Electric Loaders: A Rundown of Volvo's L20 and L25 Battery-Electric Wheel Loaders

This article is part of a series on battery-powered compact loaders. In the coming weeks, we will be posting brand-specific stories summarizing the electric loader options from a variety of machine makers, including Volvo, Case, Toro, Cratos, Volteq and beyond. View those other stories right over here. Then enjoy the feature below.

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Volvo CE is one of the major brands driving and developing commercially available electric construction equipment in America right now. Volvo announced its first machines in , and deliveries began in North America in . In , Volvo's electric lineup includes two compact wheel loaders: the L20 and L25 Electric. They are being used in a variety of applications across North America and around the world.

Both feature 48V traction batteries with a capacity of 40 kWh, a net 29.5 hp and a max travel speed of 12 mph. Using a common household 120V outlet, these units will charge from 0 to 100 percent in about 24 hours. With a Level 2 AC setup (a 240V outlet that many appliances use), that time is reduced to about six hours, and with a DC fast charger, it's about 90 minutes. There are also portable options like off-board DC fast chargers and solar-powered chargers if you need to take the power source to the machine instead of the other way around. Depending on how they're used, the L20 and L25 will typically run for four to six hours, which would often support a full shift since they don't idle.

The L25 Electric boasts a standard bucket capacity of 1.24 yd3, operating weight of 11,023 lbs and a max dump height of 8 ft. The L20 Electric has been engineered with a standard bucket capacity of 1.05 yd3, operating weight of 10,251 lbs and a max dump height of 7 ft, 9 in.

'Our electric compact wheel loaders have the same specs as their diesel equivalents, so they are able to tackle the same jobs,' says Darren Ashton, product manager of compact equipment at Volvo Construction Equipment. 'We're seeing our electric compact wheel loaders being used in applications we hadn't even thought of at the beginning, which is exciting. It makes sense that it's catching on in turf and landscape work as well as in agriculture and food production settings. It's also a good solution for indoor work where fumes are a concern. We've also seen them used in cool ways for businesses like wineries, ski resorts and zoos.'

Both units have the option to fit a parallel linkage that delivers high breakout torque in various applications and the option of a programmable cab heater, which allows operators to easily choose the times and days of the week when they would like to arrive in a pre-warmed and defrosted cab.

'Our electric compact loaders also have two motors ' one to drive the hydraulics and steering, and one for the drivetrain,' says Ashton. 'You can control the hydraulic speed without having to use an inching valve to control the drivetrain. This gives the operator much more control of the front end of the loader and the attachments.'

Ashton breaks down a variety of advantages for Volvo's electric wheel loaders:

1. Equal performance. The specs of many compact electric machines are nearly identical to their diesel equivalents. Plus, they provide instant torque, so there's no delay like you might feel on a diesel machine. Everyone I've seen use one of our electric machines on a job or even just a test drive is pleasantly surprised at how powerful they feel ' some even say they feel more powerful.
2. The elimination of emissions and fumes, and a significant reduction in noise. Workers can easily talk to each other while the machine is running, and living things in the vicinity hardly notice they're in use. Related to that, the decreased vibration makes for a much nicer operator experience. Users are less fatigued at the end of the day. These benefits also mean that you may be able to do work you couldn't do before.
3. No fuel. No DEF. Much simpler maintenance. Because there's no engine, all you need is grease and hydraulic oil. Volvo conservatively estimates that users will see a 35 percent savings in maintenance costs and time over the life of the machines we offer.
4. Electric machines do not idle. When the operator pauses, the machine turns off, saving battery life and operating hours accumulated.
5. You may be able to leverage tax incentives and grants. And, because the tech is still new, many manufacturers are offering flexibility in how to acquire these machines (buy, lease or rent and bundle charging solutions, warranties, etc.).

Advice for Buying Electric

'If you're hesitant because of the cost, remember the TCO and the value of being able to do work you couldn't do before,' explains Ashton. 'If charging or battery capacity is your concern, just know that they're probably better than you think and will continue improving for quite some time. And if the performance part is holding you back, I encourage you to get in a machine and try it. That's the best way to address your questions and see just how impressive these machines can be.

'Battery electric heavy equipment is still in its early stages and will take time to catch on, but the non-construction segments are teaching us a lot because it's more viable for them at the moment. I imagine the construction segment will catch up when charging solutions and infrastructure make more sense for them. Regions with legislation or goals around carbon reduction are picking it up fastest, of course, along with industries that feel a stronger push to be more sustainable.

