HEMM-Wheel Loader01

wHEEL LOADERS

The Earthmover & Civil ContractorJuly 1998

An Earthmover &Civil Contractorspecial feature

Non-mechanic’s guide to appraising a loaderWHEEL loaders come in 2WD, 4WD,rigid frame, articulated frame,powershift transmission and hydro-static transmission, etc, etc.

The largest-selling configuration isthe 4WD articulated loader, and for thepurpose of this exercise we will as-sume the loader in question is of thattype.

“Loaders load”. How’s that for anover-simplification? What we mean isthat they can load from a stockpile,load and carry, or actually dig material.

It’s important to try and find outexactly what use the loader has beenput to. For example, load and carryintroduces a different set of wearcharacteristics in comparison to stock-pile loading, and loading corrosivematerial such as fertiliser causes morewear and tear than loading sand andgravel.

In appraising wheeled loaders, youshould not accept the number of hoursshown on the meter as 100% accurate.Investigate, check service history, etc,as many loaders work double shifts —do your best to verify the hours worked.

Remember our criteria from previ-ous non-mechanic’s guides to inspect-ing machines:1 Time is important. We have to be

quick and, bearing in mind that wedon’t have X-ray vision, as efficientas possible within the time avail-able. Allow an hour (or if you arepaying a fitter to do the inspection,he is going to want about four hoursplus travelling time).

2 What still works, what doesn’t andhow much will it cost to make itwork?

3 50% life remaining (give or take10%) is fair enough in the world ofused equipment.

Ground level inspection

Walk around the machine at least twice,taking in the appearance, from whichmuch can be learned, and taking noteof oil leaks, damaged tin work, doors,glass, tyres, radiator, bucket and loaderframe, etc.

I call this “absorbing the image”.Now take your photos, and plenty ofthem. This is insurance against “memoryfade”, which becomes more intense aswe get older.

We should start our inspection at theunit serial number and, if possible, usea prepared check sheet. Get one from

Don Shewring, of used equipment specialistConsolidated Crane & Tractor, continues his “non-mechanic’s” guide to appraising used equipment:this time around, we’re looking at wheel loaders.

your closest major dealer.Once you have the serial number,

you can verify the year of manufacture,using excellent publications put out byInternational Equipment Exchange Ltd,or enquire at the local distributor.

Moving around the loader, checkthe fluids in the radiator, transmission,engine, batteries; also lights, wiring,etc.

Tyres

Check the size, approximate life re-maining, whether they have beenrelugged, recapped, or have cuts.

Pay special attention to the inside ofthe tyres, as this is where the cuts anddamage usually get hidden.

If possible, the machine should beon a level surface, with all tyres inflatedto the same pressure.

Uneven tyre wear is not desirable,as it gives each wheel a different cir-cumference, causing adverse wear inthe driveline components.

Ideally, tyres should be same size,same pattern and around the samewear (life remaining).

Wheels

Check rims for damage, inside and out,and examine wheel nuts and studs forevidence that loose nuts have allowed

the stud holes to elongate, which causesthe wheel to keep coming loose.

Brakes

If outboard discs are fitted, carry out avisual inspection of callipers, pads,discs and hydraulic lines at this time.

Remember, if discs are scored theycan be skimmed back to flat at leastonce. Replacement discs are expen-sive.

If they are inboard discs, testing canbe done when operating the machine,as per the procedure for testing out-board discs.

Axle mountings and hubs

Check for loose bolts, or welded crackswhere axle joins frame.

Check the rear axle oscillation pinand bush at this time by putting a jackunder the axle and jacking the axle up,which will show wear or, if this is notpossible, get under and have a look.

This visual inspection will discoverexcessive wear in the pin and bush.Check planetaries for leaks.

Diffs and drivelines

If you jack the back of the machine upto check for wear in the oscillation

wHEEL LOADERS

The Earthmover & Civil Contractor July 1998

trunnion, you can at this time turn therear driveshaft by hand to check theuniversal joint for wear and the differ-ential for backlash. Often you can hearexcess play in the planetaries at thistime.

The front can be checked by jackingup on the bucket and following thesame procedure.

Frame

It is the structural and less obviousareas that should be scrutinised mostcarefully, as such faults as misalign-ment and fractures in one area canresult in major failures in another.

Check the points at which super-structure members are welded (includ-ing engine and transmission mounts)for cracks. If a repair has been made,is it a professional job?

Has the inside of the frame beenrepaired, or plated, as well as theoutside to minimise recurrence of thefailure?

Loader frame

This is the front attachment whichenables the bucket to dig, crowd, lift,discharge and return to dig.

Check the sidearms (boom) forcracks in welded areas and wherebosses are fitted. Check ram mountingpoints for cracks.

Visually inspect all pins and bushesfor obvious signs of excessive wear.

