Skid-steer loaders and material handlers become a bigger part of machinery fleet

The new adjustable skid-steer coupler from Westendorf Manufacturing, based in Onawa, Iowa, will convert any loader to skid-steer compatibility, saving time and money and making easy work of sharing attachments. This coupler allows farmers to choose the right tool for each job, and it eliminates the need for torching or welding to customize the loader system. The coupler retails for $1,500. Get the details at loaders.com or call 877-423-0070.

The new JCB models 3TS-8W and 3TS-8T Teleskid are the first skid steers with a telescopic boom. Available with tires or in a tracked model, these are the only skid steer or compact track loaders with a vertical reach of over 13 feet and a forward reach of 8 feet. Now you can unload a standard 8-foot trailer from one side, reducing work time. The units are equipped with a proven JCB EcoMax engine for increased power at low engine speed. Plus, the JCB Smoothride System ensures greater load retention and operator comfort. Get all the details at jcb.com or call 912-447-2000.

This isn’t a tool you would turn your 16-year old loose with to do simple trimming. It’s a solid-built hedge trimmer designed for tough jobs. It’s available in 4-foot to 10-foot widths, and is designed for use with a skid steer or excavator. Both a standard trimmer with Pro-drive, and hydraulic motor and a lightweight trimmer with C-drive are available. New to the U.S., Group Schumacher North America is based in Durant, Iowa.Visit groupschumacher.com or call 563-785-4449.

Chew through overgrown grass, weeds, thickets, vegetation and undergrowth with the Caterpillar flail mower attachment for the 5- or 8-ton mini excavator. It’s ideal for agricultural areas, retention ponds and forested terrain.  Each staggered tooth on the flail mower makes contact with the target material to make quick work of brush and limbs up to 5 inches in diameter. The front chain guard blocks thrown materials and protects the swinging teeth and drum. For more information, contact your local Caterpillar dealer or visit cat.com.

Take out small trees up to 8 inches in diameter with the new Caterpillar mulcher attachment for 8-ton platform mini excavators. Attack trees from the top, and grind them into mulch on the spot — or open the side doors to clear out trees from the sides. The standard dual hydraulic doors and rear chain guard protector limit debris thrown during project completion. For more information, contact your local Caterpillar dealer or visit cat.com.

Struggling to clear trucks and feed bins with your current dump bucket? The Bradco high-dump bucket increases dumping height by 74 inches, giving farmers another 5 feet of dump compared with a skid-steer dump bucket. It features cushioned hydraulics for smooth control and a 114-degree roll out. For more information, visit Paladin at paladinattachments.com or call 800-456-7100.

Brandt is bringing its hydraulic buckets to the states. The company has sold its buckets overseas for years, primarily for snow removal and material handling. This is the first Brandt bucket available in the U.S. Farmers can choose from 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-foot bucket widths. These buckets are specifically designed for John Deere skid steers. For more on theses buckets, visit Brandt Agricultural Products, Saskatchewan, Canada, at brandt.ca or call 866-427-2638.

Wacker Neuson, a Germany-based company, is introducing its lineup of skid steers to the U.S. The SW31 is a midsize-frame skid steer currently made in Wisconsin. The SW31 offers the power and torque needed for any job site. Complete with a 74-hp Kohler Tier 4 diesel engine, the unit delivers 3,100 pounds of capacity, with a lift height of more than 125 inches. Mechanical Hand-Foot and Selectable EH controls offer operators control preference when operating the machine. The U.S. flag wrap is just for farm shows — the machine is yellow. For more information on the SW31, visit Wacker Neuson, Menomonee Falls, Wis., at wackerneuson.com or call 800-770-0957.

Gehl has added its smallest track loader for those landowners needing an all-purpose loader. The Gehl RT165 Track Loader is just 5.5 feet wide and roughly 6.5 feet tall. Still, with its 69.9-hp Yanmar engine, it can handle loads up to 1,650 pounds. It comes with tracks available with different tread patterns, depending on the job. The stump bucket (shown here) is an add-on. Farmers can customize the control with joystick, hand/foot or pilot dual-hand. To learn more about the RT165 Track Loader, visit Gehl, West Bend, Wis., at gehl.com or call 262-334-9461.

For those tough jobs, Gehl is putting the “heavy” back into heavy-duty track loaders. Its VT320 is equipped with a new vertical-lift path lift arm that keeps the load closer to the machine through much of the lift cycle, and it offers a greater overall lift height — up to 14 feet. It also has a tough seat that allows for a more comfortable workday, with seat suspension that is 15% stronger. The 32.5-gallon fuel take with 2.7-gallon diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank can work long hours. It’s seen here with an optional rotary brush cutter. For more on the VT320, visit Gehl, West Bend, Wis., at gehl.com or call 262-334-9461.

The T750 allows farmers to get into the tightest of spaces with ease. A heavy-duty articulating joint offers 45-degree turning angles, providing a tight turning radius. It can run over uneven ground smoothly, with 20 degrees of total oscillation. The 6.5-foot narrow machine width goes into even confined spaces. Add in the cabin with heat and air conditioning, and it can make a rough job a little better. For more on the T750, visit Gehl, West Bend, Wis., at gehl.com or call 262-334-9461.

At less than 6 feet, the R105 Skid Loader from Gehl has the lowest rollover protection structure (ROPS) height in the industry. Equipped with a powerful 33.1-hp Yanmar Tier 4 diesel engine, the R105 Skid Loader can tackle any challenge. The operator cab is equipped with a roof grid section and window to provide visibility of the bucket at full height. The restraint bar is adjustable, and offers protection and a padded armrest. For more on the R105, visit Gehl, West Bend, Wis., at gehl.com or call 262-334-9461.

Mustang introduces its all-new 1650RT Compact Track Loader, built on an adapted 1650R skid loader chassis for 85% parts commonality. The 1650RT offers an operating capacity of 1,650 pounds and a maximum lift height of 119.6 inches when fully raised. Powered by a 69.9-hp Yanmar Tier 4 engine, the 1650RT provides 179 foot-pounds (or 242.7 Nm, newton meters) of torque. To learn more about the Mustang 1650RT, visit Mustang, West Bend, Wis., at mustangmfg.com or call 262-334-9461.

The Tree Terminator Rotating Tree Shear allows farmer to cut ground-level trees and limbs up to 8 inches in diameter. It can be operated from a skid steer, tractor or backhoe. Its rotating 90-degree arm allows for trimming leaves and limbs at many angles. Tree on the other side of the fence? No problem. The Tree Terminator extends to allow cutting of trees 6 feet away. For more information on the Tree Terminator, visit Grace Manufacturing, Plato, Mo., at treeterminator.com or call 417-458-4350.

Dougherty Forestry Manufacturing, based in Hinton, Okla., introduces its new TM76 Turbo Mulcher with a 27% wider cut than a conventional mulcher. Able to be operated on different skid loaders without an electric hookup, the Turbo Mulcher is built from ½-inch steel and heavy wall square tubing. Trees up to 5 inches in diameter can be pushed over and mulched with the unit’s spiral saw drum, without lifting the attachment from the mowing position. You can get all the details at doughertymfg.com or by calling 888-444-2218.