Capital Equipment News April 2018

COMPACT WHEEL LOADERS

Meanwhile, Kemach, with its JCB range, also operates in the less than 6 000 kg segment. “We only have the JCB 406 in our compact wheel loader range,” says Senyard. According to Kundra, Cat operates in both the less than and greater than 6 000 kg segments of the compact loader market. Cat’s 906K, 907K and 908K compact models are high volume machines ranging from 5,5 t to 6,5 t. “In South Africa, the largest compact models are the Cat 910K and 914K, weighing around 8 t and 8,5 t, respectively. The compact models are manufactured in our UK plant in Leicester,” he says. “The 906K, 907K and 908K are very popular models and we are experiencing an increase in demand.” Comfort and convenience As growth in uptake continues, the global compact wheel loader market is said to be in the midst of a transformation, with technology sweeping across the entire industry. Increase in comfort and convenience of cabs is one of the major improvements in this range of equipment in recent years. In the past there was a clear disconnect between the needs of the machine owner and the operator, and often the operator’s needs were never part of the buying decision. Today, machine owners have since grasped the fact that operator comfort is a key factor in the overall productivity and total cost of ownership of the machine. Senyard says the JCB compact wheel loaders like the 406 are designed to make work more straightforward. “They are easy to access, intuitive to operate, and are operated from the centre of the machine for superb visibility. After all, a comfortable, confident operator is a more productive one,” he says. The JCB 406 benefits from a optimum all-round visibility, unhindered by components like silencers. The tilting telescopic steering column is easy to adjust for an ergonomic driving position. All the instruments needed to operate a JCB wheel loader are within easy reach of the seat, so there is no need to hunt around for information while working. Kundra agrees that there is a real need for comfortability as operators are increasingly spending more time in the cab. He adds that improvements in this regard can be split into two areas: the interface to control the machine and comfort. comfortable and spacious cab. The operating position is designed for

Mark Senyard, national support and marketing manager at Kemach Equipment

“The JCB 406 benefits from a comfortable and spacious cab. The operating position is designed for optimum all-round visibility, unhindered by components like silencers. The tilting telescopic steering column is easy to adjust for an ergonomic driving position.”

Lofty van Wyk, director of MultiOne South Africa

“Our range is a true compact wheel loader line with the ability to take a vast range of interchangeable attachments. We remain only in the mini loader market under 3 000 kg and are not competing in the bigger loader market.”

TALKING POINTS

2010 through to 2017, with an average of seven units sold per month. Marked growth Jas Kundra, Compact & Small Wheel Loader product and application specialist at Caterpillar, agrees that globally there has been a marked growth of the compact wheel loader market in recent years. “I couldn’t agree more,” he says. “One of the reasons is the simplicity of operation of compact wheel loaders, especially when there are shortages of skilled machine operators across geographies. When you are operating a wheel loader for the first time, the lay-out is somewhat familiar since you have a steering wheel, a brake and accelerator pedal, not dissimilar to a car.” Kundra says that Europe is already a well-established compact wheel loader market, while the recent growth in North America has also fuelled the uptake. “I expect to see the compact wheel loader become a staple tool in other regions, such as Africa and the Middle East, in time,” says Kundra. Despite the slow growth locally, Dennis Vietze, MD of Wacker Neuson Sub-Saharan Africa, says the sector is certainly showing signs of growth, even if it’s from a very low base. Lofty van Wyk, director of MultiOne South Africa, the exclusive southern African dealer for Italian articulated compact wheel loader maker, MultiOne, says proof that the compact loader market is expected to grow is the influx of new

manufacturers in the local market. He already sees intense competition in the sector, where price is seemingly becoming a determining factor. Weight range On the basis of operating weight, the key segments in the compact wheel loader market are said to be the less than 6 000 kg and more than 6 000 kg. Currently, by operating weight, less than 6 000 kg accounts for higher revenues than the other segment. MultiOne SA’s compact loader offering ranges from 600-2 600 kg. “Our range is, in essence, a true compact wheel loader line with the ability to take a vast range of interchangeable attachments. We remain only in the mini loader market under 3 000 kg and are not competing in the bigger loader market. Key to our offering is the capability to transport our loaders on small trailers behind commercial pickups in the most cost- effective manner and speedy way,” says Van Wyk. “We are seeing good growth in the small wheel loader segment, being the sub 1 000 kg range, as more DIY customers are looking at alternatives to unreliable labour-based operation,” adds Van Wyk. According to Vietze, Wacker Neuson operates in the less than 6 000 kg segment of the compact loader market. “Our machines range from 1 720 kg to 5 900 kg of operating weight,” he says.

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