Check that grease actually goes intothe pin. It’s a good idea to borrow agrease gun and spot check that thepins and bushes will take grease, par-ticularly the bottom bucket pins.

Obviously, on any loader worth itssalt there will be wear; if this is withinreason, it need not deter us, but exces-sive loader frame wear costs a lot torectify, so check closely.

If repairs have been made, applychecks as for the main chassis.

We look at the loader frame againduring the actual testing of the loader,which comes next.

In-yard test

Jump up into the cab. Is it ROPS (veryimportant), are there any certification

Non-mechanic’sguide to appraisinga loader


Step-by-step appraisalWhen the editor called for a guide toloader appraisals, wouldn’t you knowit, the Consolidated Crane & Tractorcupboard was bare of a suitable unit.

Fortunately, the courtesy of RayMurphy, of Brisbane used equipmentdealer Topline Machinery, gave us ac-cess to one of his stock units.

We appraised a 1994 model Cater-pillar 970F with a 5 m3 light materialbucket, air-conditioned ROPS cabin,with 7800 hours on the clock.Owner: Used equipment dealerAsking price: $200,000 plus sales taxif applicable (22%)Initial impression: very clean andtidy. The unit shows evidence of goodrepair and maintenance practices. If Iwas asked to hazard a guess at itsprevious use, I would think woodchipsor sand because of the very cleanappearance, no nicks and cuts on thetyres, and very little abrasion on thebucket and loader arms.

As always, have the machine on goodlevel ground. The cleaner thehardstand the better, because to do thejob properly, you are going to have to“get down and dirty”. Go around themachine at ground level first, makingobservations and taking notes.

Head straight for the serial numberplate. The serial number 7PL00173indicates it was made in Japan in1994. The diamond-shaped plate is the“certificate of new machine for export”from the Construction EquipmentManufacturers Association of Japan. Itindicates that the unit is an exportmodel.

Walking down the left side of the loader,we note that the steps are in very goodcondition, the tyres (almost a separatestudy item, just like different machines)have an average 40-45% life remainingand are 26.5x25 tubeless steel-beltedradials in good overall condition.

Take note of all the numbers andsymbols on the side of the tyre. Yourlocal distributor for that brand can tellyou what they are most suitable for.Don’t forget to thoroughly check theinside of each tyre and rim for faults.Did you know that each tyre has its ownunique serial number? Keep a note of it;it could help identify a stolen loader.

Check all rims (particularly on oldermachines) for cracks, damage, brokenstuds, elongated holes, etc. Brakes areinboard oil-immersed discs and willbe checked during the operational test.

Open up the left-hand engine covers.These are beauties. Just look at theaccessibility. You can see the turbo,muffler, alternator, air-conditioningcompressor, fuel filters, etc. Visuallycheck belts and for leaks or anythingelse untoward.

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Coming around the back, open theradiator grill. Radiators are becomingquite sophisticated and often containheat exchangers, transmission coolers,etc. Inspect carefully. The reverse gearalarm can be seen at the bottom left ofthe enclosure.

Open up the battery boxes on the leftand right rear of the loader. Check thatthey are of sufficient CCA (coldcranking amps), the right physicaland, importantly, that they areproperly retained.

Hop under the rear of the loader andinspect the underside. Check brakelines, grease lines, etc. Note the rear ofthe back diff and the trunnion bearingwhich allows the rear axle to oscillate.All is in good operating order andseems commensurate with the 8000-odd operating hours.

Get those right-hand engine coversopen and carefully check the inner andouter air filters, the housing andconnections to engine intake. Dustingan engine is an expensive piece ofmostly avoidable “bad luck”.

Check all mounts, engine,transmission, etc. Make sure none arebroken or damaged. If they are, theycan cause extensive damage to thosecomponents and possibly to thedriveline. As you can see, these areperfect.

Dip the engine stick, taking note of thelevel and condition of the oil. Don’t beafraid to feel and smell the oil. Lookfor signs of water or anything thatshouldn’t be there.

Look closely at the back of the radiatorfor “sandblasting” wear. In this case,we also check the air-conditioningradiator, inspect all coolant hoses andclamps. Be alert for engine oil leaks.

Moving forward down the right side ofour loader, we check the inside of thetyre and rim, as well as the steeringram anchor point, the hydraulic tankand mounts. All is as it should be.

Slipping under the tractor again, welook up at the front of the rear diff, theoscillation bearing trunnion mountand back driveshaft and universalbearing. Put a bar into the universaland check for wear. In this case, wedidn’t jack up the rear axle; if we didwe could check for backlash in the diff.

This photo shows the hydraulic tank,transmission dipstick and filler (checktransmission fluid level with motorrunning) and steering ram. Check allhoses and wiring in articulation joint,check transmission mounts andvisually inspect the driveline.

