What Is a Skid Loader?
A skid loader, also known as a skid-steer or skid-steer loader, is a piece of heavy equipment often used in the initial phases of a construction project. They differ from a front loader in that the lift arms are beside the driver instead of in front.
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Function
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Skid loaders are used to remove debris and to clear land on construction sites. With the attachment of a bucket, large items like boulders can be removed. They are particularly effective on dry land because they cause little subsequent soil erosion.
Features
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Skid loaders have four wheels, with the two on the left operating independently of the two on the right. Long arms with forks pivot from behind the operator to lift and move objects in front of the vehicle.
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Operation
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Skid loaders steer by "skidding," much like a tank, and the vehicle turns by moving the left wheels at a different direction and speed than the right wheels. Skid loaders can turn quickly at their center, making them much more agile than a tank or typical track vehicle.
Brands
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The most common brand of skid loader is a Bobcat. In fact, the term "Bobcat" is often used generically when referring to a skid loader, much the same way as Kleenex is used when referring to facial tissue.
Fun Facts
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A skid loader can cost up to $100 an hour to rent. A common problem with skid loaders is vines wrapping around the wheelsn which must be cut off by hand. Skid loaders can remove debris faster than 10 or more workers can manually.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Buck
