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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

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September 5, 2024
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Caterpillar Announces 8 New Track Loaders and Skid Steers
August 29, 2024
Electric Equipment Firstgreen Industries' Elise
Electric Loaders: A Deep Dive into Firstgreen Industries’ Electric Skid Steers
August 20, 2024
Skid Steers Vermeer-RTX1250-Ride-On-Tractor
Vermeer Introduces Enhanced RTX1250 Ride-On Tractor
June 20, 2024
Skid Steers jcb monster jam making trucks fly
Machine Heads Video: JCB’s Dirt Squad Are the Unsung Heroes of the Monster Jam World Finals
June 13, 2024
Skid Steers Female construction worker smiling and standing against a cement wall
AGC: Construction Employment Increases by 21,000 Between April and May 2024

The construction industry added 21,000 jobs in May and 251,000 jobs over the past year, with increases at both nonresidential and residentia...

June 11, 2024
Skid Steers John Deere 333 P-Tier compact track loader moving dirt
John Deere Debuts New P-Tier Skid Steer and Compact Track Loader Models

New to its line-up of P-Tier machines, John Deere debuted five new P-Tier Skid Steer Loader (SSL) and Compact Track Loader (CTL) models. Ent...

June 11, 2024
Attachments FAE cold planer
How to Pick the Right Cold Planer Attachment for a Skid Steer or Compact Track Loader

Cold planers are hard core attachments for skid steer and compact track loaders. These implements eat up concrete and asphalt, removing road...

June 5, 2024
Skid Steers Manitou compact track loader with a bucket working the dirt
Machine Heads Video: Discussing Manitou’s New V-Series Skid Steers and VT-Series Track Loaders with Nathan Ryan

Manitou continues to be a compelling story in the compact equipment market, and its latest introduction of the V-Series skid steers and VT-S...

May 29, 2024
Skid Steers ABC construction backlog indicator and construction confidence index 2012-2024
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Up in April, Contractors Remain Confident

Associated Builders and Contractors recently reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.4 months in April, according to...

May 15, 2024
Skid Steers Manitou 2700V skid steer
Machine Heads Video: Exploring Manitou’s New V-Series Skid Steers and VT-Series Track Loaders

Manitou is a very interesting story in the white hot compact equipment market of today. In this latest episode of Machine Heads, we take a l...

May 14, 2024
Skid Steers John Deere SS with bucket
The Scoop on Buckets: Let’s Detail the Different Bucket Options for Your Skid Steer and Compact Track...

In a world with an overwhelming number of attachments, the tried-and-true bucket may get lost in the mix. While buckets may seem like the mo...

May 13, 2024
« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 … 39 Next »
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