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The closed-center systems are load sensing and provide flow through piston pumps only when needed. The pump will be on standby except when it is being used. This translates into fuel savings. But the componentry in the system is more expensive, and the piston pumps run tight tolerances, which places an emphasis on fluid cleanliness.

Delivering more traction

Four-wheel-steer backhoe-loaders with equal-size tires fill a niche in the market. For example, Winkler views New Holland's four-wheel steer B115 as more of a wheel loader when equipped with the standard 1.5-cu.-yd. bucket. The four larger, equal-sized tires provide better ground clearance and flotation.

"The popularity of our S machine — which is four-wheel drive, four-wheel steer with four equal-size tires — is with guys who are going into rough-terrain applications and need to operate when the weather is sub par," says Barth of JCB's S models.

The tractive effort of these machines is much greater. For example, the ability to access difficult sites to excavate with the backhoe is an advantage. However, the application that first comes to mind would be as a loader, says Barth. "If you have to go from Point A to Point B over rough terrain, there is no equal to it," he states.

H.M. Environmental takes advantage of the extra load height on the front of these machines stemming from the larger front tires. "You get another 8 in. of loading height with your front loader," says Matthes. This additional clearance comes in handy for loading gravel trains.