Know Your Skid Steer Specs Before You Buy

Posted: Jan 19, 2011 |Comments: 0 |

Using skid steer specs to measure your machine's ability and limitations will make sure you only take on the jobs you can handle, and avoid the work that will damage your machine.

The skid steer loader is one of the most versatile and useful compact construction machines available today. With its combination of ruggedness, agility, and Swiss Army knife assortment of ingenious, quick-change attachments, this machine has become one of the most common choices among construction and landscape professionals. But it's important to know what skid steer specs you need before you buy it.

When choosing your skid steer loader, there are a lot of variables to consider. Chief among them is certainly price. You have to operate within your budget. It's also vital that the manufacturer you choose produces machines with an excellent track record. But once those variables have been decided, it's time to look at the skid steer specs for the different models.

When choosing a good skid steer loader, there are five skid steer specs that are most important: weight capacity, dump height, horsepower, the machine's control mechanism, and whether it uses tires or tracks.

Skid Steer Specs: Weight Capacity

Weight capacity refers to the amount of weight the skid steer loader can lift without the risk of tipping over. It is a broad range, anywhere from 700 to over 5,000 pounds. It is imperative when investing in a skid steer loader that you have a notion of the maximum weight you might need to lift on a rare occasion, not a daily basis. It is that rare occasion that will cause you problems.

Skid Steer Specs: Dump Height

Dump height must be considered as well, and refers to the distance from the level ground that the skid steer loader boom can hoist its load and effectively drop the load into another receptacle (like a truck or bin). Dump heights are usually measured in inches and range between 85 and 133 inches.

Skid Steer Specs: Horsepower

Skid steer loaders are also rated for horsepower, which is important when considering both how much weight you plan to carry, as well as what kind of materials you might plan to dig in. Horsepower ratings vary from as little as 17 HP to almost 100 HP.

Skid Steer Specs: Control Mechanism

The control mechanism for most skid steer loaders involve the use of hand and/or foot controls and hydraulics to move the wheels, the boom, and the attachments. Some skid steer attachments require high-flow hydraulic fluid rates, while others do not. All-hand controls are increasingly popular, and are thought to increase productivity.

Wheels vs. Tracks:

It's also well worth considering whether you will choose a skid steer with the "traditional" four wheel set-up, or tracks. There are appreciable differences in cost, maintenance and performance between the two types.

When you're trying to determine your ideal skid steer specs, it's a good idea to test, rent, and basically take your time finding the skid steer that's the perfect match for your work style.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/know-your-skid-steer-specs-before-you-buy-4070196.html

    Article Tags:

    skid steer

    ,

    skid steer specs

    ,

    skid steer loader

    ,

    skid steer loaders

    ,

    skidsteer

    ,

    skid steer attachments

    ,

    skid steer attachment

    March Summers

    International vehicle transports service providers offer facilities for shipping you vehicle across to the new country. These vehicle transport companies have the legal authority, the right infrastructure and a wide network to carry out their operations.

    By: March Summersl Automotivel May 28, 2012

    Thinking about cars brings to mind parts like the engine, brakes and radiators as these are indispensible for proper functioning of the vehicle. But there is another important part which deserves mention and that is the windshield. Irrespective of whether it is bought online or from local auto glass shops, a windshield is manufactured from a special glass which is different from the normal sheets.

    By: dylanrossl Automotivel May 25, 2012

    Imagine the day when you finally have your very own car after years of commuting, working and saving for it.

    By: angelicaemmanuell Automotivel May 25, 2012

    Are you thinking of buying a fancy car like a Pontiac or a Porsche? Do you have an old car you want to get rid off while at it?

    By: angelicaemmanuell Automotivel May 25, 2012

    Compact crossover sport utility vehicles, also known as small crossover SUVs, combine the attributes of compact cars and larger sport utility vehicles.

    By: angelicaemmanuell Automotivel May 25, 2012

    There are options for concrete work, using the Bobcat Skidsteer. Three different options that are perfect for concrete work: the Scoop-N-Mix Concrete Mixer, the EZ-Mixer, and the Concrete Chuter Bobcat attachments. Contractors who work with concrete can pay for a new concrete attachment in a couple years, just by saving money on delivered concrete and time wasted waiting around for the delivery driver.

    By: Julie rossl Automotivel Apr 24, 2011

    Many skidsteer attachments are the result of ad hoc innovation while using a tool in an unusual way. The skidsteer loader, as you already know, is not a conventional machine in any way.There are many inventions that start with unconventional use of simple skidsteer attachments such as the post driver and the Bale Spear.The skidsteer seems to inspire unconventional problem solving by improving the unconventional uses of the many tools.

    By: Julie rossl Automotivel Apr 15, 2011

    The skid steer rock crusher attached to a skid steer loader can easily scoop up the piles, pulverize them, and then, turn them into gravel to use in backfill to help with drainage. Consider a rock crusher attachment for any kind of demolition or mining operation, and save on the high costs and inconveniences of a stand-alone rock crusher.

    By: Julie rossl Automotivel Mar 08, 2011

    Skid steer attachments have a new addition, the soil scraper, an attachment that has been made specifically to be used by a skid steer loader. This wheeled wonder can transform a skid steer loader into what can only be described as one of the serious earth-moving monsters. In the skid steer attachments world, this is what is narrowing the gap between skid steer loaders and giant, dedicated earth moving machines.

    By: Julie rossl Automotivel Feb 04, 2011

    Mini skid steer loaders are one of the most useful and versatile machines on work sites these days. They are agile, adept, and compact workhorses. They are significantly less expensive than the original skid steer loaders, and best of all, the mini skid steer loaders come with their own array of mini skid steer loader attachments.

    By: Julie rossl Automotivel Feb 04, 2011

    Discuss this Article

    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast