How to Use a Skid Steer
A skid steer is a piece of motorized equipment that operates through skid braking--using the tracks or the wheels to move and turn the machine. A skid steer is now used more often than front-end loaders because of their speed and size. The skid steer is used mostly on farming and construction sites because the machine can fit into places that a front-end loader or a fork lift cannot.
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Instructions
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1
Read over the operator's manual and familiarize yourself with all of the safety factors that are involved in operating a skid steer.
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2
Check all of the fluids inside of the skid steer, including the oil and the coolant level.
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3
Climb into the operator's seat and pull the safety bar over your lap. Lock the safety bar down.
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4
Turn the ignition key until the engine cranks. Familiarize yourself with all of the controls, including the right and left hand levers and the right and left foot pedals.
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5
Move the throttle lever up to increase the speed of the engine. Grab both hand levers with both hands and move the hand levers forward at the same time to move the skid steer forward.
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6
Pull back on both hand levers at the same time to reverse the skid steer.
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Push the left hand lever forward while pulling the right hand lever back to turn the machine to the right.
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8
Push the right hand lever forward while pulling the left hand lever back to turn the machine to the left.
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9
Press down on the front part of the left foot pedal with the front of your shoe to lower the skid steer bucket. The front part of the left foot pedal is the closest to the front of the skid steer.
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Press down on the back of the right foot pedal with the heel of your shoe to make the bucket pivot upward. Press down on the front of the right foot pedal with the front of your shoe to pivot the bucket downward. The front of the right foot pedal is positioned near the front of the skid steer while the back of the right foot pedal is positioned toward the driver.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the hand levers and the foot pedals in conjunction with each other to operate the skid steer in a safe and efficient manner.
The safety bar has to be locked in place over your shoulders before the engine will crank.
Familiarize yourself with all of the levers and controls before operating the machine to prevent any accidents.
