504BalerGuy
Posted 3/2/2015 07:35 (#4424675)
Subject: Wheel Loaders - What to look for
Warrenton, NC
We are needing something larger than our Ford industrial loader tractor to unload equipment at our small farm implement dealership. We also have a small fork lift that we use inside and on the gravel outside and like the small size for what it does. We believe that we want a wheel loader for unloading equipment off of flat deck and drop deck semi trailers. Currently the equipment that we are wanting to unload is in the 6K pound range, but we also want to have some room for larger equipment in the future. This machine would probably run about once a week at most for us.
When looking at used wheel loaders what are the places specific to wheel loaders to look at? How many hours is high hours for these machines? Any brands to stay away from? Most that we have seen on the internet only have a bucket, where should we look to get forks?
Next week a local consignment auction will have a Deere 444C and a Clark 35C, both with cab and standard looking bucket. We are going to look and drive them just to get more knowledge if nothing else. Any opinions on these machines would be appreciated.
Thank You,
James blr
Posted 3/2/2015 10:27 (#4425051 - in reply to #4424675)
Subject: RE: Wheel Loaders - What to look for
southern saskatchewan
The bigger loaders usually have a higher lift. A extended reach loader would work nice for you but will not lift as much further from your machine. A quick coupler and ride control are also nice features. Do you need a third valve? Sometimes the bigger used loaders aren't a lot more money than the smaller ones but hauling them around isn't as easy. A 4 yard loader might be a good fit. durallymax
Posted 3/2/2015 11:00 (#4425135 - in reply to #4424675)
Subject: RE: Wheel Loaders - What to look for
Wi
To run once a week you won't need much. 20k hrs is not a ton for most "small" loaders. The 444 is about the smallest of the small category.
Forks are available and it's probably cheapest to make your own. Find a used set of heavy forks and adapt them to attach to the loader you buy. Some older stuff may not have a quick style coupling and may have pin on style. Not a big deal if you don't plan to switch often.
6k is not a ton of weight, although it depends on the dimensions of the equipment you are lifting.
Bigger loaders are just as cheap as the little ones but they are big and a pain to move.
I wouldn't worry about many options for the use you are looking at. Things like ride control make a world of difference for production work but are only on newer more expensive machines. To basically use one as a big forklift, ride control wouldn't be necessary.
Edited by durallymax 3/2/2015 11:01
klc
Posted 3/2/2015 11:44 (#4425238 - in reply to #4424675)
Subject: RE: Wheel Loaders - What to look for
sw mn
weve sold a deere 544g with 13000 hrs, and a 444j hi lift with 15000 or so.
for what your doing I don't think youll want a hi lift. I loved our 544gs for those purposes, get jrb couplers. forks can be found easily. plus youll run across different bucket or bigger forks in the future. I thought the (feel) of the hydraulics on the gs was easier than newer loaders.
you say now youll only run it once a week, once its there you will use it more, and your forklift will sit.
I say g series because that's the oldest ive ran, youll want something with a good park brake (electric over hyd), not sure if cs had that or not. and easy to get in and out of.
Two Hawk
Posted 3/2/2015 13:01 (#4425395 - in reply to #4424675)
Subject: RE: Wheel Loaders - What to look for
Southern Nevada desert
If you don't need to dig why not a telehandler instead? more versatile as a lifting machine. Applicator
Posted 3/2/2015 16:23 (#4425734 - in reply to #4424675)
Subject: RE: Wheel Loaders - What to look for
On the A, B, and C Deeres, look for power steering cylinder and transmission oil leaks. The steer pump uses the transmission as its oil reservoir and running the trans low enough will hurt it. It can take a few times running it so low on fluid that it wont go, but the damage adds up. If the Deere dealer fixes a bad transmission, you will have a bill that is more than the loader is worth. We have a 544B that the hour meter quit at 13,000 hours over 10 years ago. It still works, but it needs some extra warm-up time. That one is our spare loader now.
Wheel loaders make lousy forklifts, poor visibility and no side shift. Visibility is better with forks replacing the bucket, but there is still more stuff in the way than a forklift. Your Deere construction dealer should be able to tell you if a 444C will pick up 6000 #.
If you intend on buying parts at a Deere Ag dealership, better check first, that wont work here.
504BalerGuy
Posted 3/2/2015 18:08 (#4425935 - in reply to #4425395)
Subject: RE: Wheel Loaders - What to look for
Warrenton, NC
I know less about telehandlers than wheel loaders so I guess that is why I have not considered them. What kind of lifting capacities do they have? They look like they would not lift the weight that a wheel loader would. I am sure that we would end up using the wheel loader with the bucket instead of the tractor with front end loader for moving dirt, gravel, etc.
The other poster is probably right we would end up using more than we think we would. jd8770
Posted 3/2/2015 19:25 (#4426201 - in reply to #4424675)
Subject: RE: Wheel Loaders - What to look for
sc kansas
after using a tractor and loader with pallet forks and now a tellehandler rated at 9000lbs there is no comparision in visibility between the two. the tellehandler is 4wd and will reach up over 40ft if ever need to and has 4wheel steer, crab steer or front wheel steer. if you are using anything for equipment setup the tellehandler will also be great for that. durallymax
Posted 3/2/2015 19:50 (#4426296 - in reply to #4426201)
Subject: RE: Wheel Loaders - What to look for
Wi
Compared to a tractor loader telehandlers are nice. Compared to a wheel loader, they're junk depending on what you want to do. Lift stuff high and far, sure. Put a bucket on one, wheel loader wins. Everyday. Telehandlers are not built to use a bucket, just not heavy enough. Yes people do it daily but they will not hold up as well or as long as a wheel loader. Tractor loaders are a joke to me, they're handy but so damn fragile and weak. Not to mention gutless.