'No matter how you get there, carbon reduction is an important goal. For some, that may just mean more fuel-efficient models and switching to biofuels until the technology gets to a place where they're more comfortable with it. Understand the application on which this machine will be used. You may find out that by eliminating idling on the jobsite, you may have enough charge to get through the day and then have the bonus of no fumes, vibration and noise.'

More from Volvo CE'

The Ultimate Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Comparison Guide

Updated July 9,

When you need an efficient loader that can lift and move more dirt than a skid steer or compact track loader, wheel loaders are going to be the best option. Capable of transporting large amounts of materials or lifting to extraordinary heights, wheel loaders can move anywhere from 0.5 to 53 cubic yards of materials. However, with several wheel loader brands to choose from, it can be difficult for contractors to find the best machine for their project.

That's why, in this guide, we've put together wheel loader size and specification charts for every prominent North American wheel loader brand. You can use the table of contents below to jump ahead to each section.

Table of Contents

• Wheel Loader Sizes, Models, and Specifications for Every Brand

  • Bobcat

  • CASE

  • Caterpillar

  • Develon

  • GEHL

  • Hitachi

  • Hyundai

  • JCB

  • John Deere

  • Komatsu

  • Liebherr

  • Manitou

  • Mecalac

  • New Holland

  • SANY

  • Takeuchi

  • VF Venieri

  • Volvo

  • Wacker Neuson

  • XCMG

  • Yanmar

• The Most Important Wheel Loader Specifications

  • Bucket Capacity

  • Operating Weight

  • Height to Bucket Pin

  • Engine Power

  • Tipping Load

• Wheel Loader Sizes

• Renting a Wheel Loader

Wheel Loader Sizes, Models, and Specifications for Every Brand

Bobcat

Bobcat has three current compact wheel loader models: the L65, the L85, and the new L95. With operating weights of less than 11,993 pounds and a max bucket capacity of 1.6 cubic yards, Bobcat's wheel loaders are better equipped for smaller projects and light materials.

How much does a Bobcat wheel loader weigh?

Bobcat wheel loaders weigh between 9,944 pounds and 11,993 pounds, perfect for small-scale projects that don't require heavy lifting.

Bobcat Wheel Loader Specifications and Sizes

CASE

CASE's wheel loaders are organized into two groups: compact and full-sized loaders. Their compact line includes the CASE 21F, 121F, 221F, and 321F, also known as the F-Series, while the full-sized models are the CASE 521G and bigger, also called the G-Series. All CASE wheel loaders can be equipped with a wide variety of attachments to provide greater versatility.

How much does a CASE wheel loader weigh?

CASE wheel loaders weigh between 10,979 pounds and 61,650 pounds, making them a great choice for small and medium-sized commercial projects.

CASE Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

Caterpillar

Caterpillar (CAT) is one of the most popular wheel loader brands, sorting their models into four size categories: compact, small, medium, and large. Overall, CAT has one of the most diverse lineups, providing sizes that are suitable for residential projects, all the way up to wheel loaders engineered for mining and quarrying, as their wheel loaders range from 42 to HP and have buckets ranging from 0.8 to 57 cubic yards.

Models with "GC" in the name are designed to operate more efficiently and affordably, cutting down on fuel and ownership costs by only having the basic features. Models with "XE" denote that they have a higher amount of technology incorporated, making them more productive and fuel-efficient. As for the "M", it signifies the medium size as well as the fact it is equipped with Cat Connect. Lastly, the CAT 926M, 930M, and 938M models can all be upgraded with aggregate handler or waste handler attachments.

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How much does a Caterpillar wheel loader weigh?

Caterpillar wheel loaders weigh between 9,200 pounds on the CAT 903 to 543,772 pounds on the CAT 995. The only other brand with high weight ranges is Komatsu, making both brands great for surface-mining and large-scale infrastructure projects. The main difference between Komatsu and CAT is that CAT also has wheel loaders for small-scale projects.

CAT Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

Develon

Develon, previously Doosan, is a competitor mostly in the medium and large-sized wheel loader space. With bucket capacities spanning 2.6 to 8.4 cubic yards, their models are well-equipped to handle large volumes of material for agricultural, construction, mining, and scrap handling jobs. The 7-Series models are the latest generation of wheel loaders that are built with stronger frames, increased uptime, and better fuel efficiency.

How much does a Develon wheel loader weigh?

Develon wheel loaders weigh between 26,224 pounds and 79,572 pounds, making them great choices for heavy-duty earthmoving and material-handling projects.

