Take a Load Off your Shoulders with these Miniloaders

By Jackie Bowler

Mini loaders are no mini investment, but can be a humungous help on the site. These easy-to-run machines can aid in heavy lifting and move in tough terrains making them invaluable to many landscapers. What makes these ?EUR??,,????'??miniature workhorses?EUR??,,????'?? so unique is their relatively small size. With a smaller size, mini-loaders gain greater accessibility and are easier to transport. This is important because the more that the loaders can do, the less the hand labor needed! A primary distinction is whether they are tracked or wheeled. The main benefit of tracks is that by spreading out the pressure points that meet the terrain, the ?EUR??,,????'??lighter?EUR??,,????'?? the footprint and less marking on the ground. Additionally, tracks provide unmatched traction and flotation, particularly on wet, muddy or soft ground, which can often mean not getting stuck! Wheeled vehicles, by contrast, place all their weight on four tires, also providing good traction and are often 4-wheel drive.

Bobcat??????oe

Model: MT55 Mini Track Loader
Engine and Horsepower: 23.5 hp
Weight: 2,696 lbs.
Height, Length, Width: 49.1?EUR??,,????'?? x 72.4?EUR??,,????'?? (length without attachment) x 44?EUR??,,????'?? (width with bucket)
Operating Load: 550 lbs.
Accessories: Ride-on platform; attachment control kit; Bobcat mini track loader safety video; Bobcat operator safety DVD; catalytic exhaust purifier; engine block heater; light kit; radiator screen; replacement track (C-pattern); and shutdown kit.
Special Features: Easy-to-use instrument panel; a multifunction handle to control the speed and direction of the hydrostatic drive; a lever to raise and lower the lift arm and tilt the attachment; an optional ride-on platform that you can hook up or remove in seconds; a reverse stop panel.
Warranty: Free parts and labor to repair any problems due to defects in material or workmanship for the first 12 months, no matter how many total hours of use
Cost: MSRP $18,500; actual prices may vary depending on options, accessories, and freight and dealer preparation fees.

Case Construction Equipment

Model No.: E-Series Compact Wheel Loader Model 221 E
Engine and Horsepower: Deutz F4M2011, Tier 2-Certified, 60 hp @ 2500 rpm
Weight: 11,947 lbs. Operating weight
Height: 173.4?EUR??,,????'?? Operating height, fully raised
Length: 221.9?EUR??,,????'??, bucket on ground
Width: 75?EUR??,,????'??
Operating Load: 4,001 lbs.
Special Features: Featuring a new Versa-Boom linkage for excellent reach, visibility and precise parallel lift, and increased bucket roll back for greater material retention.
Warranty: Engine 2-yr. / 2000 hours; 1-yr. full machine; Extended warranty is also available
Cost: $82,746

Caterpillar

Model Number: 226B
Horsepower: 57 hp
SAE Load Capacity: 1,500 lbs. rated operating capacity, 3,000 lb. tipping load
Height: 146?EUR??,,????'??
Length: 99?EUR??,,????'?? w/o bucket
Width: 60?EUR??,,????'?? over tires
Maximum Speed: 6.9 mph (forward & reverse)
Attachments: Augers, backhoes, blades, brooms, brushcutters, buckets, cold planers, hammers, landscape rakes, landscape tillers, material handling arms, pallet forks, power box rakes, stump grinders, trenchers, vibratory drum compactors, wheel saws.
Special Features: also available with high hydraulic flow
Warranty: 1-yr. /1500 hours
Cost: MSRP $28,210

Ditchwitch

Model: Ditchwitch SK650 Mini Skid Steer
Engine and Horsepower: 31.5 hp turbo diesel Kubota
Weight: 2630 lb. operating weight
Height: 53?EUR??,,????'??
Length: 82?EUR??,,????'??
Operating Load: 650 lbs. (operating capacity)
Accessories: Available with your choice of aggressive tracks for better traction or turf-friendly tracks for less ground pressure and reduced jobsite restoration
Special Features: 4.0 mph forward and reverse, 20 net horsepower to front end, 7.5 gallon fuel tank provides several hours of operation, quick-disconnect fittings so attachments can be changed under pressure—without shutting off the machine; The stand-on platform keeps operators out of mud and debris and reduces fatigue
Warranty: 1-yr.
Cost: $17,950-$22,500

The Toro Co.

