What is a Tractor Loader?

A tractor loader is a type of tractor that is used to transport certain materials from one area to another space or machine. Loaders are capable of moving a massive amount of heavy material within a short amount of time. Thus, the invention of the tractor loader has greatly changed the way that construction projects are completed.

Prior to the tractor loader, materials such as asphalt, rock, debris from demolitions, logs, wood chips, and many others had to be moved by hand. This type of hand transport often required many different workers, and moving one pile of material to a construction vehicle took quite a number of hours to complete. When the tractor loader was invented, the need for laborers to spend hours moving heavy material was eliminated.

In addition to the name tractor loader, these machines may also be called front loaders, skip loaders, shovels, front end loaders, and payloaders. A loader has a square appearance, a large bucket that is capable of scooping up debris, and two mechanical arms that allow the machine to move with efficiency. Loaders usually have large wheels, though some loaders are build upon tracks.

The main reason why a tractor loader can be considered a tractor is that this machine is capable of producing a large amount of torque. By definition, a tractor must be able to produce significant torque at very low speeds. Thus, the loader fits nicely into this category, since it is not a fast machine, but it is a strong machine.

Presently, the largest loader in the world is called the LeTourneau L-2350. This machine, produced in Texas, has a diesel propulsion system, and each wheel has a separate electric motor. These machines are reserved for large industrial jobs that cannot be completed with a regular loader. In addition to construction loaders, snowplows also fit within the "loader" category. Since snowplows have a large trough-like bucket, a large amount of torque, and independent arms, these machines can be considered loaders. Snowplows can also come in the form of an attachment that can be adhered to the front of a truck in order to remove snow from residential areas.

Tractor loaders are incredibly useful both within industrial and residential settings. Tractor loader backhoes and garden tractor loaders can be used for residential landscaping purposes in place of traditional landscaping methods. These loaders can be rented from large garden centers or home improvement stores. In most cases, industrial tractor loaders are owned by large construction companies, though these machines may also be rented in some areas.