There’s a general idea or misconception that “compact” means low duty. Nothing can be further from the truth. While compact equipment as a whole can’t move the same volume as larger excavators or loaders can, it provides a valuable function nonetheless. It’s seen on every big job site and is instrumental for all the countless trim and finish work that needs to be done. Technically, compact equipment can be defined as machinery with an overall weight of less than 10,000 pounds, but this lighter category packs a powerful punch.
Vincent Whelan, vice president of product for JCB North America, hails compact equipment as a whole, calling the products “remarkably diverse” and “extraordinary.” When compared to their bigger colleagues, he says that they “can do anything.”
Gregg Zupancic product marketing manager of skid-steers and compact track loaders for John Deere Construction and Forestry would agree that the equipment line is exceptional. Compact equipment “is much more versatile, more tailorable, and all without the need for special licenses.” It’s clearly a type of equipment that’s light on its feet and less expensive than larger equipment. So what goes through a contractor’s mind when it comes to making a decision? Should an operator choose a piece of compact equipment, or something bigger? Is it common sense, experience, or simply a business decision? When asked this question, Whelan said, “all three.”
It’s no wonder that business owners have struggled to keep their companies profitable due to the economic uncertainty and legislative changes of the last few years. Gregg Warfel from Terex Construction Americas says that “versatility and job diversification have become the main goal of many contractors looking to keep their businesses afloat, and many have had to reevaluate their current strategies and develop new ways to grow while saving money. Contractor go-to tools during these tough times are the ones that will help them do their jobs more efficiently—because speed and ease can translate into greater profitability. Because of this, many have come to rely heavily on smaller equipment in their fleets.”
Warren Anderson from CASE Construction makes the argument for common sense. “If you’re performing final grading work on a 5-acre site, a bulldozer makes more sense than a CTL [compact track loader] or skid-steer. If you’re loading a steady stream of trucks, a compact wheel loader, or a full-sized excavator or wheel loader, [it] makes more sense than a skid-steer.” Common sense dictates that many large-scale jobs will require large-scale earthmoving devices, and in large-scale productions smaller equipment may limit productivity and profitability. On the other hand, when operating on a job site with space restrictions, a piece of compact equipment will be the right fit. In other words, accessibility is a major consideration.
Another factor added to the decision making process is the type of surface on which the contractor will be working. Most skid-steer, compact track, and large loaders use the same attachments as their bigger counterparts, such as buckets, augers, trenchers, dozers, box rakes, mulchers, and snow blowers. Compact equipment is also used in similar fields such as the construction, agriculture, and landscaping industries. The surfaces will impact cycle times and overall productivity. Soft soil conditions will require a loader with tracks, while a firm surface would be better suited for wheel loaders.
Andersen extolls the benefits of compact equipment: “skid-steers with a high flow auxiliary hydraulic setup, for instance, can run milling machines and other high flow attachments—and do so with much more maneuverability and access than larger machines.” He added that their small size doesn’t diminish their capabilities. “Compact track loaders are capable of performing large earthmoving jobs while creating minimal impact to the existing landscape, due to their low ground pressure. Both types of machines provide much easier access to certain earthmoving applications than larger-scale machines can.”
Both Tom Connor and Mike Fitzgerald of Bobcat agree that when it comes to compact equipment, “Bobcat compact excavators, skid-steer, and compact track loaders are ideally suited for construction projects that require a smaller, yet powerful machine that can travel to a confined area or tight space, and can complete work more efficiently than manual labor and hand tools.” They both touched on another benefit that’s universally accepted, saying that “a compact machine is easy to transport with several attachments on a trailer from job site to job site.” Connor and Fitzgerald expanded on the versatility of such products that are used by grading and excavating contractors, some of which include digging footings for new home construction, backfilling around foundations, leveling dirt for a smaller commercial project, loading excess dirt into dump trucks, and grading a property before it is landscaped.
Operator enters a JCB SSL 155
It’s important to think outside of the box when it comes to equipment offerings and utilizations, because utilization is the key to profitability. Contractors are looking for ways to stretch their machines to maximize usage. Warfel suggests that attachments are the answer, “Attachments are cheaper than buying a new machine, and they allow you to be more job-specific, while at the same time giving you more options with your current equipment.” He points to the benefits of a business man investing in a multipurpose tool, such as a CTL with a dozer blade attachment—to handle dozing applications and other tasks—as an example. Jorge De Hoyos, a Kubota senior product manager of skid-steer loaders and compact track loaders would agree. “Users are applying the laws of multiplication by increasing their attachment inventory,” he says. “A skid-steer or compacttrack loader can rake in the spring, dig in the summer, and plow snow in the winter.”