Develon Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

GEHL

GEHL currently has 5 articulated wheel loaders available on their site, all of which are in the compact to small size range. With horsepower ranging from 60 to 143, they're not as powerful as models from several other brands but compete with the likes of Bobcat, Manitou, and Takeuchi. Unfortunately, the specifications on their site do not include the bucket capacity of the machines.

How much does a GEHL wheel loader weigh?

GEHL wheel loaders weigh between 7,470 pounds on the AL550 to 18,717 pounds on the ALT950 and are great for small-scale material handling jobs.

GEHL Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

Hitachi

Hitachi is a well-known construction brand known for their excavators, haul trucks, and wheel loaders. Producing everything from the ZW30-5B to the ZW550-6, Hitachi's wheel loaders have diversity in size and power, ranging from 25 to 520 horsepower.

Models with "PL" in the name have parallel lift arms which do a great job of keeping the attachment parallel to the ground which gives them more control when loading and unloading. Meanwhile, the "HC" denotes high capacity, increasing productivity for heavy-duty projects.

How much does a Hitachi wheel loader weigh?

Hitachi wheel loaders weigh between 7,310 pounds on their smallest model, the ZW30-5B, and 104,570 pounds on their largest model, the ZW550-6. This makes them great for small-scale and medium-sized commercial construction projects.

Hitachi Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

Hyundai

Hyundai doesn't sort their wheel loaders by size. Instead, their models are organized by their main design feature: models with a Z-bar attachment, extended reach (XT), and a Tool Master (TM). In addition to the standard Z-bar attachment, the 930A, 940A, 955A, 960A, 970A, 975A, and 980A are all offered with the extended reach feature.

Only three models are available with the Tool Master Boom: the HL930A, HL940A, and the HL955. Tool Master models feature parallel linkage for increased lift capacity, more load transfer stability, and more efficient dumping. Overall, Hyundai wheel loaders are great options for snow removal, pipe laying, land clearing, and transferring aggregates. 

How much does a Hyundai wheel loader weigh?

Hyundai wheel loaders weigh between 25,595 pounds and 77,935 pounds, making them great choices for medium-sized construction jobs.

Hyundai Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

JCB

JCB wheel loaders fall into the small and compact loader weight categories, with the bigger models being great for some medium-sized projects. Despite the lack of variety in sizing that other brands provide, all models listed below are available with attachments fit for agricultural tasks to provide more versatility.

How much does a JCB wheel loader weigh?

JCB wheel loaders have operating weights between 11,162 pounds on the JCB 407 to 47,357 pounds on the JCB 457.

JCB Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

John Deere

John Deere is another popular manufacturer known for their range of wheel loaders. John Deere's models are easily sorted into compact, mid-sized, and large loaders, which span 61 to 563 horsepower and have bucket capacities ranging from 1 to 10 cubic yards. Their compact loaders include the 184 G-Tier to the 344 P-Tier, the mid-sized models include the 444 P-Tier to 724 P-Tier, while the large loaders are the 744 P-Tier and above.

John Deere's loader models are also offered in three performance tiers: G-Tier, P-Tier, and X-Tier. The "G" Tier is the most basic in terms of features and is economical, yet incredibly productive and dependable. The "P" tier includes additional features that enhance functionality and operator comfort. The "X" tier has the most bells and whistles, including smart tools and a comfortable cab. The tier system is used with other John Deere equipment, but it can be used to help narrow down your wheel loader selection.

How much does a John Deere wheel loader weigh?

John Deere wheel loaders weigh between 10,670 pounds and 124,614 pounds on the 184 G-Tier and 944 X-Tier, respectively, making them a great choice for small. and medium-sized commercial projects.

John Deere Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

Komatsu

Komatsu sorts their wheel loaders into mid-size, large-size, and surface mining categories, totally ignoring the compact and small models that other brands like Bobcat and Takeuchi specialize in. Instead, Komatsu's loaders are engineered to handle large-scale projects in multiple industries, including mining, forestry, industrial, waste management, and heavy construction. The WA200-8, WA270-8, WA320-8, WA380-8, WA475-10, WA480-8, and WA500-8 can all be customized with a waste handling attachment, giving some versatility to the equipment.

How much does a Komatsu wheel loader weigh?

Komatsu has one of the largest selections of wheel loaders with operating weights ranging between 25,827 pounds and 587,000 pounds, making them great for medium-sized commercial projects up to large-scale surface mining.

Komatsu Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

Liebherr

Liebherr's wheel loaders are comparable in size to that of Hitachi. Their XPower models are designed to have faster working cycles and higher tipping loads. At the same time, the LogHandler is equipped with a grappler arm specifically designed for the forest industry and has a longer reach.

