Inspiration can come from anywhere, and for Sergio Torres, it was the birth of his first child.
Torres started KRT Equipment, a manufacturer of mini skid steers and mini track loaders, in 2018, after a 15-year career in equipment sales.
“Creating a mini skid steer was something I always wanted to do; I just wasn’t motivated enough to do it,” Torres says. "When my daughter came along, I was like, ‘You know what? Let’s just do this and see what happens.'’” As a nod to her influence, the company name matches her initials.
The unfamiliar name and blacked-out machines caught the attention of passersby at the recent ARA Show. The manufacturer currently offers four mini loaders: the tracked ST 650 and ST 900 HD and the wheeled S 650 and S900 HD.
Parts are sourced globally, and the machines are assembled in China, making the units a more pocketbook-friendly option for contractors and landscapers. “Affordability is a primary benefit of our product,” he says. “We’re typically anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 less than our competitors.” Parts are stocked and distributed out of the company’s Florida headquarters.
KRT Equipment currently has 30 dealers and rental locations across the United States and is looking to expand. “We started with two units, and now we’ve sold 400 or 500,” he says. “We’re definitely making some noise out there. We’re looking to open up more.” They are also in conversations with dealers in Canada.
The 500-pound lift capacity S 650 and ST 650 are powered by a 23-horsepower Briggs & Stratton V-Twin, four-stroke engine.
