When it comes to compact construction equipment, skid steer loaders are among the most versatile. A skid steer loader is a small, four-wheeled, rigid-framed machine that has lift arms that can connect to a wide variety of attachments, such as grapple buckets, blades, augers, mulchers, and root rakes. Due to the wide range of attachments that skid steers can be outfitted with, they have countless different applications. To determine if a skid steer loader would make a good addition to your fleet, consult this list of some of the most common uses for skid steer loaders.
Interior demolition
Small frame skid steer loaders provide users with the unique opportunity to take on interior demolition projects efficiently. Typically, small-frame skid steer loaders weigh less than 1,750 pounds and have a horsepower of around 50 or less. Due to their compact size, small-frame skid steer loaders can easily maneuver around construction sites with limited space while still providing the substantial amount of power necessary for demolition tasks.
Heavy lifting
One of the most common uses for skid steer loaders is to lift heavy objects. Skid steers can use a wide range of bucket attachments for lifting various materials, such as log grapple buckets for moving logs and stumps or a root rake grapple bucket for removing and transporting trees. For a multi-purpose lifting attachment, classic grapple bucket attachments are a reliable choice as they can handle lifting and transporting anything from logs to boulders and slabs of concrete.
Excavation
When equipped with a trencher, tiller, or ripper attachment, skid steer loaders are capable of excavation work. When using a skid steer loader for excavation purposes, it is best to opt for a large-frame loader that has a horsepower of around 70 or more and weighs roughly 2,200 pounds.
Landscaping
Skid steer loaders are highly advantageous pieces of landscaping equipment. Examples of common skid steer attachments that are ideal for landscaping applications include woodchippers, root rake grapple buckets, and stump grinders, just to name a few. The wide range of landscaping attachment options, coupled with the ability of the skid steer to easily maneuver around properties, makes them a popular choice for completing landscaping projects.
