Sunward Europe’s Foundation Equipment business unit has chosen Geofluid 2026 for the exclusive European launch of the SWDM 45S, the most compact rig in the SWDM Pro series. Visitors can see it from 7 to 10 October at Piacenza Expo, outdoor stand Q35.
Piacenza, Italy. Urban infill, building renovation, courtyards, sites next to existing structures: more and more foundation work takes place where larger rigs simply cannot go. Contractors often face a difficult choice between a small machine with limited capability and a capable machine with heavy logistics. The SWDM 45S has been designed to close that gap.
Real drilling capability in a compact package
With a maximum drilling diameter of 1,000 mm and a maximum depth of 21 m using a locked Kelly bar, the SWDM 45S brings genuine foundation performance to sites with restricted access. Its rotary head delivers 45 kNm of torque, supported by a 52 kN main winch, a 2,000 mm cylinder crowd stroke and a 320 bar hydraulic system with 120 L/min flow. At a maximum working height of 9.6 m, it is suited to jobs where overhead clearance is a constraint.
Two configurations, one machine
The rig works in both LDP (Kelly drilling) and 2-line CFA configurations, with a quick conversion from one to the other. In CFA mode it drills diameters from 350 to 600 mm, down to 8.6 m, or 12.6 m with extension. For contractors, this means one machine can cover a wider mix of projects and stay productive for more of the year.
Designed to travel
It is fitting that the SWDM 45S will be shown on a container stand: the rig itself is compact enough to be loaded into a shipping container. With a transport width of 2,320 mm and a transport weight of 16.4 t in CCS configuration, it is designed to be moved without special road permits in most scenarios. Once on site, the telescopic undercarriage extends to 2,920 mm to give a stable working base.
Smart control that supports the operator
The SWDM 45S integrates automatic functions designed to simplify and protect the operator’s work: one-touch soil throwing, one-touch lifting, rock entry mode and rotation reset. Mast inclination measurement on x/y axes, electronic load sensing on the main rope and automatic crowd control help keep drilling precise and consistent. A multi-language display provides machine monitoring and diagnostics, while the Sunward Drill System and Sunward Online Cloud support production supervision, fleet management and remote troubleshooting.
Cleaner, quieter power
The rig is powered by a Yanmar 4TNV98CT engine rated at 53.7 kW, compliant with EU Stage V and US EPA Tier 4f, with auto idle control to support fuel savings. Sound pressure in the cab is 75 dB(A), contributing to a more comfortable working day in a spacious, air-conditioned cab with an air-cushioned seat.
“The SWDM 45S answers a very concrete need we hear from European contractors: foundation performance on sites where space, access and transport are the real constraints. Geofluid is the natural place to present it to the drilling and foundation community.”
Angelo Gardini, Business Unit Foundation Equipment General Manager Europe & Americas
Backed in Europe
The SWDM 45S is the entry point to the SWDM Pro series, which extends up to the SWDM415. It is supported in Europe by Sunward Europe Heavy Industry NV in Tessenderlo, Belgium, with spare parts stock, service engineers and a growing dealer network.
Visit us at Geofluid 2026
Piacenza Expo, 7 to 10 October 2026, outdoor stand Q35. The Sunward Europe team will be on site to present the machine and to meet contractors and companies interested in representing Sunward foundation equipment in their market. Contact: info.eu@sunward.cc
| SWDM 45S KEY FIGURES | |
| Max. drilling diameter | 1,000 mm |
| Max. drilling depth | 21 m |
| Max. torque | 45 kNm |
| Engine | 53.7 kW, EU Stage V |
| Max. height | 9.6 m |
| Operating weight | 17.6 t |
| Transport width | 2,320 mm |
More about the Sunward SWDM 45S:
