When you need a skid-steer loader and size really does matter, there's nothing bigger than Gehl's 7810E. The change of engines to a Cummins turbo diesel actually dropped horsepower 15 percent to 99 (avoiding Tier-3 emissions requirements for the time being) but increased torque by 5 percent. But the 7810E retains the most powerful engine of any competitor's skid-steer by a significant margin, and Gehl raised its SAE rated load capacity 5 percent to 3,850 pounds.
Gehl's 7810E (and the Mustang 2109 — the same machine marketed in Mustang colors) tops the industry in:
- Rated load capacity (12 percent more than the Mustang 2099, and 18 percent more than John Deere's 332)
- Net horsepower (14 percent greater)
- Peak torque (18 percent greater)
There are hydraulic systems that match the 7810E Skid Loader's 3,300-psi hydraulic operating pressure, but none delivers more than its 29 gallons per minute of auxiliary flow. Deere and Bobcat offer high-flow options that rival the big Gehl's optional 41-gpm high-flow system.
At 10,520 pounds of operating weight, the 7810E is a serious load for a skid-steer loader. The Mustang 2099 — a smaller Gehl-built machine — shaves about 3 percent of that weight, and the nearest competition weighs 1,360 pounds less (nearly 13 percent).
Compact wheel loaders are likely to be the 7810E's greatest competition. Suggested retail price of the skid-steer is at or below the price of wheel loaders with half or a third less engine horsepower. The 7810E offers 1,500 pounds or more tipping load than these small wheel loaders, and significantly more loading height. It takes a much more expensive wheel loader to equal the 7810E's tipping load.
Its engine is comparable with large compact track loaders. The 7810E equals or exceeds the rated operating capacity (at half of tipping load) of all but the five largest compact track loaders.
Operations that demand the maneuverability of a skid-steer loader will not find a machine more productive than the 7810E. Two-speed drive is available, pushing ground speeds up to 12.5 miles per hour. With a 55-inch wheelbase (largest in class) and optional Hydraglide ride control, or lift-arm suspension, Gehl claims the big machine rides smoothly.
Four choices of controls are available: pilot-hydraulic joysticks, dual-hand, hand-foot, and Gehl's T-bar control.
Manufacturer's suggested list price on the 7810E is expected to be $49,700.
