The Various Uses of a Skid Steer Loader
A skid steer is a critical piece of machinery in construction. Skid steer loaders can adapt to many tasks, from clearing snow to handling materials.
Understanding how a skid steer loader works can go a long way in assuring that you’re maximising the equipment. We discuss the many uses of a skid steer to help you determine whether you should buy or rent one for your upcoming projects.
What is a skid steer?
A skid steer is a piece of moderately small construction machinery capable of several tasks. The usual part found in a skid steer loader is a bucket. However, this can be changed and customised with various attachments best suited for the type of construction work. Since skid steers are generally small, they can operate efficiently in areas with limited space.
What tasks can you perform with a skid steer?
As mentioned, skid steers perform plenty of construction-related tasks. Here’s a quick breakdown of the uses.
Snow removal
During the winter, snow can pile up quickly and in heavy amounts. A skid steer is perfect for removing chunks of snow on the ground and clearing the roads. You can attach a snowblade or snow blower for heavy-duty snow removal to get the job done.
Excavation
A skid steer can also handle various excavation tasks with the help of attachments like a trencher, ripper, wheel saw, or tiller. For excavation tasks, it’s worth considering a larger skid steer.
Demolition
Since skid steers are compact, they’re suitable for interior and exterior demolition projects. A skid steer can manoeuvre tight spaces and work efficiently in demolition tasks. To use a skid steer for demolition, you must attach demolition shears.
Loading
A skid steer can carry heavy materials to the construction site with the help of the bucket attachment. When lifting materials, it’s best to use a vertical lift instead of a radial lift skid for maximum efficiency with heavier loads.
Landscaping
You can complete landscaping tasks like chipping wood and grinding stumps with a skid steer. Aside from that, you can also use a tiler attachment to help fertiliser into the soil.
Trenching and Digging
Skid steer loaders have optimal attachments for digging, such as a backhoe, auger, and trench digger. Digging the ground is faster and easier with a skid steer on your construction site; just ensure you use the correct attachments.
Should you buy or rent a skid steer?
Deciding if you should buy or rent a skid steer depends on the size and frequency of use. If you frequently have construction projects that require a skid steer on site, investing in a skid steer is worth considering.
However, before buying a skid steer loader, it’s essential to remember that maintaining construction equipment is also costly. You must factor in storage, safety management, and frequent quality checks.
If you don’t need a skid steer often, renting one is a great option. You can rent a specific model to align with your current construction project. They are also cost-effective to rent as there are lower operational expenses. Plus, you don’t have to worry about storage. Aside from that, renting a skid steer is a fantastic way to gauge and test various skid steer models without a long-term commitment.