Wheel loader: z-bar or parallel lift

Peaceagri

Member
For farm use lifting and handling primarily hay bales (round), with spears, am I correct in assuming the tool carrier /parallel linkage is the preferred style over conventional z-bar? I wanted a high lIft boom but not all brands have parallel design with high lift.
 

ACEngineering

Member
Location
Oxon
For farm use lifting and handling primarily hay bales (round), with spears, am I correct in assuming the tool carrier /parallel linkage is the preferred style over conventional z-bar? I wanted a high lIft boom but not all brands have parallel design with high lift.

Z bar is normally far heavier duty in the pin and Bush department. They still self level surely? But generally you will loose lift height and forward reach possibly.

Some machines have a box section boom bit like telehanders but not extending. CAT is one brand that do it on some shovels. Not sure of its advantages though?
 

H200GT

Member
Location
NORTH WALES
Z bar is preferred in HD applications that generally involve bucket work. The breakout force is greater than parallel linkage, less pivots to grease, and generally its a heavier build.

The big disadvantage to z linkage is forward visibility, it blocks the operators view of the implement, and view to the ground inbetween the loader arms. This not an issue in bucket work.

I think parallel linkage machines are sometimes refered to as “tool carriers” as they are more suited to a variety of applications / attachments, and z linkage machines are refered to more as loading shoves as they are primarily designed for bucket loading applications.
 

Peaceagri

Member
Right, I understand what z-bar is and the mechanics, what I meant was is the parallel left going to be much better for handling bales, with the better visibility and less rollback during the lift, or will it be simple enough to level the load with the joystick control and go with a high lift variant. Note that Volvo and JCB are parallel already in their high lift booms so non-issue.
 

Peaceagri

Member
2016 Case 621F XR wheel loader, used 1200hrs
JCB TM320 telescopic wheel loader, new
JCB 541-70 telehandler, new
All about the same price, obviously Case is a lot larger and heavier unit. So primarily large 5x6 round bale handling, stacking, and loading, what to pick? Sit up nice and high in the Case. I have no clearance issues in my sheds, over 6m high.
 

beltbreaker

Member
Location
Ross-shire
I would have thought the shovel would be clumsy and slower loading as it's big lump only experience is a Daewoo shovel loading grain, quick load due to 5 tonne bucket but for Loading or stacking straw Loading straw I like our telescopic as cycle times are quick and it's nimble plus you can stack higher. A compromise would be 320 as it doesn't stack as high but you have clear visibility and pivot steer gives a degree of side shift. Longevity of shovel should be much longer. New long boombDaewoo was only £5000 more than full spec JCB 541 70
 
Cat wheel loaders from a 906 to 908 H-M and the 910 to 938K-M for sure are all parallel lift Z bar linkages, fully mechanical with electronic corrected zero degree perfect parallel lift on the 926-938M, have highlift variants with parallel lift of the 910-938M so best of both worlds!

Drop me a PM if you want to see one!
 
I would have thought the shovel would be clumsy and slower loading as it's big lump only experience is a Daewoo shovel loading grain, quick load due to 5 tonne bucket but for Loading or stacking straw Loading straw I like our telescopic as cycle times are quick and it's nimble plus you can stack higher. A compromise would be 320 as it doesn't stack as high but you have clear visibility and pivot steer gives a degree of side shift. Longevity of shovel should be much longer. New long boombDaewoo was only £5000 more than full spec JCB 541 70

Newer shovels of all breeds are far quicker and smoother these days [emoji1303]
 

Peaceagri

Member
Actually they are all pretty close to the same physical size, though that particular wheel loader is heaviest. Yes there are more parallel lift linkages now with z-bar, Cats are nice but not many around. The 914M High Lift is a nice size with over 4m lift height.
They all go 40km/hr, at least the ones I have priced. The advantage of the wheel loader is the fastest cycle times, industrial built, sit up higher. And of course lots of other bucket uses once hay season is done. Higher resale, here anyway. Most, including myself at the moment, just use tractor with loader around here and I know that is not the ideal tool, too slow.
 
What about a MultiOne if your just lifting bales these do this with ease.
 

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Serup

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Denmark
It depends on how you work and what is most important to you.
In my experience, a shovel that's a little too big for the job will be the cheapest in total cost over time.
It has it's limits as it's not tailored for your application, but it will do fine. I find the biggest problem to be getting in and out of cab if your routine gets you in and out many times in a day, as they are quite a climb compared to the small ones.
I never liked the rigid framed machines for bale handling, as it's much easier to stack bales tight when you can turn the bales sideways as you place them.
I wouldn't worry about z-bar limitations. Other factors are more important.

If it's only for bale handling, and nothing harder/heavier, i would probably choose the jcb320 from your list if just looking at how they do the job, but the case if i was responsible for running costs.

We have had many loaders over the years, but i have a volvo l70 now, and i like it a lot.
 
It depends on how you work and what is most important to you.
In my experience, a shovel that's a little too big for the job will be the cheapest in total cost over time.
It has it's limits as it's not tailored for your application, but it will do fine. I find the biggest problem to be getting in and out of cab if your routine gets you in and out many times in a day, as they are quite a climb compared to the small ones.
I never liked the rigid framed machines for bale handling, as it's much easier to stack bales tight when you can turn the bales sideways as you place them.
I wouldn't worry about z-bar limitations. Other factors are more important.

If it's only for bale handling, and nothing harder/heavier, i would probably choose the jcb320 from your list if just looking at how they do the job, but the case if i was responsible for running costs.

We have had many loaders over the years, but i have a volvo l70 now, and i like it a lot.

Is your L70 one of the newer ones you can steer with your left hand?
 

Peaceagri

Member
It depends on how you work and what is most important to you.
In my experience, a shovel that's a little too big for the job will be the cheapest in total cost over time.
It has it's limits as it's not tailored for your application, but it will do fine. I find the biggest problem to be getting in and out of cab if your routine gets you in and out many times in a day, as they are quite a climb compared to the small ones.
I never liked the rigid framed machines for bale handling, as it's much easier to stack bales tight when you can turn the bales sideways as you place them.
I wouldn't worry about z-bar limitations. Other factors are more important.

If it's only for bale handling, and nothing harder/heavier, i would probably choose the jcb320 from your list if just looking at how they do the job, but the case if i was responsible for running costs.

We have had many loaders over the years, but i have a volvo l70 now, and i like it a lot.

Thank you for that, that confirms my gut feeling that the big loader is the way to go. Lots of heavy duty attachments available to further develop the farm with.
 

Serup

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Denmark
Is your L70 one of the newer ones you can steer with your left hand?

It is new enough to have it as an option, but i bought it used, and mine do not have it.
I would choose it if i bought a new one. I have tried it, and it is a big improvement on long days.
 

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