Hire and Rental News - February 2019

EARTHMOVING & MINI EQUIPMENT 6 tips for choosing the right size compact track loader By Clark Equipment – Bobcat Australia. Every year more and more compact tract loaders (CTL) roll off the assembly line and join the crews of industry operators who need a versatile and cost-effective machine with a design that meets their needs. W ith so many sizes available, choosing the correct CTL model may seem overwhelming. But by understanding what each size of machine offers, as well as your own specific application requirements, you can easily match a machine to your business needs. To determine the correct CTL size, consider the following factors. 1. Size of your workload Put simply: the larger the workload, the larger the machine you need to handle the job. If you’re regularly transporting a large quantity of material and need to move quickly, a bigger machine can carry, scoop and lift more material in less time, saving you money and helping you get to your next job faster. 2. Jobsite dimensions The dimensions of your work space, including access points, passageways or interior doorways, may limit the physical size of your CTL. So the height, width and weight of a loader should be another determining factor when deciding what size machine to purchase. If you’re frequently working in tight areas like residential backyards, limit your search to smaller loaders. 3. Rated operating capacity When all is said and done, rated operating capacity determines how much work a loader can do. Jobs that involve lots of loading, lifting of heavy materials or grading in tough soil conditions call for a machine with enough power and capacity to safely match the application. Consider the heaviest material you will transport with your CTL, and make sure the loader you choose is up to the task. 4. Lift height Do you see lots of lifting and loading in your CTL’s future? Larger CTL machines with a vertical lift path can safely lift materials to easily load trucks, transport and place pallets, or dump contents over walls and other tall barriers. 5. Horsepower requirements If you’ll mainly be operating auxiliary hydraulic attachments, opt for a high-horsepower CTL to achieve the highest attachment productivity possible. Higher-horsepower machines push more hydraulic fluid per minute into an attachment, an especially beneficial feature for demolition jobs that require extra power for hydraulic breakers or drop hammers. Keep in mind, however, that machines with robust engines won’t be as manoeuvrable as those with smaller horsepower ratings. 6. Operating weight It’s also important to consider how you’ll transport your machine between jobsites. The lighter the machine, the easier it is to transport. Double-check the weight limits of your truck or trailer before buying a CTL, and then decide if it’s in your budget to upgrade to a higher-capacity mode of transportation if you do opt for a larger CTL. n Contact: 1300 736 848 or visit: www.bobcatofaustralia.com.au Huski cuts labour costs for landscaper After purchasing a Toyota Huski skid steer loader a Queensland landscaping business can now tackle a wider range of jobs and complete them more efficiently, with half the labour previously needed. G reenScope Property Services Operations Manager Craig Gierke said: “Having the Huski 5SDK5 loader machine has made a huge difference. “We have been using it for a lot of work, including for bigger jobs and including ground maintenance, softscape and hardscape work. It’s a very versatile machine, used for jobs such as preparing surfaces like driveways, rubbish removals, prepping for retainer walls, levelling ground and excavating for drainage. Also putting in soil for gardens and mulching. “Instead of taking three or four staff onto a job, the Huski loader allows us to take only two. So, those staff are still able to do the job in the same timeframe as four. It’s win/win in that respect because there’s a definite return- on-investment from the machine.” Toyota Material Handling Australia Queensland Area Sales Manager – Earthmoving, Jason Stamp, said Craig Gierke was looking for his first skid steer loader for the business and needed something powerful enough for large jobs yet small and manoeuvrable enough to operate in constricted spaces. “Craig came to us with a brief that included having a machine that could deal with the tight access of his housing developments clients,” Jason said. “After checking out the Toyota Huski 5SDK5 in our showroom, we gave him a demo unit to use on his sites to ensure he was happy with it and, as it turns out, he was,” Jason said. “In the end it was an easy selection for us, given their reputation for reliability and durability, and the excellent after- sales support you get such as with the on-site servicing. “There’s also the great peace-of- mind you get from their guaranteed warranty. Early on, we were using it and found the steering was a bit off. That very day Jason had a Toyota Material Handling Australia technician at our depot. He traced it to one of the steering rods and fixed it straight away,” Craig said n Contact: 1800 425 438 or visit: www.toyotaskidsteerloader.com.au Craig Gierke from GreenScope Property Services has used the Huski for bigger jobs P50 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS FEBRUARY 2019