Skid Steer Loaders: Small But Mighty

Skid Steer Loaders are extremely popular and versatile pieces of construction equipment that are a common sight on construction and industrial sites. Sometimes referred to simply as a “bobcat” or “skid steer” for short, these compact machines can be incredibly useful, either on their own or by supplementing heavier machines and gear.

One of the benefits of this particular piece of equipment is that it comes equipped either with wheels or a track, making it very adaptable to different forms of terrain. Skid steer loaders are smaller than most heavy construction loaders, comprised of an operator cab situated over an engine enclosure with a pair of load-lifting arms on either side of the machine. This smaller structure makes it very useful in enclosed areas, increasing its ability to function in cramped quarters or locations.

The cab itself is typically equipped with a protective cage. One of the more popular attachments used by skid steer loaders is a standard cargo bucket, but other attachments are available, including a sawtooth bucket or even an auger. The various attachments available for the skid steer loader are all part of the machine’s overall appeal.

History

As mentioned above, skid steer loaders have long been so synonymous with the brand Bobcat that they are often called by that name, no matter their actual brand of manufacture. Depending on their features they are also referred to as either “compact wheel loaders” or “compact track loaders.”

The very first version of what ultimately became the modern skid steer loader was created in 1957, beginning as a rudimentary loader invented by Louis and Cyril Keller, two brothers from Rothsay, Minnesota, who were approached by a local turkey farmer who asked the brothers to supply some mechanical means to help move material around the farm. The three-wheeled machine they invented was called “the Keller Loader.”

As word of the usefulness of these three-wheeled machines got out, demand for the Keller Loader grew. Melroe Manufacturing purchased the rights to produce the machine in 1958, and the brothers worked in development for that company to mass-market their invention.

The M444 Melroe Bobcat was first released in 1963. This machine gained its descriptive name because it was reputedly “tough, quick, and agile… like a bobcat.” Other manufacturers such as CASE, CAT, John Deere, Kubota, and Komatsu have since released their own lines of compact load-lifting machinery that emulate the same basic style as the Melroe Bobcat. But over time the “bobcat” nickname became somewhat associated with all machines of that type.

Skid Steer Loader: The Basics

No matter the project, if there is a need for fast, agile transfer of heavy materials there is probably a skid steer loader that would be an ideal match for the job.

Skid steer loaders are adaptable to many different types of jobs, including dozing, grading, digging, lifting, and transporting materials around a job or worksite. They are also extremely useful for snow removal when winter weather rears its ugly head.

The skid steer loader is equipped with dual hydraulic arms that give it a decent heavy lifting capacity. Though small, these mighty machines are usually capable of lifting weights between 1,250 lbs. and up to 2,700 lbs. Their primary function is lifting and moving heavy material. If you have a job or project in construction, landscaping, agriculture, industrial production, warehousing, or anything else of that nature, a skid steer loader can definitely help.

Their compact size and maneuverability make them extra efficient when performing smaller jobs or when working in a limited space. This factor qualifies them as multi-purpose, multi-terrain workhorses that can really help to keep a project moving when speed and efficiency count.

Attachments for Skid Steers

Various assorted attachments really diversify the capabilities of the skid steer loader, increasing productivity and contributing to its overall efficiency in different project types.

Material Moving

Since moving and transporting material is the primary purpose of a skid steer loader, smooth bucket attachments allow it to easily move soil or other materials, much faster and far more efficiently than doing so by hand. No manual wheelbarrow can come close to the speed and power of the skid steer loader.

Digging

When digging is required, often hand shoveling takes too long and requires far too much of an investment in man hours. Though the digging job may be too small for a compact excavator, a skid steer loader may be the solution. Sawtooth bucket attachments are available for skid steer loaders and provide an exceptional solution for digging in rocky landscapes, hard-packed soil, or when performing small-scale excavation projects.

Grabbing

Another useful attachment is a grappler. These come in several shapes and sizes and are equipped with retractable claws useful for grabbing and gripping. These attachments are typically used on construction sites when the operator needs to move large objects or debris, or on agricultural sites where they are used for pulling stumps and carrying logs and tree trunks.

Snow Clearing

When the operator needs to clear deep-packed snow, a rotating steel auger attachment can plow through the snow easily. Skid steer loaders can also be paired with snowblower attachments to clear packed snow too heavy for manual shoveling, especially in narrow spaces like on sidewalks, alleyways, or between buildings.

Clearing

If you need to do some landscape grading or push heavy loads, a bulldozer blade attachment can be added to a skid steer loader to do the job. If the task is too small for a full-size bulldozer, then a skid steer loader can be easily equipped to do the job and fill that gap.

Other Attachments for Skid Steer Loaders

While the items mentioned above are the most popular skid steer loader attachments, there are many others: concrete breakers, auger drills, tillers, mowers, etc. There are so many available options that it would be difficult to find a job that the skid steer loader cannot do.

Tracked vs Wheeled Machines

Like larger forms of equipment, skid steer loaders can be fitted either with a continual track system made of rubber or metal, or else they can be fitted with wheels. Both types are readily available. This is an important consideration when one seeks the best machine for a particular job, since tracks or wheels are each best suited to different conditions and types of terrain.

When to Use a Wheeled Skid Steer Loader

When moving over flat even ground, wheels work best. This includes hard terrain or finished concrete, on pavement, or over concrete flooring. Wheeled skid steer loaders are also faster and tend to cost less to maintain. Wheels are less expensive because they require less maintenance, they are more fuel-efficient, and they are more durable. For instance, it is far easier to change the tires and clean the undercarriage of a wheeled skid steer loader than to service and maintain its tracked equivalent.

When to Use a Tracked Skid Steer Loader

When dealing with more challenging terrain, however, a tracked machine can typically handle rough surfaces much more efficiently. Snow, mud, and sand offer little impediment to a tracked vehicle, since they disperse their weight over the broader surface offered by the tracks, rather than simply relying upon four slippery tires.

If you know the job is going to be a muddy one, or if rough, uneven terrain is in the cards, choosing a tracked skid steer loader should help maintain efficiency and productivity by letting the machine work without impediment.

Skid Steer Loaders are common on construction job sites, in factories and warehouses, and in various industrial environments. If you’re looking for a skid steer loader, contact us. We have a wide variety of models to choose from, so we’re confident that we’ll find the perfect machine for you. Let us show you how easy it is to rent or purchase a skid steer loader that will make your job easier than ever before.

Do you require the best quality construction equipment for your next project? Contact us now to discover why Eagle Power & Equipment is your one-stop shop for everything related to construction equipment sales, rentals, maintenance, and repairs.