Wheel Loader Buying Guide

Wheel loaders are simple, yet versatile and powerful. It’s hardly surprising that they’re some of the most popular pieces of construction equipment on the market today. If you’re interested in purchasing your own wheel loader, this guide from the experts at Alpha & Omega Contract Sales & Consulting can help you get started.

What Kinds of Materials Need to be Transported?

Heavier materials will usually require a wheel loader with a smaller and sturdier bucket. Meanwhile, a larger and lighter bucket is typically the best choice for transporting materials that are lighter and more loose. When shopping, your goal should be finding the wheel loader that can get the job done with the fewest possible passes without the risk of instability or damage to your equipment. 

What’s the Right Tipping Load Maximum?

A wheel loader’s tipping load is the weight that can lift its rear tires off the ground when it is fully articulated and in a stationary position. That makes it the maximum amount the loader can safely transport per trip. That’s why it's so important that you think about the average weight your loader will be transporting when shopping for models. Don’t forget that other factors like counterweights, tire size, and chains can have an effect on the tipping load as well. Find a wheel loader with a tipping load maximum that will allow you to safely handle day-to-day operations. 

What’s the Right Size?

Smaller wheel loaders tend to have between 50 and 90 horsepower. They are affordable, easy to store/transport, and highly agile. This makes them ideal for cramped and cluttered work sites. For heavier tasks, a mid-sized track loader with between 100 and 300 horsepower should be sufficient. Truly massive tasks that involve lifting between 20 to 40 tons of material will require a larger wheel loader model. These expensive models usually have between 500 and 1,500 horsepower

Don't Forget About Attachments

Besides the traditional bucket, wheel loaders can be equipped with attachments like pallet forks, augers, and grapples. If you’re interested in a particular attachment, make sure whichever model you purchase is compatible with it.

Shop wheel loaders at Alpha & Omega Contract Sales & Consulting in Odessa, Texas. We also offer servicing, parts ordering, financing, and trade-ins. We’re proud to serve the great state of Texas, so come visit us soon!