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    Volvo L120 Wheel Loader for Sale in South Africa

    The Volvo L120 is the closest direct competitor to the CAT 966 — a 20-ton class wheel loader with the OptiShift transmission, Care Cab and strong fuel economy. IronYard lists L120E, L120F, L120G and L120H stock with hours, tyre life and finance available.

    All 9 SA provinces
    Verified dealers
    Transport arranged
    Finance in 24hrs

    Key specifications

    Operating weight
    20 500 – 22 000 kg
    Engine
    Volvo D8J / D8K
    Net power
    220 kW (295 hp)
    Bucket capacity
    3.4 – 4.2 m³
    Payload
    6 000 – 6 500 kg
    Tyres
    26.5 R25
    Fuel tank
    365 L
    Typical fuel burn
    17 – 24 L/hr

    Typical SA price bands

    L120E (pre-2010)

    R 700 000 – R 1 300 000

    L120F (2010 – 2014)

    R 1 300 000 – R 2 100 000

    L120G / H (2014+)

    R 2 100 000 – R 3 800 000

    New (dealer)

    R 5 200 000+

    Example finance

    R 1 950 000 machine · R 292 500 deposit · 60 months · 12.5% p.a.

    ≈ R 37 350 / month

    Calculate your own

    Available Volvo L120 stock

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    Also consider — front-end loader spec pages

    Rival front-end loader models

    Caterpillar 966Caterpillar 966HKomatsu WA380

    Volvo L120 for sale by province

    Front-End Loader in GautengFront-End Loader in KwaZulu-NatalFront-End Loader in Western CapeFront-End Loader in Eastern CapeFront-End Loader in Free StateFront-End Loader in LimpopoFront-End Loader in MpumalangaFront-End Loader in North WestFront-End Loader in Northern Cape

    Frequently asked — Volvo L120

    Volvo L120 or CAT 966?

    Very close call. The L120 tends to be slightly more fuel-efficient thanks to OptiShift and the Care Cab is more comfortable. The CAT 966 has a broader SA parts network and marginally stronger residual value. Both are excellent.

    What is OptiShift?

    Volvo's lock-up torque converter combined with Reverse By Braking — reduces fuel burn 10 to 15 percent over conventional torque converter transmissions in Load & Carry cycles.

    L120G vs L120H?

    The H-series added an updated cab, LED lighting, upgraded electronics and small hydraulic refinements. Both are excellent machines; the G is the value pick, the H the long-hold pick.

    Support?

    Babcock Equipment — full national network.

    Fuel economy?

    L120G/H in typical Load & Carry: 17 to 22 L/hr. That is genuinely class-leading.

    The Volvo L120 — the fuel-economy pick in the 20-ton loader class

    For quarry, aggregate and stockpile work at the 20-ton class, the Volvo L120 is the fuel-economy pick. OptiShift genuinely delivers a 10 to 15 percent fuel saving over conventional torque converter loaders in Load & Carry work, and over a five-year hold that number pays for a significant chunk of the machine.

    L120E, F, G, H — the generations

    • L120E — the classic. Mechanical, well understood, cheap parts, thirsty by modern standards.
    • L120F — OptiShift arrives. Materially better fuel economy. Value sweet spot today.
    • L120G — the balanced pick. Better cab, upgraded electronics, best fuel economy for the money.
    • L120H — current-generation. Updated cab, LED, refined hydraulics. Long-hold pick.

    Buying used

    Same discipline as any 20-ton loader — bucket pins, articulation welds, transmission behaviour, tyre life. A well-serviced L120G with 6 000 to 9 000 hours in the R 2.1m to R 2.7m band is a genuinely strong buy.

    Get a price on a Volvo L120See all front-end loadersFinance calculator

    Front-End Loaders by monthly instalment

    Illustrated at 10% deposit, 60 months, 12.5% p.a.

    Front-End Loaders Under R5 000 / monthFront-End Loaders Under R10 000 / monthFront-End Loaders Under R15 000 / monthFront-End Loaders Under R25 000 / monthFront-End Loaders Under R50 000 / month

    Front-End Loaders by price band

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