Popular and Powerful Compact Wheel Loaders for Your Perusal
Compact wheel loaders continue to grow in popularity with American equipment pros, and why not? These impressive loader tool carriers beat almost every other compact machine in visibility, speed, tire longevity and fuel efficiency, but yeah, also cost (they are not cheap). Units can be found operating in everything from dedicated snow removal to do-it-all nursery work.
Let’s recap the sales pitch for compact wheel loaders. For starters, operators sit up higher, giving better visibility to the attachment and job at hand. That means more safety. It’s also much safer to enter and exit the machine than a skid steer or track loader (unless maybe it’s a JCB one-armed skid steer), where you must climb over an often dirty and gnarly-looking hydraulic attachment to sit in a moderately comfortable operator’s compartment. Also, compact wheel loaders articulate or use all-wheel drive which is: A) easier on tires; B) easier on turf and other surfaces; and C) better on fuel efficiency. Here are some good examples of this machine category:
Hitachi’ s ZW50 and ZW80
The Hitachi ZW50 and ZW80 are two popular compact wheel loaders in the United States. The ZW50 is a 46-hp loader, and the ZW80 is a 63-hp model. These two models have shared top billing as the most popular Hitachi compact model in sales volume for the past couple of years, according to Hitachi. The company adds that these are simple machines to operate with minimal control settings. Operators can jump in the machine and get straight to work. This simplicity is something owners appreciate even more now, as finding experienced operators is a challenge. The Hitachi ZW30 compact wheel loader is the smallest unit in the HCMA wheel loader line. It features a .5 yd3 bucket capacity, 25-hp T4F Kubota engine, operating weight of 7,310 lbs and breakout force of 4,630 lbs. For more info, visit hitachicm.us.
Wacker Neuson’s WL28
Power and performance, combined with the compact design that includes excellent jobsite visibility, make the WL28 an ideal wheel loader for year-round applications. Jay Quatro, commercial product manager, says the Stage V Yanmar engine is available in two options, 45 hp and 54 hp. The Yanmar engine technology offers an efficient regeneration system, excellent power-to-weight ratio and lower fuel consumption. The electronic regulated drive system provides improved pushing power, speeds up to 18.6 miles per hour and an electronic parking brake that includes a hill-hold function. “The WL28 comes standard with an auto/eco mode and is available with an optional attachment mode that prioritizes power to the front auxiliary attachment providing consistent hydraulic flow and power to the attachment,” Quatro adds. “This is especially important for snow removal attachments such as snow blowers.” For more info, visit wackerneuson.com.
Takeuchi’s TW60 Series 2
“Our most popular model is the TW60 Series 2,” says Lee Padgett, product manager, Takeuchi-US Wheel Loaders. “It’s also the newest model in our lineup. It features a universal hydraulic skid steer coupler that makes it possible to use many of the same attachments as skid steers or compact track loaders, so it offers contractors and rental dealers an excellent return on investment.” Additionally, Padgett notes, the TW60 Series 2 is the smallest of the three models the company currently manufactures. It has an operating weight of 10,758 lbs, an operating capacity of 2,952 lbs, a bucket breakout force of 9,038 lbs and a lift arm breakout force of 6,675 lbs. For more info, visit takeuchi-us.com.
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