Introduction
If you are a regular worker on a construction site, you must be aware of the versatility of a skid steer loader or short for an SSL. This compact machine gives you amazing benefits and saves time and costs considering its multiple applications. However, there are many skid steer loader manufacturers and brands on the market, so it is important to consider many things when buying a new skid steer loader. If you follow the right tips, you could benefit a lot from that.
You must realize that purchasing a skid steer loader requires many considerations before you buy it. Having a great experience in writing and researching skid steers, we have listed some tips to help you. Therefore, this article will help you a lot when you buy a new skid steer loader.
Before moving forward, it is important to realize that skid steer loaders are used for different tasks. For example, brush removal, land clearing, snow removal, excavation, landscaping, and demolition. Keeping these activities in mind, it is so much important to purchase the right skid steer loader. What’s more, skid steer loaders exist in different models.
Choosing the right model depends on your requirements, site conditions, and so many other factors. At the same time, you may need to consult a highly professional and experienced manufacturer. Some companies help you choose the best SSL. But if you can’t find help, continue reading this article until the end. Let’s start our journey.
Tip1. Determination Of Your Requirements And Needs
Before you start looking for buying a skid steer loader in the market, it is important to know your needs. You can determine your needs based on the following checklist:
What kind of tasks will you perform using the skid steer loader? – digging, landscaping, and trenching.
What is the condition of a worksite where you will use your skid steer loader – type and level of the worksite terrain?
What are the width and height of the essential project factors? – standing structures or vegetation?
Which types of equipment do your employees already know to operate?
How much do you want to invest?
How long will you use your machine on a daily basis?
Tip2. Choosing The Right Size For Your Skid Steer Loader
You must know that horsepower and weights are the most important factors before purchasing the right skid steer. Manufacturers have classified the skid steer loaders based on weight and horsepower into three main categories. These are explained as under:
Small-sized SSL
These skid steer loaders mostly consist of horsepower less than 50. Moreover, they contain a lifting capacity of 1750 pounds or even less than that. These skid steer loaders work best for areas that are hard to reach. Note that small skid steer loaders are amazing choices for tighter spaces and small jobs. You will find the most common at the rental facilities.
Small SSL has low power, but they also cause less damage to surfaces such as roads. If you want to buy a skid steer loader for home projects or landscaping, you should choose this one.
Medium-sized SSL
Medium-sized skid steer loaders have horsepower in the range of 50 and 70. Moreover, they can have a lighting capacity between 1750 and 2200 pounds. These machines will work best if you need more power than small SSLs. Note that you can use this equipment for any size or space of the job. Moreover, you can easily handle mid-sized earth-moving jobs.
Large-sized SSL
The best thing about large-sized SSL is that they have a lifting capacity of more than 2200. They have a horsepower of 70 or even higher. If your project requires highly powerful equipment, then this would work best for you.
Large-sized skid steer loaders are also known as industrial workhorses. Moreover, a large SSL becomes your best bet when looking for the best size and power. These machines are best for commercial excavation and demolition jobs.
Tip3. Torque Consideration
You may have seen people considering the horsepower when looking for a new skid steer loader. However, there is one more thing that you must never ignore. And that is the torque of your skid steer loader. It is important to note that considering torque is more important than considering the horsepower of a skid steer loader.
Now you must be thinking, why should you consider the torque of your skid steer loader? Well, this is because torque determines the real power of your machine. Moreover, the horsepower of your machine decides how fast it will work. Therefore, you must check the torque in the specifications. Different models of an SSL may have different torques.
Tip4. Consult Your Supplier About Hydraulics
This is another important thing that most buyers forget to discuss. But you must know that this can help you get the most out of your skid steer loader. When it comes to hydraulics, you must know that hydraulics define the type of jobs an SSL can perform. Most machines are designed according to standard hydraulics.
However, some applications require a higher flow hydraulics system. Therefore, you must talk to your supplier about the work that your machine will perform. If you are looking for auxiliary hydraulics, you must also discuss it with the dealer.
Tip5. Vertical Lift Vs. Radial Lift Machine
You must never forget to decide between a vertical lift and a radial lift machine. It is interesting to note that the radial lift skid steer loaders are better for jobs like digging and ground-level work.
On the other hand, if you are looking for something to place materials and lift them, then go for a vertical machine. Moreover, vertical lift machines can carry heavy loads easily.
Tip6. