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.”
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.” [text_ad] 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.” [text_ad use_post='27747'] 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.
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.”
