Mini Loader - Tool Carrier Versatility

There are two main classes of front end loaders - tool carriers and bucket loaders. Bucket loaders have the bucket permanently attached to the front end loader mast and are only designed to use a bucket, they don't have a quick change facility to enable a range of different attachments to be used on the tool frame, like a tool carrier.

A mini loader that is designed as a tool carrier on the other hand can be used with many different attachments. This gives much greater versatility to the owner by allowing one powerplant to do many jobs. In the past a specialist machine might have need to be brought in for each job. For example to build a drive way, a bucket loader had to be brought in to carry road base and sand, a forklift to take the pavers off the truck and bring them to the site and maybe an excavator to dig out a trench for the plumbing. A modern mini digger can put a bucket on to carry the gravel, attach pallet forks to move the pallets and a front hoe to dig out the trench. This saves the transport time of bringing multiple machines to the job site and one truck with a mini loader and range of attachments can perform all these tasks with ease. In the past skid steers were utilized for these jobs, but the mini loader has taken off rapidly and owners are now discovering a better machine exists for their work.

Another feature that sets a mini loader - tool carrier apart is that they have great auxiliary flows which enable the operator to run various hydraulically driven tools. It is important to select a mini loader that is matched to the hydraulic tools you want to operate, however this must be covered in its own page. Some of the tools you can operate on a mini loader - tool carrier include augers, trenchers, rotary hoes, green waste grabs, brooms, 4-in-1 buckets, stump grinder, dozer blade, skid hoe and cement mixer. Some other tools that don't require any flow from auxiliary controls include general purpose buckets, bulk buckets and pallet forks.

When considering the purchase of a front end loader - tool carrier, consider what tools are available. For example, the Schaffer Loaders tool frame is capable of taking Digga and Norm Engineering accessories.

Common attachments for mini loader - tool carriers include:

GENERAL PURPOSE BUCKET: The General Purpose or GP bucket is the most common accessory on any type of front end loader, skid steer, mini loader or wheel loader. It is the most efficient tool for loading and unloading most loose materials, due to its design and relatively low weight compared to a 4-in-1 for example. Most loaders use GP buckets that are designed to hold around half its tipping load based on a material with 1700 or 1800kg per cubic metre.

BULK BUCKET: The bulk bucket has a much greater volume that the GP bucket and is used for lower density materials, such as grain, feathers, compost, wood chips and mulch. This allows the mini loader to transfer larger quantities of bulk material so the loader becomes even more efficient. The large volume allows the mini loader to carry a large volume but still not overload the capacity of the loader. One has to take into account that the centre of gravity of the load is significantly shifted forward so you cannot lift as much total weight as in a GP bucket. Bulk buckets are usually designed for materials around 100kg per cubic metre. Bulk buckets are also made with lighter overall construction than GP buckets so aren't suitable for heavy earthmoving work.

4-IN-1 BUCKET: The 4-in-1 bucket, or 4-in-1 is a bucket that has an opening jaw. In many parts of Australia every front end loader, mini loader, articulated loader, skid steer, and stand on loader will be seen with one of these as they are very versatile on a job site. The 4-in-1 stands for clamshell to grab logs and stones, opening up to use the back as a bulldozer blade, a normal bucket for loading and to bottom dump by opening the jaw to gain greater tipping height. Two hydraulic cylinders open the back of the bucket up to form a set of jaws. There are advantages and disadvantages in using these buckets. The 4-in-1 must be made very strong as it doesn't have shell strength like a GP bucket as the back opens up, this means a lot of weight and a smaller volume than a comparable GP bucket. The advantages of the 4-in-1 are numerous however as outlined in its uses.

AUGERS: Augers are generally used by fencing contractors for drilling post holes. Some augers are also used to quickly plant trees by using an oversized auger bit and create a hole that compost and the plant can be placed into. The size of the auger a front end loader can handle is determined by its auxiliary flow and loader weight. It is best to avoid light weight mini loaders as you can't get enough down pressure to push the auger. Generally the slower the auger runs, the higher the torque which enables it to push through hard soils, clay and even rock. The selection of teeth on the end of the auger is also important, these teeth or "bits" make the most of the contact with the ground and are the first to wear. There are three main types of teeth which are selected depending on soil type to be drilled - MFT, Tungsten Carbide and earth.

EXCAVATOR HOE: Excavator hoes are one of the latest accessories to add to mini loaders. Until recently the only excavator hoes were sit-on bulky designs, that often cost as much as a purpose built excavator. The invention of the front hoe, that allows the operator to sit in the protection of their ROPS cabin has changed the way we dig trenchers. The front hoe weighs around 200kg, is inexpensive and allows the mini loader operator to quickly fit and do small trenching tasks rather than have to call in an excavator.

This is only a small selection of tools that can be operated on mini loader - tool carriers, others include chain trenchers for laying pipes, rotary hoes for preparing soil for planting, green waste grabs for removing vegetation, stump grinders for grinding what is left over and brooms. It is important to select the right mini loader - tool carrier for your work, depending on oil flow and machine carrier weight.