Weird & WILD the "SWING LOADER " by Mecalac

The front boom on the Mecalac AS-600 "swings" 180 degrees. BUT how well does that really work? we bring it to the brickyard and test it out.

[@bouma_beunwerken_BV]

This mecalac is actully a rebranded Ahlmann. Ahlmann is a german company that already build their first swingloaders in 1952. Today, ahlmann is bought by mecalac. This AS 600 is actually an ahlmann AS 55. Also, AS stands for ahlmann schwenklader. (just swingloader in german) so now you know. Greetings from the Netherlands (Im a apprentice mechanic by ahlmann/mecalac)

[@thebeans804]

You have so much fun testing new equipment. Watching you having fun is the best.☺🙏

[@Dirtmonkey]

Havin way too much fun out here 🤓

[@welderboy525]

We use loaders like this a lot in the locomotive industry that are fitted with high rail equipment to drive on the train tracks.

[@loerber]

We the viewers have been waiting for this video a long time, thanks for being persistent!

[@stanhensley3082]

As soon as I saw it I thought it would be great on the farm 🚜 🙃. Really like the counter weight. Crab 🦀 steering would be super. The tires should last long then on a Skidsteer. Great find. Thanks 😊.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Awesome point 👍 I could totally see this being perfect for farm use (among other things as well)

[@ianthompson2802]

I'm surprised the a series bobcat skid steer doesn't do crab walk

[@technoman53]

Swingloaders with hi-rail wheels are very common in the rail industry. I work as a heavy equipment mechanic at a major rail transit agency and we have a fleet of Pettibone and Swingmaster swingloaders. They’re very similar to this machine only they’re a lot bigger and have hi-rail wheels. It’s really impressive to see one of our machines handling almost 500’ long sticks of rail.

[@georgestupp5952]

Is cost caparable

[@StevenCampbell1955]

Watching them working out on the line is to see how machinery and man can come together as one. Swing loaders are the first machine to arrive at the railhead where rails are being unloaded and the last to be reluctantly returned to the workshops.

[@gordowg1wg145]

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but I really appeciate the additional clarity the 4k camera brings to your videos. 👍😎😊

[@johnvogel641]

A really wild machine with some unique abilities.Thanks for sharing.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for tagging along 👊

[@conanruisi]

This is one machine that I actually am in full support of Stanley. The only issue with it is some people might just prefer the regular articulated kind for their task, but thankfully mecalac makes those too!

[@keithgum5955]

railroads have been using swing loaders for yrs....speed swing was the actual brand name.....and that is a suspension lock not a counterweight......rough terrain cranes have them too

[@robertgentile6799]

Nice demonstration Stanley! As usual

[@hedydd2]

Never seen a swing loader on a UK farm. There may be a handful but nothing like pivot steer, skid steer and various sizes of telescopic handlers plus tractor loaders. Telescopic handlers are very common and found on probably the majority of UK farms. Not so popular on mainland Europe apparently even though most, apart from JCB brand, are made in the EU.

[@CZAnthonyX]

Good evening Stan! I hope you have had an awesome week so far! I have had a long, strenuous, but good week! always good to be productive! keep up the great work!

[@Dirtmonkey]

You got that right. Keep up the great attitude, it'll get you through anything 👍

[@andysukosd8177]

Great video, love watching.

[@johanneslaxell6641]

When a paper tested this machine here in Finland they thought that it is nice. But there where two things they mentioned: when you go down on the side the tire is "in the way" and if you want to empty into a trailer/truck on the side you have to be wery close. But the possibility of swinging the boom and crab-drive makes it versatile...

[@teamidris]

I would have said it was excessive, but I’ve seen Emile using one on MasterMilo channel and I was very impressed by it. Way better than an articulated loader in tight spaces.

[@PinkyRacing]

Correct, he was using a Ahlmann AZ95f kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4LEi3SnrrWDiMU

[@andyrieta2995]

The Navy has a forklift, that does the same thing. It pick up a missle and still be able to drive into the 8 ft wide warehouse door.

[@emiliotosto1682]

Hey Stan, great video as always!! super impressive machine for its size and the way it can handle the weight on the side while driving to. Continue the hard work have a great one

[@Dirtmonkey]

Heck yeah, love this piece! Thanks for the support and I hope ya have an awesome day

[@robertvannicolo4435]

Stan I guess it has its uses would be nice to back fill trenches if you did alot of pipe installation 👍hopefully you are having a great spring

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yessir you got it. I'm having an awesome spring especially with spending as much time up north as I can. Love being outside and not freezing my arss off 😅 Hope you're having a good one too!

