Bucket capacity determines how much material a wheel loader moves per cycle, but it only tells part of the story. Matching bucket size to your job also means looking at the horsepower and operating weight behind it, since a bucket sized past what the rest of the machine can handle slows you down rather than speeding you up.
Why Bucket Capacity Alone Doesn’t Tell You Enough
A larger bucket paired with insufficient horsepower or breakout force can actually slow cycle times, since the machine struggles to fill and lift a full load efficiently. Bucket capacity numbers need to be read alongside the weight and horsepower class of the machine they’re attached to, not evaluated on their own.
Hitachi Wheel Loader Bucket Capacity by Class
Hitachi’s compact wheel loaders run 0.52 to 2 cubic yard buckets on machines rated 25 to 101 HP and 7,310 to 18,590 lb operating weight. The medium and large line scales up to 2.6 to 8.5 cubic yard buckets on machines rated 145 to 520 HP and 25,661 to 104,880 lb. The bucket size and machine class move together across the whole range.
New Holland Wheel Loaders: Weight and Reach Where Bucket Numbers Aren’t Published
New Holland’s compact wheel loaders run 58 to 74 HP at 10,913 to 13,668 lb operating weight, with a hinge pin height of 10’2″ to 12′ 1″. Hinge pin height is the number to plan around here: it’s the maximum lift height for the bucket or pallet fork, which matters directly for loading trucks or stacking material. For the specific bucket options available on a given New Holland model, contact Kelbe directly.
Sizing the Machine to Your Material and Job Volume
Light landscaping and yard work generally fits the compact class on either brand. Aggregate handling and high-volume material work call for the larger end of the range, where both bucket capacity and horsepower scale up to match. If you’re moving between smaller and larger jobs throughout the year, it’s worth thinking about which volume of work makes up the bulk of your schedule before settling on a size class.
FAQ
What’s the bucket capacity range for Hitachi compact wheel loaders?
Hitachi’s compact wheel loaders carry bucket capacities from 0.52 to 2 cubic yards. That range is paired with a horsepower rating of 25 to 101 HP across the same line, so bucket size and machine power scale together as you move up through the compact class.
Does New Holland publish bucket capacity for its wheel loaders?
Not on the current spec sheet available to us. New Holland’s compact wheel loader line lists hinge pin height, 10’2″ to 12′ 1″, rather than a bucket capacity figure. If bucket volume specifically is what you need to compare, contact Kelbe directly for the current bucket options available on a specific model.
Why does hinge pin height matter if I’m focused on bucket size?
Hinge pin height determines how high you can lift and dump a load, which matters directly for loading trucks or stacking material at height. It’s a separate measurement from bucket volume, so a machine with a lower bucket capacity but a higher hinge pin can still out-reach a larger-bucket machine when it comes to stacking height.
What horsepower range should I expect for a mid-size bucket?
Horsepower generally scales with bucket size. Hitachi’s compact wheel loaders, with 0.52 to 2 cubic yard buckets, run 25 to 101 HP, while medium and large models, with 2.6 to 8.5 cubic yard buckets, run 145 to 520 HP. That relationship holds across the range, so a bigger bucket almost always comes with more horsepower behind it.
Where can I compare Hitachi and New Holland wheel loaders in person?
You can compare Hitachi and New Holland wheel loaders side by side at any of Kelbe’s three Wisconsin branches, in Milwaukee, Madison, or Green Bay. Seeing both in person is often the fastest way to judge footprint, visibility, and control layout. Contact us to schedule a visit at whichever location is most convenient.
Next Step
Browse Kelbe’s full new equipment lineup, including Hitachi and New Holland wheel loaders, or contact us for help sizing the right machine.