It’s no wonder that these smaller pieces of equipment are so desirable. Over the last several years there have been a number of developments: loaders now have the capability to lift higher, which gives the operator the ability to do a broader range of tasks. Loaders also now allow operators to better center loads, as well as place pallets on scaffoldings, among other things. Wheelbases have also increased, which provides a more stable platform when lifting weight to full height. Joystick innovations are another change in recent years. They have become popular in larger-class units, which allow controls to be operated with less force input while allowing for precision control.
Kubota’s SSVs
Warfel also brings up the matter of customer input. “We polled a variety of different customers and found that many of these attributes are extremely important during the decision making process when buying, because they contribute to higher productivity and a lower cost of ownership.” He went on to say that all of his company’s research and design innovations are intended to maximize both the machine’s productivity and the customer’s experience. Some of the other improvements across the board as far as compact loaders are concerned have been reach and lift height functions, fingertip controls, pressurized cabins, enhanced visibility for operators, higher ground clearance, and load sensing hydraulics, just to name a few. Innovation also extends to the materials used in the construction of compact equipment. He claims that the compact track loader skeletons on Terex products are constructed with composite materials, instead of steel, so the tracks don’t corrode or rust. This in turn extends the life of the tracks. Their track loaders also run on a rubber track for enhanced traction, flotation, ground clearance, and balance. The lighter weight allows for great efficiencies in operation and speed.
Engineers have done an excellent job of making compact wheel loaders smaller and lighter, while enhancing operating factors such as break out force and lift capabilities. Zupancic says that working with their customers is responsible, in part, for the innovations. John Deere engineers have partnered with customers so that design patterns are tailored to their needs. This process can take up to three years, but he’s seen a growth in performance. “Our compact equipment can push and lift more,” says Zupancic. Clearly the equipment throughout the industry is becoming more compact, but capable of doing much more.
Anderson points out that great strides have been made when it comes to controls. “The continued evolution of electronics has made it easier for manufacturers to make controls more intuitive and easier to dial. For instance, CASE now offers electrohydraulic controls on all of its skid-steers and CTLs.” This means that “operators can switch operating patterns with the push of a button; controls can be dialed in and preset to match specific demands of each application.” Anderson says that this, along with improvements in hydraulics, plays a huge role in what a skid-steer or a CTL can do. Each of their machines comes with standard auxiliary hydraulics that can be upgraded to high-flow or enhanced high-flow to extend its operating capacities beyond a bucket or set of forks. “It’s really that attachment versatility that makes these machines so valuable.”
Fitzgerald talks about the innovations designed by Bobcat. Their equipment is made keeping “uptime protection” in mind, which helps keep the machines running longer. Their machine shutdown protection is a standard feature that “monitors vital machine functions such as coolant temperature, engine oil pressure, and hydraulic oil temperatures.” An evolving cab design keeps the operator comfortable and more aware. “The cab forward design for the M-Series skid-steer and compact track loaders moves the operator closer to the attachment, giving the industry-leading visibility to the cutting edge of the bucket and corners for an attachment. Additionally, sound levels are reduced by more than 60% for an improved operating experience and easier communication with coworkers.” An improved hydraulic system “means attachments will work more efficiently for increased performance.” Three different control systems (traditional foot pedals and hand levers, advanced control systems, and selectable joystick controls) give loader owners options as well.
The Terex R160T
It’s true that compact equipment is evolving and much of it is replacing larger pieces. More often contractors are finding opportunities for compact equipment—such as skid-steer loaders and compact track loaders—to carry out tasks such as loading, back dragging, picking and carrying, and material removal.
“Compact loaders are also hard to beat for grading work, as well as for working on and around existing landscapes because of their low ground pressure,” says Warfel. He asserts what is already widely understood—that these pieces of equipment are very stable on slopes, or uneven ground, and that they have excellent traction on all type of different ground conditions. These loaders are also durable and built to operate in extreme weather conditions. They can remain productive year-round.
The Terex R200S
Warfel states that they are excellent during winter conditions because “they are specifically engineered to exert low ground pressure, while maintaining exceptional flotation and traction on frozen and snowy conditions. These loaders offer increased maneuverability when working in confined, snow packed areas compared to pickup trucks equipped with a snow blade or larger loaders.” They’re able to keep sidewalks, driveways, cul-de-sacs and parking lots cleared during the winter months. De Hoyos would agree.
“Compact track loaders have been growing in popularity not only due to the benefit of lower ground pressure, but also the ability to work more days per year,” he says. He noted that because CTLs can traverse soft and muddy ground, “the operator can get more use out of their machine and maximize their return on investment.”
Attachments have also played a vital role in extending the capabilities of these machines. It’s important that the machine is outfitted with the right hydraulics, which can save the owner thousands of dollars in rental and ownership costs. Anderson says, “That’s ultimately why we always encourage potential buyers to select the high flow auxiliary options…so that the machine is not undersized or under-spec’d for what [it is] capable of doing.”