Wheel loaders are tough, Telehandlers are somewhat nimble and can reach a long ways. Wheel loaders are also one of the most fuel efficient, but that won't matter for running it only once a week. The telehandler craze came a decade or so ago around here, everybody thought they would be so awesome for feeding, then they all fell apart. Now a lot of people still have them but it's often in addition to a wheel loader.
Ideally you'd have a wheel loader, Telehandler, tractor loader, excavator, dozer, skid steer and CTL. Then there wouldn't be an issue lol.
Over the years, a common question I’ve heard is, “When I’m looking for a used piece of equipment, is it always smarter to invest in one with low hours?” And my answer back has always been some form of, “Yes and no.”
Why? For one, many people would assume a wheel loader with 2,000 hours is in better shape than one with 8,000 hours — but that’s not necessarily the case. Maybe the owner of that 8,000-hour machine was meticulous about preventive maintenance, and the 2,000-hour owner wasn’t. Or perhaps the lower-hour machine was used at a mine and put through more abuse, whereas the 8,000-hour machine has a lot of idle hours on it. And what if the owner of the 8,000-hour loader recently replaced the transmission?
There’s a lot more to consider when looking for a piece of used equipment than the number of hours — and a higher-hour machine may actually be the better option for you. To help you out, here are eight tips to consider when looking at used equipment with several thousand hours or more:
- Service History: For high-hour machines, ask for a service history or get a serial number and have the dealer look up what components have been serviced or replaced. You can also find out if the machine was serviced in a preventive maintenance program with a certified dealer. If you find that most of the machine’s wear parts/components haven’t been replaced, you probably want to budget additional money for repairs down the road. If the machine has a lot of hours but was regularly serviced, it indicates the owner likely took pretty good care of it.
- Tires: Generally, machines with high hours either need tires or have tires with tread that is in good condition. Always verify the brand and inspect the casing (sidewall) and the tread for peeling, cuts, and debris. Replacement cost of tires can have a significant cost to ownership. Also, check whether bias or radial tires were being used, and know your application to choose correctly between radial and bias.
- Undercarriage: Look to see if the machine has an OEM undercarriage (most OEM undercarriages have their name on it). OEM undercarriages are always preferable over aftermarket. While OEM undercarriages could very easily come from the same manufacturer as aftermarket undercarriages, the difference is most likely in the spec. OEMs are more centered on life cycle and spec their components to achieve longer wear life. Generally, bushings and link assemblies will have a greater thickness and more rigid hardness spec.
- Cab: Hop in and check to see if the cab is clean (e.g., the seats aren’t torn). The cleanliness of a cab is usually reflective of the person who operated it. With typical operators working 10-hour days or more, a meticulous cab likely indicates an operator who took good care of his machine. Also look for an operator inspection book. Some contractors require an operator at the beginning and end of a shift to clean out roller frames, inspect for leaks, grease machines and help identify any other operational issues. They might document this in an inspection book, and it isn’t uncommon for these to be left in the cab of the machine.
- Buckets: When pins start to wear down, eventually you have to replace them and the bushings. Some owners, however, will run them out, which leads to more expensive repairs, like line boring a distorted hole. This may indicate an owner who wasn’t paying attention or didn’t care about regular maintenance and was OK letting certain parts of the machine wear down. What else might be worn down?
- Paint: If a machine has been repainted, find out what exactly was repainted and why. Sometimes a complete paint job may reveal an owner who’s trying to hide something; but sometimes a paint job indicates an owner who’s simply maintaining the appearance of his equipment. The quality of a paint job will usually identify the motive. New paint with a rough surface demonstrates a rushed job. Also, how the machine was prepped will tell you a lot. Some identifiers to look for are items that are now painted but wouldn’t have been from the factory, like back-up alarms. Other examples are hoses that are sprayed over instead of taped off and rubber springs on the boggie suspension that are painted instead of being black.
If you’re buying a high-hour machine from an OEM or certified dealer, you should expect to get more information for your buying decision. For example:
- Machine Data: With many OEMs, you can request data about how some machines were used. Volvo’s CareTrack® system, for example, uses MATRIS (Machine Tracking Information System) software that provides in-depth reporting of operator behavior and operation data throughout the life of the machine. For one, it can tell you how many of the machine’s hours were spent idling versus actually working — maybe that high-hour machine wasn’t used as hard as you think.
- Volvo Certified Used: With Volvo Certified Used Equipment, we tell you exactly what you’re getting and back machines up with inspection reports and warranties (in the U.S. and Canada). Plus, inspections and repairs are completed by Volvo-certified technicians under strict standards, so even with high-hour machines, you can be sure any repairs and/or new components are designed to last.
The next time you’re in the market for used equipment, don’t immediately discount the higher-hour models. Look for signs that owners and operators took good care of them — if they did, one of those high-hour machines may be the smarter choice.
You can browse the full line of Volvo used equipment here, and be sure to sign up for our remarketing e-newsletter to receive used equipment listings right in your inbox.
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