget in a long while.

Once again, United Tools has joined forces with all the major power tool brands to bring you more than 1,700 square metres of tools and accessories, many of which have been specially discounted for the show. If you are looking for a new ute, van or truck, we have all the big names on display including Ford, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Mercedes Benz, Renault, Fuso and Hino. Blokes who move dirt for a living are in for a treat too with Caterpillar, Komatsu, Terex, BT Equipment, Bobcat, Kubota, Kanga, Vermeer, Ditch Witch, Toro, Toyota Husky, Gehl and Wacker all showing their latest stuff. It's a smorgasbord of big toys for big boys, so if you are a fair dinkum tradie and you want to stock up on the latest gear, then there is no better place than this year's National Tradesman's Expo.

We have even decided to spice things up a bit with the help of Clark Equipment and The Tradie magazine, and have some entertainment that is sure to blow your boots off. If you dig the Crusty Demons show and love seeing some good gear get thrashed, then check out Bobcat Gone Wild! Combine that with appearances from local band, Hanging Rock and hourly giveaways from our mates at The Tradie magazine and there is no better day out for the boys. Do yourself a favour and head on down to the Melbourne Showgrounds from Friday 30 May - Sunday 1 June for the National Tradesman's Expo - a show for guys who get their hands dirty for a living.

 See ya there!

BOBCAT GONE WILD

It's not often you get to see a Bobcat in the wild. Normally they are behind fences on worksites or in backyards. But in May, Melbourne tradies have a unique opportunity to see Bobcats in their natural surroundings, doing what they do best - and doing it fast and LOUD!

Of course, we are talking about the famous Bobcat skid-steer loader, not the dirty big American cat. And they will be out in force at this year's National Tradesman's Expo. 

For three days only, champion Bobcat operator Rhys Irwin will perform Bobcat Gone Wild, exclusively at the expo. The show features Rhys taking the Bobcat through its paces in an extreme display of tricks which we warn, should not be tried back on the worksite! Those who have seen Irwin and his contemporaries in action with the Crusty Demons show will know that this kind of fun-filled action is not to be missed.

Sure to entertain boys both big and small, never before has the audience been able to get so close to the action as they will at Bobcat Gone Wild.  (Just click on the link for a taste of the action).

With five shows daily, entry to Bobcat Gone Wild is free with your admission to the Expo, and is proudly presented by Clark Equipment.

 WIN A BUCKET FULL OF BOOTY!

Every visitor to the Tradie's Expo has a chance to take home more than ten grand worth of gear simply by filling in a form. That simple! So if you can write your name without help from your mum, make sure you fill in your entry form at the door and drop it in the prize box. After all, you could win a ton of stuff including a cement mixer, laser level, paver splitter, concrete saws, a Kanga bucket, booze and a stack more. Check out this year's Brisbane winner, Gary Kelly, a plumber from Oxenford near the Gold Coast - How stoked does he look! 

 

AT THE SHOW

UNITED TOOLS

Where else can you see every big brand in professional power tools under one roof and get some great deals at the same time? The United Tools stand at the Tradie's Expo, that's where. See Makita, Panasonic, Bosch, Hitachi, Metabo, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Black & Decker, Festool and more along with Cigweld, Sutton Tools, Stanley, Kinchrome, Teng Tools, RSEA... the list goes on. If you are after new tools, then you have to stop in at the United Tools stand for some of the best bargains in the show. And don't forget with every purchase you have a chance to win a huge pallet worth of prizes.

KANGA

Continuing in the tradition of great show deals, Kanga Loaders are grouping five of its technologies in a special Tradie Bundle which includes a $2,000 discount on any diesel loader, 4 in 1 bucket, trencher, powerhead or auger (conditions apply). Kanga specialists will be on hand to detail all the company's technologies and services, including risk assessment on all models and advanced engineering which are responsible for increased performance and productivity; service support to secure equipment uptime, and calculate your potential returns on investment. Remember, Kanga are all Australian-designed, Australian- made and Australian-owned, so to help build your Tradie Bundle, be sure to talk to the Kanga team at stand C14 during the show.

CITY FORD

The evolution of the Falcon ute has taken another big step forward with new styling, improved performance and comfort all while retaining its legendary renowned workhorse credentials without compromise. City Ford will be showcasing the new generation Falcon commercial range at this year's Tradesman's Expo, on stand B3. It's the perfect blend of style and ability with even greater car-like comfort and safety.

 

DITCH WITCH

Ditch Witch Australia will be showcasing the new series of Zahn power utility equipment, SK350 and SK650 mini skid steers and the XT850 excavator tool carrier.

