A loader is a heavy equipment machine used in construction to move aside or load materials such as asphalt; demolition debris; dirt; snow; feed; gravel; logs; raw minerals; recycled material; rock; sand; woodchips; etc. into or onto another type of machinery (such as a dump truck; conveyor belt; feed-hopper; or railroad car). there are many types of loader; which; depending on design and application; are called by various names; including bucket loader; front loader; front-end loader; payloader; scoop; shovel; skip loader; wheel loader; or skid-steer.