Archive for the ‘skid steer loader’ Category
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 |
What is a skid steer loader?
A skid steer loader is a stiff frame machine with mechanical arms that can be fitted with attachments for a wide variety of different tools, including a backhoe, hydraulic breaker, pallet forks, angle broom, sweeper, auger, mower, snow blower, stump grinder, tree spade, trencher, and a wheel saw.
Modern skid steer loaders come in two varieties, a four wheeled system and a rubber track version. Wheel loaders are typically are four-wheel drive and for additional maneuverability, the left and right wheels systems are independent. The track version also referred to as a track loader provides for better digging and pushes performance in higher end models due to less ground disturbance and better traction in un-ideal environments like mud and sand.
History of the skid loader machine
The first three-wheeled front-end loader was invented in 1957 by two brothers, Cyril and Louis Keller, in a small machinist shop in Rothsay Minnesota. The brothers conceived the idea to help a nearby farmer with the ignoble task of cleaning up manure for a pole barn. They wanted to help him, and out of this collaboration the first skidder was born.
This early machine was eventually purchased by Melrose Manufacturing Company and the Kellers brought on to continue development. Since then it has spread to become a highly valued piece of heavy equipment for sale at construction and engineering site around the globe.
What are these machines used for?
Due to the wide array of attachments available for these vehicles , they have many uses, but mostly are employed for scrape material from one place to another, carry materials in a bucket and proceed to load them into a truck or trailer.
Skid Steer loaders can also be used in tight digging situations where factors limit the practically of using a large excavator, like digging a basement under an existing house. In this situation a skid loader would make use of a ramp at the edge of the site. The loader would proceed to use the ramp to carry materials out of the hole. The skid loader would reshape the ramp by making it steeper and longer as the excavation deepened.
Differences between a front loader machine and a skid loader machine
The pivot arms on a skid loader lay behind the driver, alongside the side of the vehicle.
Major machine manufacturers
Major manufacturers for skid loaders include the Bobcat Company, Mustang Equipment, Case Equipment, New Holland Equipment, Komatsu Equipment, and Caterpillar Equipment etc.
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 |
As you begin your search to purchase a new Skid Steer Loader, you will quickly find that that there are many manufacturers of skid steer loaders.
You will find that there are infinite options, from engines to operator control options. As with the purchase of any piece of equipment you need to start by purchasing the right unit to complete the application you will be using it in, don’t ever think that because you have purchased the largest or highest horsepower machine that it will complete the job more efficiently.
Below are some of the key objectives for purchasing a new Skid steer Loader.
1. Budget vs. financing: You will need to start the buying process by determining whether you will need to finance the equipment or purchase outright depending on your financial situation. Even if you have available funds to purchase the heavy equipment, don’t rule out financing.
2. Purchasing the Equipment that will best suit your applications.: This is by far one of the most important steps of this process. You will need to provide the equipment sales company with accurate information about the type of work you will be doing, this will allow them to provide information and pricing on the unit that meet all your need on the job. Utilization is key when purchasing a piece of equipment, the more task you can complete with owned equipment the less you will have to rent equipment from an outside source, again saving you money in the long run.
Another key is properly equipping the unit that you purchase. Think about things that you may need or want as far as options. Many times, consumers will buy a base model machine and then come to realize later on that they’d be able to better use the equipment if it had heat and air conditioning or foam filled tires. Also, they find themselves being restricted on the attachments they are able to run based on whether or not they have high flow hydraulics opposed to standard flow hydraulics. Transport is also a major concern, do you have the capabilities of transporting the equipment from project site to project site without buy larger truck and/or trailers.
3. Comparing various models: When you begin comparing different models, be sure you understand how the various manufacturers rate their equipment, when you are comparing horsepower rating be sure that you are not comparing net horsepower to gross horsepower. Some equipment manufacturers rate their machine by gross horsepower and others rate theirs by the net horsepower, the same will apply with lifting capacities.
4. Service and Warranty after the Sale: When purchasing a new piece of equipment be sure to ask about warranties, you should determine what is covered and how long the warranty is in affect. Be sure to find the closest warranty repair center before you purchase. Ask if a service loaner will be issued in case of mechanical breakdown. You may also want to ask if the dealer stocks parts for the unit. Before the sale is final be sure to ask the equipment dealer how they would handle the situation if a month or so after you purchase the equipment, you decide that you are not satisfied with it.
