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Machine Matters

Cover Story/Machine Matters: A construction classic

August 18, 2008 |

Like all classics, the basic bones of midsize skid steers remain the same. New features make a good machine great.

Steering is easier and more precise with electronic controls that replace the mechanical hand bars on the skid steer’s original design. Caterpillar skid steers were the first to use joystick controls on all of their models, decreasing maintenance and operator fatigue.

Optional low-effort joystick controls, dual hand, hand/foot and T-bar ‘hands-only’ controls make these machines easy to operate, even for freshman skid steer operators.

Lift arm designs address the wide variety of applications skid steers perform. Radial lift booms have a durable design with fewer wear points in the linkage allowing them to handle tough digging conditions or hydro-mechanical tools with fewer complications. Vertical lift booms have the advantage in lift and loading applications. With their longer reach and higher lift heights, vertical lift skid steers can load trucks or place pallets. The single-arm booms on the JCB Pilot skid steers let operators use a side entry door, never stepping on or standing under the bucket.

Operator stations have evolved from early awning-type sun covers to automotive-style controlled-environment cabs complete with built-in speakers for options such as Case’s factory installed radio and MP3 player. Heated suspension seats keep operators comfortable and productive. Noise levels and dust inside the cab are reduced with the use of acoustic materials and sealed compartments.

Ease of service features make skid steer maintenance faster and cleaner. Grouping regular service points in one location encourages owners to do daily maintenance checks. Tilt-up cabs, such as on Deere’s 320 model, give quick access to engines and transmissions, and diagnostic machine control systems alert operators when a component requires attention.

Starting with Bobcat’s early inventory of M400 skid steer attachments (see sidebar below), the list of skid steer attachments and the capabilities they provide continues to grow. The National Skid Loader Association catalogs more than 500 work tools ranging from adjustable pallet forks to slab crabs.

In 2004, Nancy Pelstring and Eric Larson launched the National Skid Loader Association (http://www.skidloader.org) to help skid steer loader owners and aficionados locate dealers, attachments, and each other. NSLA’s TeamSpace community, scheduled to begin in September 2008, will provide a free web pages, blogs, classifieds, a contact section and IM messaging service.