What is a wheel loader?
A wheel loader is an earthmoving machine on wheels with a wide bucket at the front that is raised, lowered and tipped hydraulically. It scoops up loose material such as sand, soil, gravel and rubble, carries it to another spot and tips it out, for example into a lorry or skip. Most wheel loaders have articulated steering: the front and rear frames are joined by a pivot in the middle, which makes the machine very manoeuvrable.
A note on language: in Dutch this machine is called a shovel. In English a shovel is simply a hand tool, and a face shovel is a type of excavator with an outward-facing bucket. The correct English term is wheel loader, sometimes front loader or loading shovel.
Types
- Large wheel loader: for heavy loading in quarries, sand and gravel pits, recycling yards and large sites.
- Compact or mini loader: small, light and narrow enough for gardens, yards and tight building plots.
- Loader with quick hitch: the bucket can be swapped quickly for pallet forks, a sweeper, a high-volume bucket or a grab.
Difference from excavators and crawler loaders
An excavator digs with a boom and arm, usually towards itself and below ground level; a wheel loader hardly digs at all but loads and carries. A crawler loader does similar work on tracks: lower ground pressure and more traction on soft ground, but slower and harder on paved surfaces. On hardstanding and for travelling longer distances, the wheeled machine has the advantage.
Application and tips for hiring
- Check the ground. A loaded machine is heavy. Do not drive over manhole covers, basements, fresh slabs or soft ground without checking they can carry the weight.
- Travel with the bucket low. With a raised, full bucket the centre of gravity is high and the machine can tip over, especially on a slope or while turning. Only raise it to tip.
- Never drive across a slope. Go straight up and down, with the bucket on the uphill side.
- Keep people clear. Visibility to the rear and around the bucket is limited.
- Licences and training. Driving on public roads is subject to licence and registration rules, and hire companies and employers often require training or a competence card for site use. Ask the hire company what applies to your machine and situation.
- Plan the transport. Even a compact loader usually travels on a trailer; check the permitted weights of trailer and towing vehicle.
Related terms
- Crawler loader
- Excavator
- Backhoe excavator
- Face shovel
- Excavation pit
Want to know more about building terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.