[@robertvannicolo4435]

@@Dirtmonkey glad to hear it you have a beautiful place up there and close enough to the mayhem of your work to get away from it easier

[@chrisschultz143]

Cool machine. Keep them coming. 🇨🇦🥃🤙

[@johnmiller7544]

Meca leca lac … meca hiney ho Sorry had to Cool machine…keep the vids rolling sir Thank you

[@tonynewton7902]

Nice one Stan. 👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@ArtietheArchon]

i can see how that crab mode might be useful for fine lateral placement in a confined space

[@beaumershon3066]

Need a full blown dealer with 20 plus units, a parts room fully stocked, service techs, and sales guy that knows the unit better. Four units sold in four years? lol...

[@ironwolfgamingyt]

He said he just sold 4 which makes me think they had 4 at the time but had sold them.

[@MrSaemichlaus]

So the swing really only comes in handy while you're driving through tight turns. The easiest way to pull out the forks after placing a load is when it's all straight, or you'd have to play with the steering modes to get the forks out without them binding. I think it would benefit from forks that swing horizontally on the end of the arm as well, otherwise I'm struggling to see the advantage of the machine other than driving through tight turns. But if you don't have the budget to modify a building or acquire enough space to do your job without acrobatics, I doubt you'd be able to go out and purchase this specialized machine.

[@lesransom2964]

Excellent video Professor Dirt Monkey ! Keep ‘em coming

[@Dirtmonkey]

Professor Dirt Monkey 😂 love it.

[@lesransom2964]

@@Dirtmonkey Well, you’re always teaching us something and in a blue collar way. Take the recent video where you explained the how to’s and why’s of getting grass started in a bare spot. Well detailed at every step. Loved it. So, thanks

[@royfrank7101]

It is similar to the old Pettibone Rail Roaders I used in a selvage yard I worked at

[@brianmccutchan9513]

This is practically in my back yard. Just waiting to see you at work. I work at the big cat house, hydraulic side.

[@Sundog0811]

Would have been nice to see moving and stacking pallets to actually show why it's better. I assume it would be, somehow, but struggle to really see how.

[@kennethhanes5438]

Tight access and precise moving jobs even loading trucks in narrows laneways

[@tylerw4593]

Other than some really specific applications, I'm not sure I see the point in this either. But then again, I'm not an equipment operator.

[@firesurfer]

It's for tight spaces/situations where you can't position the machine lengthwise.

[@robertlawler1387]

Well our fork lifts are like this narrow aisles

[@flo__60]

@@tylerw4593 trench work in tight European urban jobs, this thing is the modern day wheel barrow, servicing the excavator bringing pipe, gravel, dirt, back and forth while the excavator do proper work for the guys laying pipe in the trench by hand. it drives along the trench swing the arm aside pouring the gravel in easily without messing the pavement at the edge.

[@Jacked97Ram]

Confused here. What’s the point of articulation in the loader arms if it can’t extend out. Example picking a pallet at 90 degree you just can’t steer the machine into the fork pockets of the pallet. Very cool design tho I see many uses with regular loader bucket

[@jelinektreeservice]

I thought the same thing. Probably not getting the full potential out of the design with forks but a bucket would be able to drive down a trench and backfill without repositioning a bunch of times. Also maybe use the forks to move retaining wall block and lift to the height of the wall while driving along the face of it.

[@mackdickson1209]

I'm guessing the crab steer would turn 90deg to enable use of side swing?? But yes, telescopic would be better

[@rivervalleyrealestate-cont9838]

I am assuming telescoping would push it way out of CG requiring additional counterweight.

[@glslawnservices1905]

I thought that exact thing. Swing mode is useless with pallet forks if the boom isn't telescoping. Crab mode still won't get the tines out of the pallet.

[@littlejackalo5326]

@@mackdickson1209 you do realize that it would be impossible to turn the wheels 90°, right? (With that steering setup. You'd need casters.)

[@1965ace]

Summary, learning curve and unknown buttons .... hold my beer!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Basically 😂👍

[@Dirtmonkey]

Basically 😂👍

[@1965ace]

@@Dirtmonkey Looks like fun!