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Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 |
Bobcat is the originator of the most versatile piece of maintenance and heavy construction equipment. Bobcat introduced its first self-propelled compact loader nearly 50 years ago. The three-wheeled machine featured two drive wheels and a rear caster wheel, with lift arms and a simple utility fork attachment up front. This quick, agile loader replaced a pitchfork and a strong back to save hours of hard labor in areas too small for conventional machines. That was soon followed by development of the world’s first four-wheel-drive skid-steer loader—a revolutionary concept in machines that literally changed the way the world works.
What does the most models of skid steer loaders for sale available in the industry mean to you? Coupled with the most options and attachments in the industry means you can find the right sized loader with the right features at the right price to meet your specific needs. Choose a compact, standard wheelbase machine for maximum maneuverability and a radius lift path for great all around performance. Or select a smooth-riding long wheelbase model, with either a radius lift path or a long-reaching vertical lift path for optimal loading efficiency.
All K-Series Bobcat loaders are equipped with such standard equipment as an engine/hydraulic systems shutdown, deluxe cab, dual function (maximum flow or variable flow) front auxiliary hydraulics and front and rear working lights. And don’t forget serviceability. It’s unsurpassed.
These Bobcat equipments for sale are built for long, dependable operation in the most demanding jobsite environments. Drive chains never need adjustment and axle bearings never need greasing. Engine and hydraulic system shutdown automatically protects the machine from possible catastrophic failure.
Bobcat loaders are designed as a balanced system to make the most of your horsepower and your money. That includes balancing such factors as wheelbase, tread width and weight distribution. As a result, Bobcat loaders tend to weigh less and require less horsepower to achieve top performance. Other money-saving features include belt drive, instead of direct drive, and a dual-path cooling system, both of which reduce operating costs and extend engine life.
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Friday, September 26th, 2008 |
The first skid steer loader, the Melroe M-400, was introduced more than 45 years ago and since its inception the compact equipment workhorse has evolved into a monster machine. Much more supreme than it’s 1960 self, the modern skid steer has evolved everything from its hand and foot controls to its overall brute strength.
Today’s skid steers are giving operators capabilities they have never before imagined, and they are doing it in style and comfort. While skid steers of the old ages caused aches and pains, modern loaders are smooth rides with easy-to-use joystick controls.
Keeping the customer in mind, skid steer manufacturers have developed a new pilot joystick control system. Before Caterpillar first introduced the new controls, operators had combination hand and foot controls. The hand levers would operate the movement while the foot pedals moved the bucket levers. With today’s system everything can be controlled with two joysticks.
There are two different control options available with the pilot joysticks, the ISO pattern and the H pattern. With the ISO pattern, the right joystick controls the attachments movement. Moving the joystick forward or backward will move the loader arms up or down, while tilting the joystick left or right will tilt the bucket up or down. With your other hand, the left joystick controls the movement of the machine. Pushing or pulling it will move the machine forward or put it in reverse, while tilting the controls left or right will rotate the machines direction.
With the H pattern, the loader arm and machine controls are split between the joysticks. To move the machine forward or put it in reverse you need to push or pull back on both of the joysticks at the same time. To rotate the direction of the machine push forward with one joystick and pull back with the other. To control the attachment, the right joystick moves the bucket (left or right to control the tilt) and the left joystick moves the loader arms (left or right to raise and lower them).
Some operators prefer the H and others the ISO, so to make it convenient some manufacturers such as Bobcat offer both, with their Selectable Joystick Controls you can change from the H to the ISO pattern with the flick of a switch.
A feature that was introduced in 1998 by skid steer manufacturer Case is Ride Control, which is often a popular feature to use with the joystick pilot controls because it minimizes material spills by stabilizing the loader arms on rough-terrain sites.
In today’s day and age luxuries are everywhere, and there is no reason to stop short with skid steers. Its understood by most skid steer operators that comfort goes together with productivity, because the more comfortable you are, the longer you are going to be able to operate the machine. Because of this many manufacturers today offer cab packages that can give you any luxury you want. With features such as cooled glove boxes for a drink or boxed lunch, enclosed cabs with air conditioning and heat for extreme temperatures, deluxe suspension seats for bumpy rides and power outlets for music players or fans you might not ever want to get out.
In addition to this, cabs today are also much quieter than before because of sound insulation around fans and other noise generators. Some companies such as Mustang monitor noise levels in the cab before the loader ever comes off the production line.
With efficiency the number one factor behind the design of the industry’s compact workhorse, it’s understood that comfort and ability are compliments to the goal. What was once strictly a get-the-job-done machine has evolved to a first class comfort ride, and everyone is benefiting.
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