Giant’s G1200 wheeled loader easily feeds a gnarly tree into an awaiting chipper. It has a tipping load of up to 2,400 pounds and speed of up to 9.5 mph.
Because miniloaders are so useful for arborists, they oen come with a telescoping boom that can hold a multi-purpose (knock-around) grapple. There are two categories of miniload- ers: cab-front and cab-rear. In a cab- front, the operator sits on the front of the machine, ahead of the articulation. In a cab-rear construction, the operator sits on the back on top of the engine,
Kyler Foster, sales representative and equipment manager for Vermeer North Atlantic . Rudolf de Jong, president of Giant Loaders , agrees. “[These] small ma- chines have massive liing capacities as well as the ability to outwork almost anyone. I’m not sure if the term ‘mini- loader’ is really explaining the capabili- ty of compact equipment like this.” A miniloader’s wheels replace the tracks typical of skid steers, which tend to rip up grass and plants and require expensive remediation. The machine’s articulation means it can turn tightly and navigate relatively small spaces to access trees. “These are primarily used for a small application of getting into backyards,” says Logan Yuncker, inside sales coordi- nator of tree care products at Morbark . “A lot of people [in tree care] use full- sized skid steers, but those won’t be able to get through a gate.” These characteristics make miniloaders ideal for residential and commercial job sites, where they can quickly clear away branches, debris, and woodchips and transport them to a waiting chip- per or trailer.
similar to a traditional payloader.
Brands tend to sell either one or the other type. For example, Avant’s ma- chines are exclusively cab-front, while Miniloader.com’s are all cab-rear. FINDING ‘THE ONE’ For many tree care companies, adding a miniloader to their fleet is a no brainer
The Intrepid KM130, available through Miniloaders.com, weighs 4,000 pounds, features a telescopic boom, and has a 2,000-pound operating capacity.
8 | ArborTIMES Winter 2024
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