Landscape Architect Articles

LCN Focus Feature November, 200411-01-04 | News

Compact Loaders May Be the Best Choice

By Kim Schnaderbeck, Caterpillar Inc.

Rayco’s C87L Deutz Turbocharged Diesel crawler loader has pressure relief for fast, easy connection to a wide variety of attachments and work tools. It has a universal attachment quick hitch ROPS enclosed canopy cab with heat, air conditioning and sliding side windows.

Using numerous work tool attachments to perform varied tasks like digging holes for trees and fence posts, lifting and carrying loads of dirt, rock or mulch, tilling soil and removing tree stumps, skid steers and compact loaders are essential equipment for landscape contractors. In winter, skid steer loaders and rubber-tracked multi terrain loaders can help landscape contractors remove snow from parking lots, sidewalks and driveways using snowblower work tools, buckets or brooms.

Rubber-tracked multi terrain loaders combine the upper chassis of a skid steer loader with a suspended rubber-tracked undercarriage. The multi-level suspension system is designed to minimize shocks transferred to the machine and operator. Machine weight is evenly distributed throughout the track, increasing traction and decreasing ground pressure. This low ground pressure allows the machine to work in soft, wet underfoot conditions and on sloped terrain, where wheeled machines are unable to work. In addition, the low ground pressure enables the machines to work on sensitive surfaces such as turf, without causing significant damage.

Improvements to Increase Operator Productivity

Ergonomically-designed pilot hydraulic joystick controls help operators quickly learn to operate the machines. Some machines now incorporate buttons to control the work tool hydraulic or electric functions. Improvements to increase operator productivity and comfort include redesigned doors with more glass for improved sight lines and easier serviceability. A loader lock-out function prevents loader arm movement when the cab door is open.

The newly redesigned Caterpillar 246B Skid Steer Loaders offer a deluxe joystick design that incorporates positive action buttons to control work tool hydraulic or electric functions.

A wide variety of work tools for skid steer loaders and multi terrain loaders help landscape contractors work more productively by eliminating hand work, freeing up employees for other tasks. Tools including landscape rakes, landscape tillers, grapple buckets, augers, snowblowers, stump grinders, brooms and grapple buckets are available for purchase or rental.

Big doesn’t always mean better

By Jeri Kannwischer, Ditch Witch

Mini excavators and compact utility loaders (mini-skid-steers) can access and maneuver in places larger machines can’t, and they often can do the same work as their larger counterparts. The fact is that a great deal of the typical construction work out there does not require larger machines. If you’re putting in big pipe across Texas, go big. If you’re running a service line from the gas main to the house, a compact mini excavator may be the best choice. And you can put it on a truck with a small skid-steer and go to the next job. “These compact machines differ from their big brothers in capacity, but they operate just the same and the newest machines feel big,” states Mike Lumbers of The Charles Machine Works, Inc., manufacturer of Ditch Witch products.

Versatility of Mini Excavators

Zero tail swing enhances the versatility of mini excavators with this feature. With no portion of the cab extending outside the width or length of the machine’s tracks, the cab can swing in a complete circle, even in congested work sites. Full-circle cab swing permits digging in any area around the machine and depositing spoils wherever necessary within the boom’s reach without repositioning the machine.

Ditch Witch’s MX27 is shown working. Full-circle cab swing permits digging in any area around the machine and depositing spoils wherever necessary within the boom’s reach without repositioning the machine.

The newest “hot” compact utility machine is the mini-excavator/tool carrier.

The multi-purpose machine resembles a mini excavator with an excavating component mounted on the front. But on the opposite end is a dual-arm tool carrier which can be equipped with an auger, tamper, trencher, vibratory plow, loader bucket and much more. To date, the Ditch Witch XT850 is the only excavator tool carrier available.

In size, the machine is comparable to small mini excavator models; it is powered by a 26-horsepower diesel engine. More than 70 attachments are available for the machine.

“The trend toward compact equipment has grown steadily and shows no sign of slowing,” concludes Lumbers. “And as the economy continues to improve, there is every reason to believe rentals of mini excavators and mini-skid-steers will increase with it.”