Posted on 30th Sep 2011 @ 4:19 PM

When making any large investment, it is important to carefully assess your needs before making the purchase. Prior to buying a skid loader and attachments, it’s important to talk with your dealer about what tasks you hope to accomplish. The biggest mistake a contractor can make is purchasing a machine that is not a perfect fit for the work they do every day. When talking with a dealer about skid steers and attachments, here are a few critical topics you want to be sure you discuss:

1. Lift capacity — What materials do you typically lift? How much do they weigh?
2. Rubber Tire or Track — Which would best meet your needs a machine with tires or tracks?
3. Protection packages — How well protected are the hydraulic lines?
4. Price — What’s your price range? Are there any special purchase incentives?

 
Once you have determined what skid steer will best fit your needs, you need to consider attachments. There are a wide variety of attachments on the market designed to help tackle virtually any task you can imagine — carts, sprayers, snow blades and snow blowers that are loader mounted among others. According to John Deere, a leader in the skid steer industry, the loader is the most popular attachment with an industry take rate of more than 85 percent on small skid steer (20 to 50 hp). So why do most contractors want a loader? Because there are many ways it can be used, and with such a wide variety of attachments and buckets available, the loader is an extremely versatile piece of equipment. It also gives you the opportunity to take on jobs you otherwise could not, enabling you to diversify and grow your business.

Additionally, some loaders are easy to remove and re-attach. There are some jobs that will not require a loader, so with very little effort and no tools required, you can have the option to perform other jobs where a loader could be in the way, or is unnecessary.

1. 4-in-1 bucket — High versatility, allows for more functionality.
2. Pallet forks — Good for moving move heavy pallets of mulch and sod.
3. Grapple bucket — Ideal for moving stumps, heavy logs, roots, rough and heavy material.

Purchasing a skid steer is a big step, but with the help of a loader, you’ll provide extra versatility for you and your crew. And that means getting more done, which is always worthwhile.