Compact Tool Carriers vs. Skid Steers
As anyone who has ever climbed into the cab of a skid steer loader or stepped behind the controls of a compact tool carrier can tell you, technology is ever changing in our industry. Increasingly, equipment manufacturers are striving to deliver innovative solutions to the marketplace by providing equipment that will ultimately allow the contractor to do more with less. For instance, when comparing lift capacity to equipment footprint, compact tool carriers have the evident edge. A heavy-duty compact tool carrier can measure anywhere from 34 to 41 in. wide and around 82 in. long, while a skid steer loader with a comparable-rated operating capacity (ROC) measures 56 in. wide and 98.4 in. long. In terms of weight, some compact tool carriers provide a similar ROC at nearly half of the weight of a skid steer loader. Simply put, many contractors want to pack a lot of lifting power into a more agile machine, and are, in some cases, finding the right solutions in the compact tool carrier marketplace.
Additional advantages of a compact tool carrier when compared to a traditional skid steer include improved visibility in tight spaces and increased jobsite productivity by allowing the operator to get on and off the machine easily to perform other tasks. Currently, there are a few manufacturers that are dedicated to developing the compact tool carrier class into one that can rival the operating capacities of skid steer loaders, while providing a more streamlined and nimble machine. One of the primary ways compact tool carriers manufacturers are providing increased ROC is through the integration of vertical-lift loader arms, which essentially keeps the load closer to the machine, boosting overall operating capacity.