How much does a Liebherr wheel loader weigh?

Liebherr wheel loaders lean on the heavier side with operating weights ranging from 29,035 pounds to 74,735 pounds, making them perfect fits for medium-sized projects.

Liebherr Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

Manitou

Owned by the same company as GEHL, they have similar machines and capacities, just with different model names. The model names, while looking confusing, are pretty easy to understand. For example, in the Manitou MLA 5-60 H-Z, the "5" stands for its static tipping load at just under 5,000 pounds, while the "60" denotes the amount of horsepower. Just like the GEHL wheel loaders, Manitou bucket capacities were unavailable online.

How much does a Manitou wheel loader weigh?

Manitou wheel loaders weigh between 7,470 pounds and 18,585 pounds and are known to be great material handlers on small-scale projects.

Manitou Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

Mecalac

While limited in their operating weight, Mecalac offers a wide range of loaders ranging from zero-emissions to swing loaders to telescopic loaders and more. The "AX" in the model name signifies that it is an articulated loader, the "AF" models have a monoboom which increases lifting efficiency, and the swing loaders are denoted by "AS" and have booms that can swing 180 degrees. The telescopic booms are denoted by "AT" and have parallel lifting and the "AS900TELE" is a 4WD telescopic loader. Lastly, the ES is fully electric and has a swing loader.

How much does a Mecalac wheel loader weigh?

Mecalac has wheel loaders ranging from 3,836 pounds on the lighter side to 33,069 pounds on the heavier side. 

Mecalac Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

New Holland

New Holland has several wheel loader options with tool carriers, telescopic, long-reach, and high-speed models. With machines ranging from 25 to 234 horsepower, they're capable of doing jobs that require lots of power, but with limited lift capacity and operating weights. They also have a maximum bucket capacity of 4.5 cubic yards.

How much does a New Holland wheel loader weigh?

New Holland has wheel loaders with operating weights ranging from 2,452 pounds to 19,450 pounds with a focus on small-scale construction jobs.

New Holland Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

SANY

While they only have two current wheel loader models, SANY competes very well in the mid-size market with horsepower ranging from 163 to 228 horsepower and bucket capacities ranging from 3.2 to 4 cubic yards, making them powerful machines capable of moving large amounts of materials. Both models have Z-bar linkage for better bucket and attachment control. 

How much does a SANY wheel loader weigh?

With only two models, SANY wheel loader models weigh 31,967 pounds or 40,786 pounds.

SANY Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

Takeuchi

Takeuchi only has a few wheel loader models currently including the TW60, TW80, and the TW95. All three models have Z-Bar linkage to provide greater breakout force, as well as greater dumping heights. With bucket capacities ranging from 1.2 to 2.75 cubic yards and engine power from 61 to 114 horsepower, Takeuchi's models can be classified as compact wheel loaders.

How much does a Takeuchi wheel loader weigh?

Takeuchi wheel loaders weigh between 10,692 pounds on the TW60 to 18,188 pounds on the TW95, making them great options for small-scale construction jobs.

Takeuchi Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

VF Venieri

While they're not the most well-known or popular brand in North America, they do have several wheel loader models available. With models ranging from 0.6 to 6.5 cubic yards in bucket capacity and horsepower ranging from 50 to 228, they are just as efficient on small and medium-size projects across construction and earthmoving.

How much does a VF Venieri wheel loader weigh?

VF Venieri wheel loaders have operating weights ranging between 7,937 and 48,502 pounds, putting them on the smaller side of commercial construction projects.

VF Venieri Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

Volvo

Similar to other brands, Volvo categorizes wheel loaders into compact and large models. They have several compact loaders with operating weights ranging from 9,877 to 20,944 lbs while their larger models range between 24,251 and 123,459 lbs. Their wheel loaders also have bucket capacities ranging from 0.9 to 20.9 cubic yards and horsepower ranging from 64 to 532, making them great for projects ranging from earthmoving to quarrying.

How much does a Volvo wheel loader weigh?

Volvo wheel loaders have operating weights between 9,877 pounds on the Volvo L20H and 123,459 pounds on the Volvo L350H, making them great options for small and medium-sized projects.

Volvo Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

Wacker Neuson

Wacker Neuson's wheel loaders would all be considered small or compact due to their limited size, making them great options for small residential projects and lighter land clearing or material handling projects. The standout machine they have is the T which has a telescopic boom giving it enhanced reach and lift height for a small wheel loader. The T can lift to 185 inches.

