High-Capacity Loader from Kramer Announced
The KL60.8 is the biggest loader ever created by Kramer, bringing with it an impressively capacious bucket and plenty of power.
This flagship machine will not be on sale until 2019, so in the meantime the specifications announced by the manufacturer will have to be enough to tide over prospective buyers until its release.
A pair of engine outputs will be available, with both the 136hp and 156hp versions benefiting from Deutz hardware under the bonnet. These power plants are compliant with Stage IV standards for emissions, with exhaust after-treatment helping to remove particulates from the larger of the two.
In its standard form this loader will be able to offer a maximum lift height of just under 3.8 metres, although Kramer is intending to offer a long reach model which increases this to 4.2 metres for even more practicality and flexibility on the farm.
The payload capacity tops out at 5.6 tonnes, and in spite of its size, the KL60.8 should be surprisingly nimble thanks to the various steering set-ups that are going to be offered. All-wheel control will give operators the ability to navigate narrow paths and manoeuvre around obstacles on crowded yards and within cramped barns.
Further down the line there are plans to add an iteration of this loader which benefits from a telescopic boom to increase the height and reach from which it can tip loads and make collections. Details will be made available closer to the time of release, so it could be quite a few months before Kramer provides its customers with a fuller picture.
Another advantage of this new machine, aside from its power and capacity, is that it comes with an updated hydrostatic transmission that can help to propel it to a top speed of 40kmph without needing to switch between different gears in the process. This should make it a smooth operator at lower speeds while also giving it enough power to perform capably if it ever needs to travel on public roads.
Early renderings of what the finished product will look like have been published, showcasing its large cab with easy access provided via steps built into the side of the body.
Within the KL60.8, operators will find a seven-inch screen that provides real-time feedback on various important metrics while also encompassing key controls. This should make the loader more intuitive to use, as things like an automatic bucket-return setting will be within reach of operators and not hidden away.
This is a rigid-bodied machine, so it will not be quite as flexible as the more compact articulated models that are also available for farmers. But the added strength and power will be suitable for high-intensity loading tasks where great volumes of material need to be moved. Expect to see attachments and other features outlined once Kramer has finalised the design and begun production at some point in 2018, when it is also likely to announce other new models.
