A load-off: knowledge of individual business needs is a key step in determining which type of...

While a little self-awareness goes a long way in the world of philosophy, it's also a big help when investing in equipment. Familiarity with one's individual business needs is one of the key ways to determine what kind of material handling equipment is the best match for a given construction

According to a number of product managers for several major equipment manufacturers, when choosing between two of the more popular material handling options--a wheel loader or a skid-steer loader--a potential owner has to take a long, hard look at his operation and dissect exactly what he wants the machine to do and how he wants it done.

You have to know yourself and what you're trying to do," say Dan Rafferty, product manager m charge of skid steers at JCB Inc., Pooler, Ga. Both wheel loaders and skid steers bring specific advantages to an operation, says Neil LeBlanc, product & marketing manager at Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill. "Comparing the size of wheel loaders vs. skid-steer loaders by product range and offerings, the wheel loader should provide much greater productivity," he says. "However, when size or weight of the machine is an issue, i.e., load bearing capacity of the floors that the machine will work on, the smaller, lighter weight skid-steer loader will be favored."

When weighing the pros and cons of wheel loaders and skid steers, a solid knowledge of a facility's individual needs is a good first step toward choosing between the two.

PICKING AND CHOOSING

Size of the material to be handled is one of the most important things to consider when choosing equipment, says Rafferty.

For heavy, bulky material, a wheel loader with its greater operating capacity might be more advantageous. "For large jobs where a lot of material needs to be moved, a skid steer would be too small," says Georg Seyrlehner, general manager of earth moving product management at Liebherr Construction Equipment Co., Newport News, Va.

Wheel loaders also tend to have better visibility, since the operator is seated higher up, says Doug Laufenberg, product marketing manager for compact wheel loaders at John Deere, Moline, Ill. This could come in handy if the machine is dumping material into a Dumpster or high-walled truck, adds Seyrlehner.

Recyclers and contractors also need to consider initial capital for the investment. Skid steers, in general, tend to have a lower initial purchase price, says Gregg Zupancic, product marketing manager for skid steers and compact track loaders for John Deere.

Another big consideration is the jobsite itself--particularly the dimensions and layout. Laufenberg says recyclers or contractors need to consider whether there is enough room for a wheel loader to maneuver safely. If not, a skid steer might be more applicable.

Its compact size makes a skid-steer loader particularly advantageous for any work in restricted spaces. "A skid steer would get into many tight places that a wheel loader cannot," says Bob Beesely, product manager for skid steers and compact track loaders for Komatsu America Corp., Vernon Hills, Ill. "You need less room to move it around."

In addition to their tight turning radius, skid steers also tend to offer faster cycle times, according to Kelly P. Moore, product manager for skid steer/compact track/compact utility loaders for Gehl Co., West Bend, Wis., and Mustang Manufacturing Co., Owantonna, Minn.

Recyclers and contractors also need to keep in mind how versatile they need their material handling equipment to be. "A skid steer could do one thing and immediately go on to do something else," says Dave Hardwick, JCB's product manager for wheel loaders. "Or if it's a task that may last months at a time, the wheel loader would give you better output."

If a demo contractor or C&D recycler is constantly moving to different jobsites, the smaller, more flexible skid steer might be a more appropriate choice, advises Moore. For a fixed operation, a wheel loader might be more applicable, he adds.

Wheel loaders and skid steers can be serviceable on almost any jobsite, but different environments bring out their individual advantages. Recyclers and contractors should take care to evaluate their own needs to determine which type is best for them. "It's really an application-driven answer," says Hardwick. "It all depends on what they are doing and how long it will take."

No matter which type of equipment a recycler or contractor chooses, once a decision is made, there are additional factors to consider when trying to keep it running at its optimum performance levels.

TIRE TRIALS

Tires are a key element to wheel loaders and skid steers. As one of the most vulnerable points on the machine, operators need to take special care of them.

Again, when choosing what kind of tires are the best fit for the machine, an operator needs to seriously review the conditions in which the equipment will be running, according to Moore.

Several product managers recommend solid or foam-filled tires to customers operating material handling equipment in C&D recycling or demolition environments. "It's a very abrasive and aggressive application," Moore says. "More than likely because of the nature of their work, it would be much more cost advantageous to go with a severe duty or solid type tire," he says.

