
Product Description Specifications of 5 ton front wheel loader with 3m3 or 3.5cbm bucket capacity wheelloader 1.The frame of the loader is arranged centrally and the turning radius is small; the steering system of the loader with coaxial flow amplification makes steering flexible. 2.162kW...


5 Ton Front Wheel Loader - Choose Your Bucket: 3m³ or 3.5m³
One proven ZL50 5-ton wheel loader platform, two bucket capacities. The standard 3m³ bucket is optimized for high-density materials - ore, rock, gravel and wet soil where the 5000kg rated load is reached before the bucket is full. The 3.5m³ bucket moves ~17% more volume per pass, ideal for low-density materials - coal, grain, sawdust and dry soil. Both configurations share the same 162kW Weichai turbocharged engine, ±35° articulated steering and 5000kg rated load. Choose the bucket that matches your material - or order both and swap with the quick-coupler system.
? 3.0 m³ General Bucket
? 3.5 m³ Large / Light-Material Bucket
? 162 kW Weichai Engine
? 5000 kg Rated Load
? ±35° Articulated Steering
? Optional Quick Coupler
3m³ or 3.5m³ Bucket
Rated Load (Both)
Volume per Pass (3.5m³)
Weichai Engine (Both)
The ZL50 5-ton front wheel loader is China's most proven articulated loader platform, powered by the Weichai WD10G220E23 turbocharged diesel engine (162kW / 220HP). Its 5000kg rated load and ±35° articulated steering make it the workhorse of construction sites, quarries, ports and farms worldwide.
What makes this configuration unique is the bucket-capacity choice. The same loader can be ordered with either a 3m³ general-purpose bucket (thicker wear-resistant steel, optimized for abrasive rock and dense soil) or a 3.5m³ large-capacity bucket (wider mouth, higher fill factor, optimized for light materials). The right choice depends on what you are loading - a 3m³ bucket on coal underfills every pass; a 3.5m³ bucket on iron ore overloads the machine.
With the optional quick-coupler system, you can even order both buckets and swap between them in under 5 minutes when your material changes - one machine for the quarry face in the morning and the coal yard in the afternoon.
Weichai WD10G220E23 - 162kW, low-speed high-torque
3m³ OR 3.5m³ bucket - choose by material density
±35° articulated steering - tight 5,800mm turning radius
Optional quick-coupler - swap buckets in ≤5 minutes
Dual-pump confluence hydraulics - up to 10% fuel saving
Sealed dust-proof articulation - extended service life

Same loader, different buckets - engineered for different material densities
3m³ General-Purpose BucketThicker wear plates · Optimized for dense, abrasive materials Bucket Capacity:3.0 m³ Bucket Width:2,980 mm Material:Wear-resistant steel (NM400) Cutting Edge:Thickened, replaceable Teeth:Optional tooth bar + adapters Best Fill Material:1.6–2.0 t/m³ density Passes to Fill Truck:3–4 (15-ton truck) Best for: ore, rock, gravel, sand, wet soil, aggregate, compacted materials - where rated load is reached before bucket is full |
3.5m³ Large-Capacity BucketWider mouth · Higher fill factor · +17% volume per pass Bucket Capacity:3.5 m³ Bucket Width:3,100 mm Material:High-strength steel (lighter) Cutting Edge:Spill-resistant, extended sides Teeth:Smooth edge (low insertion resistance) Best Fill Material:0.8–1.4 t/m³ density Passes to Fill Truck:2–3 (15-ton truck) Best for: coal, grain, sawdust, mulch, dry soil, snow, light demolition debris - where more volume is needed to reach rated load |

Side-by-side specifications to help you choose the right bucket
| Specification | 3m³ General Bucket | 3.5m³ Large Bucket |
|---|---|---|
| Bucket Capacity | 3.0 m³ | 3.5 m³ (+17%) |
| Bucket Width | 2,980 mm | 3,100 mm |
| Steel Material | Wear-resistant NM400 (thicker) | High-strength (lighter) |
| Cutting Edge | Thickened, replaceable | Spill-resistant extended sides |
| Optional Teeth | Tooth bar + adapters (standard) | Smooth edge (optional teeth) |
| Fill Factor (ideal material) | 1.6–2.0 t/m³ | 0.8–1.4 t/m³ |
| Material per Pass (at rated load) | ~5,000 kg | ~5,000 kg |
| Volume per Pass (at rated load) | ~2.5–3.1 m³ | ~3.6–6.3 m³ |
| Insertion Resistance | Higher (dense material) | Lower (light material) |
| Wear Part Life | Longer (thicker plates) | Standard |
| Passes per 15-ton Truck | 3–4 | 2–3 |
| Overload Risk | Low (load-reached-first) | Higher on dense material |
| Best Application | Quarry, mine, aggregate, rock | Coal, grain, agriculture, light material |
Choose by the density of your typical material - the key to maximizing productivity
Choose 3m³ Bucket - High-Density MaterialsRecommended: 3m³ General Bucket Iron Ore·Copper Ore·Hard Rock·Gravel·Wet Sand·Wet Soil·Concrete Debris·Aggregate
For materials with density above ~1.6 t/m³, the bucket reaches the 5000kg rated load before it is physically full. A 3m³ bucket with thicker wear-resistant steel handles the abrasive, heavy penetration without overloading the machine - protecting the boom, axles and brakes. |
Choose 3.5m³ Bucket - Low-Density MaterialsRecommended: 3.5m³ Large Bucket Coal·Grain·Sawdust·Mulch·Dry Soil·Snow·Charcoal·Light Debris
For materials with density below ~1.4 t/m³, a 3m³ bucket underfills - you reach the bucket's physical limit before the rated load. The 3.5m³ bucket's wider mouth and higher side walls capture ~17% more volume per pass, reaching the rated load and loading trucks in fewer passes. |

