Small wheel loaders have been widely used in the snow and ice industry for many years. Advanced wheel loaders are being engineered with features and enhancements, specifically, with snow and ice management applications in mind. Below, we have highlighted some useful features to consider as you spec machines for purchase or rental this season, as well as seasons to come.
Snow & Ice Removal - Power Train Mode
Some modern wheel loaders are designed with four power train modes, one of these being ice mode. This mode will limit the amount of torque sent to the wheels, regardless of the throttle position, to prevent the wheels from spinning on icy ground. It also changes how the machine slows down when switching between forward and reverse directions, in order to maintain good traction with the ground.
Operator Safety & Comfort Features
Many small wheel loader enhancements have been designed to improve operator safety, as well as comfort, in wintry conditions. Many of these features are often offered as part of the standard machine package, yet some are optional. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to discuss these configurations with your dealer.
From a fleet management standpoint, an additional feature to look for is a fully-integrated tire pressure monitoring system. Through this system, you can monitor the tire pressure on your entire fleet of machines, and determine if any tire servicing is needed at any point during the work day.
As you can see, there are several small wheel loader advancements to consider when spec’ing these machines to your application needs. To learn more about Cat® Small Wheel Loaders and the latest machine features that can help your business, visit Cat.com or contact your local Cat dealer.
We’d like to hear about your experiences utilizing small wheel loaders for snow and ice management.
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