Wheel Loader
A loader is a type of tractor, usually wheeled (wheel loader), sometimes on tracks (track loader), that has a front-mounted wide bucket connected to the end of two booms (arms) to scoop up loose material from the ground, such as dirt, sand, or gravel, and move it from one place to another without pushing the material across the ground.
A loader is commonly used to move a stockpiled material from ground level and deposit it into an awaiting dump truck or into an open trench excavation.
The loader assembly may be a removable attachment or permanently mounted. Often the bucket can be replaced with other devices or tools. For example, many can mount forks to lift heavy pallets or shipping containers, and a hydraulically opening “clamshell” bucket allows a loader to act as a light dozer or scraper.
The bucket can also be augmented with devices like a bale grappler for handling large bales of hay or straw.
Large wheel loaders, such as the Kawasaki 95ZV-2, John Deere 844K, ACR 700K Compact Wheel Loader, Caterpillar 950H, Volvo L120E, Case 921E, or Hitachi ZW310 usually have only a front bucket and are called front loaders.
Whereas small loader tractors are often also equipped with a small backhoe and are called backhoe loaders or loader backhoes or JCBs, after the company that first claimed to have invented them.
What Does a Wheel Loader Do?
The wheel loader is very similar to its cousin, the bulldozer. Both are tractors that have a bucket in the front to help the tractor deal with objects.
Whereas the bulldozer specializes in pushing and demolition, the wheel loader focuses on carrying and construction. A trained operator uses a system of levers to operate the hydraulics of the wheel loader, enabling it to pick up fine materials such as sand, soil, and in some cases water.
Wheel loaders are capable of moving the material from point A to B on their own, but they also synergize with other common construction machines. Ever see a dump truck full of rocks and wonder how they got them in the dump truck in the first place? It is not called a pickup truck, after all.
Wheel loaders work to scoop objects and put them into the dump truck, which can then travel faster and further than a wheel loader can, which is great for when the final location for the material is different from the initial lot.
In some cases, a wheel loader might have its own storage compartment. The most notable example of this is a garbage truck, scooping trash to put into itself to deliver elsewhere.
Why is it Called a Wheel Loader?
A wheel loader uses its wheels to carry the payload across the lot to its next destination while minimizing fuel loss due to friction, in contrast to bulldozers that are usually tracked for maximum traction.
Nicknames for Wheel Loaders
Names for wheel loaders that you might have heard include:
- Bucket loader
- High lift
- Front loader
- Front-end loader
- Loader
- Payloader
- Scoop(er)
- Shovel
Variations of Wheel Loaders
As with most things in life, there are various types of scoopers.
- Armored Wheel Loaders – When the military uses for construction equipment in a high-risk area, they can opt to have their wheel loaders augmented with armor plating to help it take greater beatings from thrown rocks, small explosions, and light gunfire.
- Skid-Steer Loaders – These are compact wheel loaders that operate the left and right wheels independently, allowing for differential steering by having one set of wheels move faster than the other. While requiring more aptitude to operate than a standard payloader, its maneuverability is exceptional.
- Swingloader – A wheel loader that allows for rotation on the yaw (left-right) up to 180 degrees or more. It is most commonly used to place railroad tracks.
- Toothbar – A bucket loader that has a toothbar attached. The toothbar’s hard, jagged attachments allow it to better dig into harder ground.
- Tracked Loader – When your project is on more slippery ground such as mud or ice, a loader with tracks rather than wheels can be used for increased safety.
Where to Get One
There are many websites that sell wheel loaders that we will cover later, but if you need financing for one of these machines, TopMark Funding can certainly help. Keep reading for more information.
Best Sites To Shop For Wheel Loaders
Finding the best place to shop for construction equipment can be difficult. There are many options out there, but we have gathered a list of the top 6 websites to visit for your heavy equipment needs. Whether it’s a wheel loader, an excavator, a backhoe, or a bulldozer you’re looking for, you’ll be sure to find the yellow iron you need for your job site on any of the following websites.
6. Construction Equipment Guide
Construction Equipment Guide reaches the United States with four regional newspapers covering construction and industry news, as well as local new and used equipment for sale. They have now extended this service to the internet, making it possible for users to check online for this information.
The Construction Equipment Guide website has several useful features. Users can browse through digital issues of the regional publications. They can also check the calendar of upcoming auctions, or sort through equipment by type.
Shop Construction Equipment Guide.
5. Machinery Trader
Machinery Trader is a great source when looking for new or used construction equipment. Machinery trader offers multiple ways to search through their inventory. You can browse through their list of hundreds of manufacturers, big and small, from Caterpillar to John Deere to JCB to New Holland. Users can also browse by equipment type.
Machinery Trader has a vast online inventory that is continually updated, as well as regional publications that are put out weekly.
4. Equipment Trader
The mission of Equipment Trader is to match up everyone who needs heavy equipment with dealers who sell and rent it.
