Skidsteer Loader / What do I need to know?

DiscoHasBeen

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2016
1,171
262
Indy
I’m sure uyour right. But like Terry was saying the possible attachments is insane. Every job I see needing to do right now could be done by a skid steer. Maybe what makes it so much better for me is that it can operate in a much smaller space.

You gotta know what you need. I'll add we have both at work. The skidsteer being a little older than the tractor. At this point the SS has a little over 700 hrs on it and the tractor was just short of 2600 end of June. And no, we don't use the tractor for mowing. The majority of the hours on the SS is snow removal (it has a cab) and use as a forklift.

One cool thing is every year in the fall we rent one of these to clear our environmental areas.

 

terryjm1

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2011
1,486
375
I must admit, I don’t necessarily “need” a skid steer or track loader but either would be the most appropriate tool for two major projects I have planned. I kind of justify it by the money saved doing the jobs myself. I will “retire” on Thursday and will have plenty of time and not as much money.

After the projects are done it is just handy on a sporadic basis, particularly for moving heavy stuff and unloading skids with the forks.

I have a buddy that does concrete work, which it is great for. But, he says he uses it on his property as much as he uses it on concrete jobs.
 

Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,205
459
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
You gotta know what you need. I'll add we have both at work. The skidsteer being a little older than the tractor. At this point the SS has a little over 700 hrs on it and the tractor was just short of 2600 end of June. And no, we don't use the tractor for mowing. The majority of the hours on the SS is snow removal (it has a cab) and use as a forklift.

One cool thing is every year in the fall we rent one of these to clear our environmental areas.

That is very cool!!! I could for sure use one of those.
 

JohnnoK

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2017
190
19
Cape Town, South Africa
Can't tell you much other than having worked alongside a Terex in Greenland and that thing was an impressive workhorse in tough conditions. No problems at all, other than when one of the drivers tipped it over, but these are the hazards of working on a glacier the size of Manhattan.

A-Star+Terex.jpg
When were you there, Tugela?
I really like the new Gronlands Flyg colours, just sad they have finally dropped the S61 from their inventory.
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
When were you there, Tugela?
I really like the new Gronlands Flyg colours, just sad they have finally dropped the S61 from their inventory.

This one? Got to fly on that, too. I didn't realize it was retired, but given its age, that makes sense. What are they using for SAR on the west coast now? I was there in 2012 and 2013.

EDIT: I see they added a couple Super Pumas to the fleet. Not a bad choice.

S-61+approach.jpg


AG+fuel+depot.jpg
 
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JohnnoK

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2017
190
19
Cape Town, South Africa
They have gone with the EC225 for the heavies, not sure of the intermediate stuff.

We got OY-HDZ in Cape Town when I was at Court Helicopters and it was in mint condition.
Most of their 61 fleet was one owner since new, which is remarkable.
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
They have gone with the EC225 for the heavies, not sure of the intermediate stuff.

We got OY-HDZ in Cape Town when I was at Court Helicopters and it was in mint condition.
Most of their 61 fleet was one owner since new, which is remarkable.

Probably still running the Bell 212 on the east coast. If I go back next year, that's most likely what I'll fly in. It's usually been the Kulusuk-Tasiilaq air taxi, which makes it a little trickier to schedule for other purposes.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
The Cats are nice, but I'm biased since I work at a Cat dealer. They're very easily serviceable. You can get to all our filters via the rear door, but on Takeuchis you have to tilt the cab. Not sure if Bobcat, Kubota, and Deere are the same in that regard.

Technically, a skid steer has wheels. The ones with tracks are called CTLs (compact track loaders). You probably want a CTL if you'll be working off-pavement.
What machines do the mechanics think are best? I’m reading that the generation D machines are pretty high tech. I’m sure I won’t need most of that throttle smoothing and all terrain bullshit. I guess the D machines will have DEF but the system works with little problems. Is that true?
Since I plan to use it around the shop mostly I’m sure I could go with a pretty stripped down machine.
What should I look for and what should I stay away from?
 

Maximumwarp

Well-known member
Mar 22, 2015
836
26
Fairburn GA
What machines do the mechanics think are best? I’m reading that the generation D machines are pretty high tech. I’m sure I won’t need most of that throttle smoothing and all terrain bullshit. I guess the D machines will have DEF but the system works with little problems. Is that true?
Since I plan to use it around the shop mostly I’m sure I could go with a pretty stripped down machine.
What should I look for and what should I stay away from?
From what I understand, the D models are much nicer than the older ones. I'm not sure if the older ones have the top-mounted cooling packs like the D models, which is what makes them so easy to service. Honestly, I don't have a ton of interaction with the smaller machines as my department is focused on the larger earthmoving stuff, but we will occasionally service them and it takes no time at all. There's just not much to them. Engine and a hydraulic system (and technically final drives if you're looking at a CTL, as opposed to a chain case on a skid steer). DEF systems are a frustrating thing for everybody to deal with though. While I think these are mostly trouble-free, there was a period of time where we were replacing a bunch of DEF manifolds and they were all going to backorder (like everything else these days). I believe that's calmed down now though.
 

JohnnoK

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2017
190
19
Cape Town, South Africa
Probably still running the Bell 212 on the east coast. If I go back next year, that's most likely what I'll fly in. It's usually been the Kulusuk-Tasiilaq air taxi, which makes it a little trickier to schedule for other purposes.
I am going back onto the 212 as soon as the paperwork is done for my new job.
It'll be a big learning curve to get back up to speed on the old Steam Chicken. Last time I touched one was back in 2010, great old machines.
 
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