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Achieving maximum production from your loading operation requires loader and truck operators to work in concert. Spotting of the truck relative to the loader is critical to productivity and cycle times.

"Generally, the truck would be horizontal to the digging position of the loader and set back at a distance that would allow the operator to hoist and dump at the same time to the dump position," says Dave Pooley, Hyundai.

Keeping the distance between the loader and the truck as short as possible boosts productivity. "The shorter the distance the loader must travel to the haul truck, the faster the operator can return to the pile for the next load," says Bryan Evans, assistant manager - training, Doosan Infracore America. "As the pile reduces, the loader operator must adjust the spot of the haul truck to maintain maximum cycle times."

Several companies have researched the precise placement. "Studies show that the ideal placement of the truck should be about 65 ft. from the stockpile so that the wheel loader can operate in a ‘Y' loading cycle between the truck and the pile," says Georg Seyrlehner, general manager - earthmoving product management, Liebherr Construction Equipment. "This reduces the possibility of a collision between the loader and truck, and maximizes the fuel economy and productivity of the loader by limiting the operating distance."

Alternatively, the trucks can be backed into the pile. In this case, the truck should be backed in as close to the pile as possible. "The further that truck is away from the pile and the loader, the further the loader has to travel to load the truck, costing additional time and, ultimately, production," says Matt Weaver, medium wheel loader marketing, North American Commercial Division, Caterpillar.