Compact loaders are becoming more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Manufacturers are focusing on meeting your needs for highly productive machines because we all know a more productive business is a more profitable one.
Instinctive Control Systems
Multiple control options allow you to match operator preferences to jobsite needs. Joystick-type controls are quickly becoming a popular category of controls for their ability to put loader maneuverability and attachment commands at your fingertips. Operators of all ages are gravitating to them because they provide enhanced functionality with less fatigue.
Some of these controls also have built-in features that manage horsepower to match engine torque to your workload for efficient operation in many conditions. Such systems also manage travel speed for more precise control of the machine and attachments. For jobs that involve multiple operators, many machines can alternate between ISO and H-Pattern joystick controls to match a particular operator’s preference, which also plays a key role in maximizing comfort, efficiency and profitability. Learn about control systems offered by Bobcat.
Advanced Monitoring
The addition of advanced electronic systems inside the loader cab lets you monitor activities from diagnostics and major loader functions to performance metrics.
Some current systems can capture user data and statistics to calculate job productivity. For example, some loaders now offer mechanisms that track individual operator fuel usage, real-time fuel consumption and idle time intervals. With this data, you can assess a particular type of job and more accurately estimate the amount of required fuel. If used routinely, it can also help manage labor discrepancies.
Machine diagnostic and management technologies can also be integrated into some instrumentation systems to monitor engine temperatures and pressures along with attachment productivity. For instance, operators can consult their display panels to view job clocks, and cumulative hour meters can compute usage on high-output attachments such as planers and wheel saws. Certain systems can also equip owners to track parameters like maintenance intervals and total life of an attachment to assist with future purchasing or rental decisions.
Another benefit of instrumentation systems is their ability to help owners minimize the risk of loss due to theft or unauthorized use of a machine. Security features of many loader control technologies include the use of a keyless numeric pad. Only operators with pre-assigned passwords can start and run the machine. In fact, theft protection is a leading concern on jobsites nationwide. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, U.S. business owners lose $3 million in stolen compact equipment daily. The use of keyless-start systems may secure discounted insurance premiums on certain coverage plans.
With a growing number of businesses employing operators of different nationalities, language barriers may slow down a crew’s productivity. This issue has prompted an effort by leading manufacturers to equip loader controls with operator instructions in multiple languages. This bilingual capability can reduce language barriers between operators and owners, or operators and supervisors. Panel readouts of leading loader control systems can typically be accessed in English, Spanish, French and several other languages, and the selected language is typically used throughout all panel communications including startup, machine and attachment operation, diagnostics and troubleshooting.
Emissions-compliant Engines
Compact loader manufacturers continue to take steps toward meeting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) diesel engine emissions standards such as Tier 4 stages. To meet the EPA requirements, new engine components like high-pressure common-rail fuel systems are used to maximize fuel delivery efficiency. Electronic control units regulate fuel pressure and injection timing.
Another change due to Tier 4 emissions is the development of new oil specifications to lubricate these higher-performance engines. The CJ-4 oils available on the market today are designed to reduce ash and help loader engines achieve a longer service life. Their impact on compact loader maintenance will be seen as loaders begin to operate longer between changes, further reducing operational costs.
To learn more about features and benefits from a Bobcat dealer, find the nearest one.
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