Got me, just saw the pic in an article on yahoo..... It's huge! Look how small the guy in right side is
Like I said there's not much out there on it. But based off design I'm going to guess early to mid 60's
What's you all's thought's on these? I think I prefer them to the large skid steers... Compact wheel loaders seem to be the next big thing..
I love them... I want one... but, to get the lifting capacity I need (8,000 lbs or more), in a unit I can haul (18,000 lbs or less), they get pricey. When I was at the Co-op we had Wrangler mini end loaders and worked great for loading. They do not dig like a skid-steer, and are not as nimble.
I've heard they use up to 40% less fuel than a comparable skid, and tires last 5-7x longer. Is that actually the case?
If I was to buy any wheeled apparatus I'd be getting those tires that don't have air in them and look like swiss cheese from the side.
I own a construction company, unload full units of lumber all the time, a unit of 2x6 SPF 20' long is just under #8000. Units of glu-lam columns can be even heavier! I'll check with my CAT salesman/customer on the fuel consumption (Case equipment usually has the best economy) Tires I would believe, way more carcus to the tires on that Volvo you pictured then most any skid-steer.... but really, I wouldn't have tires on a ski-steer... rubber tracks is the only way to go. I've ran them, I did not like them one bit, little traction in muddy conditions (Swiss cheese holes fill up with mud) and very rough riding on concrete or hard pack. Spend any time in a skid-steer and you want as much cushion as possible.
Very much a cool factor to them... if I was on concrete, and not a lot of travel time needed, they would be the ticket.... but they are waaaaaaaay better then foam filled rubber tires... ughhh my kidneys hurt just thinking about them. Wasn't knocking your choice... just passing along info!
Go big.... it is soooooooooooooo easy to find the limits of a skid-steer.... trust me Drives me crazy to get to a job site and see three guys hanging of the back of a skid-loader trying to move units of lumber.... or god knows what else "ok boys I'm gonna tell ya one more time"
I'm looking for the 4000# lift range. What are you using for the big lumber bundles right now? A fork lift? Tele-handler?