Choosing the Right Skid Steer Loader for Your Job
Choose the skid steer loader that will provide you with maximum utility for the type of jobs you need it to do. The right skid steer will:
- Save in time costs by reducing the need for manual labor-intensive tasks.
- Allow you to use your storage more efficiently by providing greater weight and height lifting capacity.
- Optimize your functional capacity by allowing for better control of heavier loads at greater distances.
With that said, don’t just choose your loader or price alone. Keep in mind, that equipment fit is not a bottom-line determining factor because fit, alone, doesn’t guarantee correct performance. Make sure that you know your equipment specifications, understand the pricing of loaders and attachments, know who will maintain your equipment, and understand the available financing alternatives. Here are some tips to help you find the best skid steer loader and the right attachments.
1. Know the specifications before you buy.
Make sure you know the specs needed to handle your job. So, while you need to ensure that the skid steer loader you choose will mount securely on your equipment, you also need to consider the hydraulic capacity requirements.
Also, know what accessories you need to use with your skid steer loader. Farming and construction will have differing capacities, but the same attachments can get jobs done when paired with the right skid steer. For heavy-duty attachments, you’ll need a 3-point adapter. For most farming and landscaping uses, consider attachments like grader rakes, grapples, and mowers. For most construction jobs, consider augers, backhoes, concrete breakers, and dispensers. Equipment such as trenchers, snow plows and blowers, pallet forks, and brush cutters serve a variety of purposes.
2. Understand the price range for skid steer loaders based on capacity.
- 11,000 to $16,000 Low capacity loaders: 650 to 750 pounds
- 16,000 to $22,000 Skid steer loaders: 1, 000 to 1,500 pounds
- $22,000 to $31,000 Heavy skid steer loaders: 1,500 to 2,000 pounds
- $31,000 to $50,000 Extra-heavy skid steer loaders: 2,200 to 3,000+ pounds
3. Know the cost of attachments you may need.
- 3-point adapter, $800 to $2,400
- 4-in-1 multipurpose bucket $3,300 to $4,400
- Angle broom $2,000 to $6,600
- Auger drive $1,700 to $4,200
- Auger bits $900 to $3,400
- Backhoe $2,000 to $3,400
- Brush cutter $4,000 to $6,000
- Concrete breaker $5,500 to $12,000
- Concrete dispenser $3,500 to $7,000
- Extractor $3,000 to $5,000
- Grader rake $4,000 to $5,000
- Grapple rake $2,500 to $3,000
- Mowers $2,700 to $20,000
- Pallet fork $700 to $900
- Pavement saw $10,000 to $20,000
- Snow blower $5,000 to $10,000
- Snow plow $3,000 to $6,000
- Stump grapple buckets $1,000 to $1,500
- Trencher $4,700 to $5,400
4. Have an equipment maintenance plan.
Decide if you will be responsible for equipment maintenance and preventive care. Have you accounted for the costs of labor and supplies for care and maintenance? If the equipment vendor provides maintenance, determine if that will be a cost-effective option over in-house maintenance.
5. Determine your best financing option.
Decide if you will rent, lease, finance, or cash purchase the skid steer and attachments. Find out what financing options the dealer has or determine if you’ll use other financing sources or purchase the equipment outright.
Questions to Ask Before Buying a Skid Steer Loader
You’ll want to make sure that the dealer or vendor you choose is prepared to handle your service, parts, and maintenance requests.
- Do you provide on-site equipment maintenance?
- How do you respond to after-hours and weekend calls for equipment breakdowns and other repair requests?
- During what hours do you provide service and maintenance?
- What is your average service response time?
- What is your guaranteed service turnaround time?
- What replacement parts do you keep in stock?
- What is the delivery window for out-of-stock or back-order parts?
- How many skid steer technicians are available for service and maintenance?
- Are your technicians covered under your worker’s comp and liability insurance policies?
Additional Buying Advice
- New vs used - If purchasing a new skid steer loader is not within your budget, consider a used model. You’ll want to know the age of the equipment, the number of usage-hours, and the type of application the skid steer was used for.
- Fuel type - While most skid steers are diesel-powered, there are some gasoline-powered models on the market. Make sure you choose the most efficient equipment. Diesel equipment is more efficient and provides more horsepower. Gasoline may offer lower emissions, but they also have significantly lower power output.
- Technology - If you’re buying new equipment, there are two technology trends to consider as you prepare to buy your skid steer loader. Remote monitoring. Using software, GPS, and geo-fencing applications, you and your equipment dealer can monitor equipment across multiple job sites to keep up on required maintenance, and to be able to view performance data and provide remote calibrations and adjustments. This allows for real-time equipment servicing that will save you time and money by catching issues before they cause a major breakdown. Radio-controlled remote operation. Some loaders can be operated using a hand-held remote control. This maximizes safety and operating efficiency. An individual operator can do jobs that require both an operator and a spotter. A single operator can also complete tasks that may be potentially hazardous or unsafe in demolition, chemical plant, and mining operations.
- Training and Safety - Find out if your equipment dealer or manufacturer offers operational and safety training for your operators. If the dealer offers on-site training, consider if it is worth an additional investment to reduce hazards, accidents, and employee turnover. If the manufacturer provides tutorials, videos, and online support make sure that your employees take advantage of it.
- Rent Before Buying - If your dealer offers equipment rentals, this is an effective way to test the equipment, determine exactly what attachments you need, and make changes to customize the equipment to your job site.
Follow these tips to ensure that your skid steer loader is right for your company, right for your operators, and right for your budget and job specifications.