"The loader arms act like a shock absorber, allowing for higher operating speeds, better material retention and increased operator comfort," adds Verdon.

Low-effort servo and joystick controls also offer direct productivity benefits. Not only can they ease operation, they make it less physically demanding and fatiguing to operate a machine vs. traditional hand and foot controls.

"With the old mechanical controls, you have to move your entire arm up to your shoulder... you have to fully extend your arm and body," says Hughes. "With servo controls, you're just moving your forearm to move the lever. And with pilot controls, all you're moving is your fingertips."

Which options are right for you?
Options like ride control, hydraulic quick couplers, etc. are designed to provide operators with the ability to perform a fast and precise job, sometimes avoiding waste associated with rework. "Increased productivity should allow contractors to generate more revenue," says Verdon.

But it's important to know which options will benefit your operation most. When determining if a specific option is a good fit, one of the most important things to consider is the application the machine will primarily be dedicated to perform. "This will help target the right model with the right configuration and the appropriate options," says Verdon.