An Overview of Skidsteer

A skid steer, also widely known as a skid steer loader, is a robust machine with numerous applications. The name of the machine comes from the steering mechanism used by it. When trying to steer, the wheels do not change their direction, and they reduce the speed on one side, leading to a ‘skid.’ The skid appears like a machine is dragging its feet to get a pivot. Skidsteers are popularly used across the world since the very time they got into the market, and the graph never went down. Let us get a detailed overview of the essential machine in the construction industry, the skidsteer.

A brief of skid steer

A skid steer loader is a machine that has wheels and is compact. These loaders are small in size, lightweight, and are agile machines used for various applications in the construction industry. Skid steer takes a gyrational turn which means it spins on one of its wheels and takes a 0 radius turn. This makes the loader a very relevant and maneuverable machine, and it is widely used for work requiring agile and compact machines.

A few applications of skid steer

A skid steer loader finds its application in any job that requires a lot of power and maneuverability, specifically in tight spaces. Skid steer can be used along with various skid steer attachments that make the skid steer loader. However, they are not the same and have different characteristics. A skid steer has wheels, and a compact or multi-terrain loader has tracks instead of wheels. Both types of loaders are used in other conditions of the ground. But it should also be noted that the mini skid steer loaders look like mini compact track loaders since both have tracks and not wheels.

Weight of the skid steer

Seven thousand five hundred pounds is an average weight of a skid steer loader. According to a study conducted in 2016, “The Gehl V400” and the “Mustang 4000V” are the giant steer loaders ever made in history, and they weigh around 11,000 pounds. These loaders are not as agile or maneuverable as the usual skid steers. Generally, the weight of the loaders depends upon the model, how it’s made and its manufacturing, etc.

Other Names for Skid Steers

A skid steer is known by many different names. It is also popularly known as skid steer loaders, SSL, or simply loaders or skid loaders. People generally find it complicated to understand the difference between the skid steer loader and multi-terrain or compact track loaders. But, both of them differ in the following way – the skid steer loaders have wheels, and the track loader has tracks instead of wheels. So, their job site also changes concerning the ground conditions. On the other hand, the mini skid steer loaders look like mini compact track loaders because both the machines have tracks.

Bottom Line

In the market of compact machinery, a skid steer is always a solid competitor to other machines. The exceptional power, fantastic agility, and option to mount numerous attachments on the loader make skid steer a piece of significant and relevant equipment in the construction industry. All the sections discussed above explain skid steer, and it is everything you need to know about the loaders. And this information will truly help people trying to purchase a skid steer for the first time.