Skid Steer Technology - The Smallest Durable Technology

By Mike Hores

Construction jobs or even commercial and agricultural tasks require several machines and equipments. One of the most commonly used one is what we call the skid steer equipment. Skid steers, skid loader, skid to steer loader; "bobcat" is a rigid frame, engine-powered machine with lift arms where you attached several accessory tools. This machine can address limitations including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, walking, reaching and bending.

The bobcat attachments enable the machine to do a wide variety of tasks. They mostly powered by the loader's own hydraulic system. Some of the standard attachments are bucket, forks, blades, brooms and jack hammer.

Aside from being a flexible machine, the skid steers loader is also known for its compact size and light weight. They can fit into tight spaces and allows them to be transported behind a large truck. This machine is suitable for light to medium jobs.

Another striking feature of this machine is its wheel or tracking operations. It is a four-wheel drive loader which has the left and right sided wheels that acted independently of each other. Actually, the word "skid to steer" comes from the vehicle's wheels' capability to move in an opposite direction. It can turn zero-radius turn, which makes the skid steer tracks valuable for applications that required a compact and agile loader.

This unique machine was invented for cleaning up turkey manure. Tractor loaders at that time were too big and heavy to operate. It was on 1957 when the first prototype was created by the Keller Manufacturing, surpassing the expectations of its creator. It was a three-wheeled, light and compact machine. It has a rear caster wheel that can turn around within its own length and can perform the task as a traditional front-end loader.

It was on 1957 when Melroe Manufacturing Company acquired all the rights to manufacture the machine. The loader was furthered researched and developed. Three years later, the first four-wheeled drive was introduced. Later, the license was given out to other manufacturing companies and has undergone numerous improvements including tracks that were later replaced by wheels. There are now several versions of a skid loader which often referred to as a "Skidsteer in the Construction Industry". These include Bobcat, John Deere, Gehl, JCB, Mustang, New Holland and CaseIH.

Becoming popular nowadays is the mini version of these loaders, the mini skid steers. Although much smaller in size, there's nothing small in terms of their productivity and function. This mini version is perfect for landscaping, utility installation, fencing and moving materials around the work site or at home. They still share the same flexibility of the conventional skid steer equipment. Because of the size, they do not have seats inside the machine. Instead, the operator stands at the back of the machine to maneuver it unlike a normal size case skid steer.

The new mini skipped loader is totally catchy. They are powered by powerful smaller economical motors, which is easy to control, flexible, multi-function and efficient. Contractors also find this machine a good investment, since it can do a task that requires a 2 man crew. It saves them money and man power. No latest, no breaks and no absences.

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