With over 80,000 listings, you’ll be sure to find the equipment you’re looking to purchase, whether it be for construction, transportation, or agriculture. Users also have the ability to filter their searches by categories including, location, price, year, make, class, and hours used.
3. IronPlanet
IronPlanet is an excellent resource when it comes to buying and selling and buying used equipment. IronPlanet organizes its equipment by industry, type, and make. This makes it easy for users to narrow down exactly what they are looking for.
There are several ways to buy with IronPlanet. First, you have the ability to buy the equipment you need immediately at competitive fixed prices. You can also submit offers to the sellers. Or, finally, you can bid in online auctions, sealed auctions, or on-site auctions.
2. My Little Salesman
My Little Salesman is the one-stop marketplace for your equipment and truck needs.
Users can browse and search through their extensive list of equipment. There are several useful features on the website that allow for an excellent user experience, including the ability to save online equipment listings and searches, create price alerts and watchlists, and get email alerts for new matching trucks/equipment.
When looking to buy, sell, or trade, users can also browse through the many categories of trucks, trailers, pieces of equipment, and parts. Everything is separated into subcategories, making it easy to find exactly what you are looking for.
1. Ritchie Bros Auctioneers
Established in British Columbia, Canada, in 1958, Ritchie Bros. has grown into the world’s leading equipment marketplace. Ritchie Bros. had an array of equipment available to browse through. Don’t be deterred if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, though. Ritchie Bros. has the option to save searches and set up email notifications so that you can be alerted when similar items are added.
A major perk to Ritchie Bros. is its offering of unreserved public auctions, meaning every item is sold to the highest bidder on auction day, with no minimum bids or reserve prices.
Ritchie Bros. has an array of convenient bidding options, including in-person equipment auctions, online bidding, proxy bids, Timed Auctions, and bidding from their mobile app.
Wheel Loader Financing
Need financing for a loader for your construction company? TopMark Funding can help! We have construction equipment financing options for you. We have the best loader loans and leasing programs for construction equipment that will fit your budget and add more profit to your bottom line.
Deciding whether to get a wheel loader lease or loan, choosing between a new or used wheel loader, having a partner like TopMark Funding that understands the heavy equipment and construction industry and all that comes with it (titling, registration, insurance, warranties, etc.) is crucial to your success.
Types of Loaders We Finance
- Bucket Loader
- Front Loader
- Front-End Loader
- Payloader
- Scoop
- Shovel
- Skip Loader
- Wheel Loader
- Skid-Steer
- Tractor Front Loader
- Compact Front Loader
- Swing Loader
Our Funding Process is Quick & Easy
Making smart choices with heavy equipment financing is critical to any commercial equipment or construction company. Having up-to-date equipment to maximize efficiency and stay in compliance with the ever-changing regulations is important to a company’s growth and sustainability. We’ve made the funding process quick and easy so you can get funded fast.
- Apply Online: Click the “Get Pre-Approved Today” button. Fill out the contact form and one of our truck funding specialists will call you ASAP! Or for immediate assistance give us a call at (866) 916-3799
- Select a Solution: A finance specialist will contact you to go over your funding and business needs. We want to understand your needs to better help us find the best solution that meets your objectives.
- Review Documents: Once we have determined the best finance solution for you and your business, documents are generated and then emailed for review and signature. An electronic signature is acceptable on most documents.
- Get Funded: After the signed contract is returned, we’ll process your documents. Most transactions fund within 1 to 3 days. Fast turn around to get you the truck you want up and running.
Get Pre-Approved – Click the Get Pre-Approve Button Below to get started today. Get pre-approved in minutes. We do a soft credit pull, No Hard Inquiries (unlike our competitors), and are guaranteed not to hurt your business or personal credit score.
Wheel loaders come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. Here are the most popular brands of wheel loaders, fit to move things around your construction site!
CAT
One of the first corporations to manufacture wheel loaders, they started doing so in 1959. Today, they offer almost 50 different types of wheel loader with varying specifications, so you are almost sure to find one that fits your project perfectly! Whether you are looking for a specific horsepower, gross weight, or bucket size, chances are Caterpillar has the right wheel loader for you. From their website:
“Cat® wheel loaders make your material handling and loading jobs safer, faster, more precise, and profitable. Cat front end loaders set the standard for reliability, productivity, fuel efficiency, versatility, and operator comfort.”
Popular Models
John Deere
John Deere has a long history, ranging from its founding by John Deere himself in 1837 to build its first tractor in 1918 to manufacturing heavy equipment since 1974. Today, John Deere produces seventeen different models of wheel loader. As they say on their wheel loader webpage:
“John Deere wheel loaders will elevate your reach, comfort, and control. With models ranging from 61.0-563.0 hp with 1-10 cubic yard bucket capacities, choose which front loader works best for you. No matter the job, our wheel loaders provide more productivity, hands down.”
Popular Models
Komatsu
A Japanese company, Komatsu was founded in 1917 but started producing wheel loaders in 1965. In total, they sell eighteen different wheel loaders, with three under the P&H brand. They produce mid-sized, large, and surface mining wheel loaders.