This shot, taken from the right (wealways talk left and right as if sittingin the operator’s seat) shows top andbottom artic pins, front driveshaft andfront rear universals, steering ramanchoring point and all the spaghettirunning through the articulationjoint. It all looks good.

Back under the machine, we arelooking forward at the front driveshaftand differential. Inspect the axlemounting bolts, hydraulic hoses andfittings, and look for anything“bodgie”, oil leaks, etc. This is cleanand tidy and very original.

pics continued next page


Step-by-step appraisal

Here we are at the pointy end. Verycarefully go over the bucket for cracks,distortion and excessive wear onbottom and sides. In the operatingtest, we can check the bottom of thebucket and for wear in the mountingpoints, especially the bottom pins.

This is standing in front looking backinto the bucket. See the 600 mm crackin the back of the bucket. There wereseveral other small cracks in thebucket — not anything to be tooconcerned about; probably a day’swork for a boilermaker.

Jump up onto the loader. Always openevery hatch and have a look. In thiscase, it is the filler hole for the fueltank right in front of you as you climbup the left side. Everything is clean,with no adverse signs.

Stepping over the engine cowling onthe way to checking the radiator fluid,we find a cover for a small toolboxand the windscreen washer bottle.Have a good look inside and inspecteverything within. Clean, isn’t it?

Some people say an air-cooled engine isone that ran out of fluid. Don’t run air-cooled, always check the fluid level andlook for unwanted contaminants in thecoolant. Leave this open until you runthe engine so you can check for bubbles.

Now enter “the office”. Make sure thatit’s the best it can be. It’s mostimportant to you or your operator thatif you are going to spend your workingday here, it is comfortable andfunctional.

Checking the interior of the cabin,make sure that the light works, thatthe mirrors are fitted. Also note theexcellent radio, cassette player and,an added bonus, a load indicatormounted between the internalmirrors. This device weighs each loadand keeps a running total of theamount of material handled.

Are the seat, controls, pedals, etc inthe condition we would expect for8000 hours’ use? Is the seatmechanism tight, does it workproperly? It’s more than your life isworth today to supply a machine to anoperator with anything faulty whichmay cause an accident. In this case, allis well.

Check all switches and gauges. See thehour meter? Note the holder for adrink left of shot, and holder forthermos flask right of photo.

Now start the machine. Be sure thatonce you have checked the radiator forbubbles you replace the cap. Note theexternal mirrors. Make sure the lights,wipers, washers, etc work. Operate theloader for at least 15 minutes to heatall the fluids to operatingtemperature. Check the underside ofthe bucket. Test the transmission,brakes. Does it load correctly, etc?

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Make sure that the control levers workand, when you are operating theloader, make certain that the boom,kick-out and automatic return to digon the bucket both work.

When the machine is hot, hop downand check the engine crankcase fillerfor excessive blow-by or heavybreathing or “slobbering”, as it isknown. Excessive blow-by usuallymeans at least new pistons and rings.

Put the bucket on the ground and usedownward force and crowd the bucket todiscover wear in the loader frame,hydraulic cylinder mounts and bucketmounting points. There are a lot ofbearing points in a modern loaderframe and they can cost a lot of money ifworn. Jack the front axle up off theground to check for front driveline wear.

With the bucket on the ground, jigglethe steering wheel from side to side todiscover any lateral movement in theloader frame and wear in the steeringram mounts. In this instance, the pinsand bushes at both ends of the steeringrams are starting to show wear.Replace in 1000 hours.

Bucket mounting pins and bushes aregood, eg 60% or better life remaining— more than enough to satisfy ourused equipment criteria.

So there you have it. We walkedaround it (at least twice), we climbedunder it, we climbed on it, we climbedinto it, we operated it, we took notes,we took photographs — all in aplanned, methodical fashion. In thisinstance, we found virtually no faults,but if faults are there, this methodwill find them.

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So what’s thismachine worth?Quite obviously, this loader wouldnot appeal to the buyer who has topay sales tax.

These loaders retail new foraround $350,000, give or take. There-fore, an asking price in the range of$200,000 to $240,000 would, in myopinion, be a “fair cop”.

Given that the machine we in-spected was a 1994-manufacturedunit (it could well have been put intoservice later) and it had only 7800hours on the clock, I would suggestthat the asking price is at the bottomend of the scale and represents ex-cellent value for money.

If it were me trying to purchasethe loader, my negotiations wouldcentre on a good GP loader bucketin the price in lieu of a discount,unless the light material bucket ex-actly suited my purpose.

Then I would be going for a tadextra — freight to site might be theright sweetener.

plates, is it air-conditioned, and does itwork?

Wether you are the operator or youare going to supply this loader to anoperator, “the office” should be in thebest possible condition, with lights,wipers, gauges, switches, doors, seat,glass all in top buckle.

Now gentlemen, start your engines.