The new Zahn^™ series consists of three power units and set of compatible front ends that will revolutionize the industry. One of these machines is the Zahn R300, which is designed to be more powerful, more productive, and faster than any trencher in the 30-hp class. The Zahn R300 power unit includes a Kohler^® gas engine, operator's console, and articulation joint that enables the front end to perform like a dedicated unit. The two-wheel-drive R300 powers two types of front-end trenchers, while its four-wheel-drive InterChange counterpart accepts up to seven types of front ends: trencher, plow, dumper, tiller, backhoe, stump grinder, and a tool carrier that can drive more than 40 quick-change attachments.

The ultra-compact, ultra-powerful SK350 features a 20-hp (14.9 kW) Kohler engine and an 11 gpm (42 L/min) dual hydrostatic ground drive that gives it the same capabilities of larger machines. With the SK350's comfortable stand-on platform freeing you from trudging through mud and debris and over uneven terrain, you'll be better able to witness how productive this little workhorse can be.

And as a special offer to expo visitors, Ditch Witch will be offering a free digging chain with every trencher sold or free pipe & cable locator with every compact equipment sold.

All this and more at Ditch Witch, stand C15.

BT EQUIPMENT

The mother of all heavy equipment suppliers, BT Equipment has a range of brands in its stable including Kawasaki, Yanmar, Bomag, Mustang and Sumitomo. This year they will be launching, especially for tradies, the Mustang 2026 mini skid steer loader, the Yanmar V4-6 Four Wheel Drive articulated compact front end loader and the Yanmar Vio 17 Zero Tail Swing excavator. As a special value add, they will also be offering a free 1st Service for any Mustang Skid steer loader or Yanmar excavator sold during the show. Check them out on stand D25 at the show.

WACKER NEUSON

New to the expo is Wacker Neuson's sixteen inch petrol powered demolition saw, which has been introduced to compliment its successful fourteen inch product, now allowing cutting depths of up to 147cm. Utilising the heavy duty construction featuers of its baby brother, the new saw is well-placed to tackle any of the day to day cutting tasks tradies come up against.

The saw comes fitted with an integral water kit, allowing simple connection to mains water or alternative water supplies and has been designed to fit the existing heavy duty floor trolley, making it the prefect saw for those who require accuracy and control when cutting expansion joints.

The guys at Wacker will be doing exclusive deals on 14" and 16" demolition saws and a range of rammers, breakers and vibratory plates. Check them out on stand C29, but whatever you do, don't call them wackers!

RENAULT

Renault has introduced a range of product and model line-up changes to its increasingly popular light commercial van range as part of the introduction of the 2008 Kangoo, Trafic and Master model updates. "The Renault light commercial range is developing a strong following amongst fleet and small business customers because of it's reliability, high level of specification and European design and engineering." says Renault Australia Managing Director Rudi Koenig. "Renault is the leading light commercial manufacturer in Europe and our new models show why we have been so successful."

You can see the three new Renault models on stand B40 at the expo.

MCE LASERS

Introducing the new multi line laser for everyone, the LS804 multi-line laser from MCE Lasers can be used in a wide range of applications ranging from tiling, general site works, assorted plastering applications and more, making it one of the most versatile lasers on the market today. This unit consists of 6 separate high powered laser beams - four vertical lines, one horizontal line and one plumb beam. What makes this unit really standout is its ability to self level quickly and accurately every time, with audio signal when beams are out of level. This unit has an optional hand held receiver and remote control for even more flexibility.

In addition, MCE Lasers will be offering a special 15 percent discount on all TPL-grade lasers at the show. If you are into laying pipe for a living, check it out on stand A15.

COOKS BODY WORKS

Cooks Body Works have you covered for work and play with a choice of the Ali Trade Pro. What's more they are giving away a free VDO GPS MS1000 valued at $500 to the first 100 new orders of any of the Cook's Bodies Cab chassis range. See them on stand A8.

FEIN POWER TOOLS

A perennial favourite of the Tradesman's Expo, Fein Power Tools are back with the handiest tool in Australia - the Fein Multimaster. This little baby can do just about anything and as a special show deal, they are offering you the chance to purchase your own for only $299. No self-respecting tradie can afford to be without one. See for yourself on stand D1.

I LIKE IT DIRECT

How would you like to get your own set of four super wrench set for less than half price? Or how about a 16" super wrench for 25 percent off? The don't miss Annie and Steve at I Like It Direct, stand A18.

 

 

 

            Regards