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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

Firstgreen Industries The Elise CBL (Clean Building Logistics) units FirstGreen Unveils Cabinless Remotely Operated Electric Skid Steer
CE Staff
January 19, 2024
Read Article
Skid Steers John Deere 317G compact track loader using pallet forks
Q&A: Talking Skid Steer and Track Loader Trends with John Deere’s Emily Pagura
January 18, 2024
Industry Events Bobcat booth at CES 2024 Rogue X2 concept vehicle
Editor at Large: The Best Construction and Ag Equipment Launched at CES 2024
January 16, 2024
Skid Steers Kioti loader
KIOTI Releases Compact Loaders to Dealers Across North America and Delivers Very First Machine to Country Star Trace Adkins
December 13, 2023
Industry Events Kioti SL750 skid steer with cab rolled up
Editor at Large: Visiting Kioti’s 2023 Dealer Meeting and Exploring Its New Construction Equipment Lineup
December 5, 2023
Skid Steers
Morbark Unveils New BVR Line of Hand-Fed Brush Chippers

Morbark recently unveiled its all-new “BVR” line of hand-fed brush chippers at this year’s TCI Expo. Alongside the BVR lin...

November 21, 2023
Skid Steers John Deere 334 skid steer and 335 compact track loader
Machine Heads Video: Going Deep on the Skid Steer-CTL Evolution and the New 334 and 335 P-Tier...

Welcome to the latest Machine Heads interview from Compact Equipment. Machine Heads video editor Wayne Grayson sits down with Gregg Zupancic...

November 15, 2023
Skid Steers Bobcat T650 track loader
Bobcat Expands Global Manufacturing Footprint with Plans for New Facility in Monterrey, Mexico

Bobcat Company just announced its intentions to expand its footprint with a new manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico, anticipated to ...

November 8, 2023
Skid Steers John Deere 334 and 335 skid steer and track loader Machine Heads video intro
Machine Heads Video: John Deere’s Big New 334 P-Tier Skid Steer and 335 P-Tier Track Loader

Over the last several years, compact loaders have become the dominant category not just in the compact segment but across the entire constru...

November 7, 2023
Skid Steers
Bobcat Skid Steer Inventors Inducted into National Inventors Hall of Fame

Cyril and Louis Keller, the brothers who invented the world’s first compact loader (later named the Bobcat skid steer loader), have fo...

October 31, 2023
Skid Steers
Versus! Skid Steer Vs. Track Loader, Tires Vs. Tracks, Radial Vs. Vertical, Standard Vs. High Flow

A skid steer or compact track loader may be the most important machine in your fleet, but are you in the right machine? Whether as support e...

October 26, 2023
Business and Software
Manitou/Gehl Celebrate 50 Years of Making Skid Steers and Expansion of Madison, S.D., Facility

Manitou Group, a world reference in the handling, aerial work platform and earth moving sectors, celebrates the grand opening of its Ma...

October 11, 2023
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