Never Steer

Never Steer

Buying Bobcat Skid Steer Loader

What Is A Skid Steer Loader?

A Skid Steer loader or 'Bobcat' is a small, compact construction machine. Their small size and manoeuvrability, as well as the large number of add-on attachments that can be fixed to them make them extremely popular for a wide range of tasks such as construction and landscaping. As well as being very agile and compact, they can easily accommodate a wide range of different attachments which makes them ideal for many different industries, including construction, landscaping, manufacturing and demolition. Bobcats normally come with 4 wheels, but they can be fitted with tracks - just like a small tank - to operate in muddy conditions. Skid steer loaders are normally equipped with four wheels built close together, but they can also be fitted with tracks for work in muddy or slippery conditions. Usually the engine is located behind the cab, and there are two arms that run from the back to the front and latch on to the tools.

Why The Funny Name ?

The actual "skid steer" term is used because of how the vehicle drives. Instead of having a steering mechanism like an automobile, a skid steer loader turns by moving the wheels on one side while stopping the wheels on the opposite side. This causes the skid steer to "skid" on the wheels that are stopped, thus turning the vehicle towards the wheels that have stopped. This makes skid steers not only more robust with fewer parts to go wrong, but enables them to have a very small turning circle.

Ok, so what should I look for when I buy one of these.

Choose the right size machine

You should consider three fundamental factors when choosing your Bobcat Skidsteer.

1. Overall size. Will it fit in your garage, down your driveway, through your gate? Most skid steers are between 3' and 6' wide, and between 5' and 7' tall. Taking into consideration the physical work area can make it easier to make your choice.

2. Dumping Height. Do you know how high you will need your skid steer to lift things. It is important to realize whether you need to dump over a 9' truck or a 4' fence. This is usually called the "height to hinge pin" measurement, or the distance from the ground to the point where the loader arms pivot the bucket. This usually ranges between 8' and 10'.

3. Lifting Capacity How much do you need to lift? Will you be lifting heavy loads? Many manufacturers also refer to this as the operating capacity. This is alos commonly known as the operating capacity. The most popular size, is the 1,700 lb - 2,200 lb range. Although some skid steer loaders can lift over 3,000 lbs, if you need to lift loads this big you really would be better to consider a full-size front end loader instead.

What About Tires

Skid steers come with three main choices of tire. The tire choices are air filled rubber tires - just like your car, foam filled tires, and solid rubber tires.You would normally fit one of three types of tire to these loaders - hollow air-filled rubber tires, rubber tires filled with pneumatic foam and solid rubber tires.. Remember they are also available with tracks.

1. Air-Filled Tires - the cheapest and probably the best solution for most people. these are the least expensive and are the best for smooth rides on rocky or uneven surfaces, of course, being air filled they can get punctures at just the wrong time!

2.Foam-Filled Pneumatic Tires - if you are worried about punctures, on sharp gravel for example then these are a good option, albeit a more expensive one. Also because foam-filled tires are much heavier than normal air-filled tires they can lead to breakdowns from the extra strain placed on the skid steer's transmission.

3.Solid Rubber Tires - these are thinner and longer lasting than foam or air filled tires but not nearly as comfortable.

Most of the time you should choose air filled tires as they are the most economical and certainly the most comfortable. You should remember, though, that you can easily change your tires to suit the surface if required to do so and many spare sets are often available from specialist dealers or websites at very reasonable prices

Can I Have Tracks ?

Certainly, tracks are an option. There are several benefits when working with tracked skid steers; you get much better traction in mud and on loose ground and there is generally less damage done to the ground than with a wheeled skid steer loader.

Tracked skid steer loaders tend to be bigger than wheeled ones, and therefore more expensive. As with tires, though you can buy conversion kits that enable you to attach tracks to a wheeled loader thus gaining the advantages of both.

Other Stuff

Once you have determined the size and capacity requirements for your skid steer, you will need to try out the available models and consider the following factors:

Cab Comfort Since you will probably be spending many hours in the cab it should be comfortable. Comfort is important because in many instances you will be inside a cab for hours. Make sure the seat can be easily adjusted and is well padded and that the main controls are all within easy reach.

All-round visibility Safety should always by uppermost in your considerations when buying a skid steer. In any work environment it is important to be safe. Good visibility from inside the cab, can both speed up work and reduce errors and accidents.

Ruggedness Lets face it skid steers are built to be tough but like any mechanical device they work better when well maintained. Check how easy you can access the parts such as the hydraulic pumps and engine.

