What To Consider When Purchasing A Front End Loader

Purchasing a new front-end loader for your business can be a big investment in time and money. It is important to consider all the factors that go into making the right choice for the job. The loader must have the correct specifications for the job and it must prove to be cost-effective.

Before purchasing a loader consider this list:

BUILD QUALITY
The most important factor is selecting an INDUSTRIAL quality front end loader. Investing more upfront in INDUSTRIAL quality means you get greater reliability - there is nothing worse than the aggravation of not being able to complete a job because the front end loader won’t work on a given day!

The highest quality front end loaders generally come from Europe, particularly in compact front end loaders. Germany is renowned worldwide for their engineering excellence and Germany excels in the compact front end loader field.

The easiest way to check if the front end loader is truly industrial – is to examine the size and quality of the front end componentry –thickness of the mast, pins, bushes and rams. Some manufacturers have copied good quality German loaders and at a glance appear to be well built, however a close look at the finish of the loader usually shows it is just an imitation and isn’t going to last long in the field. If the finish of the outside of the loader looks poor, then you are just about guaranteed that the internal componentry is also very poor.

Try to choose a company that has a long history in manufacturing front end loaders, as you will be given better backup over the long term. If you are able to find a company that specializes only in articulated loaders, you will find that you really are buying the best on the market. Some manufacturers concentrate on building tractors or rollers and just put a few front end loader models into the market without much thought. These loaders are never as good as loaders built by a manufacturer who has specialized in front end loaders for many years.

COMPONENTRY
It is vital to buy a loader made with reputable componentry. Componentry that is well recognized in the purchasers country. Kubota for example is the world’s largest manufacturer of diesel engines and technical support can then be sourced from the loader manufacturers’ representatives and also from the local Kubota network. By buying a loader with componentry already found in the country you are also basically guaranteed of no surprises and also have the benefit of local technical backup if issues happen to arise. Another good example is Bosch/Rexroth hydraulics – these are known as some of the best hydraulics on the market and are supported worldwide.

PARTS BACKUP
As discussed above it is important to make your purchase from a manufacturer that has a long history in building front end loaders – this way you will get better parts back up over the long term. Manufacturers that simply copy machines often loose interest in that market and no parts are available after only a few years as they have gone onto copy something else.

When purchasing a front end loader you also need local parts back up from the manufacturer’s representative. This backup can come from a national distributor or the local dealer network, the main criteria being they know their product inside out and carry a broad range of spare parts. Airbags to transfer most parts are cheap and fast and you need to be assured you are dealing with a reputable company. The best way to confirm long term backup from a company is to speak to clients who have owned their loaders for a number of years.

SERVICING
All machinery needs regular servicing, including front end loaders. This service support can occur through the local dealer of the loader, or as often is the case in remote areas – through the local mechanic. In many situations the local mechanic is overlooked, but can often be superior for regular servicing than from the dealer network. Particularly in remote locations, local mechanics are often available very quickly compared to dealer mechanics who are based in major urban areas.

This service support then relies on good back up from the local dealer and national distributor for the best technical support. If the company specializes in only front end loaders, then backup is often far superior as the staff know exactly what you are talking about when you ring up, you don’t have to be transferred from department to department. If the distributor has a thorough knowledge of their product and is willing to distribute information, then, via fax and the internet even very technical issues can be solved by the local mechanic.

Regular maintenance is also recommended to prolong the longevity of your front end loader.

There you have it, these are the critical factors to consider when purchasing a front end loader or skidsteer replacement. Be sure to take this list to your dealer and get straight and complete answers. A demonstration will confirm your choice.