Wheel Loader Roundup: From Caterpillar to Yanmar, Here’s a Peek into Eight CWL Lineups
Looking for a compact wheel loader? Curious about what’s out there? Take a quick look at eight lineups available in the North American market today.
Kubota
Kubota’s R Series wheel loaders, which consist of the R430, R540 and R640, are all equipped with features to offer visibility, power and productivity. The next-generation R540 and R640 wheel loaders are available in two basic platform options — open canopy (ROPS) and enclosed cab models — and feature improved visibility and enhanced operator comfort over the previous R30 Series models. Both the R540 and R640 also provide increased weight and improved lift performance over the prior generation.
John Deere
John Deere’s G-Tier models, the 184, 204 and 304, provide customers with a reliable and easy-to-use solution for tasks ranging from landscaping and general construction to snow removal. Deere also offers its P-Tier loaders — the 244, 324 and 344. These loaders are all built with John Deere’s industry-exclusive Articulation Plus steering system that combines 30 degrees of standard articulation with an additional 10 degrees of rear wheel steering to provide tighter turning radius and increased stability for customers.
Caterpillar
Caterpillar’s 906, 907 and 908 compact wheel loaders are built upon a basic DNA that consists of: dedicated pumps for drive, implement and steering that offer no-compromise operation; Z-Bar linkage that gives great visibility, perfect for parallel fork work and amazing digging performance with buckets; technology to make work easy; operator comfort thanks to a redesigned cab; and electrohydraulic controls that give precise, efficient implement control.
Takeuchi
Takeuchi manufactures three compact wheel loader models, the largest of which has an operating weight of 18,188 lbs and a 114-hp engine. While Takeuchi’s wheel loaders are compact, the company ensures “big machine” features, since that’s what today’s customers want. Takeuchi has found that owner/operators want as much capability as they can get in a smaller, nimbler machine.
Volvo CE
Volvo CE offers six internal combustion engine models and two electric models. They range from 64 to 116 hp (diesel) and 33 to 40 kWh (electric). Volvo CE compact wheel loaders are built for safety and productivity thanks to their outstanding uptime, easy maintenance and repairs and impressive fuel efficiency. Volvo’s models are also often recognized for their low cost of ownership.
Yanmar
Yanmar’s compact wheel loader lineup consists of four models — the V4-7, V8, V10 and V12. All four models come standard with a three-year/3,000-hour warranty, showcasing Yanmar reliability. Features that allow for ease of operation include fully automatic accelerator mode, fixed travel speed mode and auxiliary hydraulics with proportional control.
Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas
Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas offers five models of small/compact wheel loaders ranging from the Hitachi ZW30 with a 25-hp diesel engine, bucket capacity of 0.52 cu-yds and an operating weight of 7,310 lbs to the Hitachi ZW120-6 wheel loader with a 99-hp diesel engine, bucket capacity of 2 to 2.4 cu-yds and an operating weight of 18,585 lbs.
Case Construction Equipment
Case’s compact wheel loader line consists of four models — the 21F, 121F, 221F and 321F. These compact machines are built with super-sized features and pick up where skid steers leave off in lift capacity, ground clearance, cab height/visibility and application versatility. Multiple linkage, a hydraulic coupler, axle options combined with Ride Control and a maintenance-free Tier 4 emissions solution add versatility and performance capacities when you need them the most.
