Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/953148
March 2018 | EquipmentWorld.com 28 have lower horsepower engines than competing large skid-steer and compact track loaders. CWLs also usually run at less than peak power, while SSLs and CTLs often run wide open the entire time they work. "Wheel load- ers don't need to operate at or near full throttle to maxi- mize lift capacity and breakout force," Boufford says. This difference in engine operating speed also sup- ports a higher percentage of residual value for CWLs, since buyers of used compact wheel loaders know these machines were not thrashed throughout their working hours the way skid-steer and compact track loaders can be. And higher residual value supports the lower total O&O costs for CWLs. Other factors include far lower tire wear and no undercarriage to maintain and repair. Initial investment is higher for a compact wheel loader; it is simply a larger, heavier machine than a skid steer or compact track loader. The cost difference depends on the basis of comparison. Are you compar- ing two machines of similar breakout force? Standard bucket capacity? Rated horsepower? The difference may be less than 20 percent or as much as 70 percent. Comrie points out that CWLs have three to four times longer service life than skid steers. Longer service life coupled with other factors yield total O&O costs of 40 to 50 percent lower for the compact wheel loader. Compact wheel loaders already have an advantage in reach and lift, and now several manufacturers are adding telescopic booms to their CWLs. The telescopic Gehl T750, projected for release later this year, will have a 16-foot, 6-inch pin height. Coffey sums up the appeal of compact wheel load- ers: "With increased visibility, higher travel speed, addi- tional lift height, telescopic options and skid steer-style attachment interface, the compact wheel loader is the ultimate work machine." Have it your way Other options exist on compact wheel loaders. Stem- per says Case offers multiple final drives to match customers' needs. There's a limited slip differential (a technology that migrated down from larger loaders), differential locks for loose or challenging conditions and an open differential to minimize tire scrub and surface disruption on improved surfaces. Case has two styles of service brakes available on the 221F and 321F, traditional outboard wet discs and a caliper-style brake on the output shaft that applies brak- ing force to all four wheels. "The idea is to offer reduced product complexity and service complexity and a lower initial cost." Other options in the Case lineup include cold-weather packages with a heavy-duty battery, en- machine matters | continued