[Machinery] Overview Loading Machines

Welcome to the next lesson in the Farming Simulator Academy. In this tutorial, we explain the differences and use cases of loading machines.

General Areas of Application

With loading machines like front loaders or skid-steer loaders, you can transport, load and unload goods on your farm and at factories. 

• Harvested crops
• Bales
• Pallets
• Manure
• Bigbags

Forklift, Front Loader, Skid-Steer Loader, Wheel Loader and Telehandler

All the loading machines help you with a whole set of tasks. Especially when running a greenland operation or tend to animal husbandry. But, some machines are a bit more specialized.

• Forklifts help you to load and unload pallets or bigbags. 
• Front Loaders are all-rounders for loading/unloading.
• Wheel Loaders are used for heavy stuff - like logs and containers in forestry
• Skid Steer Loaders are agile and perfect if you're loading in narrow spaces
• Telehandlers are used if you need to get in high places - like a high-rack storage

For the most common tasks, like picking up bales or loading and unloading big bags and similar goods, a front loader will do the job just fine. But, there's more to it, with basically two kinds of front loaders that are used with tools. 

Tools To Combine With Loaders

There is a whole set of tools that are used in combination with the different loaders. For some tools, you can choose from different manufacturers. In most cases, you don't have to pay attention to the manufacturer when buying, because the tools of one manufacturer can also be used with all related loader types.*

Tools For Frontloaders

• Bale spike - used for transporting bales.
• Bale handler - used for transporting wrapped silage bales.
• Bale King - used to transport several bales at the same time.
• Universal bucket - used for filling trailers or unloading bunker silos.
• Manure fork - used to transport manure.
• Roundbale fork - used to transport round bales.
• Pallet fork - used to transport pallets.
• Log fork - used to transport logs.
• Fork with grapple - used for filling trailers with manure/silage. Used in bunker silo.
• Silage cutter - used to transport manure/silage. Used in bunker silo.
• Beet cutter - used for cutting sugar beets.
• Bigbag Lifter (Single/Dual) - used for transporting bigbags.

Tools For Wheel Loaders

• High-dump bucket - used for filling trailers.
• Log fork - used to transport logs.
• Pallet fork - used to transport pallets.
• Bale fork - used to transport bales.
• Silage fork - used to transport manure/silage. Used in bunker silo.

Tools For Skid-Steer Loaders

• High-dump bucket - used for filling trailers.
• Pallet fork - used to transport pallets.
• Bale spear - used to transport bales.
• Manure fork - used to transport manure.
• Wrapped bale handler - used for transporting bales.
• Stump grinder - used for grinding down tree stumps.
• Log fork - used to transport logs.

Tools For Telehandlers

• Bale fork - used to transport bales.
• Wrapped bale handler - used for transporting bales.
• Universal bucket - used for filling trailers or unloading bunker silos.
• Manure fork - used to transport manure.
• Log fork - used to transport logs.
• Pallet fork - used to transport pallets.

* Exception to the rule: In Farming Simulator 22, tractors of the John Deere 7R Series are only compatible with the frontlader 700M.

Using Loading Machines

The application of a loader machine in combination with a loader tool is simple. The only exception is front loader attachment for tractors. For more information, see the separate tutorial Front Loader, Front Loader Attachment and Front Loader Tools. 

Using loader tools with a loading machine

1. Purchase a loading machine from the "vehicle" section of the dealership.
2. Purchase a tool from the respective category in the "tools" section of the dealership.

Using front loader tools with a tractor

1. Configure your tractor at the dealership so that it can use a front loader attachment
2. Purchase and attach a front loader attachment to your tractor, which you will find in the dealer's equipment category.
3. Purchase and attach a front loader tool that is suitable for your purposes.

Tip: Always keep the power requirements and weights of attachments in mind!

Tip: Click on "combination" when browsing the dealership before choosing a tool. Possible combinations are shown for each attachment. 

Well Done!

Congratulations, you have successfully finished another lesson and now know about different loader types! Keep at it, and you'll be a top-notch virtual farmer in no time with Farming Simulator Academy!