This question has probably been asked before but im going to ask again...
Why are compact loaders more popular in Europe than skids? It seems there are obvious pros and cons to each machine but i would like to hear a die hard loader operators opinion. I have never ran a compact loader so i have no idea what they are all about, i was hoping someone could explain
thanks
Funny that, I have been considering the same, I would like to have a skidsteer cause I know how they operate, fit on jobsites but I have been interested in the Kubota 420 sized for awhile now... wonder what advantages it would have over a skidsteer if any...
How are the small loaders at snow removal?
i'll pick a ctl any day over wheels....all weather capable....
wheels you may get 180 days to work a year... but those tracks will go 365 days if you wanted...
and you'll get yea... nay on both sides...
Snow... I ran a 247 cat... for snow removal... with a tooth bucket.... just cause it works better for me... snow I prefer the tracks...
grading slabs with sand.... well the laborer can almost stand and watch when using a tracked machine...
the low ground pressure tears up less so you working.. LESS...
Wear on the tracks ... well it depends on how you treat the machine.... 1st set when I was the only operator...1900 hours.... then after the machine left for everyone to use 1100 hours.... when they bought it they were told to expect 1000 hour for the track..
I ran the thing on every surface your can think of... from asphalt ... concrete ... spreading rock ... sand .... tensar rock... even built crane pads with 4" rock.... broken concrete...
Auger cast piling clean-up... that ctl is the more better than the bestest machine for the job... they glide right over all the hoses that are used... when running back and forth cleaning the spoils...
they will spin on a dime... but that just weasr stuff out quicker whether they're tracks or wheels
WELL there's my Dimes worth...
read it wrong... I read it as compact track loader ...
little loaders have their place ... but for the size I would I would still pick a ctl
I think we had the littlest Volvo rented once... it's bucket wasn't much bigger than the247... the only advantage ... it loaded trucks a bit easier..
that's about 2 cent for the little loaders
Compact loaders are better for the logistic side of a job. Forklift operations, short moves, site trailer transport. I used to blow them of as worthless tell I started using them at my new job. CTLs for a construction company with alot of equipment get lost in the tweener spot. I'd much rather have a wheeled two speed skid for everything but final dirt grading for seeds and sand work. Instead of driving through the mud with a ctl you should consider fixing it first.
are you talking about a rubber tracked skid steer or a Small track loader like a 939 Caterpillar?
EDIT: I just realized this was in the compact wheel loader thread so im guessing that your talking about something like a 904 vs a 256 or S300 etc? and although im not in eruope I hope that I can still answer the Question....the reason I dont have one is simply because of the cost and the used availablity of them. I would like to have one for snow work and light jobsite stuff but it's not going to compete with a 928 or 924 etc. when it comes to loading trucks
Pj
Last edited by powerjoke; 08-01-2010 at 12:37 PM.
I have run the Takeuchi compact loader and the CASE 321D. I really like them. Great visibility, very comfortable. I think there is a place for them, its just that for me they are way too expensive and they are not quite as good at multi tasking as a skid steer. So they cost more, harder to keep busy but dam they are sexy.
i ran a TCM 810a for around 3000hrs it was a great work horse lighter footprint than a skid as in it didnt tear up turf etc could lift near on 2 ton and was just as fast as a wheeled skid. I went from that to T190 for the multi tasking ability plus wheeled loaders dont handle poor traction like a skid but they also ride great saving your body. they are ideal in landscape yards where loading and shifting is the key role as for why Europe is more into them ?? not sure I guess its a case of how the job has always been done by loaders so small job = small loader
I got 3500 hours out of the tyres and they were only 50% but put fresh ones on for a winter contract it had 5000hrs on it when I sold it and they still were around 85%
Loader is a lot faster if you have to room to move. If it is in a compact space you will be much slower.
