We’ve talked recently about the ongoing turf wars between compact track loaders and skid steer loaders. It turns out there’s a third combatant waiting to claim market share: compact wheel loaders.
As evidence of this trend, B.J. Meier, product specialist, compact wheel loaders, Caterpillar, says he encourages dealership sales personnel to bring along a compact wheel loader when demo’ing a skid steer. (We define “compact” here as we do in the Equipment World Spec Guide as machines with up to 90 horsepower.)
There are several traits that unite these machine types; perhaps the most obvious is the ability to work in tight quarters. In this respect, skid steers rule. The ability to counter-rotate and execute spin turns makes them the best in extremely confined areas. Compact track loaders can do spin turns, but that’s tough on tracks and undercarriage components and isn’t recommended. Still, the ability to use differential steering allows CTLs to make tight turns. Compact wheel loaders can’t counter-rotate the wheels, don’t have differential steering, and therefore have the widest turning radius. Of these three equipment types, they’re the least adept at navigating confined spaces. How much does this matter?
Not much, for two reasons.
First, there are few applications where extremely tight turns are required or at least preferred. In many cases when skid steer operators perform spin turns, it’s because they can, not because they must. If they’re in the habit of doing spin turns, they do them whether those turns are required in the current conditions or not. Besides, spin turns are fun.
Second, compact wheel loaders are hardly awkward, lumbering beasts. They’re quite nimble. They’re not skid steers, to be sure, but they’re not motor graders, either.
So how do you decide which loader is right for you? Meier says that if your applications emphasize hydraulic power, small machine dimensions or maneuverability, a skid steer or compact track loader is the right choice. But if the emphasis is on travel speed, cab access, reach and lift, fuel efficiency, tire wear or surface disruption, then a compact wheel loader is what you want.
