Why the compact loader is now a vital piece of kit

It is often said that variety is the spice of life. For those in the construction sector there is no end to the variety of tasks that need to be carried out as every site is different, and every client has unique demands.

While this is arguably what makes construction work so interesting and satisfying, although at times challenging and stressful, it also means that onsite equipment has to be both reliable and versatile.

Although many industry operators in Europe tend to rely on their excavators more than most other types of construction equipment, over the past 10 years the compact loader has entered something of a golden age in design and subsequently popularity.

The beauty of compact loaders, regardless of whether they have tracks or wheels, is that they are well suited to both general construction and niche applications.

Indeed, the wide range of models now being manufactured – not to mention the diversity of tasks they can be used for – means the humble loader is now a vital piece of kit for many European contractors.

Vitrac’s new 4.7 tonne Doosan Bobcat T770 was fitted with the WS32 wheel saw attachment via the quick-change Bob-Tach attachment mounting system

Remote control construction equipment

Take earthmoving and civil works specialist Vitrac Obra Pública for expample. It recently became the first company in Spain to use the new remote control system for compact loaders from Doosan Bobcat. Vitrac referred to this technology as “a new way of working and greater flexibility”.

Based on the Spanish island of Mallorca, the contractor added the remote control system – as well as a new Doosan Bobcat T770 compact track loader and a WS32 wheel saw attachment – to carry out trenching works on road projects across the island.

According to Vitrac, the combination of the 4.7 tonne T770 compact tracked loader, wheel saw and remote control provides an increased level of stability and safety, which it could not get with other equipment. 

A spokesperson for the company tells CE, “When making trenches, the remote control gives us better visibility of the work area and greater control of the environment in which we work. We can carry out the work more quickly with just one operator and there are fewer delays.

“With the Bobcat T770 loader and the new attachments we can carry out other types of work, which up to now we could not do such as pipelining in public works.”

The portable Remote Control System kit, now widely available to contractors across Europe, can be mounted and dismounted on a number of the manufacturer’s M and K Series compact loaders in around two minutes.

According to Doosan Bobcat, the system’s two-way communication enables operators to perform “most of the functions” that a loader under direct operation can. Its handheld control unit features a 90mm LCD display, which provides users with the loader’s fuel and oil status as well as safety warnings.

Bobcat says, “Remote control aims to increase visibility, comfort and productivity by distancing the operator from dust, noise, vibrations and other hazards encountered on jobsites that require special safety precautions.”

While new advancements like remotely operated construction machines are arguably worth getting excited about, the overall durability of a compact loader model remains the biggest contributing factor to an efficient construction site.

Stage V compact loaders

The latest compact loaders from Sany Europe have been described by the manufacturer as “inexhaustible workhorses”.

Available in Europe since November 2020, the new SW105 and SW115 compact wheeled loaders weigh 5.4 tonnes and 5.8 tonnes respectively, and have bucket capacities of 1.0m3 and 1.1m3.

In addition to articulated steering, two-stage hydrostatic transmission and a hydraulic quick coupler, the models’ standard features also include oscillating rear axles that are commonly featured on larger machines.

According to Sany, the oscillating axles, low centre of gravity and engine position mean the new compact loaders benefit from optimal traction and greater stability on challenging terrain.

While both the manufacturer’s smaller SW075 and SW085 are equipped with the Stage III Yanmar 4TNV88 engine, their larger sister models are fitted with Stage V-compliant engines.

Sany Europe’s SW115 compact loader is one of four new recently launched models

The Yanmar 4TNV98C engine in the SW105 and the TD 2.9 L4 turbocharged Deutz engine of the SW115, have both been built into the machines lengthways.

The standard Sany SW115, the largest of the new loader models, offers a maximum travel speed of 20km/h.

It can also be upgraded with a higher travel speed option of up to 28km/h and a “more finely graduated gear box”.

New compact loader updates

Similarly, Komatsu’s new WA70M-8 compact loader is suitable for both construction and landscaping tasks.

An updated model, the Komatsu WA70M-8 weighs 5.3 tonnes and has a tipping load of 4.2 tonnes.

Michael Wadsack, product manager at Komatsu Europe, says, “The new WA70M-8 completes the Komatsu Compact Wheel Loader range equipped with the latest EU Stage V engine technology.”

The compact machine includes a fully automatic hydrostatic transmission and 98 litre fuel tank for long working hours.

The Komatsu WA70M-8 wheeled loader

Its new engine and diesel particle filter also provide 25% more power than its predecessor model. The loader also incorporates easy access to its engine and operational components.

According to Komatsu, the high torque and low rpm level of the machine “boosts performance and helps to achieve low fuel consumption in every application”.

Additionally, the loader also incorporates easy access to its engine and operational componenets.

“All maintenance and service can be performed easily and quickly thanks to the tilting cab,” says Komatsu.

“The engine hood opens widely for a quick daily inspection, the electric equipment is well protected behind a maintenance cover, and the easy-to-clean wide core radiator – with an optional reversible fan – is conveniently accessible.”

