The Complete Buyer’s Guide to Used Wheel Loaders for Sale
Wheel loaders are versatile machines that are popular across many industries, but finding the right machine at the right price can be difficult. That’s why we’ve compiled a complete guide to used wheel loaders, including everything you need to know about their attachments, sizes, purchase options and more. If you’re in the market for a loader for sale, you’re in the right place.
What is a Wheel Loader?
A wheel loader, also known as a front-end loader, bucket loader, or payloader, is a type of heavy equipment used for loading, transporting, and handling material. Commonly seen on construction sites, farms, and in mining operations, these versatile machines are designed to lift and carry materials like soil, gravel, sand, snow, feed, and more using a front-mounted bucket.
The Anatomy of a Wheel Loader
Front-Mounted Bucket: Powered by hydraulic arms, the bucket is used for scooping, lifting, and dumping material. Depending on the work you’re doing, the bucket can be switched out for other attachments.
Operator Cab: Positioned in the center or rear of the machine for better visibility. Includes the operator’s controls, like joysticks and the steering wheel.
Boom: The boom, also known as the lifting arms, connects your loader’s attachments to the body of the machine. Your wheel loader’s boom length determines the reach and dumping height of your loader.
Hydraulic System: The hydraulic system powers the boom and attachments.
What Do Wheel Loaders Do?
Wheel loaders are material movers. Their primary function is to load loose material into trucks, hoppers, or stockpiles. But they’re capable of much more than just scooping and dumping. Because of their speed, strength, and agility, wheel loaders are used across a range of industries, from agriculture and forestry to mining, construction, and municipal work. Here are some common tasks performed by wheel loaders:
Earthmoving: Digging and transporting soil or fill material on work sites.
Snow Removal: Clearing roads, parking lots, and driveways.
Stockpile Management: Organizing and maintaining material piles in quarries or warehouses.
Road Maintenance: Spreading gravel or salt and clearing debris.
Farm Use: Loading feed, moving manure, or lifting hay bales.
Wheel Loaders vs. Other Loaders
Wheel loaders can be confused with other types of loaders, like skid steers, track loaders, or backhoe loaders. While similar, there are some key differences between these machines.
Skid Steers: These loaders are more compact and better for tight spaces, but have lower lifting capacities than wheel loaders.
Backhoe Loaders: These machines have a rear-mounted excavator arm for added versatility, but are less efficient at handling large volumes of material.
Track Loaders: While track loaders offer better traction in muddy conditions, they’re slower and harder to operate on paved surfaces.
Why Choose a Wheel Loader?
Despite the variety of loaders on the market, here’s why you should consider a wheel loader as the next addition to your fleet:
High Productivity: Wheel loader’s speed and large bucket capacities mean you can move more material in less time.
Versatility: With the right attachments, wheel loaders can handle plenty of tasks beyond basic loading.
Operator Comfort: Modern cabs are designed for long workdays, with features like suspension seats and advanced climate controls.
Ease of Transport: Small and mid-size wheel loaders can be moved between sites quickly.
New vs. Used Wheel Loaders
If you’re considering a wheel loader, one of your biggest decisions is whether to buy new or used. While new wheel loaders can offer exciting technology and features, used wheel loaders generally offer better value, faster availability, and lower ownership costs. We’ll break down the advantages of both, so you can make the best decision for you and your worksite.
Buying New
Buying a new wheel loader comes with some perks, including:
Latest Technology: New models come with cutting-edge features- from advanced telematics to fuel-saving tech and automated load balancing. If you’re looking for up-to-date technology, a new wheel loader might be the right choice.
Manufacturer Warranty: Securing a warranty for your wheel loader is easiest when you buy new. While used machines come with a variety of warranty options, new wheel loaders will generally be covered by the most comprehensive plan.
Zero Usage: No wear and tear means everything is in pristine condition.
However, these advantages come at a steep price- literally. New wheel loaders can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on size and specs. If you only use your loader part-time or seasonally, it may take years to see a return on your investment.
