May. 05, 2025
Machinery
Small articulated loaders have been popular in Europe and have been making inroads in the U.S. over the past decade.
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SALs are still somewhat of a loose machine classification – also known as "subcompact wheel loaders" – with manufacturers doing the naming, for the most part. However, for purposes of this article, we define them as those with less than 6,000 pounds of operating weight, under 75 horsepower – and, of course, they articulate.
Since our report on SALs, three manufacturers have introduced new models in North America, joining at least six other companies with loaders on the market.
Manufacturers of SALs tout their low center of gravity for increased stability with heavy loads, good visibility to attachments, tight turning radius, low ground pressure, good traction thanks to the articulation joint and fast speed. They can also run a wide variety of attachments, among other benefits. Some have telescopic booms for higher lifting and truck loading. And they are light, for easy transport from job to job.
Many manufacturers view them as a good entry-level compact loader – a step up from stand-on mini skid steers. But they are also growing in size – as are most compact equipment categories – making them viable alternatives for bigger jobs and competitors to skid steers, while blurring the line between larger, compact wheel loaders.
In this report, we look at small articulated loaders from Avant Tecno, Bobcat, Case, Giant, Intrepid, Mecalac, New Holland, Vermeer and Wacker Neuson.
{Related Content: For a more detailed look at what buyers should keep in mind when buying a small articulated loader, see our report What's a Small Articulated Loader and Why are They So Popular?}
Finnish company Avant Tecno entered the U.S. market as its own brand in . It had made small loaders for Gehl before breaking out on its own here.
Known for its bright green, the company brought two new models from Europe to the North American market late last year: the 735 and 855i.
Along with articulation, both models have telescopic booms.
The 735 is designed as a basic lifting and material handling machine, featuring a 3,810-pound lift capacity and 10-foot-2 lift height. It runs on a 26-horspower Kubota diesel engine. Along with being able to fit in tight spaces, the 735 weighs less than 4,000 pounds for easy trailering.
The 855i (pictured at the top of this article) is a no-frills, lower-cost version of the company’s largest articulated loader, the 860i. It is a single-speed loader with a 9.3 mph travel speed, about half that of the two-speed 860i. It runs on a 56-horsepower Kohler KDI diesel engine, the same as the 860i, but it gets a new, simpler Poclain MSE05 single-speed drive motor, which the company says reduces its cost.
The 855i has a lift capacity of 4,190 pounds, and its telescopic boom gives it a max lift height of 11 feet 5.8 inches.
Avant also offers a wide variety of SALs, from lift capacities of 772 pounds and 20 horsepower to 4,190 pounds and 57 horsepower. It has an electric model, the e5, primarily geared to indoor work, with a lift capacity of 2,000 pounds.
Bobcat officially entered the small articulated loader market in with two models: the L23 and the L28.
Those two loaders remain the mainstay of the company’s SAL lineup, with Bobcat continuing to add attachments for the loaders for everything from land clearing to snow blowing. Bobcat says they are popular with first-time loader buyers. They also weigh less than 4,000 pounds for easy hauling.
Both models run on a 24.8-horsepower diesel engine. The L23 is a fixed-boom machine with a lift capacity of 1,159 to 1,395 pounds. The telescopic boom for the L28 gives it a height to bucket hinge pin of 104.4 inches, about 19 inches higher than the L23. The L28’s lift capacity ranges from 1,222 to 1,952 pounds with optional counterweight.
Case Construction Equipment began rolling out its first small articulated loaders in , continued through and just launched a new telescopic-boom version of its SL27.
The new 2.6-metric-ton SL27 TR gets about 45 inches more lift height over the standard model.
The loaders are designed and manufactured by Netherlands-based Tobroco-Giant.
“A big piece of our strategy is further expansion into the subcompact equipment market that allows dealers to provide solutions beyond traditional skid steers and CTLs to meet the needs of their customers,” said North American Head of Product Management Brad Stemper during the loaders’ launch at ConExpo . “We’re working in confined areas to work on jobsites where access is challenging and for contractors who need the ability to transport smaller equipment.”
The Case lineup is as follows:
Case also classifies these two models that have operating weights above 6,000 pounds as small articulated loaders:
The Giant brand has been around since through the Tobroco-Giant company based in the Netherlands.
In , it opened Tobroco Machinery LLC in Cedar Falls, Iowa, to distribute its products in North America and to capitalize on the market potential for compact articulated wheel loaders, according to its website.
Giant offers fully mechanical models up to 25 horsepower for a simple, lower-cost selection for customers needing that option. Other models range up to 74 horsepower.
All engines are Kubota except for the G, which has either Kubota or Deutz power available. The GE and GE are plug-in, battery electric machines.