Model No.: 22311 Dingo 220
Engine and Horsepower: Kohler 20 hp
Weight: 1,576 lbs.
Height, Length, Width: 48.7” by 62” by 40.5”
Operating Load: 515 lbs.
Accessories: Removable counterweight allows for maximum lift capacity or maximum down pressure to enhance performance for any task; rubber track system that fits over special tires on the Dingo for increased floatation and traction in difficult conditions.
Special Features: Operator can select low or high speed ground speed; 12 gpm at 3000 psi hydraulic system gives you incredible hydraulic power to auger up to 30” holes or trench 36” deep; 2-Pump Hydraulic System for independent power that can be supplied to the attachment or the wheels.
Warranty: 2 years engine, 1 year machine
Cost: $12,525

Gehl

Model: 4240E
Engine and Horsepower: Yanmar, 42NV88 Tier II Compliant, 46 hp
Weight: 4,600 lbs.
Height: 110?EUR??,,????'?? tobucket pin
Length: 116.2?EUR??,,????'?? w/ bucket
Width: 52.5?EUR??,,????'?? over tires
Operating Load: 1,350 lbs. standard ; 1,475 lbs. with optional counterweight
Accessories: Buckets, cab enclosure, hydraulic leveling, counterweight
Special Features: All Tach?EUR??,,????< Warranty: 1-yr.
Cost: $22,500

Ramrod Equipment

Model: 1150
Engine and Horsepower: Liquid Cooled 27 hp Kawasaki Gasoline or Kubota Diesel Engines available
Weight: 2340 lbs.
Height: 87.8?EUR??,,????'??
Length: 80.4?EUR??,,????'?? with bucket; 61?EUR??,,????'?? (155 cm) without bucket
Width: 43.5?EUR??,,????'??
Operating Load: 2300 lbs.
Accessories: More than 60 ?EUR??,,????'??Quick-on, Quick-off?EUR??,,????'?? attachments available including blades, buckets, trenchers, augers, backhoes, tillers, sod-rollers, pallet forks, grapples and more.
Special Features: 1150 lb. lift capacity to the 72?EUR??,,????'?? hinge pin; an exclusive, patented ?EUR??,,????'??high torque?EUR??,,????'?? hydraulic drive system providing 1,600 lbs. of tractive power; exclusive self-leveling loader arms that eliminate danger of losing load during raising and lowering process; high performance tracks; easy access for servicing; an unobstructed view of the work area and attachment; and high performance tracks.
Warranty: 3-yr. structural warranty on machine frame and arms, 2-yr. manufacturer?EUR??,,????'???s engine warranty and 1-yr. warranty on all other components.
Cost: MSRP $23,455 with a Kawasaki Gasoline engine and $26,987.00 for the Kubota Diesel engine.

The Toro Co.

Model No.: 22311 Dingo 220
Engine and Horsepower: Kohler 20 hp
Weight: 1,576 lbs.
Height, Length, Width: 48.7” by 62” by 40.5”
Operating Load: 515 lbs.
Accessories: Removable counterweight allows for maximum lift capacity or maximum down pressure to enhance performance for any task; rubber track system that fits over special tires on the Dingo for increased floatation and traction in difficult conditions.
Special Features: Operator can select low or high speed ground speed; 12 gpm at 3000 psi hydraulic system gives you incredible hydraulic power to auger up to 30” holes or trench 36” deep; 2-Pump Hydraulic System for independent power that can be supplied to the attachment or the wheels.
Warranty: 2 years engine, 1 year machine
Cost: $12,525

Power Points

1958: Year the Melroe brothers of Gwinner, N.D. purchased the rights to the Keller front-end loader. The Keller?EUR??,,????'???s are credited with inventing the mini loader in 1957.

12.9: Horsepower, the size of the engine on the first Melroe/Keller machine. This machine had a 750-pound lift capacity and was put on the market in late 1958/early 1959.

Source: Wikipedia