The Ultimate Guide to Using Small Articulated Loaders in Snow Removal

Small articulated loaders are nimble, capable machines well suited for snow removal if they are properly configured. Here’s how to do that.

Cold Weather Maintenance

Start with a late-season inspection before the cold weather arrives. Check all fittings, couplers, hoses and grease seals. Make sure you’re using the proper weight of oil as well as the proper class of oil, as defined by the manufacturer and as indicated by the API “donut” on the oil container. Also check the manufacturer’s recommendation for cold weather hydraulic oil. Load test the starter battery. Check coolant condition and protection level. Fill the washer reservoir with winter solvent.

Use winter blend diesel fuel, which is a ratio of #1 and #2 diesel fuel (the ratio varies with ambient temperature), and a diesel anti-gel additive. For gasoline-powered models, use a fuel stabilizer and non-ethanol fuel, as ethanol can hold water and contribute to fuel line icing. (See the sidebar on sourcing non-ethanol fuel below.)

Cold Starts and Cleaning Snow-Covered Small Articulated Loaders

Also, before the cold arrives, identify the cold start features of your machines and confirm those features work. Levi Cordes, technical service support specialist, and Zach Crabtree, product specialist, Vermeer, note that the ATX530 and ATX720 use glow plugs. Make sure operators wait to start the machine until indicated to do so by the dash light. The ATX850 and ATX960 use Rehlko (formerly Kohler) KDI Series engines with intake grid heaters; operators should be familiar with how these heaters function.

During the season, a key maintenance responsibility is to clean all the snow and ice off a machine and attachments. Know where the snow lurks, such as in the articulation joint on the machine and the auger cavity on a snowblower, and keep it off the floor of the cab where snow and ice buildup can restrict pedal access and lead to slips and falls. Cordes and Crabtree recommend hitting the grease zerks at the end of a shift to help expel any water that may have made it into the fittings. They also advise regular use of the battery cut-off switch, which is typically left on in warmer months. “Parasitic loads are small when the machine is off, but in cold conditions every little advantage helps and turning off the battery switch stops those parasitic losses,” says Crabtree.

Operator Comfort and Operating Tips

Small articulated loaders can be configured with an open workstation. Most have a canopy/ROPS structure at a minimum. Some can be configured with an enclosed workstation, or cab, which can be fitted with heat and ventilation and possibly air conditioning. While heat alone can improve operator comfort, a full HVAC system is required for optimal defrosting/defogging of glass. Heated seating is helpful. Advances in textiles and design have made clothing and footwear much more efficient at retaining heat than items that were available even a few years ago. (See the sidebar on electrically heated clothing.)

Snow removal is the main application for SALs in winter. Manuel Meyer, market development manager, wheel loaders and telehandlers, Wacker Neuson, says the first step in efficient snow removal is to plan ahead. “Identify where snow can be piled so it won’t block traffic or sight lines,” he says. “Mark any hazards such as curbs, fire hydrants, speed bumps or drop-offs with reflective stakes. Good planning saves frustration and damage once everything is white.”

Safety is a focal point for Mecalac’s MCL series. The line offers enhanced side and top visibility for safer operation while navigating snowy areas. The machines also provide easy accessibility for entering the cab or refueling with solid ground footing to reduce the risk of falls. Each machine in the MCL line has a 45-degree articulation, which keeps the rear wheels traveling in the same path as the front wheels. A 10-degree oscillation allows a strong follow-up and maximum traction on both level and uneven ground.

“These machines are thoughtfully designed to deliver safe, reliable performance in challenging environments,” says Peter Bigwood, general manager for Mecalac North America. “During snow removal, it’s paramount that a loader offers visibility, stability and traction where it matters most.”

Properly Configured SALs for Snow Removal

Jay Quarto, commercial product manager, Wacker Neuson, says the company’s WL28 can be optimized for snow removal with a Factory Winter Package. It includes narrower profile tires to keep the overall width under 48 in., ideal for clearing sidewalks and pathways. It adds rear hydraulic connections for a spreader, a hand throttle with speed control for running a snowblower and high-performance LED work lights. It is available with 48 or 54 hp. Top travel speed is around 18.6 mph, and overall height is 6.5 ft with cab. Vermeer’s four models of small articulated loaders all include their Dynamic Blocking System. DBS acts as a differential lock to provide oil flow to both sides of the machine when slipping occurs. The torque divider feature divides flow equally to the front and rear wheels and runs concurrent with DBS to effectively provide all-wheel drive. Torque divider is standard on the ATX850 and ATX960 and can be added to the ATX530 and ATX720.

Mecalac’s MCL series uses the manufacturer’s quick-coupling technology to pair with a range of attachments. The series features the option for auxiliary hydraulic lines on the boom and at the rear of the machine, as well as 12V 3-pole plugs, allowing users to mount a snow blade on the front of the machine and a salt spreader on the rear. Users can precisely control rpm and travel speed with M-Drive and Speed Control to more accurately operate snow blades or sweepers.

“Time and space to complete jobs is increasingly limited,” Bigwood says. “Compact loaders the size of a skid steer but with features and functionality not typically found in machines this size enable users to be more productive. These multifunctional loaders provide unparalleled versatility for growth and tackling new applications.”

The Right Tool

Wacker Neuson’s Meyer offers a list of attachments for snow removal.

• Snowplows are designed to push snow, or create windrows, or carry snow to the end of the run, and can come with trip springs and rubber cutting edges to prevent damage if an object is struck.
• Snow pushers are box plows that carry large amounts of snow to the end of the run without creating windrows.
• Snow buckets are high-volume replacement buckets for lifting and loading snow. Care must be taken when using these buckets with heavy, wet snow.
• Rotary/angle brooms clear light snowfall and leave much less snow behind than does a plow, minimizing the need for chemicals.
• Snowblowers can be used to clear a lot or to move piles left by plows at the edges of paved areas into non-parking areas. Snowblowers usually require high-flow hydraulics.
• Spreaders can dispense salt, sand or grit to enhance melting and improve traction.
• Attachments can be configured with standard skid steer plates or CII (common industry interface) to fit most small articulated loaders.

Richard Ries is a freelance writer for Compact Equipment.