I'm looking for a compact wheel loader to load and unload cargo from my boat. Has to be under 60in wide, and preferably under 3,000lbs with the capacity to lift at least 1700lbs - I know that's a tall order. It seems like articulating wheel loaders are very common in Europe (Avant, Cast, etc) but not very common in the states. Any other suggestions? Bobcat has a L23, but it weighs almost 4,000lbs and picks up less than 1400. Don't need an enclosed cab and will only be running forks.
Is the machine going onto the boat? Are you loading and unloading trucks? To lift 1700 lbs, most machines I think will have a weight closer to 5000-6000lbs. I just sold a Hitachi wheel loader that likely had a 6000 lb weight and probably couldn't lift 2000lbs. You might want to show some images of the boat set up, and the items you're loading and unloading.
A compact walk behind skid would be a option. Vermeer, Bobcat, Ditchwitch, toro are brands I've seen. The vermeer ctx 160 weighs 3,800 and is rated at 1,600 (SAE)- which is usually 50% of tipping load. Its only 42" wide. They make smaller ones that may get the weight down. Vermeer CTX160 Mini Skid Steer - Heavy-lifting Skid Loader Vermeer CTX160 mini skid loaders offer maximum control, heavy lifting capabilities and a compact footprint for your landscaping or tree care jobsite. See it now. www.vermeer.com
I think you're going to have a hard time finding a articulating loader, that will meet your weight expectations.
I just looked up those avant 528 loaders. They do meet your specs, and there's dealers in the states for them. Weighs 3100 and 2100 tipping/ 1100 sae lift rating.
I wouldn't trust those ratings real well especially with a lift of 4' high or higher.
Gehl AL550, articulated loaders | GEHL Check out the pictures, videos, accessories and technical specifications of the Manitou AL550. Find here a Manitou articulated loaders dealer to know its price. www.gehl.com
Gehl GCT 3-14, construction telehandlers | GEHL Check out the pictures, videos, accessories and technical specifications of the Manitou GCT 3-14. Find here a Manitou construction telehandlers dealer to know its price. www.gehl.com
Those last two gehl machines are 6 and 7,000lbs. He needs to stay under 3,000 lbs.......
1800AWL Articulated Wheel Loader Rayco 1800 Articulated Wheel Loaders | Versatile and Powerful Equipment for Efficient Material Handling www.raycomfg.com
I rented a CASE 15 little wheel loader for a week. CASE/NH started carrying them, they are built by Giant. I came away totally impressed with it. I used it on grass, has wide tires, no damage. Controls are very nice. My only complaint with it was the quick attach latch is a little lame. The rest of the machine is way more machine than I would have expected it to be.
I think you need to consider where the lift ratings are measured from. Forklifts are usually at 24" out but I've seen loader capacities measued at the bucket hinge pin.
https://online.fliphtml5.com/kkbp/ntra/#p=2 Here is an example of different weight capacities based on location of the weight.