In demanding environments such as mining, forestry, ports, or outdoor logistics, every minute and every liter of fuel matters.
A simulation conducted with Patrick Cloutier Conseil using Flexsim software demonstrates that the Vallée all-terrain forklift is twice as productive as a loader of the exact dimensions, while measurably reducing operating costs.
See the full simulation here:
Comparative Video – Loader vs. Vallée Forklift (exact dimensions)
Equipment Used for the Comparison
Vallée 4DA25E Forklift
Dimensions:
- Lifting height: 168 inches
- Mast tilt angle: 12/12 degrees
- Total length: 179-1/2 inches
- Wheelbase: 100 inches
- Total width: 98-1/2 inches
- Total height: 140 inches
Loader (Front-End Loader) Used for the Comparison
The loader used in the simulation has physical dimensions equivalent to the Vallée forklift:
- same wheelbase,
- same overall height,
- And a similar footprint in length and width.
However, its lifting capacity is lower than that of the Vallée forklift.
👉 This is precisely what highlights the efficiency of the Vallée forklift:
At equal dimensions, it can lift and move heavier loads.
Comparative Test Results
The following results are from a field simulation comparing hourly performance, energy consumption, and total cost of ownership (TCO) between two pieces of equipment with identical physical sizes: a loader and a Vallée all-terrain forklift.
Objective:
To demonstrate the real-world impact of design and mechanical engineering on productivity and operating costs with identically sized equipment.
During the Field Simulation:
Vallée Forklift
- 4 bundles per trip
- 294.5 bundles moved/hour
- Hourly cost: $71.25 (≈ $142,500/year)
Loader (exact dimensions)
- 2 bundles per trip
- 147.2 bundles moved/hour
- Hourly cost: $91 (≈ $182,000/year)
👉 Verdict:
- Productivity doubled: +100% bundles/hour
- Annual savings: nearly $40,000 per machine
Fewer machines required: one Vallée forklift can replace two loaders.
What Is a Bundle?
A bundle refers to a unit of goods that is grouped together.
Depending on the industry, it may be:
- a pallet,
- a bundle of wood,
- a bale of material,
- a bag of goods,
- or even a block of stone.
➡️ In every case, it is a unit load handled with forks.
Why Is the Vallée Forklift Twice as Productive?
Load Capacity per Trip
- Loader: limited to 2 bundles per cycle.
- Vallée Forklift: higher lifting capacity and tighter turning radius, allowing more storage in the same area.
Purpose-Built for Lifting
- Loader: designed to push, scoop, and dig → reduced handling efficiency since the load sits farther from the center of gravity.
- Vallée Forklift: explicitly designed for lifting and stabilizing unit loads.
Stability and Safety
Both the loader and the forklift in our comparison are designed for rough terrain.
- Loader: reaches its stability limit at a lower capacity.
- Vallée Forklift: optimized center of gravity and shorter load center ensure superior stability, even in harsh conditions. It offers a higher lifting capacity than a loader of the exact dimensions.
Faster Cycles
- Fewer back-and-forth trips → doubled pace.
- Shorter loading and unloading times thanks to more straightforward operation.
Economic Analysis & Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Comparing only the purchase price of machines does not give a complete picture.
What truly matters is the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership), which includes:
- Purchase or rental price,
- fuel and maintenance costs,
- labor,
- And, above all, real productivity in the field.
Based on simulations, the Vallée forklift’s TCO is about 30% lower than that of a loader with the exact dimensions.
And because it moves twice as many bundles per hour, each working hour generates more value with fewer expenses.
Concrete Example:
A loader costs about $91/h to operate versus $71.25/h for a Vallée forklift.
With double productivity, this represents nearly $40,000 in annual savings per machine—not including the reduced number of machines required to accomplish the same task.
Economic Impact: Measurable Savings
- Loader: $91/h operating cost
- Vallée Forklift: $71.25/h operating cost
With doubled productivity, you move more loads for less cost.
Over one year: nearly $40,000 in savings per machine.
| Criteria | Vallée Forklift | Front Loader |
|---|---|---|
| Bundles per trip | 4 | 2 |
| Quantity handled (bundles/hour) | 288.2 | 147.1 |
| Distance traveled (km/hour) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Cost ($/hour) | 71.25 | 91 |
| Weekly cost | 2850 | 3640 |
| Monthly cost | 11899 | 15197 |
| Annual cost | 142500 | 182000 |
A Total of nearly $40,000 in Savings
In a multi-machine fleet, the savings become SIGNIFICANT.
Important Note
Operating a forklift requires specific training, but this training is generally more accessible and faster to obtain than that needed to operate a loader.
As a result, it is usually easier to recruit and train personnel for forklift operation, since its handling is more straightforward and more common in industrial and logistics environments.
In Which Industries Is the Vallée Advantage Most Recognized?
| Industry | Loader (limitations) | Vallée Forklift (advantages) |
|---|---|---|
| Mining | Designed for bulk material, not suitable for unit loads. | 2× more cycles per hour, high useful capacity. |
| Forestry | Limited to small grouped loads. | Carries 4 bundles of wood per trip. |
| Ports & logistics | Poorly suited for pallets or crates. | Optimized for standardized units. |
| Quarries & rocks | Unstable with blocks or bags. | Robust forks, safe handling. |
| Heavy industry | Not designed for coils or molds. | High capacity, superior stability. |
Conclusion
In summary:
- 2× more load per hour
- Up to $40,000 in annual savings
- Fewer machines and operators are needed
- Increased safety and stability
The Vallée forklift is not just a loader equivalent —
It’s a purpose-built solution for your demanding outdoor operations.
📥 Download our free ebook:
“Loader vs. Vallée Forklift – The Comparison That Transforms Your Operations”
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FAQ – Loader vs Vallée Forklift
A loader (front-end loader) is primarily designed for earthmoving and handling bulk materials such as soil, gravel, or sand.
A forklift, on the other hand, is designed to lift and transport unit loads (pallets, bundles of wood, blocks, crates).
👉 Result: A loader is less productive for handling unit loads, whereas a Vallée forklift is optimized for this type of work.
A loader, designed for pushing, shoveling, and digging, can only carry a limited volume safely.
👉 This design difference explains why the Vallée forklift doubles productivity compared to a loader of the same size.
Client note: This is not a perfect example, as a loader could be equipped with longer forks.
A loader costs about $91/hour to operate, compared to $71.25/hour for a Vallée forklift.
Considering the doubled productivity, that represents nearly $40,000 in annual savings per machine.
The benefits are especially significant in environments handling unit loads, such as:
- Mining
- Forestry
- Ports & logistics
- Quarries & stone operations
Heavy industries (steel, concrete, energy)