Foam-filled or high-flotation solid tires with suspension are good matches for machines in demolition work, says Beesely. Foam-filled gives additional protection against punctures, while high flotation suspension tires allow for an overall smoother ride, which also saves tire wear, he says.

Even though foam-filled or solid tires offer protection against flats, operators should still take care to avoid traveling over sharp objects, says Mark Teckenburg, marketing manager of Bobcat Co., West Fargo, N.D. Beesely advises customers to keep the area they drive in as clean as possible. JCB's Rafferty echoes his sentiment: "If you run a sweeper broom and clean up debris, nails, anything that could destroy the tires, you're going to make it a longer-lasting environment, he says."

Along the same lines, Hardwick also recommends making sure the hoppers and trucks material handlers are loading into are the correct size, preventing spillover and keeping the whole jobsite cleaner and safer for wheeled equipment.

In many ways, tire life is in the hands of the operator, says Moore. "An operator really has a lot of say in how he drives the machine and how tires stand up," he says.

Teckenburg advises operators to avoid skidding the tires on hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete, which will save wear. "Making gradual turns will [also] minimize wear on rubber tires and undercarriage components," he adds.

Operators can also extend the life of their tires with simple maintenance practices. Moore recommends watching the tires for wear and rotating them, just like tires should be rotated on automobiles.

Tires aren't the only area of concern when it comes to material handling equipment. With today's soaring fuel costs, operators are all looking for ways to minimize the damage of diesel prices on their bottom lines.

FUELING THE FIRE

Operating costs are rising across the board, and one of the chief concerns for operators of heavy equipment is the cost of fuel.

Attempting to limit fuel costs can be a double-edged sword for heavy equipment operators, says Caterpillar's LeBlanc. "Unfortunately, machine performance is typically the result of the rated horsepower or engine output," he says. "Attempting to minimize fuel expense will ultimately impact productivity. Most owners and operators will not be willing to sacrifice performance."

However, operators can take some steps to fight the cost of fueling their machines.

Rafferty says with today's high fuel costs, buying the right sized machine for the job is more important than ever. "It all comes back to what you're handling and knowing what you need to do," he says. "There's no need to overbuy. If you're doing fairly small stuff, it would be ridiculous to fire up a huge engine if a smaller machine can do the job."

Many product managers also caution against idling the machine. In addition, operators should pay attention to how they run their machines. Teckenburg advises operators to maximize the machine's fuel capacity by running it at the right speed with the throttle only open enough to do the job.

Operators should also be sure to keep up with proper maintenance, including changing the oil and air filter regularly. "That makes a big difference in the amount of fuel being burned," says Moore. "If the air filter becomes dogged, you're going to be burning more fuel."

Zupancic also says that contractors should look into alternative fuel options. He says John Deere has plans to use B2, a blend of 2-percent bio-diesel fuel, as the factory-fill in all U.S.-made diesel-propelled machines. "Contractors can make sure that the equipment that is purchased in the future can run approved bio-diesel fuels to help keep their fuel bill low," Zupancic says.

Operators can take advantage of such tips to help them manage their fuel-related operating costs. "By doing these things, contractors can save a few gallons here and there, which will add up to big dollars and bring more to the bottom line," says Teckenburg.

Gehl Introduces All-Wheel-Steer Loaders

Gehl Co., West Bend, Wis,, has announced the introduction of four 80-Series All-Wheel-Steer (AWS) loaders.

The Gehl model 280, 480, 480T (telescopic) and 680 AWS loaders are designed with four-wheel steering, one-piece chassis and one of the tightest turning radii in the compact loader market, according to a news release from the company,

The 80-Series features operating weights from 7,055 to 12,015 pounds, bucket capacities from 1.44 to 2.35 cubic yards and rated operating loads from 2,590 to 4,365 pounds.

EPA Tier 2 diesel engines range from 38 to 76 hp and are standard on all models,

The vibration-insulated enclosed cab has a full 360-degree view. In addition, the cab has doors on both sides, permitting an operator access from either side when operating in tight spaces.

More information on the 80-Series AWS Loaders and the rest of the Gehl Co. product line is available at www.gehl.com.

The author is associate editor of Construction & Demolition Recycling and can be contacted via e-mail at jgubeno@gie.net.