Buying Used
If you don’t feel the advantages of a new wheel loader outweigh its cost, consider shopping for used wheel loaders for sale. Used loaders come with a unique set of benefits, such as:
Significant Cost Savings: Used wheel loaders are typically 30-50% less expensive than newer models. This lower upfront investment frees up capital you can use elsewhere- whether it’s upgrading other machines or buying attachments. Plus, depreciation hits hardest in the first few years of ownership. So, buying a used wheel loader means most of the depreciation that will occur has already occurred. This makes used loaders a great investment.
Faster Availability: In the high-demand heavy equipment market, wait times for new machines can be weeks or months long. With used wheel loaders, what you see is what you get- there’s no waiting for factory builds or shipping delays. Quick access is great in situations where a project pops up unexpectedly, or an existing loader goes down and needs to be replaced quickly.
Reliability: Wheel loaders are built to last, and that includes used machines. Many used wheel loaders on the market have been well-maintained and serviced regularly, making them reliable additions to your fleet. Plus, some used models come already equipped with attachments and customizations you’d have to pay for and install yourself on a new machine.
Cater to Your Needs: Whether you prefer to spend less on a loader with higher hours or want to spend more on a lightly used wheel loader, buying used makes it easy to cater to your unique needs. Thanks to the expansive used equipment market, it’s easy to find a wheel loader that suits your price range and preferences.
Is New or Used Right for You?
Whether you choose a new or used loader for sale, each purchase option has its share of benefits. If you prefer the latest features and don’t mind a steep price tag, a new wheel loader might be right for you. If you prefer reliability at a lower price, consider a used wheel loader for sale.
Types of Wheel Loaders
Wheel loaders aren’t one-size-fits-all. Instead, these heavy machines come in a variety of sizes and frame types.
1. Sizes: Small, Medium and Large Wheel Loaders
Small Wheel Loaders
Small wheel loaders are compact, nimble, and ideal for tight spaces and light-duty work. Despite their smaller size, these loaders still offer excellent lifting capacity. These machines are widely used in landscaping, snow removal, municipal work, and small-scale construction.
Typical Tasks: Loading mulch or gravel, clearing snow or debris, maintaining small construction sites, and transporting pallets on farms.
Does a small wheel loader sound like the size for you? Consider popular models like the Cat 908 and Cat 930K and shop Fused’s selection of compact wheel loaders for sale.
Medium Wheel Loaders
Medium wheel loaders are the most common size of loader on the market. They offer a great balance between power and maneuverability, making them a go-to for many industries- from roadwork and residential development to waste handling and quarrying.
Typical Tasks: Material loading and transport, aggregates handling, road building, feedlot and farm tasks.
If a medium wheel loader checks all your boxes, think about adding a Cat 950GC or Cat 972H to your fleet, or browse Fused’s mid-size wheel loaders for sale.
Large Wheel Loaders
Large wheel loaders are built for heavy-duty applications and high-volume material handling. These machines can move tons of material per hour and are often found in mining, large infrastructure projects, and industrial settings.
Typical Tasks: Loading haul trucks in mines, large-scale earthmoving, stockpile management at ports or quarries.
Interested in large wheel loaders for sale? Shop popular models like the Cat 988H and Cat 844K, and more with Fused.
2. Frames: Articulated vs. Rigid Frame Loaders
Articulated Frame Wheel Loaders
Articulated loaders are the most common frame type in the heavy equipment industry. These machines pivot at an articulation joint between the front and rear of the loader, making them incredibly maneuverable. This makes articulated frame wheel loaders great in tight spaces and for work on uneven terrain.
Advantages: Tight turning radius, better off-road mobility, improved stability on uneven ground.
Most wheel loaders on the market feature an articulated frame. If you’re interested in articulated frame wheel loaders for sale, Fused has an expansive selection that are sure to boost productivity on your worksite.
Rigid Frame Wheel Loaders
Like the name suggests, rigid frame loaders have a traditional, or rigid, frame without an articulation joint. Rigid frame wheel loaders are often regarded as more durable but less maneuverable than articulating wheel loaders. These loaders are less common and might be seen in industrial applications like mining.
Advantages: Stronger frame better carries heavy loads, more stability on flat ground, simpler mechanics.
Wheel Loader Attachments
Wheel loaders are known for their efficient material handling, but it’s their attachments that transform them into multi-purpose machines that can tackle a vast range of tasks. From buckets and forks to snow blades and brooms, attachments can convert your wheel loader from a simple material mover to a versatile workhorse.
