Excavators vs. Wheel Loaders: Which Should You Choose?

If you are thinking about buying a piece of heavy equipment for your work site but are unsure whether you should go with an excavator or a wheel loader, this guide is for you.

As your local equipment dealer, we at Bobcat of York, Frederick, Hagerstown, and Adams County know how important it is to get the perfect machines for your chores. If you get a model incapable of handling your work, it can diminish your operation’s productivity and cause accidents at your work site. That’s why our experts have created this guide to help you figure out whether a wheel loader or an excavator will be an ideal machine for you.

The Basics of Excavators

If you’re managing a large project where you need to dig trenches and move materials around your property, you’ll need a machine that’s more suited to handle the heavy lifting work. An excavator will be a better fit for your chores, as these machines come with several features to help you tackle different jobs like drilling, digging, lifting debris, and so on.

Types of Excavators

Different types of excavators are available on the market. They include large, medium, small, and mini models.

For digging and moving heavy materials, you’ll want to go with a large excavator that ranges between 35 and 90 metric tons. However, if you need more maneuverability, a smaller model will be a perfect fit for you. On the other hand, to tackle smaller job sites and lighter payloads, you’ll want to buy a mini excavator instead.

The Basics of Wheel Loaders

Wheel loaders are pieces of heavy equipment that you can use to dig, scoop, and transport materials like soil, gravel, and rocks, from one location at your work site to another. These machines come with a front and rear axle that can handle vast amounts of weight, making them ideal for tackling heavy materials across industries, such as construction, landscaping, mining, and forestry.

Types of Wheel Loaders

Like excavators, wheel loaders, too, are available in a range of models, such as large, medium, compact, and small units.

While the large ones feature a bucket capacity of 6- to 12 meters and are ideal for heavy-duty jobs, the medium models are better suited to medium-sized job sites. They can handle a range of tasks—from digging to transporting. On the other hand, the 5,000 kg to 6,000 kg compact wheel loaders are fantastic options for smaller jobs at small-scale sites. If you need a more compact machine, you can select a small wheel loader that can help you dig holes and remove unwanted materials.

Which One Should You Pick

If you need a machine to dig deeper and carry heavier loads, you’ll want to go with an excavator. However, if you’re searching for a more versatile option to which you can hitch different attachments, including a forklift, you’ll want to pick a wheel loader instead.

On that note, we’d like you to visit Bobcat of York, Frederick, Hagerstown, and Adams County, where we have an outstanding collection of construction equipment for sale. We proudly serve our patrons from Maryland and Pennsylvania, so stop by today.