Vermeer has expanded its stand-on mini track loader lineup with the new ML series — ML80, ML100, ML130 and ML150 — built for a variety of jobsites.
In the video above, Vermeer product specialist for tree care, rental and landscape, Kegan Strobel, gives Equipment World an in-depth breakdown on the compact utility loaders' updates.
A Vermeer representative told Equipment World the new ML series will replace the CTX50 and CTX100 mini track loaders. All four ML mini loaders are fitted with Rehlko diesel engines, replacing the Kohler engines in the CTX models. (Kohler changed its name to Rehlko in 2024.)
The new lineup offers radial lift with the ML80 and ML100 for digging and loading, while the vertical-lift ML130 and ML150 are designed for loading and material handling at height.
Contractors will find an updated hydraulic system that maximizes power transfer and operates with many Vermeer-compatible attachments, the company says.
Maintenance has been simplified with a greaseless track system and easier engine access.
For contractors taking larger jobs, the 40-horsepower ML130 can handle the work of the two smaller ML loaders plus truck-loading applications. At the top of the range, the 40-horsepower, turbocharged ML150 can handle heavier operations like trenching, hauling, digging, grading.
The smallest in the range, the 25-horsepower ML80, is designed to replace manual labor in residential landscape, light tree work and rental applications. The 25-horsepower, turbocharged ML100 fits more intense landscape and urban tree care markets, with added torque to boost attachment power.
Vermeer also teased its prototype ML180 at last year's Utility Expo. The new loader, which isn’t production-ready, was displayed to gather customer feedback and, at 48 horsepower, would be Vermeer’s largest mini loader.
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00:00:00:01 - 00:00:21:07
Kegan Strobel
Today we're at the World of Concrete Expo, and we're excited to have our MLW lineup that stands for many loaders that we previously called our mini skid steers are being very common to what you guys know, but you're going to see a new nomenclature on that. We're going to have the MLW 80, the MLW 100, the MLW 130 and the MLW 150.
00:00:27:09 - 00:00:48:21
Kegan Strobel
Right now we're standing next to the MLW 150 and right behind me is going to be the MLW 130. We've increased those rated operating capacities of those machines, done some work on some hydraulic routings, really added to that productivity advantage that we have in these 40 horsepower units, while still having that same serviceability and same comfortability that you're used to with these Vermeer units.
00:00:48:21 - 00:01:07:10
Kegan Strobel
Yes. Is a key features that set us apart from our competition. One thing I like to point out when we talk about that comfortability is this chariot style platform. Back here, you can see that an operator can ride kind of semi in the machine and have a little bit of protection. It's going to have a spring cushioned platform down here that's going to have a rubber isolator in there.
00:01:07:15 - 00:01:22:29
Kegan Strobel
That spring cushioning platform is also going to have an operator presence switch in there. That is going to add to the safety of this machine. So if you step off that machine, a parking brake will then go out. And you will also have no access to your controls. Another thing we know is riding these machines all day long.
00:01:23:04 - 00:01:38:02
Kegan Strobel
You got to have comfortable padding because standing on a machine can really beat you up, so that adds to that comfort. And another thing for comfortability is we got the pilot operated ground controls up here. So as you're trying to operate that, you got a lot of feather ability, but you got a lot of power to those ground drive motors.
00:01:38:02 - 00:01:54:26
Kegan Strobel
So it's keeping you comfortable on this machine. Another feature we always, have on all of our mini loader line is going to be our standard dual auxiliary. So we're going to have a high flow side, on the 130 and the 150, you're going to have that 16.7 gallons a minute of flow. It has a K strain on it.
00:01:54:26 - 00:02:12:07
Kegan Strobel
So it's going to protect your attachments that need that power and that hydraulics from deadheading, blowing out seals, anything like that. It's going to return the oil back to the cooler. It does have a detent on it does not return to center, allowing you to turn on the power attachment and then hold on to the machine as you're doing whatever you're doing.
00:02:12:14 - 00:02:29:02
Kegan Strobel
Then on the low flow side, we see this used a little bit more with like scrap grapples, tree grapples, things like that. This is really going to be for the feather ability of the machines that we need when we're trying to operate a machine. Don't need to return to center, but we just need a little bit less hydraulic flow, which is going to be roughly around nine gallons a minute.
00:02:29:07 - 00:02:49:26
Kegan Strobel
We're going to be easier to control that attachment. 130 and 150 is also going to be equipped with the vertical lifting arms. So this is going to get us our highest hinge pin height of about 88.5in high. A vertical lifting plate is going to keep that attachment plate or that attachment that you have on about the same spot, and it's lift all the way up, all the way down.
00:02:49:27 - 00:03:11:29
Kegan Strobel
This is going to be really good for lifting over things, lifting into high sided dump trailers, into chippers, things like that. Another key features we like to talk about is we're going to have these tools, panels. So you have access to your daily maintenance points on these. But if you need to do a little bit deeper maintenance like changing engine oil, changing hydraulic oil filters, the cooler in the back as well as the side engine panels are going to have to lift panels.
00:03:12:02 - 00:03:30:25
Kegan Strobel
Another thing I like to talk about with serviceability is our spring tension track system. This is going to have a keeper bolt on it that allows you to access the spring bolt and do daily tensioning on this every day, as well as if you were to throw a track. Just a couple tools to quick zip that back, put that track back on.
00:03:30:26 - 00:03:45:05
Kegan Strobel
You're good to go. This is going to have a direct drive pump on it. So we're going to have a tandem gear pump that's going to run your ground drive motors. And then there's going to be a tandem auxiliary pump that's going to run high flow and low flow side. That's just going to be under six bolts under this panel.
00:03:45:05 - 00:03:52:03
Kegan Strobel
So you have access to it. So that's pretty much what the 130 and the 150 have.
00:03:52:06 - 00:04:16:02
Kegan Strobel
Here is our MGL 100. So in that 25 horsepower class I mentioned, we have the ML 80 and the ML 102 things that are going to set those two units apart. The 80 is going to have a naturally aspirated 25 horsepower diesel. This is going to have a 25 horsepower turbocharged diesel. One key difference between this and that larger class is these will have that radio, lift loader arms on it that is going to make that that half moon shape radio lift.
00:04:16:08 - 00:04:35:01
Kegan Strobel
It's going to be better for engaging ground and doing digging and things like that a little bit lower rated operating capacity. But with that turbocharged engine in this, you really have more productivity. And it's really one of the highest in the class. So the ideal customer, we typically reach out to tree care customers, things like that. But we see the need for all different industries.
00:04:35:01 - 00:04:51:08
Kegan Strobel
So we're seeing tree care. We're seeing landscape, we're seeing rental. We're seeing the construction side getting extremely heavy in. Just about anybody that has a need for a compact piece of equipment has a use for one of these. They may not know it yet, but there is a use for them out there.
