Did you know? skid steer was invented back in 1956 for the sole purpose, just for cleaning poultry sheds. They’ve come a long way since then. Nowadays skid steers are powerful and versatile but still compact and have maneuverability that made them popular in the start.
With all the options available in the market for mini skid steers, how do you choose the one that’s right for you?
In this blog, we'll discuss what to look for when buying a mini skid steer.
Jobsite Considerations
The first consideration for this type of equipment usually comes down to how and where it will be deployed. Here’s what you need to know about the project and its location.
Calculate the area.
Skid steers are usually used in spaces where there is height or width is quite low such as barns, poultry sheds, or even between houses in a subdivision. Before you even think about companies and features, understand your job site first, including doors, corridors, gates, and ramp widths and heights. Mostly skid steers run from 3-6 feet wide, and up to 12 feet in extended height.
Remember the dump height if you need to move materials using a bucket attachment or forklift. You’ll have at least two feet of clearance for a bucket dump. Look for the “height to hinge pin” spec. It’s the pivot point between the arms and the bucket. It can range between 8 feet and 12 feet. This is crucial to know if you’ll be loading trucks or trailers with loose materials.
Consider the load limits.
Lift, or operating capacity is the amount of weight the skid steer can lift, carry, & move. This will depend not only on engine size but the structure size and weight of the whole machine. Ideally the bigger the engine the larger and heavier the skid steer is and the more load it can lift. Typically, a 23-hp model will weigh around 2000 lbs.
Heavy engines also mean reduced maneuverability. If you’re working in tight spaces, you may have to sacrifice lift capacity for size.
Lift Type
Skid steers may have a vertical lift style or a radial lift design, and both styles work for a number of applications.
if you’re lifting pallets onto high shelving, you may need a vertical lift type, but if you’re doing sidewalk construction work, a radial lift style will offer better reach.
Features
Once you have the specifications finalized, you can start working on features. Skid steers come with options to enhance operator comfort, such as enclosed, temperature-controlled operator cabs and comfortable seats.
There are different types of controls in different models and they might feature levers, foot pedals, or joystick controls. Joysticks are the most common controller in larger skid steers for more precise control.
For easy maintenance, Think about a model with easy access to greasing, lubricants, fluid compartments, and large access points for easy service and cleaning.
To add versatility to your machinery fleet, mini skid steers have a wide array of attachments to choose from, making a long list of jobs you can do with a skid steer. Choose a model with the available skid steer attachments to fit your needs. Mini skid offers a variety of attachments to choose from like sweepers, augers, forestry cutting heads, power rakes, forks, ground levelers, grapples, snow blower attachments, mulchers, trench fillers, and many more.
As mini skid steers continue to upgrade with more added versatility, they are likely to become even more powerful and useful in the future. Once a machine designed to do a single job, skid steers of today are powerful, compact, agile, versatile, and easy to operate. Our Future models will continue to build on that legacy.