Capital Equipment News April-May 2020

COMPACT LOADERS

Compact wheel loaders are normally used in larger areas where higher payloads and greater reach are required.

Skid steer or compact wheel loader – which application for which solution?

While the skid steer loader is preferred over the compact wheel loader in Africa, both have their advantages and disadvantages, be it in terms of agility, weight, cost, or a host of other properties. This feature takes a closer look. By Mark Botha

W hen comparing the compact wheel loader to its skid steer equivalent, the latter is generally seen as king in the African market: it can turn 360 degrees in its own length, making it suited for work in confined spaces. It also comes at a substantially smaller capital outlay than the compact wheel loader but is less economical in terms of tyre life and fuel usage, and its legendary manoeuvrability requires extra power.

The compact wheel loader, on the other hand, is suited to larger work areas but is not altogether averse to tight spaces. It requires less power to manoeuvre and is less fuel-intensive while its steerable wheels are less demanding on tyres. It also moves faster than its skid- steer cousin. In the end, it seems the real difference lies with the application. Capital Equipment News turned to a few industry players for their take on the debate.

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