Gehl 540 vs Whacker Neuson wl30

Gareth's Tree

Gareth's Tree

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Ashtabula
I'm thinking about upgrading to a larger articulated loader. I believe these two loaders are very similar although it looks like the Wacker only comes with a cab? Anybody use a loader with a cab for tree work? Also, any overall thoughts between these two loaders?
 
The 540 is cheaper because it has a smaller engine and less gpm. If you aren’t running high flow attachments I would recommend the gehl. I own one and it really boosted my income.
 
The 540 makes 47hp while the WL30 makes 48hp, an imperceptible difference. The 540 makes 14gpm, the WL30 is at 13gpm. The Wacker lifts 6" higher while weighing slightly less, which means it will likely give up some relatively small amount of lifting capacity to the 540.


Being able to get a new WL30 vs use only AL540s is also a consideration.
 
I would only be looking at used machines. What do you guys think about having a cab for tree work? It seems like there's high potential for breaking windows...
 
Gareth's Tree said:
I would only be looking at used machines. What do you guys think about having a cab for tree work? It seems like there's high potential for breaking windows...
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Don’t get a cab unless you’re doing snow removal in the winter. It hinders visibility and is more expensive. It’s easier getting on and off without the cab as well.
 
Lumberjack said:
The 540 makes 47hp while the WL30 makes 48hp, an imperceptible difference. The 540 makes 14gpm, the WL30 is at 13gpm. The Wacker lifts 6" higher while weighing slightly less, which means it will likely give up some relatively small amount of lifting capacity to the 540.


Being able to get a new WL30 vs use only AL540s is also a consideration.
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I should have looked at the wl30 specs. I looked at some years ago and it seemed the wackier models were in the same weight class with bigger engines.
 
11F7AA24-3D78-49D1-BD65-852493582B86.webp We've used a Wacker WL30 for several years and love it! Very strong, very reliable. I'm guessing the Gehl is also. We purchased the Wacker just because of machine availability and local dealers.

The doors come off in 30 seconds, literally. Remove 1 nut and lift off, so we would remove them for summer use, just to reduce the possibility of breakage. But even with them on, they latch open, so getting on and off really was never an issue.
 
Jeff said:
View attachment 51098 We've used a Wacker WL30 for several years and love it! Very strong, very reliable. I'm guessing the Gehl is also. We purchased the Wacker just because of machine availability and local dealers.

The doors come off in 30 seconds, literally. Remove 1 nut and lift off, so we would remove them for summer use, just to reduce the possibility of breakage. But even with them on, they latch open, so getting on and off really was never an issue.
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Do you ever find a height to be an issue with the cab? Also, maybe an off-the-wall thought but are any of the other windows easily removable? Such as pop them out of the frame with the gasket? Just thinking about windows breaking when a branch whacks them...
 
Gareth's Tree said:
Do you ever find a height to be an issue with the cab
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See how the amber strobe on the back of the cab is rotated down to the rear rather than up on top of the cab? That's to reduce the height enough to fit it in a conex box where it gets locked up sometimes. Other than that, no height issues what-so-ever.

No, I sure wouldn't want to remove any of the other windows! Too much work. A little attention to what you're doing is necessary to protect the windows, but certainly nothing more than I would do anyway just to protect the machine. If you're a ham-handed operator looking to go Bajaing thru the woods with wild abandon, you're looking at the wrong class of machines.
 
Jeff said:
See how the amber strobe on the back of the cab is rotated down to the rear rather than up on top of the cab? That's to reduce the height enough to fit it in a conex box where it gets locked up sometimes. Other than that, no height issues what-so-ever.

No, I sure wouldn't want to remove any of the other windows! Too much work. A little attention to what you're doing is necessary to protect the windows, but certainly nothing more than I would do anyway just to protect the machine. If you're a ham-handed operator looking to go Bajaing thru the woods with wild abandon, you're looking at the wrong class of machines.
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Lol! No we are pretty careful. How many hours are on your machine?
 
The wacker has controls already in place to be able to control a rotator. If you want a rotator type grapple on the Gehl it will be much more difficult.
I have a AL540 with the BMG grapple and am pleased with it. I have the single post ROPS but would consider the 4 post as well. I would not get it with a cab. These do have a potential to tip and a cab machine would cost a lot to fix if it flipped. We don't do snow removal so winter use was not a factor in our decision making. Either machine would make you happy I'm sure.
I like the tires like the wacker Jeff posted. Good on lawns and has traction when you need it.
 
I wired the rotator function to the horn on my 540 to run a rotating grapple.

Those tires’ tread is called R4, fwiw.
 
I have a al540, adding 3” wheel spacer greatly improved the machine. It can lift incredible weight.
-pros- lifts like crazy, and doesn’t tear up lawns. Great for pushing over trees.
-cons-difficult to feed chipper with brush grapple. Weights a 8000lbs+_ so towing it daily sucks.
It goes out 1 a week or 1 every other week after I bought my ditch witch. It weight half as much so it easier towing, feeds the chipper much better, still room in trailer for logs and machine. It can also move dam big wood. If I were to do it again I would buy a mini first. Much more versatile machine. I have 1000hrs on my witch in 2 years, 450 hrs on my loader in 3.5 years.
 
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