Mecalac, a manufacturer of compact construction equipment, released the AS1600 swing loader.
The AS1600 is able to pivot its bucket 90 degrees to either side, and all models in the AS swing loader series are a departure from traditional wheel loader designs, the company says. In addition, the AS1600 features four-wheel steering to provide added stability while operating, driving and unloading.
The 12-ton loader requires only half the space of conventional loaders, Mecalac says, with a standard 2.1-cubic-yd. bucket, though buckets can range up to 3.3-cubic-yd. to provide flexibility for contractors.
Featuring three steering options – two-wheel, four-wheel and crab – the AS1600 also improves flexibility for operators in congested job sites.
According to Mecalac, operators can simultaneously drive, pivot and maneuver, making tasks such as backfilling safer and more efficient. Furthermore, after loading material, operators can back up while rotating the bucket in the process.
“Every aspect of the AS1600’s design focuses on a real-world application to increase efficiency by reducing unnecessary movement and optimizing the use of space,” says Peter Bigwood, general manager for Mecalac North America. “That is what sets Mecalac apart from our competitors. Each design starts with a question – how can we make this safer, faster or easier for the operators in the cab?”