New Designs On The Market – Today hybrid versions of the Z-bar and the parallel lift linkages can be found on the market. These hybrid configurations combine the breakout force form Z-bar linkage and the parallel lift capability from the parallel lift linkage. But however the hybrid version sacrifices the visibility in order to deliver better breakout force. The main advantages of the hybrid version are the increased breakout force and the excellent parallel lift. On the other hand, the disadvantages can be seen in the reduced visibility and in the fact that the parallel lift capability is not the same like in the loaders equipped with the true parallel lift linkage. Many manufacturers offer loaders with hybrid linkage configurations. For example, John Deere and Liebherr offer hybrid parallel lift linkage configuration for their loaders and customers around the world find them very suitable for various applications.
A common question among the loader users will be what linkage configuration is the most appropriate. The answer lies in the nature of the work. One useful rule of thumb suggests that, if the work requires usage of fork attachment heavily, a loader equipped with a parallel lift linkage willbe needed. On the other hand, if fork attachment is not required heavily, a loader with Z-bar linkage configuration will be the right choice. The parallel lift linkage is suitable for attachments which are used for parallel lifting tasks. The Z-bar linkage is mostly used for digging operations. It is very important the right size of the attachments and the loader configurations to be known, so that the right linkage configuration can be selected. The type of the material that is going to be loaded and unloaded also needs to be known so that the right linkage configuration can be selected. The properly selected loader linkage ensures that the machine will not be overloaded.
There is one common misconception among the loader users that the parallel lift loaders are actually tool carriers and that these machines are useful only when fork attachment are being installed. This is not always the case, because the fork and other attachments can be used on both linkage configurations. No matter which linkage is being selected, the following is true – There is no trade-off between breakout force and parallel lift capability if the linkage is selected in accordance with the nature of the task and with the attachments that are going to be used. Both linkage options, the Z-bar linkage and the parallel lift linkage, require proper daily maintenance because the loaders are used extensively throughout the day and need to be greased and maintained properly. Finding a loader and selecting appropriate linkage configuration is always more important than installing inappropriate attachments to a wrong loader.