The Terex V230S moving dirt
These improvements are not exclusive to loaders—excavators are becoming more popular as well. They provide excellent options because not only are they easy to move from one job site to the next, but they have smooth hydraulics and enough power to excel in tough work environments. According to Warfel, compact excavators boast more dig depth, reach, horsepower, and bucket breakout force over small machines. He says Terex engineers have focused on bringing compact excavators to the market that have a “high power-to-weight ratio, which equals an increase in capabilities in a smaller-sized machine.” This allows their products to “bridge the entire spectrum of applications.” Compact excavators, because of their ability to pump more hydraulic fluid per minute, are able to run a larger variety of attachments—especially a larger bucket which will increase the cycle time, and thus productivity.
Job-site requirements have also dictated somewhat how compact excavators have evolved. There are sites that have demanding excavation work in tight spaces, requiring trenching work. Warfel lists landscapers, building contractors, water/sewer contractors, electrical contractors, and municipalities as some of the beneficiaries of these remarkable machines.
Connor says Bobcat has adapted many of the same feature upgrades as well. He says a more comfortable cab is operator friendly, and because of a redesigned engine, air intake, and cooling “combined with a new pump and valve design helps lower noise and vibration levels.” Other improvements include advanced hydraulic components which help “optimize the response of particular attachments, and an in-track swing frame, which allows excavators to work more efficiently in tight spaces.” He also noted improved features such as a clamp ready extendable-arm option for select compact excavators, and a depth check system, which is a guidance system that informs operators, by the deluxe instrument panel, the dig depth, or distance to target depth.
There are limitations with compact equipment, of course, and an operator’s experience will surely play a role in whether to use one or to rely on something bigger. An operator is hardly going to open up an acre of land with a compact machine. Likewise, a contractor is probably not going to use anything where you need to lift above 12 feet, or lift something above a weight of 7,000 pounds, otherwise stability is sacrificed. The limits of compact equipment can depend on how much, and where the material is being moved, as well as how tight the area is. It’s important to consider the physical size, rated operating capacity, and horsepower in terms of what needs to be accomplished. Connor states that “grading and excavation contractors working in a new housing development may prefer to use compact equipment because of space constraints, especially if there are existing homes on either side of the home being built.” Even though a compact machine can’t move as much dirt as a bigger machine, it can move it more quickly. Still, it makes sense to use a bigger machine for a commercial project in most cases.
A whole host of questions needs to be asked before deciding on a compact machine over something bigger. What is the type and density of the material being moved? How much material? Are there space restrictions? Warfel says, “The answers to these questions will help you determine the loader you need. Selecting the right loader is based on the amount of material (measured in cubic yards) that needs to be moved per hour, the weight of the material, and the area that the loader will operate in.” Other considerations are how quickly does the material need to be moved? Where is it going?
One thing is for certain: compact equipment is working harder than ever. Every equipment owner knows that preventative maintenance is the key to keeping equipment running at maximum efficiency. During boom time, contractors usually hold on to their equipment for around three years. It’s typically bought, used, and discarded. Now the trend in many cases is to extend warranties out to five years, or 10,000 hours. The equipment is now more service friendly, so many business owners are taking the in-house approach and doing much of it themselves. Most tasks can be performed by anyone experienced in construction machinery, because compact equipment is easier to get to and more accessible. According to Whelan, “Dealers have adapted to do more of the repairs.” This boosts overall time on the job. Maintenance of compact equipment is the same as on their bigger counter parts, but doesn’t need to be performed as frequently as in the past. Whelan says JCB compact excavators have evolved and only have to be greased every 500 hours. Anderson makes the point that “it’s common to see 80, 90, or 100% utilization on these machines because they are so versatile. Many machines in these lower horsepower category are now Tier 4 Final, so there may be maintenance considerations related to that—but many manufacturers are working to make this as simple as possible.” He mentions that CASE has focused much of its attention on maintenance-free or low maintenance emissions solutions to make the transitions smoother. There’s no question that each manufacturer is designing their fleet with more durable features such as debris management systems, better and more accessible cooling systems, heavy duty bumpers, and wenches for steep terrain.
“We’re all pushing the envelope on how much we can fit in a small package and still get more performance,” says De Hoyos. “Inevitably the laws of physics take over and more capacity in a small machine has its limits. And when capacity is needed, users need to go bigger.” Zupancic says that the largest John Deere skid-steer (332E) can move 185 metric tons per hour and their largest CTL (332E) moves 205 metric tons per hour. As a whole, the industry has made some incredible innovations that allow contractors to do more with less. Design innovations now allow for better visibility, more agility, more power, and better utilization rates, due to attachments. The question now becomes not so much “Why should a contractor use a piece of compact equipment?”, but “Why not?”
