Skid Loader- The Versatile Powerhouse

Skid Loader: What makes them tick?

Raw power in such a small package, the Skid loader is run by a diesel engine. The diesel engine also powers the hydraulic pump that operates the arms.  These machines can be operated by foot controls or hand controls. The hand controls can be more fun to drive operating with the use of two joysticks, the left controls the direction and the right joystick controls the arms.

There are over a hundred different types of attachments for the Caterpillar skid steer, such as a grapple, snow plow, auger, pallet forks, dirt bucket, brooms, mower, post hole digger, mulcher, rock picker, seeder . . .the list goes on.

Skid Loader

You’re going to want to pick the attachments you’ll most commonly use and this will obviously be based on what type of work you’ll have your Skid Loader preforming.

Skid loaders are used on construction sites, or for landscaping, nurseries and demolition.

Skid Loader: who has the best toys?

Bobcat seems to hold the number one spot for desirable Skid loaders, offering the most variety in attachments.  They also come loaded with other goodies not all other skid loaders have, such as; maintenance chain-case, dual path cooling, tougher axel strength, easier engine access and vertical and radial lift path options. Their website is also pretty impressive, giving you the options to pick out a Skid loader model and virtually customize it by choosing tires and attachments, cab type and then gives you the buying price at the end.

The Catepillar skid steers also offers their version of the Skid loader, although it’s not quite as impressive to me as Bobcats. Their website also had a build-your-own –skid-loader aspect to it, but it didn’t have very many photos other than that of your basic skid loader and didn’t show photos of attachment options of tires like that of  Bobcats website. The high quality brands will obviously include Bobcat and Caterpillar with Case and New Holland as well as John Deere and Mustang.  Brand popularity isn’t a guarantee you’re getting a quality piece of machinery.

Skid Loader- Conclusion

Be sure not to be fooled by all the glitter and get a model from a brand that meets your needs as well as your budget. Being that the skid loader is a long lasting machine and one that will require maintenance make sure you purchase your machine from a reputable dealer, one that you will likely have a long standing relationship with so mjake sure they know the in’s and out’s of their machines and don’t settle with a small time dealer that only carries one or two models.