How to Work a Skid Steer Loader
Skid steers are machines made by several different manufacturers in the construction industry (like BobCat, New Holland or John Deere). These small machines have the capacity to go places that a larger loader cannot. You must become familiar with how to work a skid steer loader before using it on a project, as these machines are distinctive and dangerous in how they are operated. No matter who makes your skid steer, the basic techniques for operating one are standard. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Sit in the operator's seat of the skid steer. Fasten the safety belt and/or lower the locking roll bar into position. Verify that the safety glass or mesh surrounding the operator's cage is intact and attached to the skid steer frame. If anything is damaged or missing, exit the skid steer and do not use it.
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Start the skid steer. On some models there may be a switch or a series of switches over the center front frame or to the lower right of the operator's chair. Make sure that all of these switches are turned away from the padlock symbol embossed on the frame. If your model skid steer uses an ignition key, insert the key and turn it to the first position; wait for the glow plug light (next to the ignition) to turn off before turning the key all the way to the right to start the skid steer. Some models use a fuse and switch system. The fuse is at the center of the top of the front frame inside the cab. Insert the fuse and turn the switch.
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Select your speed. To the lower right of the operator's seat is a lever with "Fast" or "Slow" marked on it. Alternately, it may have a turtle and rabbit symbol; the turtle equals "Slow." Use a slow speed setting until you are accustomed to your skid steer.
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Move the skid steer forward and backward. Push the two joystick controls in front of the operator seat arm forward to move the skid steer forward. Pull back on them to put the skid steer in reverse.
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Turn the skid steer. It will turn in the direction of the joystick that you pull toward you, but you must also push the opposite joystick forward to give power to the turn. If you want to turn to the right, pull the right joystick toward you and push forward with the left. Practice this--skid steers are capable of very sharp turns, and controlling the turn takes experience.
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Raise and lower the bucket. Rock the left pedal forward to lower the bucket and backward to raise it. Rock the pedal by pressing with your toe or heel.
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Learn to scoop and dump with the bucket. Rock the right pedal forward to scoop. Rock the pedal backward to dump.
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Drive the bucket to the first pile. For example, if you want to move a pile of dirt, raise the bucket until it is about 6 inches above the ground, then drive the machine to the pile of dirt.
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Prepare to load the bucket. Stop the machine just before you reach the dirt pile, and lower the bucket to the ground.
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Load the bucket by driving the machine forward and pushing the bucket into the dirt pile while also lifting the bucket up. When the bucket is full, back away from the dirt pile while lowering the bucket until it is 6 inches above the ground. Never drive with a loaded bucket higher on the machine than your knee; the weight in the bucket can change the balance of the machine and cause it to tip if it is higher.
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Dump the load. Drive the machine over to where you will be placing the dirt, begin to raise the bucket as you move forward, dump the bucket and then reverse the machine. Raise the bucket again, then lower it back to the driving position.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice raising and lowering the bucket until it is a fluid and natural movement for you. This is the one motion of the skid steer that is most likely to affect your balance. The more natural it feels to you, the better you will be able to sense any imbalance under load and take corrective action.
Do not operate any skid steer without protective design elements such as a roll bar, seat belt or operator's cage. A skid steer that has been modified or whose protective design elements are damaged is unsafe to operate; serious injury can occur if you use it.