About the Author

If you are thinking about buying a bobcat skid steer loader then why not look at Bobcat Tractor Auctions. They have a great range of new and used loaders

Steer $6 Steer - Tweet

Steer Wrestling $14.99 Steer Wrestling - Premium Poster

Steer Riding $14.99 Steer Riding - Premium Poster

Schwinn Quad Steer 4x4 Wagon $126.04 Some things never go out of style, and a red wagon is a classic staple of childhood. This wagon has a super deep bed with rolled edges and real wood panels that sports the Schwinn brand that has always been an industry leader. Features exclusive quad steering and 4x4 air tires that will allow it to tackle any terrain you need it to travel on. It's telescopic and folding handle will adjust to the users height and allows for easy storage. Age: Child Color Mapping: Black

Eat, Sleep, Show Steer Pets Dark T-Shirt by CafePress $26 Show steer t-shirts for kids and adults who have show steers and show them for animal clubs like 4-H and FFA. These steer t-shirts, sweatshirts and more make great gifts. Pets Dark T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Don't waste time deciding on which shirt to put on each morning. This dark shirt t-shirt will never go out of style and hides stains better too. This high-quality t-shirt is pre-shrunk and 100% cotton, which makes it both comfortable and durable.

Prize Steer $99.99 Bernard Hoffman Prize Steer - Premium Photographic Print

Branding a Steer $34.99 Frederic Sackrider Remington Branding a Steer - Giclee Print

Schwinn Easy Steer Trike $89.99 Schwinn Easy Steer Trike

Plastic Steer Head $5.99 Plastic Steer Head

Howie Heart steer $10 Howie Heart steer

Stomp amp; Steer Sprintcar Dark T-Shirt by CafePress $26 Driving a sprint car requires a unique combination of precision footwork and gunfighter hand speed. Sometimes however, you just have to stomp, steer, and hang on for your life. Dark T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Don't waste time deciding on which shirt to put on each morning. This dark shirt t-shirt will never go out of style and hides stains better too. This high-quality t-shirt is pre-shrunk and 100% cotton, which makes it both comfortable and durable.

Radiator Specialty 12 Oz Steer Seal M1712 $23.33 Steer seal

Tejano Steer Music Dark T-Shirt by CafePress $26 Don't waste time deciding on which shirt to put on each morning. This dark shirt t-shirt will never go out of style and hides stains better too. This high-quality t-shirt is pre-shrunk and 100% cotton, which makes it both comfortable and durable. Music Dark T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Don't waste time deciding on which shirt to put on each morning. This dark shirt t-shirt will never go out of style and hides stains better too. This high-quality t-shirt is pre-shrunk and 100% cotton, which makes it both comfortable and durable.

Texas Longhorn Steer $39.99 Texas Longhorn Steer - Giclee Print

Cowboy Steer-Wrestling $39.99 Cowboy Steer-Wrestling - Giclee Print

Steer Roping on the Range $14.99 Steer Roping on the Range - Premium Poster

Rodeo Steer Riding $14.99 Rodeo Steer Riding - Premium Poster

Rodeo Steer Roping $14.99 Rodeo Steer Roping - Premium Poster

Steer Roping on Range $39.99 Steer Roping on Range - Giclee Print

Roping a Steer on the Range $39.99 Roping a Steer on the Range - Giclee Print

Lassoing a Steer on the Range $39.99 Lassoing a Steer on the Range - Giclee Print

then steer the boat Funny Dark T-Shirt by CafePress $26 If you have a boating friend who doesn't laugh at this one, lose him Funny Dark T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Don't waste time deciding on which shirt to put on each morning. This dark shirt t-shirt will never go out of style and hides stains better too. This high-quality t-shirt is pre-shrunk and 100% cotton, which makes it both comfortable and durable.

Cowboy Roping a Steer $34.99 Celia Russell Cowboy Roping a Steer - Giclee Print

Longhorn Steer, Brownsville, Texas $39.99 Longhorn Steer, Brownsville, Texas - Giclee Print

Texas Decal with Longhorn Steer $39.99 Texas Decal with Longhorn Steer - Giclee Print

A Champion Steer Standing in a Pasture $79.99 A Champion Steer Standing in a Pasture - Premium Photographic Print

Buffalo Bill: Steer Riding $19.99 Buffalo Bill: Steer Riding - Premium Poster

Philip Wilson Steer Artist $39.99 Philip Wilson Steer Artist - Giclee Print

Farmer Roping a Steer $79.99 Farmer Roping a Steer - Premium Photographic Print

Longhorn Steer, Rockdale, Texas $39.99 Longhorn Steer, Rockdale, Texas - Giclee Print

Bull-Dogging a Steer on the Range $39.99 Bull-Dogging a Steer on the Range - Giclee Print