[@libertyandjusticeforall8090]

Seen you guys rolling 35w South/494 exit.. cool.. I was on way to do electrical for bison range

[@michaelmaker8169]

That would probably work great on the chimney job we're working on now. Can only get to the back of building from one side and no room to turn corner. How high will that lift? What if the forks/bucket could extend out or up like a lul? Didn't see crab mode to well...? Did you get a couple exterior shots of it?

[@chrismader3689]

The lack of a telescoping boom really holds it back in my opinion. If it could run a brush hog it would be great in orchards and vineyards to mow under trees and vines.

[@angus4202]

euro manufacturer paus makes a telescopic swing loader designed to put a brush hog on it

[@racerx9223]

Yeah even like 3 feet of extension would make a huge difference but then everything has to be engineered to handle the added stresses of changing the load dynamics.. 1000lb at 1 foot of distance will multiply with added distance but a moving counterweight could help alot too.

[@ianunderwood5858]

Love the videos

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks brotha!

[@seandonaghy9224]

Did that come with a bucket attachment and a PTO option

[@jackjmaheriii]

Cool! How does it compare to the mini-excavator version? How does it compare to the JBC TeleSkid? Construction, landscaper, farm? Who is it for? If your only business was being an owner operator, which would you choose? Cool products but so many questions… They need more videos!!!

[@andrewstruthers8365]

Hey Stan , Look for cheap construction safety fence , to make a storage bunker for your plows and other gear .For your off site location before the snow falls. Keep those thieves away . I think this is going to be a bad year for theft. Also there is a chemical called max mileage from Pittsburgh power it has nothing to do with fuel mileage its to keep your Dpf and Scr clean. Phone Pittsburgh power and have a talk with them . Love you KZbin videos

[@loerber]

Did you get any crab walk footage from outside the machine?

[@tsmith3816]

pretty cool it steers like a lull

[@Dirtmonkey]

You betcha 😁

[@randomsteveh8373]

Hi Stan, do the forks move in & out? Can you straight pick up a pallet, turn it to the side 90deg, set it down and then pull the forks in to leave the pallet there and drive away?

[@imchris5000]

it would not be a perfect 90 but it could crab in and out of a pallet sideways

[@littlejackalo5326]

@@imchris5000 crab steering only goes at an angle. So you'd drag the pallet

[@bouma_beunwerken_BV]

4:12 that is the boom supspension. It will smooth out the boom if your on the road so your load will not shake as much. That another one I dont know eather

[@imchris5000]

if they added a 10 or 20 ft telescoping boom it would be a great yard forklift being able to go down a row and grab from the side. as for being a loader I dont see any advantage to this vs center articulation

[@Dirtmonkey]

Not arguing there

[@bouma_beunwerken_BV]

They actully have one. The ahlmann az 95 tele. (Its actully an rebranded ahlmann) but because of the extension, it has an very long boom. Even if its all the way in. So it is not as viable as this one (sorry for my bad english)

[@Faulpelz55]

They are originally Ahlmann machines from Germany and were rebranded after Mecalac acquired Ahlmann. They now have the AS900 Tele in their lineup. In Germany these machines are quite common in road construction. Especially if you can’t close all lanes and have to queue all machines on one lane but work on the next lane.

[@iceroad416]

that would be handy around some small pipe jobs in town

[@Dirtmonkey]

For sure

[@brandonbowser5487]

I actually have a question and Iknow u Would definitely know , when it comes to hard work like lots of back dragging , making roads wider , making trails or small paths throw woods , etc what does better a skid steer or small loader like this size , and Ik the conversion comes up about skid steer s have tracks and stuff but I mean with the ground conditions aside and with the opinion to put any skid steer up against any small loader of equal size , what would u say is the better machine for that type of work ? And thanks and let me know I ask to much stuff lol

[@imchris5000]

wheel loaders can do those things but they are made for loading trucks on hard ground. a tracked loader is the bigger version of a skid steer

[@Dogonatree]

This would be great for an alternative to an articulating Georgia buggy. All in one machine

[@Dirtmonkey]

Ooo heck yeah

[@fredysjosuemendozasanchez9021]

I have a question and it's the next in what kind of work can uses that machine ? And another it's U buy that kind of machine?

[@janwillemaltena4249]

These machines are built by Ahlmann sinds 2012 mecalac in Germany they sel it as a ahlmann in Netherlands , I have driven the az14 for 10 years. The machines was 10000kg it was a great machine.

[@drewtravis3544]

How well would a skid bucket work on it ?