Why Attachments Matter
Increase Efficiency: Specializing your wheel loader to your project makes it easy to get the job done quickly.
Save on Equipment Costs: Instead of buying multiple pieces of equipment for various tasks, attachments mean you can tackle a wide range of projects with just one machine.
Adapt to Demands: When a new project or seasonal task pops up, it’s easy to adapt your wheel loader to the work at hand.
Increased Return on Investment: Attachments expand your wheel loader’s job site possibilities, making these machines an even more appealing investment.
Common Wheel Loader Attachments
General Purpose Buckets
Buckets are the most common attachment, typically included with most wheel loaders. General-purpose buckets come in a variety of sizes and are ideal for all-around work on construction and landscaping sites. Features often include bolt-on cutting edges and reinforced side plates.
4-in-1 Buckets
Aside from general-purpose buckets, you can also find 4-in-1 buckets for your wheel loader. These attachments open and close like a clamshell, and combine the functions of a standard bucket, a dozer blade, a grapple, and a scraper.
High-Dump Buckets
High-dump buckets extend the dump height of your wheel loader, making them perfect for operations where vertical reach is needed, such as loading materials into tall containers.
Light Material Buckets
These buckets have higher capacity and a wider opening than standard general-purpose buckets. They’re intended for moving maximum volumes of light materials, like snow or mulch. However, since these buckets are built for volume and not weight, they won’t fare well with heavy materials like rocks or dense soil.
Grapple Buckets and Forks
Grapples are equipped with hydraulic arms that clamp over a bucket or fork, allowing for the secure transportation of bulky or irregular items like logs, brush, debris, and scrap metal. They’re ideal when you need control over hard-to-grip materials.
Pallet Forks
Pallet forks convert your wheel loader into a forklift. They’re great on jobsites where terrain is too rough for a traditional forklift, but pallets still need to be moved.
Snow Plows and Blades
Snow blades and V-plows attach to the front of your wheel loader and are your go-to snow removal attachments. Some models are adjustable and can be hydraulically angled for better control in tight areas.
Snow Blowers
Snow blowers are another snow removal tool for your wheel loader, but instead of pushing snow to the side, they eject it through a chute. This attachment is ideal for clearing deep snow drifts or working on narrow paths.
Brooms and Sweepers
Brooms and sweepers attach to your wheel loader for easy cleanup of dirt, gravel, and debris. They’re most frequently used for street cleaning and post-construction cleanup.
Rakes
Rakes help prepare soil for seeding or turf installation. They help your wheel loader remove rocks and debris from topsoil, making them essential for site prep across many industries, including landscaping and agriculture.
Picking the Right Attachment for Your Wheel Loader
There are a couple of important factors to consider before you pick a wheel loader attachment.
Machine Compatibility: Not all attachments are compatible with all loaders. Check your machine’s hydraulic capacity, lift height, and weight limits to ensure it’s compatible with the attachments you’re interested in.
Quick Coupler Systems: Most modern wheel loaders are equipped with quick couplers that allow operators to switch attachments without leaving the cab. Ensure your wheel loader’s coupler type matches the coupler type of the attachment you’re considering.
Primary Tasks: If you’re considering attachments for your wheel loader, think about the tasks you perform most often. When you’re building an inventory of wheel loader attachments, you want pieces that you’ll use over and over again. If you’re unsure about which attachments suit specific jobs and industries, we’ve compiled a chart that you can reference the next time you’re in the market for a wheel loader attachment.
