Front end wheeled loaders

Mounted on rubber-tyres and normally with front-wheel steering, greater manoeuvrability has been achieved with these shovels in recent years by use of articulation. Most of the larger models today are of this type.

Whereas smaller units are commonly used to load lorries and rail-wagons and for general yard duties, larger units are becoming common for face-loading of dump trucks and 'load-and-carry' operations. This machine is extremely versatile but is limited by maintenance costs and tyre wear (in abrasive 'hard' rock quarries) and ground conditions (unsuitable for wet, soft conditions).