Skid-steer
loaders continue to get more powerful and sophisticated, and the work
tools are more powerful and precise. Here's a recap of
recent introductions.
Volvo Construction Equipment
New line designed for ruggedness
 Volvo introduced its first line of skid-steer
loaders in 2003. The five-model line has operating capacities ranging from
the 1,350-pound-rated MC60 to the 2,300-pound-rated MC110. Volvo says the
line has been engineered for ruggedness and long life, with a one-piece
mainframe structure, heavy-duty drive chains, and high ground clearance.
Production features include double-acting bucket cylinders with hardened
rods for exceptional breakout force, a high lifting capacity, and a
universal quick-attach system. High-flow hydraulics is an option on three
models.
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Caterpillar
High-powered loader with vertical lift
 Caterpillar’s new 268B skid-steer loader combines
high-flow hydraulics and a sophisticated load-sensing, pressure-compensating
hydraulic system with vertical lift loader linkage for efficient truck
loading and materials handling.
The 76-horsepower 268B has a rated operating
capacity of 2,700 pounds and a maximum lift height of 127 inches. It uses a
variable displacement piston pump to provide hydraulic flow and pressure up
to 33 gallons per minute and 4,060 psi when running high-flow work tools.
The load-sensing system maintains peak operation pressure at the work tool.
The machine also has a standard-flow circuit to drive tools like augers and
brooms.
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FFC Attachments
Faster cutting cold planer
The new Series II cold planer from FFC Attachments
features a “V” style Pic Pattern which, the company says, delivers more
horsepower per bit for faster cuts. In-cab fingertip controls operate
sideshift, tilt, and cutting depth for six high-flow models; two
standard-flow models use manual adjustments. The units feature 24-inches of
sideshift to either side for cutting next to curbs and obstacles.
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Sweepster
Quick-change broom attachment
 The new quick-change broom attachment from Sweepster
and FFC Attachments makes brush changes a snap. The QC Angle Broom is
designed so that the brush drive slips easily out of the core without
removing hydraulic lines for the wheel motor. The brush core is reversible
from end to end for even brush wear. A new faceted hood is designed to
provide maximum strength at the ends of the hood where most stress and
damage occur.
The new broom is available in 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-foot
widths, and in a variety of hydraulic motor sizes in single and dual motor
configurations to provide a match to a wide spectrum of host machine
hydraulic systems.
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Bobcat
Drop hammer works on thick concrete
 Bobcat
has unveiled a new drop hammer attachment
that allows a skid-steer loader to break concrete slabs up to 18-inches deep
with less noise and vibration than a hydraulic hammer. The unit employs a
1,140-pound weight which is lifted by means of a chain and drive motor, then
dropped. The company says it exerts low vibration and little noise.
Attaching and detaching is said to be easy with the Bob-Tach mounting
system, and the detached unit can stand upright independently, eliminating
the need for additional equipment to lift or move it.
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John Deere
Works harder, faster
 John Deere says its new 300 series skid-steer
loaders incorporate more than 100 improvements in the previous series,
giving them best-in-class productivity and lower operating costs. The
five-model series ranges from 1,750 to 3,175 pounds in rated operating
capacity (more with counterweights), with high-flow hydraulics available in
each size.
Deere engineers focused on stability to enhance
productivity, achieving it through a low center of gravity, a longer
wheelbase to reduce rocking, a 60/40 weight distribution (front to rear),
and larger tires.
Standard features include
Deere’s patented
vertical-lift boom which has a true vertical lift pattern, 35-degree
rollback, and a 45-degree dump angle.
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ATI Bradco
A choice of cold planers
Bradco markets a six-model line of cold planer
attachments for skid-steer loaders. Offerings include two standard-flow
12-inch-wide side-shift models, one with a mechanical tilt feature, and four
high-flow models ranging in cutting width from 16 to 30 inches. All the
high-flow models have side shift capabilities.
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Bobcat
Grading and digging specialist
Introduced a year ago, Bobcat’s S220 skid-steer
loader has a rated operating capacity of 2,200 pounds and replaces the 863
model. It uses a mainframe design similar to that of the popular Bobcat S250
and features a radius lift path loader arm linkage and a 75-horsepower
turbo-diesel. Compared to the 863, it has more breakout force and an extra 5
inches of wheelbase for improved ride characteristics. The unit features a
new Bob-Tach mounting system and redesigned lift arms with dual tilt
cylinders for improved visibility and easier entrance and exit.
Bobcat’s radius lift path loader linkage is designed
to maximize efficiency in digging and grading operations.
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Mustang
Mid-size track loader debuts
Mustang has extended its line of compact
rubber-track loaders with the introduction of the 81-horsepower,
3,000-pound-rated MTL 20. Niched between Mustang’s larger MTL 25 and smaller
MTL 16, the new model has 18-inch rubber tracks and a bucket breakout force
of 7,400 pounds.
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Case
‘Extreme’ machines do more, faster
Case says its XT skid-steer loader line is the
result of customer demand for machines with more power and performance,
better lift capacity, and greater maneuverability. The seven-model line
ranges from the 40XT with a lift capacity of 1,500 pounds, to the 95XT with
a lift capacity of 3,650 pounds (with counterweight). Case says its XT
machines combine longer wheelbases for stability and ride performance with
more compact overall dimensions compared to competing models.
An optional 3,000-psi, 40-gallon per minute
high-flow hydraulic system is available on all models, and 5,000-psi
hydrostatic high-flow hydraulics are available on the top-of-the-line 90XT
and 95XT (shown).