|
Wheel Loader Attachment |
Primary Function |
Compatible Loader Size |
Common Industries |
|
General Purpose Bucket |
Digging, scooping, and moving loose material. |
Small, Medium, Large |
Construction, Landscaping, Agriculture |
|
4-in-1 Bucket |
Clamping, grading, dozing, and scraping. |
Medium, Large |
Construction, Utility Work, Demolitions |
|
High-Dump Bucket |
Loading into tall trucks/containers. |
Medium, Large |
Agriculture, Recycling, Waste Management |
|
Light Material Bucket |
Moving large volumes of lightweight materials. |
Medium, Large |
Landscaping, Sawmills |
|
Grapples |
Grabbing and lifting irregular loads. |
Medium, Large |
Forestry, Demolition, Scrap Handling |
|
Pallet Forks |
Lifting and transporting palletized goods. |
Small, Medium, Large |
Warehousing, Agriculture, Construction |
|
Snow Plow/Blade |
Pushing and clearing snow. |
Small, Medium |
Municipal Services, Site Prep |
|
Snow Blower |
Clearing snow by funneling it through a chute. |
Medium, Large |
Municipal Services, Site Prep |
|
Broom/Sweeper |
Clearing debris. |
Small, Medium |
Road Maintenance, Worksite Cleanup |
|
Rake |
Soil preparation and debris removal. |
Small, Medium |
Landscaping, Agriculture. |
How to Inspect a Used Wheel Loader for Sale
A wheel loader is a great investment, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook a pre-purchase inspection- a thorough inspection can save you from expensive fixes or breakdowns. We’ve compiled our top tips for inspecting a wheel loader for sale to make your purchase decision easier.
Check out the Loader’s History
Ask the seller for the wheel loader’s maintenance logs. Here you’ll find the loader’s total operating hours. Most loaders have a lifespan of 7,000-12,000 hours: if you want a long-term addition to your fleet, consider loaders with 1,000-4,000 hours.
In addition to operating hours, the maintenance logs keep track of the services and repairs the wheel loader has received. A wheel loader that has received proper routine maintenance and has been well-serviced is likely to have a longer lifespan than one that hasn’t. Check for any recurring issues, major repairs, and replaced parts to get a better idea of the loader’s current condition and scope out potential mechanical issues you may encounter if you purchase it.
Look at the tires
The wheels are your first clue as to how hard a wheel loader has been worked- and how much you may need to spend on it post-purchase. Tires are a high-wear, high-cost component, so a proper inspection can save you money down the line.
Start by measuring the tread depth to determine how much life is left in the loader’s tires. Most wheel loader tires start with about 2 inches of tread- anything less than 50% of this could indicate the need for a replacement in the near future. If the loader has been working on rough or abrasive terrain, this could contribute to reduced tread depth.
Next, check for uneven wear patterns. If one tire is more worn than the other, it could indicate alignment issues, imbalanced loads, or bad bushings. Keep an eye out for diagonal wear patterns that may signal a deeper suspension problem. You can also check the sidewalls of the tires for cuts, bulges, or dry rot- damage here can’t be fixed and usually means it’s time for tire replacement.
Inspect the Engine
The engine is the heart of a wheel loader, and if it’s been poorly maintained, you may encounter costly repairs. Ensuring the engine is in good condition before you buy a used wheel loader will save you from breakdowns in the future.
Open the engine compartment and start your inspection with a visual check. Look for oil, coolant, and fuel leaks around the engine block, hoses, and fittings. Next, inspect hoses and belts for cracks, frays, or swelling. These components are essential to the cooling and hydraulic system of a wheel loader and should be in good condition if you’re thinking about buying the machine. Finally, inspect the radiator and cooling system. Look for bent fins, corrosion, or signs of leaks. Overheating can severely damage the engine, so a healthy cooling system is essential to a healthy wheel loader.
Now it’s time to check the fluids. You can refer back to the maintenance records to figure out how well-maintained these systems are, but performing your own inspection is still important. Start with the engine oil by pulling out the dipstick and checking the oil’s colour and consistency. Dark, dirty oil may signal overdue service, while milky or foamy oil could indicate water contamination, which is cause for concern. Next, look inside the coolant reservoir to ensure proper fluid levels. Rust-coloured or oily coolant may suggest engine problems. Finally, check the hydraulic and transmission fluids. They should be clean and within the manufacturer’s recommended levels.
Conclusion
No matter your industry, a wheel loader is a powerhouse on any worksite. From material handling to debris removal and land clearing, wheel loaders can do it all. Don’t forget about this guide the next time you’re in the market for a wheel loader to simplify the purchase process and secure a machine that’ll last for years to come.
Interested in used wheel loaders for sale? Fused has an expansive selection of Cat wheel loaders for sale and equipment from other industry-leading brands. Reach out to our team of experts for answers to all your heavy equipment questions.