Engine

We should accept that engine repairsare costly, but their condition is easilychecked and the methods of doing soare universally known. Suffice it to say,if it starts easily and runs sweetly, it’sokay.

In our quick assessment, we arelooking for signs of problems whichwe can call the professionals in toinvestigate. Look for the following:• bubbles or oil in radiator• coolant in engine oil• blue exhaust smoke, indicating ex-

cessive oil usage• white exhaust smoke, indicating

moisture in oil• excessive black smoke, indicating

excessive fuel (fuel injection prob-lems)

• slobbering (excessive breathing)from crankcase breather, indicatingexcessive piston and ring wear.As you warm the engine up, check

that the gauges work and that they are“in the green” during operation.

Transmission

Work the loader in “a heap” for at least15 minutes to test the transmission.

If the loader won’t push at the heap,it’s odds on to be that the torqueconverter needs resealing or that theclutch pack in that range has given upthe ghost.

Like the engine, if there are noobvious faults (leaks, noises, etc) andthe transmission does what it is sup-posed to and the gauges work and arein the green during operation, then thetransmission is serviceable and will dous.

If in doubt, call the dealer to do apressure test in all ranges and/or buythe loader with an allowance for a


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transmission rebuild.If the loader has a hydrostatic trans-

mission, which usually consists of anengine driving into a hydraulic pumpdriving a hydraulic motor into a simplehigh-low reduction gearbox, then ifthere is a problem you really have tocall the dealer and have the hydrauliccomponents tested. Eight out of 10times, it’s the pump.

Brakes

Test the brakes; if they work well,that’s very good. If not, try and see why— for example, outboard discs mightshow worn pads.

If the brakes are inboard discs andwon’t work, it’s generally a large andexpensive job to remove the axles com-pletely or the diffs, planetaries and brakes.

The saving grace with these types ofbrakes is that they last a long time andare virtually maintenance free.

Final drives

Let your ears be the judge. We arelistening for excessive noise or obvi-ous malfunction from the diffs orplanetaries.

Overheating of planetary cases is asure sign something is wrong. Checkthe oil level. If the planetary cases arehot, you can also insert a magnet andfish for metal pieces, a sure sign some-thing is amiss.

Loader frame

Put the bucket on the ground and usebucket crowd and lower to indicate thelevel of pin and bush wear in theloader frame.

In some worn loader frames, themovement is quite dramatic, as theframe bangs and crashes about due toexcessive clearances.

Now turn steering from right to leftseveral times with the bucket firmly onthe ground. This will indicate lateralmovement of the loader frame.

Lift the bucket to full height, payingspecial attention that the bucket re-mains parallel to the ground and thatthe lift arms and torque tube are notbent or twisted.

Check that automatic kick-out andreturn to dig devices are fitted andworking.

Bucket

While you lift thebucket to full height,check wear on theunderside and fordamage to the back.

Check the cuttingedge, teeth andadaptors, if fitted.Check for a “bowed”bottom on thebucket and for ex-cessive wear atbucket mountingpoints, particularlybottom pins and bushes.

The bucket is the real “pointy end” tothis ship and cops a lot of punishment.

Check for cracks in all areas of thebucket.

Bucket repairs are not too tricky —generally a simple boilermaking exer-cise — but they cost money and canget into really big bucks when replace-ment cutting edges, adaptors and teethcome into the equation.

If a 4-in-1 bucket is fitted, you willalso have to check that the clam pivotpins and rams are okay, that the backof the bucket is not bent and that theback cutting edges are good, as well asthe above-mentioned things.

Articulation joint

Excessive wear here requires new topand bottom pins and bushes. If thewear is let go too far, a built-up withweld and line bore procedure is neces-sary, and that’s expensive.

To test, lift the front off the groundand have someone check the move-ment in the artic pins and bushes.

Jiggling the wheel from side to sidealso gives an indication of articulationwear, as well as steering ram pin andbush wear.

Sometimes it pays to find out ex-actly what type of articulation bearingthe loader you are inspecting has,straight pins and bushes or sphericalbearings, etc. Can it be adjusted or not?

General

If you are being offered a “little-used”loader, just have a quick look and yourinstincts will guide you.

If the cab has sloppy controls, well-worn foot pedals, worn seat cover,worn and rattly seat, it’s a sure indica-tion that it has had a very active life andhas done a good 8000-10,000 hours.

You can glean this just from aninvestigation of the cabin, let alone


DON SHEWRING is managing director ofBrisbane-based usedequipment specialist Con-solidated Crane & Tractor.He has been involved inbuying, selling and evalu-ating used equipment formore than 20 years.You can contact him on phone 018 788 856.

