Mecalac has unveiled its new AS 600 ‘Swing’ wheel loader at Bauma in Munich, Germany. A key feature of the machine is its ability to simultaneously drive, maneuver and pivot, thanks to its arm that can swivel 180°.
The Mecalac Swing loader is space-efficient. It can perform a complete rotation on a footprint that is 20% smaller than that of a conventional loader when its four-wheel steering is in use. A conventional loader needs 10m (32ft) of footprint to load a truck, whereas the Swing only needs 5m (16ft).
The AS 600 is also very stable. When the bucket is lifted at the front of the machine, the rear axle can be locked to enable pivoting of the arm to 180°. This movement of the arm and bucket increases the loader’s efficiency by lessening loading and unloading cycle times.
The 49hp (36kW) AS 600 has three steering modes – two-wheel, four-wheel and crab – that make it suitable for use in unban construction sites.