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Caterpillar
New generation of work tools
Caterpillar has upgraded its family of skid-steer
loader attachments to meet the performance capabilities of its new B-Series
skid-steer loaders. The B-Series Work Tools include five new cold planers
that feature an independent self-leveling system to ensure a constant
planing depth, regardless of coupler position.
Also featured are two new dozer blades that feature
simultaneous angle and tilt functions for improved maneuverability and
control, and two new vibratory compactors that incorporate an exclusive
vibratory pod design to balance frequency and amplitude for a superior mat
finish.
Other B-Series attachments include trenchers,
augers, landscape rakes, landscape tillers, and stump grinders.
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Loegering
Throw wet snow farther, faster
Loegering introduced a new five-model line of snow
blowers last year, claiming the new attachments threw wet, heavy snow
further, faster than competing models. Intake widths range from 48 to 85
inches, and maximum throwing distances range from 30 to 40 feet.
The company says its unique impeller design draws in
only as much snow as it can throw, providing a balance of torque and rpm to
maximize both capacity and throwing distance.
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Thomas
Lifts up to 2,600 pounds
Thomas Equipment’s revamped 255 skid-steer loader
has a rated lift capacity of 2,500 pounds and boasts more than 7,000 pounds
of breakout force. An optional counterweight kit boosts lifting capacity to
2,600 pounds. The 87-horsepower machine produces a hydraulic system flow of
21 gallons per minute; an optional high-flow system produces 40 gallons per
minute. The unit is covered by Thomas’ standard 5-year, 5,000-hour warranty.
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The Equipment Lock Company
Locks thieves out
 The Equipment Lock Company says its Skidsteer Lock
makes it nearly impossible for a thief to gain access to the operator’s
seat. It is designed to immobilize the drive controls, preventing theft,
joyrides, and unauthorized “borrowing” from other contractors on the same
site. When not in use, it stores easily in the cab. Prices range from $90 to
$190.
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Toro
Small jobs workhorse
Toro designed the 25-horsepower Dingo TX 425 Wide
Track utility loader to handle tasks like fence installations, tree
planting, and material hauling. Featuring wide rubber tracks, the
walk-behind unit exerts just 3.4-psi ground pressure and can work on turn or
soft ground. It operates more than 35 quick-change attachments, including
auger, two-stage snow thrower, and a hydraulic blade. One of the newest
attachments is the Toro hydraulic breaker which exerts 175 foot-pounds of
force and delivers up to 1,200 blows per minute.
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Daewoo
Four construction-size models
Daewoo’s four-model line of skid-steer loaders
ranges from the 45-horsepower, 1,450-pound-rated 430Plus to the
65-horsepower, 2,250-pound-rated 460Plus. The two smaller models feature
conventional linkage for compact maneuverability, while the two larger units
have vertical boom linkages for greater reach and dump height. All four
models have a tilting cab and wide-opening rear door for service access, as
well as an engine hood and swing-out oil cooler.
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New Holland
Seat-of-the-pants option added
New Holland added two new options for its line of
Super Boom skid-steer loaders earlier this year. An optional hydraulic mount
plate allows the operator to exchange one attachment for another right from
the seat. The other new option is factory-installed air conditioning on the
top-of-the-line LS190.
The six-model Super Boom line ranges in size from
the 32-horsepower, 1,250-pound-rated LS140 to the 83-horsepower,
2,800-pound-rated LS190. All models feature vertical-lift loader-arm
linkage.
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Gehl
Three all-wheel-steer models
Gehl has introduced a three-model line of
all-wheel-steer loaders representing an operating load range of 3,278 to
5,150 pounds. The smallest model weighs 9,480 pounds, uses a 58-horsepower
diesel engine, and carries a standard 1.1-cubic-yard bucket. The largest
model weighs 16,500 pounds, has an 82-horsepower engine, and has a
1.5-cubic-yard bucket as standard equipment. In addition to maneuverability,
Gehl says a unique advantage to all-wheel-steer loaders is that their center
of gravity does not change during the steering cycle, so load capacities are
not affected while turning.
All three units have four-wheel hydrostatic drive,
pilot-operated joystick controls, and a self-leveling parallel lift boom
design. An optional telescopic boom provides up to 60 inches of forward
reach.
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Atlas Copco
High power-to-weight ratio
The 440-pound PB 210 Penta Series breaker from Atlas
Copco is designed for use with skid-steer loaders and mini excavators. It
has an impact energy class rating of 550 foot pounds and delivers up to
1,150 blows per minute. It accepts a hydraulic flow of up to 15.9 gallons
per minute at 2,030 psi of pressure.
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ASV
Moves quickly over rough terrain
ASV markets a line of crawler-mounted compact
loaders that feature a full-suspension rubber-track undercarriage that
enables them to move quickly over rough terrain without losing payloads or
exposing the operator to excessive trauma. The newest model in the line is
the 86-horsepower RC-85. With a rated operating capacity of 3,400 pounds
(50% tipping load), it is the second largest model in the line. ASV claims
it features more horsepower, hydraulic flow, and torque than competing
models.
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Komatsu
Faster delivery of parts
Komatsu has just announced that all SK1020-5
skid-steer loaders sold in the U.S. will be manufactured at a company plant
in South Carolina, helping to speed delivery of parts and whole machines to
U.S. customers. The 7,525-pound machine features a standard-equipment
two-speed transmission and a choice of a normally aspirated 70-horsepower
diesel or an 83-horsepower turbodiesel engine. Also standard is Komatsu’s
patented hydraulic system which is said to allow simultaneous machine
functions without sacrificing speed, engine power, or performance.
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Reprinted from Better Roads Magazine
October 2004 |