How much does a Wacker Neuson wheel loader weigh?

Wacker Neuson's wheel loaders have operating weights ranging from 6,041 pounds to 22,900 pounds, making them great for smaller projects.

Wacker Neuson Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

XCMG

XCMG manufactures wheel loaders with bucket capacities ranging from 2.49 to 4.58 cubic yards. With their weight classes, they are suitable for small and medium-sized projects ranging from pipe laying to material handling to land clearing.

How much does an XCMG wheel loader weigh?

XCMG has wheel loaders with operating weights ranging from 29,762 pounds to 40,810 pounds, making them great for medium-sized projects.

XCMG Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

Yanmar

Yanmara is well known for its compact construction equipment including track loaders, skid steers, and wheel loaders. For their wheel loaders, they are on the smaller side having bucket capacities ranging between 0.65 and 2.35 cubic yards, making them comparable to brands like Bobcat, New Holland, GEHL, and Manitou. They are great machines for moving small amounts of materials but are more efficient than their skid steers and tracked skid steers.

How much does a Yanmar wheel loader weigh?

Yanmar's wheel loaders weigh between 8,422 pounds and 15,342 pounds, putting them on the smaller side of wheel loader brands.

Yanmar Wheel Loader Specifications and Size Chart

The Most Important Wheel Loader Specifications

Bucket Capacity

The bucket capacity on wheel loaders is an important specification to know because it directly impacts the machine's productivity and efficiency. A larger bucket allows for more material to be moved in each load, reducing the number of trips needed and saving time. Additionally, the appropriate bucket capacity ensures the loader can handle the intended material without overloading or underutilizing its power and stability. Selecting the right bucket capacity helps optimize fuel consumption and overall operational costs. Buckets are the most common attachment found on wheel loaders but they can be fitted with forks and other attachments as well.

Operating Weight

Operating weight is a critical specification for wheel loaders because it affects the machine's stability, balance, and ground pressure, and often has a direct correlation with engine power, bucket capacity, and tipping load. A higher operating weight generally enhances stability, allowing the loader to handle larger loads without tipping over. It also influences the loader's traction and maneuverability, especially on different terrains.

Height to Bucket Pin

The height of the bucket's pin on a wheel loader is also important as it determines the maximum reach and dumping height of the loader. This is especially important to factor when because it ensures the loader can efficiently load materials into dump trucks or whatever platform you're moving materials to. It also impacts the versatility of the loader in various applications, such as stockpiling, loading, and material handling tasks. Some smaller models will have extended reach because of a telescopic boom or because they were engineered to be tool carriers or high-lifting models, rather than heavy-lifting models.

Engine Power

Engine power is a key specification for wheel loaders because it determines the machine's ability to perform demanding tasks efficiently. Higher engine power provides the necessary force to lift heavy loads, operate attachments, and navigate difficult terrains. It also impacts the loader's speed and acceleration, which are important for productivity and cycle times. Additionally, sufficient engine power ensures the loader can handle continuous operations without strain, contributing to the machine's longevity and reliability.

Tipping Load

Tipping load is crucial to know because it indicates the maximum load the machine can carry before it risks tipping over. This helps ensure safe operation by providing guidelines for load limits, preventing accidents, and maintaining stability during the lifting and transport of materials.

Tipping load is calculated by gradually adding weight to the loader's bucket until the rear wheels begin to lift off the ground, indicating the point at which the machine is about to tip forward. The weight at this point, along with specific operational conditions and configurations, is measured and documented as the tipping load. This value is essential for operators to understand and respect to maintain safety and efficiency on the job site. Tipping load is affected by many factors including attachment type, load distribution, and whether the machine is articulating or driving straight.

Wheel Loader Sizes

When it comes to wheel loader size, each brand will categorize its models slightly differently, but the following is a good general guideline. Compact wheel loaders weigh between 9,000 and 20,000 pounds and have engines ranging from 25 to 100 horsepower. Medium-sized loaders weigh between 20,000 pounds and 50,000 pounds and are great for land-clearing and medium-sized projects, however, some brands have them listed as up to 80,000 pounds. Any wheel loaders weighing over 80,000 pounds are considered to be large loaders and are suited for quarries, mines, and the heaviest of infrastructure projects.

Renting A Wheel Loader

Looking for a 0.5 cubic yard wheel loader or a 20 cubic yard loader rental? DOZR has you covered. Whether you're looking for a wheel loader from John Deere, Bobcat, Caterpillar, Komatsu, CASE, Volvo, or any other brand, you can find your next wheel loader rental on DOZR.

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