Loads of work

Transmission

"You may want to ask about a two-speed transmission if you need to drive long distances when the machine is unloaded from a trailer," says Gaby Rhayem. "Using two-speed transmissions allow our skid-steer loaders to travel up to 12 mph in high speed, saving contractors valuable time."

In addition, Rhayem says, Bobcat pioneered the development of four-wheel-steer skid steers, with independently articulating wheels.

"They're excellent machines for applications where turf damage is a concern because the skidding motion is eliminated during turns," he explained.

Rubber

Minnesota-based ASV, now part of Terex, has a solution that doesn't involve steel tracks or wheels. The range of machines offered by the company have rubber belts instead. Rick Harris, sales manager for the company said "For years, rubber tracks have been out-performing conventional tracks and wheels.

"Our latest machine, the PT-100, for example, has 42 wheels to distribute the ground pressure accurately."

Lift capacity, along with the width and height of the machine, should be examined as well. Remember that wider chassis machines offer increased stability in applications where lifting and loading is a priority.

"Make sure the machine performance features fit the specific task needed to complete the worksite job in the most efficient fashion," says Harris. "Good stability directly affects performance and should be a major concern when evaluating a potential machine.

Chopped limbs

In the early days, getting in and out of the machine was as much of a hazard as operating it. Older machines didn't have the enclosed ROPS cab with a protective mesh grille.

This meant the operator was vulnerable to assorted limb-lopping machinery. Besides the cab, different manufacturers have tackled the problem in different ways. Perhaps the most extreme solution is that employed by JCB's Robot range.

he usual twin arm arrangement has been replaced with a single joint, meaning the operator can get in and out from the side, just like a regular loader.

"Some asked us about the arm when we introduced it" said Dan Thomstone, regional manager JCB "But we have never had one fail. It really is a much safer system."

Comfort

More skid-steer manufacturers are now placing a greater emphasis on cab ergonomics and offering a all sorts of cab comfort options.

It is also worthwhile checking how easy a machine is to perform regular maintenance and daily checks. Most skid-steers have a transverse engine, and on some, but not all, it is possible to reach all of the service parts from the same side.

Some machines now adopt sight gauges rather than relying on a dipstick to check the oil level, to speed up the checks and to prevent dirt getting into the closed crankcase system.

In summary, if you pick the right skid-steer for your worksite, you will be reaping the rewards of these efficient and compact vehicles for many years to come.

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