Six advantages that make this the most versatile 5-ton loader choice
Bucket-Matched Productivity
Choose 3m³ for rock or 3.5m³ for coal - every pass reaches rated load, no underfilling, no overloading. The right bucket can boost productivity by 15–20% versus a one-size-fits-all approach.
Quick-Coupler Flexibility
Optional quick-coupler lets you swap between 3m³, 3.5m³, rock bucket, fork and grapple in ≤5 minutes. One machine for multiple materials - quarry in the morning, coal yard in the afternoon.
Proven Weichai Powertrain
The WD10G220E23 delivers 162kW with strong low-speed torque for bucket penetration. Worldwide parts network and proven reliability in harsh quarry and port conditions.
Articulated Maneuverability
±35° articulated steering with 5,800mm turning radius - work efficiently in confined stockpile lanes, narrow construction sites and tight quarry faces where rigid machines cannot operate.
Fuel-Efficient Hydraulics
Dual-pump confluence with equal-unloading technology rationally distributes engine power - reducing fuel consumption by up to 10% versus conventional hydraulic systems.
Built for Abrasive Service
Sealed dust-proof articulation points, thickened wear plates (3m³ bucket) and reinforced front/rear frame - engineered for the abrasive, high-impact environments where loaders earn their keep.

Complete parameters of the ZL50 dual-bucket wheel loader
| Parameter | Value | Parameter | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Model | ZL50 Dual-Bucket Loader | Rated Load | 5,000 kg |
| Operating Weight | 16,500 kg (3m³) / 16,700 kg (3.5m³) | Max. Breakout Force | ≥145 kN |
| Bucket Configuration | |||
| Bucket Capacity (Option A) | 3.0 m³ general-purpose | Bucket Capacity (Option B) | 3.5 m³ large / light-material |
| 3m³ Bucket Width | 2,980 mm | 3.5m³ Bucket Width | 3,100 mm |
| 3m³ Steel | Wear-resistant NM400 | 3.5m³ Steel | High-strength (lighter) |
| Quick-Coupler (optional) | Hydraulic auto-coupling, ≤5 min swap | Other Buckets | Rock, light-material (4.5m³), tooth bucket |
| Engine | |||
| Engine Model | Weichai WD10G220E23 (optional Cummins / Shangchai / Steyr) | Rated Power | 162 kW / 220 HP |
| Rated Speed | 2,000 r/min | Max. Torque | ≥745 N·m |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged & intercooled | Emission | Tier 2 / Stage II |
| Performance | |||
| Forward I | 0–11.5 km/h | Forward II | 0–38 km/h |
| Reverse | 0–16 km/h | Max. Gradeability | ≥28° |
| Boom Raise Time | ≤6.3 s | Total Cycle Time | ≤11.5 s |
| Steering Angle | ±35° articulated | Min. Turning Radius | 5,800 mm |
| Dimensions & Dumping | |||
| Overall Length | 7,660 mm | Overall Width | 2,870 mm |
| Overall Height | 3,410 mm | Wheelbase | 2,900 mm |
| Max. Dumping Height | 3,000 mm | Max. Dumping Reach | 1,300 mm |
| Min. Ground Clearance | 470 mm | Tyre Type | 23.5-25, 20PR |
| Transmission & Hydraulics | |||
| Transmission | Planet-type, power-shift | Hydraulic System | Dual-pump confluence, equal-unloading (-10% fuel) |
| Brakes | Dual-circuit caliper disc, 4-wheel | Drive | 4-wheel drive |
| Cabin & Warranty | |||
| Cabin | ROPS/FOPS, broad view, A/C | Control | Pilot joystick, electronic gearshift |
| Operating Temperature | -30°C to +45°C | Warranty | 1 Year / 2000 Hours |

Applications by Bucket
Which bucket for which jobsite - match the tool to the task

Quarry (3m³ Bucket)

Mining (3m³ Bucket)

Aggregate Yard (3m³)

Coal Handling (3.5m³)

Grain Loading (3.5m³)

Farm / Agriculture (3.5m³)

Construction (3m³)

Port / Stockpile (3.5m³)
Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Should I choose a 3m³ or 3.5m³ bucket for my 5 ton wheel loader?
Q2: What is the difference between 3m³ and 3.5m³ wheel loader bucket?
03.Can I change the bucket on the wheel loader later?
Q4: Does the 3.5m³ bucket overload the machine?
Q5: What engine options are available?
Q6: What is the warranty and delivery time?
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