Special offerWould you like:• a reprint of this article and the

pictorial appraisal?• a copy of the appraisal form used

by Don Shewring?• a copy of an ownership declara-

tion form?• a copy of an authority to release

payout information?Don Shewring will be pleased to

send you the information free ofcharge. To obtain copies, fax or writeto Don Shewring at ConsolidatedCrane & Tractor Pty Ltd, PO Box 632,Albion, Queensland 4010. Fax (07)3256 3300. State your name, com-pany name, phone and fax number.

Free valuationIf you would like a free valuation ofyour loader, contact Don Shewringon ph 018 788 856, fax (07) 3256 3300.

This service is not available overthe phone. An information sheet re-questing details about your machinewill be faxed or posted to you. Re-turn the completed information sheetwith photos (if possible), and a “cur-rent market valuation” will be faxedor posted to you at no charge.

going through the procedures we havejust outlined.

Good loader appraising.

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Komatsu loader scores a perfect yearA KOMATSU WA500-3 wheel loaderhas done a year’s work with maximumreliability.

The 235 kW Komatsu WA500-3 isthe sales loader at CSR Readymix’sCastlereagh site, in Sydney’s west.

It was commissioned in August1997 and has logged more than 2500hours.

CSR Readymix’s process improve-ment manager for Sydney quarries,Jason Ferguson, said the KomatsuWA500-3 loads 80,000-100,000 t of prod-uct a month.

“It’s the first machine I can remem-ber where we have never had oneissue with it,” he said.

“It loads a lot of tonnes and theoperator, Merv Bratby, is just rapt.”

“He likes the comfort and conven-ience of the cabin and controls, and heprefers the Komatsu’s linear-assistpower-steering characteristics.”

CSR Readymix subjected theKomatsu WA500-3 to field trials by itsoperators against a competitor’s ma-chine, before commissioning the ma-chine.

CSR Readymix’s Richard Savage saidthen that the machine had to meet thecompany’s specific site requirementsand measure up against the competi-tion in field trials.

“The operators found the Komatsumachine more to their liking, particu-larly its stability and control system,”he said.

Komatsu’s WA500-3, launched in1997, is used in Australian quarriesas both a production and salesloader.

It is also suitable for forestry appli-cations, and medium to large civilcontractor requirements.

A major feature is the automatic shifttransmission facility for the powershifttransmission, enabling the operator toswitch from automatic to manual at theflick of a switch.

The automatic transmission, com-bined with Komatsu’s unique DualSpeed Hydraulics, provides maximumrim pull when pushing into a stockpile,

and fast hydraulic cycle times whenloading.

With an operating weight of nearly29 t, it is powered by a KomatsuS6D140E diesel rated at 235 kW.

Bucket capacities range from 4.3 to6 m3, bucket breakout is 27,000 kgfand static tipping load at full turn is18,600 kg.

Further information: NS KomatsuPty Ltd, ph (02) 9795 8222, fax (02)9795 8244.

The Komatsu WA500-3 in action at CSR Readymix’s Castlereagh quarry.

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Two new loaders from JCBJCB used the recent Bauma ’98 show to launch two newwheel loaders — one coming in at the top end of its range,plus a special purpose bulk handling model.

The high-end JCB 446B is available in HT (four ramgeometry) and ZX (Z bar) variants and has an operatingweight of 15 t.

Both models have the same high torque Cummins Cseries engine, which is rated at 127 kW and will be used witha 2.6 m3 shovel as standard.

The ZX has a breakout of 16,500 kgf and dump height of2985 mm, while the HT has a dump height of 2968 mm andbreakout of 14,300 kgf.

Both machines feature a four-speed powershift transmis-sion with top road speed of 38 km/h.

Rear-mounted cabs are designed to offer comfort, ease ofoperation and good safety standards, with large glass areasoptimising visibility.

The 446B HT also has a quick hitch option available,allowing use of attachments such as forks, log grabs, dozerblades and crane jibs.

JCB’s new bulk handling unit is the 411B ZX, a hydrostaticdrive unit fitted with a 1.2 m3 shovel.

It features Z-bar loader geometry, giving high bucketbreakout forces and good roll back and dump angles,together with a parallel lift capacity for safe handling ofpalletised loads when optional pallet forks are fitted.

An extensive range of attachments is available for the newmachine, with its quick hitch system allowing swift

changeover.Powered by a 67 kW Perkins 1000 series engine, the 411B

ZX brings to five the number of compact wheeled loadingshovels in the JCB range.

The 411B ZX weighs in at 7.3 t, has a loadover height of3.27 mm, minimum ground clearance of 428 mm andbreakout force of 7500 kgf.

Further information: JCB Sales Ltd, ph 0800 581761, fax(03) 9841 0600.

JCB’s 446B wheel loader is now the largest in its range.

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Extended reach units load fasterAFTER experiencing good perform-ance with its Case 721B XT wheelloader, the Leppington Pastoral Com-pany recently decided to add two moreCase XT wheel loaders to its extensiveequipment fleet.

