Roomier, quieter and more comfortable cabs. Improved visibility. Low-effort joystick pilot controls for easier, smoother and more productive operation. Better fuel economy. Advanced systems diagnostics. Easier access to service points. Lower maintenance needs. Greater reliability. These are just some of the features you’ll find in the latest skid-steer loaders.
“The performance and value of these versatile machines continue to improve,” says Kelly Moore, skid-steer loader product manager for Gehl Company. “Using new designs and technology, manufacturers are getting more production out of their skid-steer loaders, without necessarily adding more horsepower. For example, advances in pumps, drive motors and the like have helped increase efficiency of hydraulic systems.”
Comparing the performance of a used skid-steer loader with the newest version of that same model can be a real eye opener, and not just because of improved features. As components wear over time, machine performance slips, Moore notes. With increasing operating hours, cylinder seals begin to leak, and hydraulic systems lose some of their punch. Cycle times increase, production slows, and overall power declines.
Moore contends that now is a good time to demo a new skid-steer. If you can justify a new machine this year, manufacturers are offering deeper discounts for cash purchases and are looking for better financing deals for cash-strapped customers.
“Because of the down economy, new machines have remained very competitively priced, relatively speaking,” Moore says. “In fact, in some cases, you can buy a new skid-steer for the same price that model sold for a year or two ago, depending on the model and its configuration.”
Here’s the rundown on a few of the latest skid-steer loader models:
Bobcat M Series
Introduced last year, the Bobcat M Series skid-steers offer significant design changes. The cab-forward design brings the operator closer to the work area and provides better overall visibility, while a larger door improves visibility and makes entry and exit easier. Also, new engine mounts reduce noise by more than 60 percent and decrease vibration.
The re-engineered hydraulic system provides 15 percent more horsepower along with higher standard flow and pressure for more productivity, and tractive effort has been increased by 15 to 20 percent for more pushing and digging power.
Other features include a new, removable hydraulic hose guide that makes changing attachments easier; a lower rear frame that extends past the tailgate to protect the rear of the machine from scrapes and bumps on the work site; and a new hydraulic sight gauge and end-greased pivot pins at key points to simplify maintenance. 800/743-4340; www.bobcat.com.
Caterpillar C Series
In addition to electro-hydraulic joystick controls, the four Caterpillar C Series skid-steer loaders — 246C, 256C, 262C, 272C — have electronic torque management, which maximizes power to the ground and keeps the engine from stalling in tough digging and dozing applications.
With a rated operating capacity of 3,250 pounds, the vertical-lift 272C is Caterpillar’s largest-capacity model. The 262C, with an operating capacity of 2,700 pounds, also has a vertical-lift design for enhanced truck-loading capabilities. The 246C and 256C are radial-lift machines with rated operating capacities of 2,150 and 2,350 pounds.
The optional high-flow, high-pressure hydraulic system, High Flow XPS, equips any C Series model to work with tools requiring high flow and pressure, such as landscape rakes and cold planers. The optional Advanced Machine Information and Control System enables the operator to select the level of implement responsiveness for more precise control in demanding and delicate tasks. 309/675-1000; www.cat.com.
IHI CL35
With an operating weight of 7,826 pounds, the IHI CL35 compact loader offers a spacious operator’s area along with precision movement, reducing wobbling. All operation is consolidated in joystick controls. This two-speed loader has low fuel consumption and more than 14 cubic feet of capacity. The hydraulic system accurately responds to the will of the operator.
The unit is powered by a 67 hp Yanmar diesel engine and has one- and two-way auxiliary hydraulics. It rides on 12.6-inch-wide rubber tracks (15.8-inch tracks are optional). 800/538-1447; www.ihices.com.
John Deere D-Series
John Deere D-Series skid-steer loaders — 318D, 320D, 326D, 328D and 332D — offer roomier cabs and new electronically controlled Tier 3/interim Tier 4 engines. Features include auto idle and optional cool-on-demand reversing hydraulic fan, both of which reduce noise and save fuel.