Wacker Neuson’s WL34 compact wheeled loader now offers a tipping weight of 2.9 tonnes

Compact loaders for indoor tasks

While the Komatsu WA70M-8 is primarily designed for outdoor activities, Wacker Neuson’s recently updated WL34 compact wheeled loader offers a high level of productivity on all round tasks both indoors and outdoors.

The 3.9 tonne WL34 has improved its efficiency compared to its predecessor. In addition to its compact dimensions, its defining new feature is an increased tipping point of up to 2.9 tonnes, which makes it safer and more stable.

“The new model also has a clearance height of under 2.2m...which also makes it ideal for applications indoors or in industrial buildings, garages, road and highway construction, and gardening and landscaping,” says Wacker Neuson.

While the WL34 compact loader is fitted with a Stage V-compliant 4-cylinder engine from Deutz, changing attitudes and government regulations has meant that the manufacturer’s range of zero emission, electric construction equipment can also be used on environmentally sensitive projects including those in urban environments.

Electric compact loaders

Proving its environmentally friendly credentials, Wacker Neuson’s WL20e wheeled loader was recently used for the preparations of the 2021 National Garden Show (BUGA) in Erfurt, Germany.

The emission-free Wacker Neuson WL20e can run for up to five hours on a single charge

The wheeled loader was used with both a shovel attachment and a pallet fork to carry out a variety of tasks at BUGA, at which only emission-free equipment was allowed to be used in order to protect the exotic plants.

The WL20e wheeled loader, designed for simple handling tasks, is powered by an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery and has two electric engines, one for the drive system and one for the hydraulics.

It weighs 2.3 tonnes with a tipping load of 1.5 tonnes and its standard 45V battery provides up to five hours’ running time.

“The wheel loader works completely exhaust free and with significantly lower noise emissions. This means greater flexibility in application, environmental protection and significant savings with operating costs,” says Wacker Neuson.

According to the manufacturer, the model offers a 41% reduction in operating costs and saves around 90% of CO₂ emissions over its entire service life, compared to similar machines with conventional combustion engines.

With these latest advancements in electric and diesel engines, on top of those in digital and power-related technology, the compact loader is both proving its worth and providing contractors with more capabilities than ever before. 

Mini Skid Steers

All construction contractors – whether small, medium or large – have to deal with their fare share of tree and plant removal tasks.

While standard compact loaders are predominantly used for earthmoving and general site clearance duties, when it comes to removing trees, mini skid steers can be extremely valuable – particularly for smaller construction businesses that prefer to undertake the task themselves, rather than sub-contract out.

This is where Finland-based company Sahauspalvelu comes in.

Located north of Helsinki in the city of Lahti, the firm uses mini skid steers to provide specialist arboreal and timber processing services to state and city authorities, as well as companies and private individuals, in the south of the country.

The company’s equipment fleet includes two Vermeer S925TX mini skid steers, which incorporate chariot-style operator platforms and a ground clearance of 15.2cm.

The S925TX weighs 1.6 tonnes with a standard bucket and is powered by a Kubota V1505 diesel engine. Equipped with tracks, the stand-on machine provides 18.5kW of power and work angles of up to 30 degrees.

Janne Storlöpare, owner and manager of Sahauspalvelu, says, “With the S925TX mini skid steer, you get as much horsepower as any other mini skid steer on the market, plus loads of torque, in a really compact form.

He adds, “At the end of the day though, it comes down to efficiency. The mini skid steer does the work of two laborers. We can work faster with a smaller team, making us very competitive on price and turnaround time.”

Alongside its S925XT machines, the company uses a variety of Vermeer attachments for tree removal including buckets, grapples, forks and a wood splitter.

“You never know quite what you’re going to find when you arrive on site. So, you want to cover all the bases if you can,” says Storlöpare.

“We’ve got tree and shrub grapples that we can use to pull out smaller trees and a set of forks for lifting lengths of trunk after sectioning them with the chainsaw.

“The wood splitter attached to the skid steer is also ideal: you can take it almost anywhere on worksites because the machine runs on tracks. The bucket attachments are really useful too.”

Fully automatic quick couplers

Liebherr now has its LIKUFIX quick-change system for attachments available with its L506 and L508 compact loaders models. Available as an option, LIKUFIX comprises a hydraulic quick hitch with an automated hydraulic coupling system.

The fully automatic system allows machine operators to switch between both hydraulic and mechanical attachments with the press of a button from the cab. The system was previously only available for use with the manufacturer’s larger loader models.

According to Liebherr, using LIKUFIX with machines like its 5.4 tonne L506 compact wheeled loader offers contractors greater flexibility onsite and improves safety, particularly on road-side jobs.

The LIKUFIX quick change system is prepared for tough requirements. It can accommodate a range of attachments such as dump buckets, buckets with hold-down devices, log grapplers and separator buckets

The company stated, “The machine operator can switch, for example, between a hydraulic 4-in-1 folding shovel, a forklift or a sweeper within seconds at the push of a button.

“The hydraulic coupling is supported by springs. The forces that act on the quick coupler are therefore not transferred to the coupling system. Even with long periods of use, the connections between the hydraulic circuits remain absolutely tight.

“To make maintenance easier, all moving parts are easily accessible. If necessary, customers can easily carry out cleaning and simple maintenance activities such as changing a seal themselves.”