The company has just bought two621B Extended Reach tool carrier ver-sions.

Leppington Pastoral (LPC), ownedand operated by Tony and Ron Perich,bought a Case 721B XT in July last yearto work at their dairy and fertilisermanufacturing operation in Bringelly,south-west of Sydney.

The loader arms were modifiedslightly to provide the extra reachcapability required to clear the 180 cmhigh sides of transporters when load-ing the raw materials at their opera-tions.

Speed was critical in this operation,where the unit is often working aroundthe clock.

According to LPC, after the intro-duction of the Case 721B XT, loadingtimes were substantially reduced andoperations became more efficient.

Already having an extensive rangeof Case agricultural and constructionequipment, LPC could see many ben-efits in adding more Case models totheir fleet, including common partsand continuing to deal with the back-up support of Sydney dealer CaseEquipment Sales.

The model 621B XT is powered bya 92.5 kW turbocharged Case 6T-590CDC engine. With external compo-nents incorporated into the integraldesign of the block, there is less wearand fewer moving parts, for increasedreliability, lower operating cost andreduced maintenance.

An autoshift function was speciallyfitted to LPC’s new units, providing theability to automatically shift from sec-ond gear to the highest speed selectedon the shifter.

The Case Auto Shift system allowsoperators to tailor the transmissionshifting mode to suit their preferenceand the requirements of the site.

Further information: Case Corpora-tion, ph (02) 9833 6000, fax (02) 98331128. Website www.casecorp.com.

High-powercompactKubota loadersKUBOTA’S new R520 wheel loadercomplements the increased horse-power of the recently introduced R420,so that Kubota now offers two of themost powerful machines in their class.

The R520 has an operating weightof 3.64 t, is powered by a 36 kWKubota V2203-RP diesel and has abucket capacity of 0.57 m3, while theR420 is a 3.05 t unit powered by a 32kW Kubota D1503 -T-RP1 turbo dieseland has a bucket capacity of 0.4 m3.

The new designs retain some fea-tures of previous models and incorpo-rate many innovations designed tomake them easier to manoeuvre, bet-ter in handling and providing an unob-structed field of vision for the operator.

Powered by Kubota’s low emissionE-TVCS diesel engines, both modelsare balanced and power matched forperformance, suiting them to a rangeof applications in construction, wastemanagement, materials handling, hor-ticulture and agriculture.

A newly adopted parallel circuitvalve allows simultaneous operationwith the service port, during lifting orbucket operation. A standard Kubotabackhoe attachment is also availablefor both models.

The R-20 series wheel loaders fea-ture Kubota’s load sensing transmis-sion (LST), which automatically changesfrom high speed/low torque to lowspeed/high torque, as load conditionsvary.

A column-mounted electric shuttleshift is claimed to make directionalchanges smoother and easier, simplyshifting the control lever forward orreverse to accelerate.

Extended reachCase 621B XTloader workingat LeppingtonPastoralCompany’sBringellyoperation.

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Tilly’s takes on Chinese loader range

TILLY’S Crawler Parts,based in Toowoomba,Queensland, has beenappointed Australiandistributor for the Chi-nese-built Changling,Liugong and Weililoader ranges.

According to com-pany director HughTilly, Changling worksclosely with Komatsu.

Also availablethrough Tilly’s is theLiugong range of load-ers. These loaders usesome Caterpillar design,with some models fit-ted with Cummins en-gines and ZF transmissions and axials.

The third loader range availablefrom Tilly’s, Weili, is very popular inChina, according to Tilly.

A major selling feature is what HughTilly described as “a surprisingly lowprice tag”.

Complementing the loader range,Tilly’s distributes a range of Chinese-built dozers, graders and rollers.

When it comes time to sell or tradeone of the Chinese machines, the com-pany offers a minimum buyback ortrade-in price, based on the unit’s yearsof operation and hours used.

Contractors have told Tilly they havebeen able to get the same hire rate forthese low-priced machines as they dofor one costing twice the price, andhave only half the interest to pay on

their investment.Tilly said his company has also

made it a priority to ensure a quick andreliable parts back-up service is pro-vided for these machines.

Having recently returned from avisit to China, he said the message wasthat loaders from that country werenow meeting international standards.

He visited a number of loader facto-ries which he said had quality assur-ance systems in place and were seriousabout producing well-built, reliablemachines.

In many cases, the design and tech-nology had been purchased from es-tablished names in this field, said Tilly.

Further information: Tilly’s CrawlerParts Pty Ltd, ph 1800 076 280, fax (07)4633 1702.

Changling wheel loaders coming off the productionline at the factory in China.

Limited slip differential ensures trac-tion on slippery road surfaces anddifficult worksites, so that operatorscan exploit the loaders’ 4WD capabili-ties.

