Australian manufacturer JACON Equipment is shaping the future of underground construction and mining with a portfolio of machines built for rugged environments, rapid maintenance, and operator safety.
With new hybrid models and smart design features, JACON is helping contractors boost productivity while preparing for a lower emissions future.
Built for harsh conditions
JACON machines are engineered to handle large infrastructure projects and services worldwide. From shotcrete sprayers to mobile concrete mixers and pumps, the company’s range supports some of the world’s toughest civil construction and mining projects.
Manufactured in JACON’s own factory in Vietnam and shipped worldwide, the machines are known for their toughness, ease of use, and serviceability.
“Our machines are robust and easy to work on, easy to operate, and operator-friendly,” says JACON Manager Matthew Finn.
“Our machines are reliable, and service and technical response times are very fast, within the four-hour range.”
Hybrid tech leads the charge
One of JACON’s most exciting innovations is the hybrid Maxijet MX3MKII shotcrete sprayer.
The upgraded model features a 1000-volt electric motor alongside a Euro 5 diesel engine, allowing operators to switch to full electric mode during shotcreting operations underground.
“We’re going into the hybrid space,” Finn says.
“You tram underground in diesel mode, and then when you get down and get set up, you can switch over to electrical and turn the diesel engine off.”
This hybrid system dramatically cuts underground emissions and reduces ambient heat, critical in helping mines manage ventilation and workforce limits.
“Customers work on emissions produced by each individual engine, and they calculate that to determine how many people can be underground,” Finn says.
“The less emissions you have, the more people you can have underground.”
Although full battery-electric machines remain some years away, hybrid technology offers an immediate pathway to greener underground operations.
“The whole world is going a lot greener,” Finn notes.
“At this early stage, the hybrid diesel-electric system is the way to go.”
Shotcrete heroes: The MaxiJet and Midjet
Within the rental fleet, JACON’s MaxiJet shotcrete machines remain a mainstay.
“The most popular machine I find that JACON have is our MaxiJet Shot sprayer,” Finn says.
“It’s what most customers need to do tunnels and underground hard rock mining.”
At the smaller end, JACON’s MJ4.5 Midjet punches above its weight. With a 10-metre vertical spray reach and 26 cubic metres an hour pumping output, it’s capable of delivering serious productivity in tight cross-passages and boutique tunnel works.
“It’s about the size of a medium-sized car,” Finn explains.
“It can get into really tight places. It’s full drive and hydrostatic steering. Customers love it.”
Operators appreciate the Midjet’s “ease of use and maintainability”, with features like remote control operation, emergency stops, and heavy-duty construction for harsh underground environments.
Safety-first design: The Transmix dual cab
Underground safety and logistics get a further boost with JACON’s TMX5DC Transmixers, which feature cabins at either end of the vehicle.
“The dual cabin allows the operator to drive down the tunnel in one way, and then doesn’t have to do the U-turn or try and reverse all the way down,” Finn explains.
“Once the operator empties the concrete into the shotcrete machine, he or she just jumps in the other end and drives out.”
This saves valuable time on each load and, crucially, removes the need for reversing, enhancing safety in confined and high-risk underground spaces.
“There’s no need for a spotter to reverse it in. There’s no need to find a space to turn around,” Finn says.
Customer-driven customisation
JACON’s success is built not only on robust machines but also on close collaboration with customers. Finn says JACON works “very closely” with clients to tailor machines for each project.
“We don’t tell the client what they need,” he explains.
“We liaise with them, work with them, and say; ‘This is the situation, and this is how we can work with you to get the best outcome for your project’.”
This responsiveness is particularly valuable given Australia’s wide-ranging environments – from the heat and dust of the Pilbara to the confined tunnels of major city metros.
All new builds feature enclosed, air-conditioned cabs, and electrical components are ruggedised for reliability in extreme conditions.
Rental model and fast support
JACON’s rental fleet is housed in Newcastle and serves projects across the country, offering flexibility and rapid deployment.
Hiring is a simple process: “We speak about their processes and what they need at site,” Finn says.
“We make sure we can provide them with the correct reach for the machine, the pumping capabilities, even the size of the machine into some of their tunnels.”
Support is on offer no matter where in the world a machine is operating.
“We have someone contactable 24/7 whether you’ve got rental equipment in a different country or not,” Finn said.
Remote troubleshooting via video calls, step-by-step guidance, and comprehensive manuals are standard practice.
For more serious issues, JACON liaises with local service teams or deploys field technicians to minimise downtime.
The road ahead: Zero emissions and beyond
Looking ahead, JACON’s focus is clear: continued innovation in hybrid and electric technology.
“Everyone is going into that zero-emission area,” Finn says.
“We’ve got to go there to keep our clients happy.”
While battery capacity is currently the main technical barrier to fully electric underground equipment, Finn is optimistic that advances will open the door to even cleaner, more efficient operations in the near future.
For now, JACON’s robust, hybrid-ready fleet ensures that its clients – whether mining for gold or building the nation’s next major tunnel – have the tools to deliver safely, efficiently, and sustainably.
