How To Choose A Skid Steer Loader
If you have ever glanced at a busy construction site or passed by a landscaping project, you have more than likely seen some skid steer loaders or one kind of another. Skid steer loaders or skid loaders or Bobcat (a nickname which comes from a popular loader manufacturer) are best known for their maneuverability.
These small construction movers use pivot or “skid” steering to spin around and change directions while staying in place just like a tank can. And it is this maneuverability and their small size that makes them ideal for in tight confined places.
And their lighter weight lets them be quick and easy to hitch and tow behind a regular full-size truck, so they are easily moved from one job site to another. Not to mention the wide range of attachments and tools make they very flexible and versatile on the job site.
Because of their popularity, new skid steer loaders are often expensive and some particular models may actually be difficult to find in certain locations such as California. So for this reason, more and more construction and landscaping companies are looking for used skid steer loaders for sale.
Buying used skid steer loaders for sale has several benefits over purchasing a new one. By wisely using heavy equipment traders or auctions, a company can save hundreds, if not thousands dollars on a used skid loader versus a new one. Plus by getting a used skid steer loader, you are able to pick the models or brands that have a proven track record and inexpensive sources of after-market parts.
What to Look For In Used Skid Steer Loaders For Sale
Tip#1 – Get the Right Ground Clearance. Think over what types of jobs you will be using your skid loader on. Will it be mostly urban settings? Or will it be over rough terrain or woodlands? Different loaders have different clearances and frameworks that are designed to handle a specific job location. Don’t buy an urban skid loader to haul brush out back in a stump filled wood lot.
Tip#2 – Get the Right Horsepower. Of course nothing is more frustrating trying to get a job done using an underpowered piece of equipment. You risk wrecking the machine and putting people at risk trying to do too much with too little horsepower. But don’t make the mistake of getting too much horsepower since the more powerful the loader the more it weight and the larger it is.
Tip#3 – Get the Right Attachments. Get as many attachments for a used skid loader as you can comfortably afford for your project. The more attachments you have the more flexible your machine will be and the safer your crew will be. The biggest safety problems on many job sites are crews and operators trying to perform a task without the right tools or gear.
Now that you understand what to look for in used skid steer loaders for sale, you can start doing your homework to find just the right skid steer loader for your company.