“A wide variety of wheel loader options for your quarry, construction site, or mine. Look for comfortable, efficient, productive machines that use innovative hydraulic and drive train technology to help make a positive impact on your bottom line.”
Popular Models
Volvo
Volvo originates from Switzerland and produces almost every form of common heavy machinery under the sun. In regards to wheel loaders, they have seventeen different models across two weight classes: either compact or large. On their website, they tout their wheel loaders awards:
“Volvo large and medium wheel loaders have won the Highest Retained Value award from EquipmentWatch for 2021.
Volvo compact wheel loaders have won the Lowest Cost of Ownership award from EquipmentWatch for 2021.”
Popular Models
CASE
An equipment manufacturer founded in Wisconsin, CASE offers eleven different models of wheel loader. They describe the CASE G Series thusly:
“Take control of wheel loader operation like never before. The enhanced CASE G Series wheel loaders simplify operation through a touchscreen display and give operators even greater control with adjustable electro-hydraulic controls, optimized power modes, and programmable configurable buttons near the joystick. These buttons put your most common settings and functions mere inches away from the joystick, further simplifying operation.
All while delivering — and improving — the power, productivity, and efficiency you already expect from CASE G Series wheel loaders. Extreme fuel efficiency, lower engine operating temperatures, and a no DPF/no regen emissions solution are matched with features designed to shorten cycle times, increase uptime and make you even more efficient.
An optional, factory-integrated payload system drives greater accuracy and loading efficiency in operations from quarries and job sites to feedlots and supply yards — and makes the investment/deployment in a payload system entirely turnkey (no separate financing/installation/etc.). Most importantly, you’ll reduce the wear and tear on your wheel loaders by completing cycles more efficiently, and you’ll eliminate the risk of sending trucks down the road either underloaded or overloaded.
And we’ve got your back with even greater uptime support: the SiteConnect Module helps get equipment up and running faster and allows for even greater collaboration on fleet management from CASE and your local CASE dealer.
Uptime and cycle times are completely optimized and made more efficient. That’s the CASE G Series wheel loader promise.”
Popular Models
Wacker Neuson
Wacker Neuson sorts its wheel loaders not by size, but by function: do you want an articulated wheel loader or an all-wheel steer loader?
“Wheel loaders by Wacker Neuson stand for optimal efficiency output, high-grade materials, long service life, good maneuverability, and maintenance in a flash. Our wheel loaders are true multi-talents on your construction site and exactly the right equipment to meet your requirements in many other areas.”
Popular Models
Hyundai
Hyundai sells 33 models of wheel loaders, all under the HL model series.
“Hyundai’s HL900 series of wheel loaders are available in our standard, Z-bar linkage, XT (extended-reach) versions for greater reach and higher dump heights, and a Tool Master (™) boom design. Tool Master wheel loaders include parallel linkage for increased lifting capacity, improved road stability, rapid dumping capability, and enhanced visibility. An accurate onboard weighing system and unique bucket design for better load retention are features that come standard to deliver maximum performance, productivity, and efficiency. Whether you need a loader for snow removal, feedlot, aggregate materials, laying pipe, or land clearing, we have the right wheel loader equipment enhanced by innovation for your business.”
Popular Models
JCB
JCB, named for its founder Joseph Cyril Bamford, sells fourteen models of wheel loader for agriculture and construction.
“Designed with customer input at every stage of the design process, our wheel loader range is designed to meet buyers’ priorities. Namely safety, efficiency, ease-of-use, ease-of-maintenance, productivity, performance, reliability, and comfort.
As a result, each wheel loader we make, from compact, hydrostatic drive 11,000 lb models, to giant, 53,000 lb powershift machines, all share the same DNA.
Each of our wheel loaders is designed to be productive above all else, with supreme reliability, low maintenance requirements, and great versatility built-in.
After all, a wheel loader is always in demand for all sorts of applications, so we offer a variety of model configurations to hone machinery to your exact requirements. Not to mention whole ranges of options and attachments.
Performance-wise, a JCB wheel loader is all about big power, big torque, a high power-to-weight ratio, powerful breakout forces, and excellent traction. Which adds up to a job well done.”
Popular Models
Conclusion
There are over 100 different wheel loaders to choose from for your project. Whatever one(s) you ultimately decide to use, know that TopMark Funding can help you finance it with our network of lenders.
ABOUT TOPMARK FUNDING
TopMark Funding is a top-rated construction equipment finance company located in Roseville, CA. We specialize in heavy equipment. Our mission is to become your long-term financial partner by helping you grow your construction business.
We have financing options for wheel loaders, excavators, backhoes, and dump trucks. We have great rates, low down payments, and flexible monthly payments regardless of credit history.
Fill out the contact form or give us a call at (866) 916-3799. One of our truck financing specialists will contact you as soon as possible to go over your truck lease needs and learn more about you and your business financing goals.