Hydraulic flows vary from 7.4 to 35.7 gallons per minute, and travel speeds reach 21.6 mph. Four models have telescopic booms.
Depending on the size of the machine, Giant configures models with either CII or skid-steer plate connectors. Arm options include standard, X-tra and telescopic for optimal balance of reach, lift and bucket and boom forces.
In , Belgian company Knikmops manufactured its first small articulated loader. The loaders first came to the U.S. in and are being distributed here by miniloaders.com under the Intrepid brand.
The company has three small articulated loader models here:
All except the KM85 have telescopic booms.
They run on Kubota diesel engines. The KM85 comes standard with dual wheels (8 total) in all four positions for added stability. The KM100 and KM130 have dual-wheel options.
The KM85 and KM100 Tele are ROPS/FOPS canopy only. The KM130 Tele is canopy or cab. Optional counterweights increase operating weight and lift capacity.
French manufacturer Mecalac entered the U.S. small articulated loader market in with six models.
It announced late last years that four of those models now have a foldable canopy option for low-clearance jobsites.
The MCL2, MCL4, MCL6 and MCL8 models equipped with the quick-folding canopy allow operators to temporarily reduce the height of the machine to less than 6.6 feet for navigating under garage doors or into barn stalls. The canopy folds down by removing a pin on each column and pushing the roof back.
Mecalac’s six-model small articulated loader lineup also includes the MCL4+ and MCL6+. The “Plus” models feature a standard short boom for greater lifting capacities, while the other four models have a long boom for increased dumping height.
The MCL2 and 4 models are powered by a 25-horsepower Perkins diesel engine, with tipping loads ranging from 2,557 to 4,101 pounds.
The MCL6, 6+ and 8 have a 49-horsepower Perkins and tipping loads of 4,211 to 5,115 pounds.
All models offer 45 degrees of articulation to keep the front wheels traveling in the same path as the rear wheels while driving. A 10-degree oscillation delivers traction on uneven ground, the company says.
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Related links:Like sister company Case, New Holland has been rolling out new small articulated loaders, thanks to parent company CNH Industrial’s agreement with Tobroco-Giant.
The latest additions for New Holland came in October with its ML27 and ML27T loaders, which fit in the mid-range of the lineup. The "T" stands for telescopic.
Both models get a 50-horsepower Kubota diesel engine and can reach a top speed of 18.6 mph. The ML27 has full lift dump height of 5 feet 9 inches, while the ML27T is 9 feet 6 inches.
New Holland lists some of the new SALs’ uses as site preparation, debris removal, material transportation, loading and unloading trucks, landscaping tasks, street and sidewalk maintenance, pothole repair, curb installation, clearing snow, trenching, backfilling and laying pipe.
The loaders come equipped with a hydraulic skid steer coupler and the ability to run more than 50 high-flow attachments, according to New Holland.
Vermeer tapped Italian manufacturer MultiOne in to build its first line of small articulated loaders for the North American market. A year later, Vermeer bought a minority interest in the company.
The Vermeer brand sells four SAL models:
All four models come with telescopic booms, hydraulic quick-connect for attachments, ROPS/FOPS, work lights and an articulation lock for transporting, among other features.
Wacker Neuson introduced its 2-metric-ton WL250 earlier this year for the North American market.
It has an overall height of 6.5 feet, allowing it to fit into buildings or under gates for construction or landscaping work, the company says. Its articulated pendulum joint with a 12-degree oscillating angle maintains traction for all four wheels on uneven terrain.
The WL250 runs on a 24.7-horsepower Perkins engine and has a tipping load of 1,631 to 3,726 pounds, depending on configuration and position.
While many SALs have canopies for operators, the new WL250 comes with cabin that includes adjustable seat and climate control. Air-suspended or heated seats are available options.
The WL250 is scheduled to be available in the third quarter of .
Wacker Neuson also offers four larger articulating models: the WL28, WL34, WL38 and WL52, with operating weights from 6,040 to 11,243 pounds.
Compact wheel loaders are built to move all types of materials, from dirt to trees, and are sought after by operators working in a variety of applications. Whether you’re in landscaping, general construction, site development or snow removal, these powerful machines can help you work in tight spaces while providing excellent visibility and high transport speeds.
“Their maneuverability, weight, horsepower and lifting performance make compact wheel loaders a versatile machine,” says Darren Ashton, product manager — compact equipment, Volvo Construction Equipment. “Their size and all-around visibility also make them a great option for safely working in tight spaces. Another big factor in their versatility is the number of attachments they support. Sometimes when contractors picture a compact wheel loader, they only picture it utilizing buckets or forks, but they can also be designed to handle more robust attachments.”
