Factorio Forums

TL;DR

Allow loaders be connected to circuit network and have same controls as inserter/filtered inserter

What

Make loaders compatible to circuit networks. Allow following circuit options:

1. Read contents, probably hold and pulse modes like belt
2. Enable/disable loader via condition, like belt or inserter
3. Set filters for output loaders, like filter inserter

Why

• Consistency. Loaders lack some organic features which inserters have
• Trains. You cannot control precise load/unload of trains because small portion of items on loader will get fetched out of or loaded into cargo wagon even when stop condition is fulfilled.This is especially actual for mods like LTN or Project Cybersyn. Since loaders were augmented once to work natively with trains, it seems logical to extend them a bit more.
• Aesthetics, though it's a minor reason. Some schemes become considerably more compact and straightforward if you can control loader directly, not belt connected to it.

Previous suggestions

• viewtopic.php?f=6&t=104794&p=579941
• viewtopic.php?f=6&t=62693&p=381094

2.0. There will not be "read contents (hold/pulse)" but a "read transfers" (which effectively works as read contents pulse, but given that loader does not have any storage, it is not pulsed when item gets moved to the internal storage, thats why it will be called read transfers). Enable and set filter will be there.

Epic! Will definitely be using this feature, thanks!