The “low hold” travel speed-limit-ing switch has been relocated to thetop of the loader control lever, so thatchanges up or down can be made witha one-touch, right-handed operation,while maintaining steering control withthe left hand.

Both models feature Kubota’s cen-tre shaft oscillation and articulationjoint, designed for smooth operationand stability.

Other standard features include elec-tric park brake, enclosed hydrostaticwet brake, wide industrial tyres, dualinching brake pedals, extra large muf-fler, automatic bucket levelling system,ROPS/FOPS canopy, retractableseatbelt, safety starting system, andcontrol lever locks.

Further information: Kubota TractorAustralia Pty Ltd, ph (03) 9279 2000, fax(03) 9279 2010.

OUR COVER


New mid-sized Cat G-series loadersCATERPILLAR has updated its wheelloader range, with the 17 t 950G replac-ing the 950F Series II, and the 18 t 962Gas an advance on the 960F loader.

Improvements and innovations in-corporated into the new loaders weredesigned to boost productivity in truckor hopper loading, hard bank diggingor general utility work.

Both new loaders are powered by aCat 3126 engine producing 134 kW inthe 950G and 149 kW in the 962G.

Compared to previous designs, theG-Series front linkage has greater liftand breakout force, as well as greaterreach and dump height.

According to the manufacturer, theunits have a more powerful and re-sponsive engine, and increased hy-draulic flow for faster implementspeeds.

The planetary powershift transmis-sion has four forward and four reversegears and, in addition to powershiftand autoshift, it has electronic clutchpressure control for smooth shifts. Themicroprocessor-based control alsoserves as a diagnostic point.

Fully hydraulic brake controls elimi-nate the need for a compressed airsystem, and a new brake wear indica-tor simplifies monitoring and improvesserviceability. The oscillating rear axlehelps ensure four-wheel ground con-tact.

The hydraulic system uses separatecircuits for steering and bucket con-trols. Increased hydraulic flow in theimplement circuit improves lift armand bucket speeds.

Implement hydraulic power ismatched to torque converter powerdemands to help balance cycles andimprove loader productivity.

In the 950G, an externally mountedspin-on hydraulic oil filter is used toimprove filtration and make servicemore convenient.

Cat’s Ride Control System is anoptional attachment, with a nitrogenoil accumulator in the hydraulic liftcircuit acting as a shock absorber forthe bucket.

General purpose, rock or materialhandling buckets can be handled bythe loaders, in sizes ranging from 2.5 to3.3 m3 for the 950G and from 2.9 to 3.8m3 for the 962G.

The radius of the material handlingbuckets has been opened for easierloading and better material flow, andthe bucket floor is longer and flat for

good penetration into the pile.Both loaders can be equipped with

one of two operator control configura-tions. Conventional steering producespilot hydraulic flow when the operatorrotates the steering wheel, and also haspilot hydraulic bucket controls.

Command Control steering incor-porates hydraulic and a mechanicalfeedback system which directly linkssteering wheel position to the articula-tion angle. Nearly quarter-turn steering(72° each direction) is provided withthis option.

Transmission controls are integratedinto the Command Control steeringwheel for one-hand operation in allsteering positions. This arrangementalso includes electro-hydraulic bucketcontrols.

The control pod is mounted on theend of the adjustable right armrest,with in-cab adjustable lift, lower andbucket kick-outs providing program-mable stops for faster cycle times, andelectronically controlled, cushionedstops.

Status of key controls and functionsis displayed on the monitoring sys-tem’s three instrument clusters, and athree-level warning system alerts theoperator to any impending or immedi-ate problems.

The G-Series cab offers 20% morespace than its predecessor and in-creased viewing through 50% moreglass area.

New designs open up access formaintenance and make maintenanceand inspections easier.

Further information: Caterpillar ofAustralia Ltd, ph (03) 9339 9333, fax(03) 9335 3366.

The new Cat 950G wheel loader.

The 962G replaces the 960F loader.

wHEEL LOADERS


How to get more from your mid-size wheel loaderTHE mid-size wheel loader’s speedand manoeuvrability makes it an idealchoice for a wide range of loading andmaterial handling applications, such asbuilding and maintaining stockpiles,loading trucks and rail wagons, trim-ming ship’s holds and feeding hoppersand crushers.

Good machine selection is essentialif the machine is to achieve its fullperformance potential.

Having first established the produc-tion rates the machine has to achieve,the most important thing to considerwhen selecting a mid-size wheel loaderis the application.

This can have a major impact on theway a machine is configured. Keyvariables include the material densityand loading characteristics, groundconditions, the type and size of theloading target, and the distance be-tween the loading and discharge areas.

Once you have collected and ana-lysed this information, the next task isto establish which loader best suitsyour production and operational needs.

This is done by comparing the ma-chines’ key specifications and designfeatures.

