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  1. Compact Equipment Magazine
  2. Skid Steers

Skid Steers

A Tool Carrier That Still Defines Versatile, Zero Turn Machinery

Skid steers are among the oldest and most famous American-made equipment categories. Borne out of the Midwest farming industry in the 1950s, and never really that popular outside of North America, skid steers used to be the benchmark for compact hydraulic tool carrier sales in the United States until their compact cousin — the compact track loader — started outpacing skid steer sales. Skid steers use wheels, and track loaders use tracks. That’s the key difference between these two machine types. Both categories can run hundreds of attachments using powerful auxiliary hydraulic systems. High-flow hydraulics emerged in the 1980s to power larger, niche attachments. Today, this option is popular for high-powered skid steer operations, with flow ranges from 16 to 45 gpm.

Manufacturers have focused on operator usability, advanced technology, comfort and efficiency, alongside Tier 4 Final engines. Pressurized cabins, adjustable seats, backup cameras and ergonomic controls make operating feel like driving a car. Automated settings, like boom adjustments and wheel speeds, are made possible through electro-hydraulic (EH) joysticks. Options vary by style, brand, size and power, but choosing between a vertical- or radial-lift machine is crucial. Vertical lift excels at forklift-type and loading tasks, while radial lift suits heavier digging and attachments. Some good examples of skid steers include:

Bobcat’s S Series Loaders | Cat’s Next Gen Loaders | Case’s B Series Loaders

Control Your Skid Steer or Track Loader Via Remote Control
Giles Lambertson
January 21, 2016
Read Article
Compact Tool Carriers
Compact Tool Carriers vs. Skid Steers
January 20, 2016
Features
Heavyweight Skid Steers: We Explore the Biggest Units on the Market
January 20, 2016
Skid Steers
From Ergonomics to Engines, We Review the Changing Skid Steer Industry in 2016
January 19, 2016
Features
Talking Shop: Routine Maintenance and Best Practices for skid steers
January 13, 2016
Compact Track Loaders
Innovative Iron Award: Caterpillar’s RemoteTask System

Exploration is the engine that drives innovation, so let’s go exploring. Let’s search through a year’s worth of creative i...

December 21, 2015
Compact Track Loaders
Innovative Iron Award: ASV Track and Skid Steer Loaders

Exploration is the engine that drives innovation, so let’s go exploring. Let’s search through a year’s worth of creative i...

December 21, 2015
Skid Steers
Innovative Iron Award: Case’s SR270 Skid Steer Loader

Exploration is the engine that drives innovation, so let’s go exploring. Let’s search through a year’s worth of creative i...

December 18, 2015
Features
Proper Skid Steer Maintenance Allows for Full Machine Potential

When a contractor invests in equipment costing thousands of dollars, maintenance is the No. 1 tool to keep it running properly and significa...

December 17, 2015
Compact Track Loaders
JCB’s skid steer/track loader demolition packages Help Contractors Tackle Tough Projects

JCB recently introduced a new demolition application package available across its entire range of 18 skid steer and compact track loader mod...

December 14, 2015
Skid Steers
Friday Fun: 40th Anniversary AGCO Belt Buckle Celebrates National Rodeo Finals

Hesston by Massey Ferguson, a brand of AGCO Corporation, introduces the 40th Anniversary Edition Hesston National Finals Rodeo (NFR) Collect...

December 11, 2015
Skid Steers
Here’s an Automatic Fan Reverser for your Kubota RTV

ProManPTO, LLC recently announced the introduction of the “Cool Minder” Automatic Fan Reverser for Kubota RTVs. It helps keep th...

November 24, 2015
« Previous 1 … 33 34 35 36 37 … 39 Next »
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