Skid Steer | FAQs

A skid steer, also known as a skid steer loader is a machine having endless uses. The name of this machine has been chosen wisely according to its steering mechanism, that is – the wheels don’t change their direction to steer, they rather reduce the speed on either side which gives rise to ‘skid’. The skid is such that it looks like a machine is dragging its feet for pivoting. Skid steer have been popular since the very first time they were introduced in the market, and the graph never went down. Given below are a few of the most asked questions regarding skid steers.

What is a skid steer?

A wheeled and compact loader is called a skid steer or skid steer loader (SSL). Skid steers are light-weight, small, and agile machines that are used for a variety of different construction related works. Skid steers can take a pirouette turn, which means a zero radius turn. This makes skid steer a very valuable and manoeuvrable machine. It is used for applications that need agile and compact loaders.

What is the application of a skid steer?

A skid steer is specially designed for its usage in jobs that require proper manoeuvrability and a lot of power, particularly in tight spaces. Skid steer can be used along with different skid steer attachments which makes its application even versatile. Skid steers works amazingly on the jobs that need lifting or pushing as opposed to digging or pulling. Skid steers ate widely used in landscaping, construction, forestry, demolition, etc.

Does a skid steer have any other name?

A skid steer has many different names. It is also referred to as skid steer loaders, skid loaders, SSLs, etc. People tend to get confused between skid steer loader and multi-terrain loaders (MTLs) or compact track loaders (CTLs). But it should be known that they are different. Skid steer has wheels whereas compact track loaders and multi-terrain loaders have tracks and they are used for jobs with different conditions of the ground. But also, the mini skid steer loaders look like mini compact track loaders because they have tracks.

What is the weight of a skid steer?

An average skid steer weighs around 7500 pounds. The largest skid steers ever made according to a study held in 2016 are “The Gehl V400” and the “Mustang 4000V” and they weighed around 11,0000 pounds. It is quite obvious that these skid steers won’t be as manoeuvrable and agile as normal skid steers. However, it must be noted that the weight of a skid steer depends on the model, make, manufacture, etc.

Conclusion

In the compact machinery market, skid steers are and will always remain a strong competition. Their amazing power, excellent agility, and a great variety of attachments makes skid steers great construction equipment. We have tried to cover the most frequently asked questions about skid steers. We hope we have covered the question you had on your mind and also believe that you got a helpful answer for the same.