Engine and driveline

Most mid-size wheel loader users likea high torque rise engine that providesa quicker response and increasedrimpull for faster acceleration and moreaggressive loading.

You should also look for an auto-matic powershift transmission that al-lows on-the-go speed and directionchanges; and features a kick-downfacility to speed up downward shiftingfor faster cycle times and increasedbucket fill factors.

Other features to look for include• an adjustment-free wet disc braking

system• some form of traction control which

automatically activates and does notaffect manoeuvrability

• a system to improve machine stabil-ity during high-speed travel.The durability and robustness of

key components such as the engine,transmission and axles should alwaysbe considered, particularly when themachine is to be used in productionapplications.

Hydraulic system

A powerful and efficient hydraulic sys-

What are the key points to look for when buying amid-size wheel loader (defined as having anengine power of between 90 kW and 225 kW)? BenLister, Caterpillar of Australia’s wheel loaderproduct manager, gives a few tips.

tem is essential on a mid-size wheelloader. It should produce high breakoutand lift forces, and be able to raise afully loaded bucket to its full dumpheight in around six seconds.

Peak power makes more horse-power available to the powertrain andloader hydraulics when the enginelugs down for faster acceleration andincreased penetration into the pile.

Load-sensing steering only takespower from the engine when it isneeded.

Frame

The frame should provide a ruggedplatform for the engine and powertrain;and the stability to operate the loaderwith the largest possible buckets.

This should be achieved withoutthe machine having an unnecessarilylarge turning circle or excessiveamounts of counterweight.

Loading equipment

The type of loader linkage you choosewill usually depend on the application.Choose a Z-bar layout for productionloading applications, and a parallel liftarrangement when you need to oper-ate the loader with a variety of buckets

and job-matched attachments.The type of bucket you need will

also depend on the application. Youmay, however, find that a bucket suchas a materials handling bucket willmeet the majority of your require-ments, particularly when most of thework involves rehandling loose, free-flowing materials.

Other points to consider here in-clude selecting the right types of cut-ting edge and teeth, and the importanceof a good dump clearance and reachwhen you are loading into high-sidedtrucks.

While the above points are all fun-damental to good machine selection, italways pays to think of your operatorwhen you select a mid-size wheelloader.

You should, therefore, ensure themachine provides a comfortable andefficient working environment withlow in-cab noise levels, good all-roundvisibility and easy to use controls.

Good serviceability should also notbe forgotten, so look out for featuressuch as ground-level daily maintenance,grouped greasing points, computer-ised monitoring/diagnostic systems,and a tiltable engine enclosure.

wHEEL LOADERS


The bum-biting loaderBy Don Shewring

Boys, you can win money at the pubwith this one.

Start out with something like, “Doesanyone remember Yale loaders whichwere manufactured by Eaton, Yale &Towne, who also made Trojan loaders?They then became Eaton, who madeTimberjack log skidders.”

The loader we are looking at is theTrojan 8000 dual pivot articulatedloader or, as we might sometimes bewont to say, the articulated, articu-lated loader.

The Trojan 8000 was powered by a361 kW Cummins and weighed 46 t,which puts it into the Cat 988F-Series 2class.

When you consider that this loaderwas produced in the middle to late1960s, the concept becomes all themore remarkable.

Needless to say, the dual pivot ar-

rangement did not stay with us. Idaresay the reality of two worn articpins and bearings together with eightworn steering ram locating pins andbushes might have been enough tomake the loader snap around and biteits own bum.

So you say to the guys in the pub,“Bet you have never seen a doublearticulated loader,” and you proceed tosuck ’em in from there.

Beware the old bugger over 60. Hewould have been in his prime in 1965and might remember, thus bringing thewhole scheme undone.

While we’re on this subject, doesanyone else have old specifications orphotographs of disastrous events?Please send them in, with a short notedescribing what makes them signifi-cant.

Send them to Don Shewring c/- thismagazine. We’ll make sure you getthem back.

Here’s what the manufacturer had to say about the Trojan 8000 Dual-Pivot wheelloader:The Trojan Dual-Pivot model 8000 tractor shovel provides the speed and manoeu-vrability of a conventional articulated machine, yet possesses all the stability ofrigid-frame construction. This stability does not depend on excessive width; it isaccomplished by Trojan’s exclusive dual-pivot articulation, an entirely newdesign concept.The Trojan 8000 is built in three sections and articulates in two places. The centresection weighs over six tons; it acts as a laterally sliding counterbalance, shiftingits weight to the outside on every turn. This counterbalanced, dual-pivot actionresults in unprecedented stability, greater reliability, and longer machine life.Other features include servocontrols, variable-rate steering, demand hydraulics,and fail-safe brakes — every one Trojan engineered for maximum operatorefficiency and safety.The Trojan Dual-Pivot Model 8000 tractor shovel is the giant workhorse with small-machine finesse, your unbeatable production combination.

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