If you’re in the market for a compact wheel loader, check out five things to consider during the purchase process.
1. Find the Right Size and Speed. Compact wheel loaders are the perfect size for operators who need to work safely in tight spaces but need more power and higher reach than a skid steer or track loader can provide. These hard-working machines can move a lot of material quickly while minimizing damage thanks to their articulation. Their large tires can navigate over many different types of terrain and offer high travel speeds to move across jobsites quickly.
“Compact wheel loaders traditionally have a much higher rated operating capacity than skid steers,” says Ashton. “This, plus their comfortable ride at higher travel speeds, makes them better suited for bigger jobs on expansive jobsites. The higher ground clearance helps where jobsites are rough. When off-loading a trailer, the higher seating position gives the operator a better site line to the fork attachment. Typically, a wheel loader also has a longer service life.”
Speaking of speed, wheel loaders have the ability to travel across jobsites a lot faster than a traditional skid steer or track loader. For example, three of Yanmar’s models — the V8, V10 and V12 — all have speeds up to 22 mph. In , Volvo introduced the option of a high-speed driveline for its L45H and L50H models. This option more than doubles top speeds from 12 to 31 mph, allowing the machines to travel more quickly between jobsites and reducing cycle times.
Speed aside, size is perhaps the most important consideration when purchasing a compact wheel loader. Buyers need to select a machine that’s sized appropriately for the type of work they’re performing, as well as the jobsite.
The compact wheel loader team at Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas Inc. says a buyer should ask these questions when sizing up a new unit: “Can the loader fit into the operational areas where work is being performed? Do its rated operating capacities exceed the weight of the material being lifted day-in and day-out? Does the unit’s dump height meet a contractor’s specific needs? If a contractor is going to be using hydraulic-powered attachments, does the wheel loader’s auxiliary hydraulic capacities match the flow requirements of the attachment?”
2. Customize Your Cab. One of the biggest advantages of a compact wheel loader is the 360-degree visibility operators have when using the machine. This excellent visibility allows operators to see all around the wheel loader, jobsite and the attachment — leading to safer, more efficient work. Wheel loaders can also boast a more comfortable ride than a skid steer or track loader so buyers should focus on selecting a unit with extra creature comforts. We all know a comfy operator is a productive one.
“Models with a standard ROPS/FOPS may cost less to buy but can limit when and where a wheel loader can be used,” says the Hitachi team. “So, if a contractor may be doing any kind of work in cold conditions or on hot summer days, a climate-controlled cab is likely worth the extra investment. It will also likely net them more on trade-in and resell value years down the road.”
When spec’ing out a cab, consider one that minimizes noise and vibration, as well as offers a comfortable seat that provides lumbar support and an adjustable steering column. Having frequently used controls in easy-to-reach places is ideal in reducing operator fatigue. Work lights and heated, electrically adjustable rearview mirrors aid in a wheel loader’s already impressive visibility.
“Lights can expand when and where a wheel loader can be used,” says the Hitachi team. “Applications like snow removal don’t always happen during the day, so lights are a must. Choosing the appropriate options and accessories will make wheel loaders more essential to a contractor’s overall operation.”
3. Expand Operations Through Attachments. The versatility of compact wheel loaders shines through their ability to take different attachments. Buckets and pallet forks are typically the most used attachments and should be purchased along with the machine. Other popular attachments are 4-in-1 multipurpose buckets and grapple buckets. Buyers should consider auxiliary hydraulics on the machine to expand their attachment-taking capabilities.
“If you are primarily moving bulk material, consider a larger bucket capacity,” says Frank Gangi, product manager — compact wheel loaders, Yanmar Compact Equipment North America. “If you plan to move lots of pallets, consider a compact wheel loader with parallel kinematics or the option to keep the forks level during lifting. If you plan to do many different jobs with your compact wheel loader, consider a hydraulic skid steer-style coupler for quick change over and auxiliary hydraulics to power attachments. Things like hydraulic quick-couplers that work with skid steer attachments will continue to grow in popularity along with auxiliary hydraulics to operate attachments such as snowblowers, blades, grapples, brooms and rakes.”
Thanks to their size, comfort, maneuverability and safety, compact wheel loaders are perfect in snow removal applications. The machine’s added height of the cab and increased speed options allow for quicker, easier work when tackling tasks such as sweeping streets or moving snow. Therefore, snow removal contractors should look at snow pushers, snowblowers, sweepers and/or snow buckets, depending on the application.
