How do you know which size Wheel Loader you should choose?

Wheel loaders, also known as front end loader or bucket loader have become very difficult for the customer to do competitive comparisons. Dealers and manufactures claim that their machine is the same size as their competitors even though it truly is a smaller machine. And when you are talking wheel loaders, size truly does matter that is because the size of the machine is the direct output of the work it can do. So how does the customer determine if they are comparing two comparable wheel loaders?

The Main Differences to look at are:

• HorsePower
• Tipping Load
• Bucket Size

Horsepower

Wheel loaders are typically segmented in the market according to their horsepower. Compact wheel loaders are loaders with 80 horsepower or less, then its usually broken down from 80 to 150 horsepower, 150 to 200 horsepower, and 200 to 250 horsepower. Power is supplied from the diesel engine through a torque converted and power shift gears to drive the wheels. One may think that you could compare wheel loaders easily then based on horsepower, but you cannot because each manufacturer interprets it differently. Some include horsepower loss due to cooling fans but some do not. The fan can be large so the manufacturers that don’t deduct can have a higher horsepower.

Tipping Load

This is the payload that causes the rear tires to come off the ground when the machine is fully articulated in a stationary position. Basically the max load that the wheel loader can handle safely and stable. But again this does not hold a standard to every wheel loader because counterweights, tire size, hydroinflation, chains can all affect tipping loads but do not change the size of the wheel loader.

Bucket Size

A lot of people use the term bucket size to indicate loader size, ex: 6 yard loader that would be the general buckets size used on the loader. But if you wanted to put a bigger bucket on your machine you could use a lighter material density as your standard, which would then increase your bucket size. Beware when a salesman just uses bucket size and doesn’t tell you which material is used.

So how do you know if you are comparing similar wheel loaders? You must put all the variables together. Look at the bucket size and material used on both machines. Adjust the tipping loads looking at counterweights and tires. And look at gross horsepower not maximum horsepower because that can be manipulated. If you would like to speak to an expert to help you through the process visit www.traceyroad.com.