[@charleschristiansonii718]

Super cool!!!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yeeeah buddy

[@jameyparks3310]

i wish you would have shown the machine load and unloading from the side. it looks to swing 90 degrees . the question is can you get the forks in\out of a pallett at 90 degrees?

[@skliros9235]

That's what I'm wondering. If you swing to the side, it looks impossible to back the forks out

[@bouma_beunwerken_BV]

That is true, you cant get a pallet in or out from the ground, then the wheels are in the way but they wanted this loader to be compact as possible. Its not ideal for pallets. But for dirtwork its ideal

[@williambrooymans]

People really interested in the capability of this machine should watch the mecalac channel or search for ahlmann loader. In the Netherlands we have a lot of them and they are awesome.

[@jamesmerkel9442]

12;13 & 6:02 nice codes synk up this morning too.

[@jun1977i]

dang! I love that machine

[@Quarry4x4]

I didn't feel the jerk but I could see him. Nice machine crab walk I'm not sure of. Thanks for sharing

[@JoeHTX]

I kept hoping to see him demonstrate the usefulness of this swing loader, but all he did was drive around with a load and swing it side to side and never put the load down at the side and pull the forks out from the pallet. As far as I can see there isn't any way to do that. So, what use is it if you can't set down, or pick up, a pallet at the side? What is the use of being able to swing side to side if you can't put the forks into a pallet and pick up or set down a load?

[@kinnybingman8666]

just curious, will it run a forestry Mulcher or a brush hog?

[@Dirtmonkey]

I didn't get a chance to try that out so I'm not sure if it'll do that effectively or not

[@richardgooding498]

Kinda looks like a tough sale without multiple attachments. Wonder what the shipping on parts would be. Great concept though.

[@beaumershon3066]

Need a full blown dealer with 20 plus units, a parts room fully stocked, service techs, and sales guy that knows the unit better. Four units sold in four years? lol...

[@Dirtmonkey]

Can't argue there

[@richardgooding498]

@@beaumershon3066 that's the way I would do it as well. Customers probably would like to know where and when they can replace the parts needed to keep going.

[@willheffly7834]

Good evening Stan! I could use some advice for my buissness. One of my foreman's has had some complaints brought to my attention from the people that work with him. They are saying he's lazy, and dosent put in an even and fair amount of work (Mowing and Landscaping). I'm not really sure how to handle this in a fair way. Any advice?

[@Dirtmonkey]

Hmm can you check in on the person being complained about and see if this is true for yourself?

[@petersmart1999]

Give him specific jobs to do and see if they get done! Ask him to do ABC,while the other guys are doing DEF.

[@scottaylward3670]

Impressive totally awesome

[@Frank-bh3cm]

So are you considering to buy any Mecalac Stan?

[@gowithbazza]

Would it make a good snow blow 🤔 😁

[@AH-up8zh]

6:34 wow absolutely ridiculous... Warranties should follow the machine!

[@drich6816]

So with the forks on it and you swing to the side you can't off load the pallet. So the bucket would really be the only use for the swing?

[@solorsix]

I thought the same thing. Seems like even with a bucket you could only really dump sideways.

[@MJF40]

That’s insane 😮

[@ExeQtd]

Ok. So. I operated a bigger one for years. It can literally do anything. The red switch is a load compensator, when you drive it will smoothen the ride.. Search for youtube "Ahlmann az95" or "Ahlmann az150". Ahlmann is the original manufacturer for this machine, Mecalac took it over a few years ago. It is a very popular machine in the Netherlands for road building and infrastructure.

[@ExeQtd]

4:04 This is the button to keep the machine running for longer then 5 minutes. If no one is sitting on the seat the machine will turn off after 5 minutes. If you push that button its extended to 1 hour. This is because of the exhaust gas cleaning system, it can take up to 45 minutes and the machine may not turn off in that time to prevent serious damage.

[@ExeQtd]

I find it funny that a guy that doesnt know how this machine works is explaining to you how this machine works =)

[@jimmymasseau5956]

Stan please make a snow plow video with that

[@Dirtmonkey]

Good thinking, we'll see 😏

[@randywilson6869]

I hate to say this.. excuse me I haft to clear my throat but man those people across the pond is so many years ahead of us.. just look at their cranes. They have been using tilt/rotators for years even on a backhoe

[@matty2helpfull]

That would also be a great tool for my farm

[@gsyguy1]

As a plumber and central heating eng and lead man (old skool here) i have zero need of this machine, just thought id put that out there 😆🤣😂

[@petersmart1999]

Red button is for the ejection seat!

