WHEEL LOADERS
STAYING ON TARGET Payload management systems and other tech trends in wheel loaders BY NATE HENDLEY
O
nboard payload management systems, remote operability and hybrid/electric engines are some of the prominent high-tech trends in the wheel loader sector. Displaying load data and other details on cab monitors, payload management systems make it less likely an operator will overload or underload a haul truck. Knowing the exact weight of a load is hugely helpful in aggregate work and other applications requiring precise loads. They also help keep operators efficient and allow contractors to gauge the utilization and productivity of their loaders. Wheel loader telematics systems, meanwhile, are becoming ubiquitous as datadriven companies seek constant updates about performance metrics, machine location and fuel consumption. “People are always looking for more productivity,” says Aaron Kleingartner, product and dealer marketing manager for Doosan Infracore North America, in a nod to the fundamental driver of wheel loader trends. The end-result, he says, has been increased bucket capacity and more powerful engines. Meanwhile, though autonomous wheel loaders remain a bit out of reach, OEMs are increasingly interested in hybrid/electric models and remote operability. Breaking it down by OEM, here’s what’s new and/or noteworthy in wheel loaders:
Doosan
Doosan’s DL580-5 wheel loader is built for aggregate work. “It’s designed to be able to load a [24 ton] over-the-road truck in two passes,” Kleingartner says. Introduced in 2020, the DL580-5 features heavy-duty axles, a reinforced Z-bar, electric steering, enhanced braking capability and Air Ride seats for operator comfort. An optional LOADRITE L3180 SmartScale from Trimble can “calculate the mass of material that is on the end of the lift arm” for each lift cycle, Kleingartner adds. In a smaller size class, Doosan exhibited a prototype electric/ diesel hybrid wheel loader at last year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG that should be available in 2022 or 2023. The machine will deliver the same performance as diesel without the local emissions. on-sitemag.com / 13