4. Examine Efficiency. When buying a wheel loader, scout out features that up the efficiency of the machine and your operations. One way to do that is through telematics. Hitachi says that having a machine equipped with telematics can help an operator keep track of maintenance needs and maximize uptime by simplifying the diagnosis process when there is an issue with the machine.
“Buyers need to ensure that the wheel loader being considered adheres to area emissions requirements and should evaluate how easy each unit is to perform routine maintenance,” the company says. “They should also estimate their potential total cost of ownership and assess how well a manufacturer will be able to provide service, parts and support after the sale.”
Another perk of compact wheel loaders is that they’re designed to save on fuel expenses. Buyers should look at fuel efficiency functions, like the eco mode on the Yanmar V4-7, which effectively reduces the motor speed to allow for very low fuel consumption. Tier 4 engines are great for fuel efficiency by using less fuel to achieve higher horsepower levels and are now found on all new machines including those from Yanmar, Volvo, Hitachi, Takeuchi and Kubota.
Volvo’s Ashton says that one emerging trend in compact wheel loader efficiency (and construction equipment as a whole) is sustainability — pushing machines toward being efficient while using less fuel and minimizing emissions. The company is exploring this with the development of electric machines, which includes the battery powered L25 Electric compact wheel loader.
“Outside of the push for electric, we’ve seen a lot of progress in lowering emissions in general with the wheel loader market,” says Ashton. “For example, our L20H and L25H were added to the lineup a few years ago, and they are designed to meet emissions regulations while providing improved performance. They offer 5 percent greater fuel efficiency and 8 percent more horsepower than their predecessor models. With the increase in clean air regulations and growing pressure from project owners and the public to be more sustainable, our customers need solutions for working on tomorrow’s jobsites.”
5. Consider Dealer Support and Warranties. When buying a new piece of equipment, a dealer is your partner throughout the purchase and after. Therefore, be sure to select one that can support you while buying a compact wheel loader and is responsive and helpful throughout the life of the machine. This includes providing guidance on any maintenance or repairs, as well as supplying parts if needed.
Warranties are also important in protecting your investment. Buyers should look for a warranty program that covers all the most common parts compact wheel loader operators may encounter issues with. Yanmar offers a 3-year/3,000-hour warranty on all of its compact wheel loaders and Volvo’s Lifetime Frame and Structure Warranty covers the frame, articulation joint and loader arm. Manufacturer warranties typically range between 1 to 3 years, but buyers can look into extended warranties.
“Depending on the type of work a contractor may be doing, they may also want to consider investing in an extended warranty,” says Hitachi. “These types of warranties can vary greatly and include everything from extending the time and hours associated with a standard warranty to covering the costs of some preventative maintenance expenses. Many contractors choose to add an extended warranty package when financing to help reduce potential out-of-pocket maintenance expenses in the future.”
Pam Kleineke is managing editor of Compact Equipment.
Hitachi’s ZW100-6 Wheel Loader
The Hitachi ZW100-6 wheel loader is developed for use in landscaping, heavy construction, excavation, water, sewer and pipeline construction, highway and road construction and agricultural applications. The ZW100-6 is easy to maneuver and intuitive to the operator, thanks to its hydrostatic transmission control system, requiring minimal operator override for smooth operation. An oscillating rear axle gives this model more stability and traction, and its traction control system helps avoid tire slippage when working in sensitive ground conditions. The 360-degree panoramic visibility from the ZW100-6’s cab creates a productive working environment, and an optional rearview camera also contributes to excellent all-round visibility.
Yanmar’s Wheel Loader Lineup
Yanmar Compact Equipment’s compact wheel loaders are designed and built with the features of a thoroughbred and the capability of a workhorse. The overall lineup consists of the V4-7, V8, V10 and V12. All four models come standard with a 3-year/3,000-hour warranty, showcasing that legendary Yanmar reliability. Fully automatic accelerator mode, fixed travel speed mode and auxiliary hydraulics with proportional control improve ease of use. Yanmar compact wheel loaders are designed for ease of serviceability and operator comfort. Plus, Yanmar’s SmartAssist Remote telematics on the V4-7 provides operators more control over their machines and is free for the first five years of ownership.
Volvo’s L25 Electric Compact Wheel Loader
Volvo Construction Equipment’s L25 Electric compact wheel loader offers significantly lower noise levels, reduced energy costs, improved efficiency and fewer maintenance requirements compared with its conventional counterparts. It uses lithium-ion batteries, which allow for four to six hours of operation in regular applications, including light infrastructure work, landscaping and agriculture. The L25 Electric also incorporates two dedicated electric motors — one for the drivetrain and one for the hydraulics. Prebooking of the L25 Electric compact wheel loader for North American customers is open for those who want to be among the first to own the machines when delivery begins in mid-.
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