Is a Volvo Front End Loader Still the Smartest Choice for BC Contractors?

1. Volvo Front End Loaders Are Built to Push—Not to Reach

There’s no question: a Volvo front end loader is a beast when it comes to scooping, loading gravel, and moving heavy material short distances. But ask any operator to lift a load 50 feet in the air—and you’ll hear silence.

That’s because front end loaders were never designed to reach up. They were designed to dig in.

Merlo Advantage: The Merlo Roto 50.35 lifts over 111 feet, rotates 360°, and can do what a front end loader simply can’t. It’s a telehandler, crane, forklift, and loader rolled into one compact, BC-proven machine.

Curious about swap-in compatibility? Contact us for a side-by-side comparison.

2. The Visibility on Volvo Front End Loaders Limits Precision

From inside the cab of a Volvo front end loader, your view is—let’s be honest—pretty limited. Your boom blocks your line of sight, your bucket obscures your target, and visibility at height is a guessing game.

On busy jobsites across BC, that kind of visibility issue doesn’t just slow you down—it creates real safety risks.

Merlo Advantage: Merlo’s off-center boom, glass cab, and precision joystick control let you see what you’re doing and where it’s going. Whether you’re placing roof trusses or loading second-story materials, the view is clear and the operation is smooth.

BC contractors trust Westpeak for high-visibility gear that gets the job done right the first time.

3. Volvo Loaders Are Overkill for Material Handling Alone

Need to lift pallets? Move forms? Drop drywall on a second floor? A Volvo front end loader can do it—but it’s like using a sledgehammer to hang a picture frame.

Why burn extra fuel, drag more weight, and maneuver a bulky frame just to move a pallet?

Merlo Advantage: With Merlo, you get:

• Lightweight maneuverability

• Compact site access

• Pallet fork attachments

• Quick transitions between boom, basket, bucket, and winch

We’ve seen countless BC contractors cut cycle time in half by switching from a Volvo front end loader to a Merlo telehandler.

Not sure what’s right for your site? Talk to us. We’ll spec what fits, not just what’s available.

4. Front End Loaders Need More Space Than You Think

Volvo front end loaders are wide, heavy, and built for open spaces. Great for quarries, mining, and large yards—not so great when you’re working:

• On a tight urban lot

• Between existing structures

• Around underground utilities

• On residential or sloped terrain

  
  

Merlo Advantage: The Merlo Roto’s compact footprint, four-wheel steering, and 360° rotation let you stay productive in places a front end loader won’t even fit.

From downtown Vancouver renos to hillside builds in Kelowna, Merlo machines are designed for BC.

Book a site-visit or virtual consult through Westpeak’s Contact Page.

5. Versatility? Volvo Front End Loaders Fall Short

What happens when your Volvo loader is idle while you wait for the crane to arrive? Or you switch to a man lift to finish cladding the upper floors?

You’re paying for parked iron.

Merlo Advantage: Our clients lease one machine—and do it all.

Merlo telehandlers can be equipped with:

• Crane jibs

• Work baskets

• Material buckets

• Pallet forks

• Tree trimmers

• Custom fabrication attachments

Why pay for 3 machines when one Merlo from Westpeak can cover it all?

Q&A: Volvo Front End Loader vs. Merlo Telehandler

Isn’t a Volvo loader stronger than a Merlo? 

Not always. Merlo Roto models lift up to 11,000 lbs, and with greater vertical reach, they’re often more effective per move—especially on vertical builds

Can a Merlo replace both a front end loader and a boom lift? 

Absolutely. That’s the biggest advantage—and why BC builders, roofers, and material handlers are making the switch.

Are Merlos hard to operate? 

Not at all. The cab is modern, intuitive, and every rental comes with support, walkthroughs, and certification options from Westpeak Equipment.

What’s more cost-effective?

When you add fuel, safety, transport, crew time, and rental overlap—Merlo almost always wins in total site cost. Let’s run the numbers with you.

Final Thoughts: Volvo Front End Loaders Are Good. Merlos Are Smarter.

If you’re running a quarry, sure—stick with the Volvo.

But if you’re a BC-based builder, contractor, or site manager needing:

• Reach

• Safety

• Agility

• Speed

• Multi-tool flexibility

…then a Volvo front end loader isn’t just overkill—it’s outdated.

At Westpeak Equipment, we’re proud to be one of the only BC rental companies specializing in Merlo telehandlers. We deliver clean, inspected, certified machines ready for whatever your site throws at you.

Ready to compare machines or get pricing? Contact us now and let’s match the right machine to the job.