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Wheel loaders have traditionally been used in repetitive
load-and-carry applications, but thanks to
today’s trend of maximizing an equipment investment
by using one machine for multiple functions,
wheel loaders are now doing more.
“Wheel loaders can excel when used in tool-carrier applications,”
says Scott Sikkink, Terex ASV Product Marketing Specialist.
“Models designed to be tool carriers can work on all types
of projects, from general construction tasks to more specialized
landscaping and utility work.”
Features like an articulating center point, oscillating rear axles
and rear-mounted engines offer wheel loader operators an advantage
when working on challenging jobsites. These features offer
operators a combination of speed and maneuverability, particularly
in space-restrictive and sensitive-turf environments. Also, a
wheel loader’s hydrostatic drive system provides infinitely variable
speed control, giving these machines the ability to easily adapt to a
wide variety of tasks.
But, Sikkink says, it’s these machines’ ability to
work with a variety of different attachments that
allow them to excel as tool carriers. Most tool
carrier-designed wheel loaders come equipped
with a universal skid steer loader quick-attach
system, letting them marry up with skid steer
and compact track loader attachments, including
buckets, forks, augers, brooms, hydraulic
breakers, trenchers, snow blowers and more.
“The compact wheel loader market in
North America is still much smaller than
20 Utility Contractor | May 2009
Riddle 2:
I play in the sand, but I don’t
build a castle.
In fact you can fill me with
rocks, mud and gravel.
If you don’t need me,
I become quite detached.
But cleanse the pallet if we
are well matched.
A New
Multipurpose
Tool in Town
Attachments Making
Wheel Loaders
Jack-of-all-trades
By Amber Reed
the skid steer and compact track loader market,” states Sikkink.
“So most attachments are actually designed for skid steers
but may work with wheel loaders.
“Because of the difference in auxiliary hydraulic flow between wheel
loaders and skid steers or compact track loaders, it is important to understand
how your wheel loader’s driving, braking, steering and lifting
functions may influence the performance of an attachment, particularly
ones that require continuous hydraulic flow,” counsels Sikkink.
When choosing attachments for a wheel loader, it is important
to pay particular attention to the attachment’s flow requirements.
Attachments that require continuous hydraulic flow, such as augers
and brooms, do not work as efficiently if the wheel loader’s hydraulic
specifications do not meet the attachment’s needs. In this case,
the demands of the rest of the wheel loader’s systems can result in
sluggish attachment operation or may cut hydraulic flow to the attachment
altogether. This can be very frustrating to owners and operators
who are trying to increase the usage of their equipment.
“It is a good idea to source your attachments through the distributorship
where you purchased your wheel loader,” recommends
Sikkink. “Your distributor knows the wheel loader’s exact hydraulic
specifications and will counsel you on which attachments will
work with your machine. It is important to let your distributor
know all of the potential applications you want to perform because
this will influence what advice your distributor gives you
when making a machine purchase.”
With so many wheel loader options and models available, an
attachment will work differently depending on the wheel loader.
For example, continuous-flow attachments require wheel loaders
designed with higher auxiliary hydraulic flow or dedicated auxiliary
hydraulic circuits. Without this design option,
certain continuous-flow attachments would
need to be run on larger units in order to work
effectively. The larger units, however, may not
work well on space-restricted jobsites and can
increase operating costs by increasing fuel and
maintenance costs. Also, as Sikkink points out,
since the attachments are designed for smaller,
more compact machines, they may not fit well
on larger wheel loaders.
Terex, however, offers an additional dedicated
auxiliary hydraulic circuit option with a
second pump on its TL80 and TL100 wheel loader models, explains
Sikkink. This option allows Terex units to run a wider variety of attachments
without sacrificing the operation of the machine.
In tough economic times, wheel loaders are no longer expected
to perform just one task, but to do everything they are capable
of doing. “By consulting your equipment distributor on the
right attachments and options for your wheel loader,” concludes
Sikkink, “you can significantly enhance the productivity of your
machine to maximize your investment dollars.”
Amber Reed is a Technical Writer for Performance Marketing, West Des
Moines, Iowa.