The Right Load

With a view to improve operational efficiency & safety, modern wheel & backhoe loaders come equipped with technological advances that are further aiding their popularity and numbers.

- Mitalee Kurdekar

The market for wheel & backhoe loaders is seeing a spurt in its growth rates. Being a common construction equipment for many decades, the market in India for these products is increasing to meet the demand of fast-paced construction activities both in the public sector as well as the private sector. With many infrastructure projects in the public domain now being executed through the PPP model, the impetus to complete them in a shorter time-frame means that the use of such equipment will rise, resulting in much stronger demand.

While some prefer wheel loaders over backhoe loaders given the obvious benefits of mobility, flexibility and low maintenance costs, larger sites opt for backhoe loaders based on the advantages it offers in terms of fast pace of work and operator convenience. In short, both products have a sound future in store.

An interesting feature of the global demand for such loaders is that it seems to originate more from the Asia Pacific region, particularly from China and India. This is no surprise, as increasing globalisation has ensured that economic activities have shifted to China and India. With farmlands and rural areas in these countries giving way to industries and consequent construction activities, it is natural that the demand for loaders and like construction equipment will spiral upwards. With an eye on costs to remain competitive, these countries are gearing up for the use of modern automated equipment more than ever before, and this is leading to technological advancements in this arena.

LOCAL OUTLOOK

The Indian Government’s initiatives and focus on implementing new infrastructure projects has been a key catalyst for the loader industry in the country. Efforts around the Make in India programme, which some OEMs have taken advantage of, have added a further impetus.