Regards,
Nick Bowers
http://www.truckandmachinery.com.au Australian Market Place For New And Used Machines
I have not run an articulating loader smaller than 2 yards so I can't really say how the compacts work, first hand. Having run the larger units I do know how they work and what to expect from that design. When I purchased my last Bobcat I did have the Volvo, and Cat salesman try to push compact loaders on me. The reason they suggested the comp. loader was because I was looking at the A300 Bobcat. I decided to stick with the A series Bobcat (traded in an A220). I could not see paying the money for, what I considered to be, less versatility. With the A300 I feel I get the best of all worlds. Articulated steering (which we almost always use) allows me to grade around corners, and I can manuever without tearing up my work. When the need arises I can flip a switch and make turns where a loader simply could not. So far, I have gotten 2200 hours on the OEM tires. I paid less than $50k, brand new, with all the bells and whistles. This is obviously expensive when compared to most skid steers, but not when compared to a compact loader (or a CTL for that matter). I am sure the comp. loader will load a truck better, but the A300 does OK at that job. I would think that the comp. loader would road between jobs better and be more comfortable over all, especially getting in & out. I have spent very long days/nights in the A300, plowing snow, and while it was manageable, I would prefer better creaure comfort.
I've read all of the comments and I have to say that I've owned and operated a Kubota R420 for 10 years and I would not trade it in for anything except another compact loader. I do everything with this loader , using both the gp bucket and a set of forks. I am a contractor who does alot of differing jobs from carpentry to earth work. Framing, retaining walls, moving pallets, backfilling, moving whatever,... the 420 has never let me down. I use it in combination with a Kubota KX121 excavator and an EZ Screen 1000B. I keep all of my work inhouse. There are a few shortcomings of the 420 though. If you plan on running attachments off of the aux hydr.s the 11 gpm falls short of the min 15 gpm that most skidsteer attachments need.. You should get the ss plate attachment quickchange that is available thru Kubota as it will open up a world of options to you regarding attachments. On any hydra attachments, talk to the company directly. I wanted to run a Harley Rake on my 420 and even though the gpm's were low, Paladin's rep( Harley's parent co) said they had come up with the necessary mech.s to run a 5' rake and a 6' broom off of my machine. After all of this time, the only mechanical problems I have had have been a few blown seals which cost about $500 to replace. Pushed snow all last winter with it for the first time without a problem. Had a combo 8' pusher/plow on it along with a temp winter cab. Had to add aux fuses off of the battery to handle the additional work and safety lights. If and when I buy another Kubota, I would buy the 520 with a full cab. The 520 puts out 15+ gpm on the aux hydr which solves alot of problems.
I previously worked for an OEM that made small articulated loaders. What I was told was...
- The loader preference is greatest around Germany & Austria
- They are often roaded, and obviously can go faster than a skid
- They often work in very old buildings with narrow doors. (I know, anything over 75 years is old here but not "over there")
- They often work in very old buildings with low roofs, that is why the small loaders have folding ROPS
- better visibility to sides and rear
- better adept at moving bales, unloading trucks, etc. (more stable unless turned)
- they are better at towing small wagons, etc.
- they sometimes put attachments on the back, such as salt spreads
- generally quieter at the operator ear
ISZ
The articulated wheel loader was invented by Schaeff in Germany in the 1930's. Way before skid steers were introduced by Melrose (pre-Bobcat) and Mustang in the 60's. I have used both and a compact wheel loader will outwork a skid in almost every situation except deep mud. Wheel loaders are a lot more operator friendly and will last years longer in daily use. I have 4 wheel loaders and my oldest is a 40+ year old Waldon that's a tank and still works every day.
45 years of carving dirt, building legacy buildings and landworks, like a Roman my ancestors will see my work on this planet and either a marvel or decry my stupidity. How many can say they changed earth for the better?
Curious who says that the articulated wheel loader was invented by Schaeff? They may be the first compact machine? The Frank G. Hough Company Hough's first wheel loader came to market in 1939. It operated with a gravity powered latch mechanism. Over the next decade, Hough introduced numerous innovations. In 1941, Hough released the world's first wheel loader with hydraulically-operated arms. In 1944, they released the first wheel loader with hydraulically-actuated bucket tilt, which allowed operators to tilt the bucket while approaching a pile of dirt to obtain a full load, a common practice today. Three years later, in 1947, Hough released the world's first hydraulic four-wheel drive wheel loader. And in 1950, Hough released the first wheel loader with planetary axles, a torque converter, and a powershift transmission.[2]Originally Posted by laketreefarm
In 1952, the Frank G. Hough Company was sold to the International Harvester Company. For the next 30 years, International Harvester would produce wheel loaders under the Hough brand name. In 1982, the International Harvester Company was acquired by Dresser Industries. Dresser elected to discontinue the Hough brand. Dresser would eventually merge with Komatsu in 1988, forming the Komatsu Dresser Company.
ISZ
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote