Light Models

On the other end of the spectrum, light wheel loaders include vehicles such as light farm tractors and compact utility tractors. They are also known as compact front end loaders, and although they also employ only a single operator, they are usually much smaller and lighter than the heavy industrial wheel loaders (also, they usually have only 18 to 50 horsepower). Thus, they are popular among farmers, ranchers, and other private owners due to their convenient size and relatively inexpensive price range.

Perhaps the most recognized name among light wheel loader manufacturers is John Deere. John Deere has established a reputation for tough, reliable tractors. Other prominent manufacturers include New Holland Ag, Kubota, and Kioti, all of which produce light wheel loaders for farm, ranch, and landscaping work.

There are two forearm designs on light wheel loader models. The first is the traditional dogleg style, and the second is the newer curved design. The latter design is becoming more popular among the different manufacturers because it offers the operator a slightly better forward view. The older dogleg style partially obstructed the operator's view to the front of the wheel loader. In addition to the different styles of forearms, many light wheel loaders also incorporate removable shovels. This allows the user to install a variety of other components, such as claws for transporting logs, or pallet forks for lifting pallet crates. They may even install a bale spear for loading and transporting hay bales.

Light front end wheel loaders are useful for a wide variety of purposes. Farmers may use them as do-it-all machines, as they can be used for transporting equipment in the shovel, as a makeshift cargo area. With a number of different types of trailers, they can be used as swathing and baling machines for crops. They can also be used to spread fertilizer, again with special trailers or other mounts. Ranchers may use them to distribute feed for livestock, or for transporting animal waste (not a small concern for many ranchers). Landscapers may use wheel loaders to transport fencing material, or for clearing away brush and other debris from a work area. In short, the light wheel loader is an extremely versatile machine, and adapts well to a variety of tasks.