REVIEW
1
PULLING ITS
weight Giant machines are a global phenomenon, renowned for their high tipping load compared to their own weight. The recently released Giant G5000 is no exception and sees TobrocoGiant active in the five-tonne wheel loader class for the first time. Farm Trader NZ’s Mark Fouhy reports Images by Lisa Potter
I
set out to see the one of the first Giant G5000s delivered to New Zealand in action on a goat farm, where its versatility saw it quickly added to the machinery fleet. Although the 5-tonne machine is firmly at the top of the Giant wheel loader range in terms of size, horsepower, reach, and lift capabilities, it’s still incredibly nimble and versatile – and best of all, these features are packed into a machine that manages to avoid being unnecessarily large. It’s a powerful package, with the telescopic boom on the machine we tested capable of reaching 4.35 metres. With reach like that, the machines are well suited to busy farm life in New Zealand as well as construction and a host of other projects. With such impressive reach, loading the silage wagon is no trouble either, nor are mixer wagons; all handled with ease and well within the G5000’s reach and lift capabilities.
OPERATION Being a dedicated wheel loader, everything is designed for easy accessibility and to make loading tasks as easy as possible. As you would expect, the joystick takes care of all the boom controls: to raise and lower the boom and also dumping. Third service function is controlled by a side to side toggle switch on the back of the joystick. The boom extension/ retraction is controlled by another toggle switch on top of
the joystick on the right. With all key functions so close to the joystick, the operator can rest their arm on the ergonomicallyshaped armrest. Keeping things simple and allowing the operator to keep one hand on the steering wheel, the transmission has its own joystick toggle – this one red to differentiate it from the boom controls. When in neutral, the park brake is automatically engaged. This is a handy feature but also explained why I couldn’t find any handbrake to release when I initially hopped in and started up the Giant G5000. Driving is nice and simple, thanks to the two-speed hydrostatic transmission. The central dash indicates which gear you’re in with a green turtle or red rabbit. I found the turtle gear good for around the yard and heavy loading metal we had available, working comfortably from 0–7km/h. Max speed in this turtle range is 10km/h. The second range is ideal for getting from point A to B efficiently, with max speed of 25km/h. You can also spec a 35km/h speed gearbox. However, keep in mind, as with most machinery, that the higher the speed, the more the comfort level tends to decrease, so unless it was pretty smooth going, I wouldn’t imagine you would be doing 35km/h around farm tracks a whole lot. Giant has chosen to go with an articulated pendulum joint, which
Looking for a wheel loader? Search for ‘wheel loader’ on TradeFarmMachinery.com.au or type the TA or DIY code shown here into the keyword search field
36 TradeFarmMachinery.com.au
FFM2012_391 editorial.indd 36
$145,000
TA956918
2020 OLYMPUS YX656 HD LOADER. 162hp, 17,000kg operating weight. • QLD 07 3171 1040
$47,850
TA918234
2019 AVANT 523 W/ FLIP-UP FORKS. Kubota Diesel D902 18 kw/25hp. • NSW 02 8279 7086
$11,000
TA1038505
2014 HUBEI LT918F LOADER. 4,500kg operating weight, turbo diesel. • QLD 07 3073 8178
THE TRACTOR YOU WANT IS NOW EASIER TO FIND
22/10/2020 12:09:41 PM
