A Quick Guide to Buying Wheel Loaders

Heavy-duty machinery plays an irreplaceable role in modern construction. The equipment is essential for faster completion of tasks involving digging, moving, loading, and other earthwork operations. A wheel loader is one example of a heavy equipment machine with a high-carrying capacity to hold sand, rock, and demolition debris. 

If you want to buy wheel loaders to optimise your on-site operations, this easy buying guide will help you make the right decision. 

Things to Remember Before You Purchase a Wheel Loader

If you want to invest in a wheel loader, don’t forget to consider these tips below. 

Determine the right wheel loader size for the job.

The size of your chosen wheel loader should depend on these primary factors: the nature of the task and the type and size of the job site. 

Small and compact machines are household machines that can fit a regular residential yard area. These loaders are ideal for landscapers who need extra muscle for digging and moving debris.  

Mid-size loaders are the beasts of the construction site. They can move and carry heavy materials around the job site.  

Large loaders are heavy-duty machines that move and load gravel on trucks. 

Invest in the correct wheel loader attachments.

Wheel loaders can come with different attachments. The most common ones used in construction sites are buckets.  

Buckets also vary in size, weight, and loader lifting capacities. Choose your wheel loader attachments according to the type of material or debris you plan to move. Some examples of bucket varieties are chip buckets, corral buckets, rock buckets, and general-purpose buckets. 

 Know your machine’s arm configuration options.

Generally, wheel loaders for sale today accommodate three arm configurations: extended reach or XR, tool carrier or XT, and the Z-bar.  

The Z-bar is a traditional arm configuration that has been around since the introduction of loaders. It is the ideal design for connecting your bucket to the machine and manoeuvring the loader attachment to perform a task.  

The Z-bar connector is also known for its strong breakout force, which is the power that the bucket’s cutting edge can exert against material or debris. 

Understand its maintenance and serviceability needs.

When purchasing a wheel loader, don’t just look at the size, bucket type, and arm configuration. You must understand the machine’s maintenance requirements and serviceability in the long term. 

Additionally, the major components, such as the engine and hydraulic hose, should be easily accessible for inspection and repair on-site.  

These are the most important factors to consider when buying a wheel loader. Aside from finding the loader and attachments that best fit your needs, it’s also crucial to assign professionally trained and authorised personnel to operate and drive wheel loaders. Leaving this job to an expert can prevent workplace injuries and fatalities; you don’t want to take this advice for granted! 

If you have more questions, especially about the brand, model, and specifications of your potential heavy construction equipment and  machinery, contact a trusted dealership in New Zealand today!