In addition to providing significantly more cooling capacity and performance, the V-Plenum cooling system is designed for easier maintenance. The EH (electro-hydraulic) Performance Package lets operators switch between ISO and H pattern controls. To improve operation in specific applications, this package also lets operators set wheel speed independently of the engine speed and adjust the maximum speed and sensitivity of the boom and bucket. Adjustments to the mid-frame of the 318D and 320D models allow them to dump into a 10-foot sidewall dump truck. 309/765-8000; www.deere.com.
Case 400 Series 3
Four of the eight models of the Case 400 Series 3 skid-steer loaders have rated operating loads of at least 2,200 pounds, ranging from the model 440 rated at 2,200 pounds to the model 465 rated at 3,000 pounds. The 440, 450 and 465 models are powered by 4.5-liter, 83 hp turbocharged Case engines, while the 445 has a 3.2-liter, 77 hp turbocharged Case engine.
In addition to Tier 3 certification, these engines provide improved torque for increased performance. The 440 and 450 models, with a radial-lift design, are well suited for pushing or digging work, such as finish grading or material distribution. The 445 and 465 models, with a vertical-lift design, are more appropriate for lift-and-carry jobs, such as loading rock or dirt into a truck or placing pallets onto a trailer. The cabs offer more headroom and improved forward, side, rear and overhead visibility than previous models. A suspension seat is standard. 866/542-2736; www.casece.com.
Komatsu SK820-5
The enhanced loader arm and bucket controls of Komatsu SK820-5 skid-steer loaders are aimed at handling tough conditions without losing power or performance. With Automatic Power Control, available on all Komatsu skid-steers, the operator can work at full power during any phase of the job without engine stall-out.
With an operating weight of 6,480 pounds, the vertical-lift SK820-5 delivers a net 54 hp. The turbocharged and water-cooled direct fuel injection engine meets U.S. EPA emissions requirements and remains fuel-efficient without sacrificing power or productivity.
The machine has a rated operating capacity of 1,900 pounds, a tipping load of 3,800 pounds, and bucket breakout forces of 4,200 pounds and 3,530 pounds (based on short lip and long lip bucket designs). The optional, fully enclosed cab has a slide-up overhead front door, a large entrance, 360-degree visibility and heating. 866/513-5778; www.komatsuamerica.com.
Mustang 2700V
The Mustang model 2700V skid-steer, with a Yanmar Tier 3, 84 hp, turbocharged diesel engine, offers a 2,700-pound rated operating capacity. The vertical-lift boom offers more than 130 inches of lift height and provides considerable forward reach at trailer loading and dumping heights. Electronic engine control and a foot throttle allow operation at partial throttle, reducing sound levels and fuel consumption.
A long wheelbase and new chassis are designed to enhance stability and weight distribution. Thick steel plating and heavy-duty pins and bushings add to the loader’s strength. The optional cab, with a wide-view glass door and large side screens for a clear view of the bucket cutting edge and front operating area, is pressurized to limit infiltration of dirt, debris and noise. Other options include high-flow auxiliary hydraulics and a hydraulic-powered mounting system. 800/628-0491; www.mustangmfg.com.
New Holland L175
The New Holland L175 is powered by a turbocharged engine rated at 60 hp. Weighing 6,230 pounds, it has a 2,000-pound SAE-rated operating capacity and a bucket breakout force of 4,300 pounds. It features the Super Boom vertical lift linkage for improved dump height and reach, fast boom and bucket cycle times, and fast ground speeds for more productivity.
It also has a long wheelbase for added stability and no rear towers to impair visibility. The unit has a 10-foot lift height and 29 inches of forward reach. Options include a dual-range transmission with a top speed of more than 11 mph, low-effort joysticks, and a deluxe cab with air conditioning. 888/365-6423; www.newhollandconstruction.com.
