CE 0931522:

Construction Methods

Loaders

Introduction
 A loader is a
self-propelled
machine with a
bucket mounted
on the front end.

1
Introduction
 Types
 Straight frame
(wheel or crawler
mounted)
 Articulated frame
(wheel mounted)

Introduction
 Side dump
variation

2
Introduction
 Tool carrier
version

Introduction
 Uses
 Excavating
 Loading trucks and conveyors

 Stockpiling

 Backfilling (foundations, utility lines)

 Hauling (less than 500 ft)

3
 Loading
Methods

 Vista Training animation on loader

stockpiling technique (March 2013)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXdHTS6yfI4#t=10 (5:56)

 Caterpillar Demo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwIAUYyobdY (10:23)

 Feeding Mixing Plant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydI8wrsPCIQ (4:13)

Loading 1

Methods 2 3

S 4
 Different loading
techniques for
various loader
types and
operational
layouts.
 From an operator’s
perspective
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=kHIvqWRuNYc
(2:51)

4
 Loading
Methods

Loading travel cycle

Source: Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods by Peurifoy, Schexhayder,
Shapira, and Schmitt, 8th edition, McGraw Hill, 2011.

Compare to demonstration at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLa1ubxJH0I&feature=related (at about 2:20)

Sizes (Caterpillar, 2015)

 903 – 40 HP; Max speed = 10 mph forward and
reverse
 994 – 1739 HP; Max speed (automatic) = 13.6
mph forward, 14.9 mph reverse
 Mid-range machines run as high as 22-26 mph
forward

5
Production Factors

Bucket CapacityOperational Efficiency

Productivity 
Cycle Time

Compare to P  E I  H  B
C

Production Factors Bucket Capacity

 Volume—multiple options for bucket type

and size exist for each model (size) of
loader

 Weight of the load may govern over

volume capacity of the bucket
 Wheeled loaders – limited to less than 50%
of full turn static tipping load
 Track loaders – limited to less than 35% of
static tipping load

6
Production Factors Fill Factor

 To account for the variations in how

various materials bulk differently in
a loader bucket when loaded to its
heaped capacity, a fill factor is used
to more accurately estimate the
heaped capacity of the bucket.
Production Factors Fill Factor

Production Factors Cycle Time

 Basic cycle time

CT = FT + HT + RT

 FT estimates
 Between 0.25 and 0.35 minutes for a crawler
loader
 Between 0.45 and 0.60 minutes for an
articulated wheel loader
 Between 0.55 and 0.75 minutes for a straight-
frame wheel loader

8
Production Factors Cycle Time

Production Factors Cycle Time

9
Production
 Example

A contractor is using a Case 855E crawler loader to backfill a

building foundation. The loader is equipped with a bucket that
has a rated heaped capacity of 1.4 cubic yards. The static
tipping load for the loader is 11,570 pounds. The soil being
used for the backfill is a rock-dirt mixture weighing 2,950
pounds per loose cubic yard.

The average travel distance for the loader is 125 feet one way.
The average loader speed when loaded is estimated to be 1.5
miles per hour, and when empty, 2.2 miles per hour. What is
the estimated productivity of the loader in loose cubic yards
per hour, if the contractor plans an operational efficiency of 45
minutes per hour?

Track loaders limited

to carrying less than
35% of static tipping load

Production

10
FT between 0.25 and 0.35
minutes for a crawler loader

Production

Bucket (Size) Selection

Volume Required per Cycle

Bucket Size 
Bucket Fill Factor

11
Bucket Selection Example

 A contractor must load 3000 LCY of

medium coarse stone into trucks in one
8-hour day. The available loader is a
Caterpillar 966G, for which the estimated
loading cycle time is 0.6 minutes.
Efficiency is expected to be 50 min/hr.
What is the smallest bucket size adequate
for the job?

Bucket Selection Example

12
Summary Notes on Loader
Technique
 Approach excavation face straight, never load with machine
articulated
 Load in 1st gear (2nd for free flowing material)
 Bucket should touch the excavation area floor before reaching the
toe of the excavation face
 Teeth should be level or slightly down when the bucket enters the
excavation face; don't ride over material
 When the loader stalls (as you drive the bucket into the pile) raise
the bucket slightly transferring weight to the tires.
 Technique sequence is crowd – raise – roll – finish.
 Technique sequence for tough material is crowd – raise – crowd –
raise – roll - finish.
 Keep the floor clean in the excavation area, especially a slot about 1
– 1½ bucket-wide to protect tire sidewalls.
 Do not climb the slope of the excavation face
 Do not build ramps on the excavation face.
 Extra-tough material calls for smaller loads