[@alexshuparski]

You can tell a Polack from a distance, you just can’t tell him much.

[@travisfoos7881]

It's like a smaller version of a pettibone speedswing

[@wayneakins3644]

Reminds me of a hyster 3 wheel forklift

[@Poksutin]

now i want to see some dirt moved with this :)

[@dskofich]

YOU SHOULD HAVE PICKED UP THE CAR STAN

[@ianunderwood5858]

Should I buy an echo leaf blower or a Stihl Leaf blower

[@bikes7777]

Maruyama bl9000

[@Dirtmonkey]

They all break. It's all about the best supplier in your area

[@wolverine89893]

I want a Mecalac Sketchavator LOL 😂

[@firesurfer]

3:21 This is a kill switch. Notice the little line is outside the circle. This means no power. A regular power switch has a line inside the circle, indicating power on/off. 4:11 The translation I got was Hitch suspension. (on/off?) I think this is for the fancy counterweight system.

[@ExeQtd]

This is not true. The red switch is load compensating.

[@firesurfer]

@@ExeQtd That's the same thing.

[@ExeQtd]

@@firesurfer No its not, has nothing to do with counterweight.

[@firesurfer]

@@ExeQtd It moves the counterweight.. so what's the diff?

[@ExeQtd]

@@firesurfer it doesnt lol

[@anthonybennallack9087]

Would have been nice to see other attachments and dump capacity.

[@alexfrankl7861]

They used to build traxcavator/trackloaders the same .

[@russellpetrie119]

4 wheel steer it seems like the start ignition is over thought out

[@Lee-At-Green-Pheonix-Rc]

Be cool if u could have rear steer only too be like a forklift truck the ram that does the counter weight u will find on the rear piviot steer axle on SAS (System Active Stability) forklift trucks we use to use them u could corner at faster speeds with a load in the travel position and if machine is of balance due to load or terrain the machine would automatically retract or extend the ram and makes the load more stable even when mast was at full exstention while slowly maneuver with a full load up high

[@Guds777]

Now put a telescoping boom and outriggers on it...

[@luukvandenieuwenhuijzen0413]

Hey stan here in Holland they still call the swingloader an ahlmann and the excavator the mecalac but i swear and iam An lover of the ahlmann swing loaders the funconalitie is gigantic they opperate so smoot iDeal compact work and road work and groundwork you can also attach An level blade I Works fenomonal bud thake bigger tires for grip in the sand they plow quick idk the new types 100% good machine

[@ammartinplays]

This feels like a version of the Paus 8.7

[@wcooman1694]

Had a matchbox toy like this 50+ years ago.

[@nathanjones5653]

Call it the Skidvator.

[@jsuperman7672]

That is so cute.

[@jimp.4531]

kid in a candy store. when do you take delivery, hehehe.

[@flo__60]

front wheel steer is a legal obligation (years ago hydraulic steering could be realy jerky and way to direct for road speed on four wheel steer) four wheel steer is what the machine is on 99.99% of the time (my liebherr telehandler does 50 kph and its manageable with modern steering) and crab steer is for not getting stuck against a wall and to do some tricks like grating with normal booms

[@nashcobb3056]

here to help

[@Dirtmonkey]

👍👊

[@anthonysharpfish9108]

A lil carried away Tonka toy in a good way tho I like it

[@donald1056]

Never heard no price on that machine - why you didn't include the price is more than i know

[@subarutime5089]

sometimes it's a hit but not all the time

[@ledebuhr1]

Stan,, Does MeCalac have a patent on that swing loader? I have never seen another company make something like that.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Good question but I'm not sure 🤷‍♂️

[@mommagoody4]

Dude I want to be you best friend!!! Just so I can play with all of your equipment and I'd even take care of your thieves for no charge lmbo

[@patcoder7308]

Everything is tight in Europe that's why their machinery is small and agile

[@szki272]

2 brakes likely one is for going downhill. It keeps the transmission and motor connected while applying the brakes. The other disconnects the transmission allowing the engine RPM to be high while slowing down for faster hydraulic movement. Likely the sledge has the same setup.

[@bohhica1]

They sell duct tape to cover the red switch that you don’t like, show how it works don’t pick it apart unless you try everything on it.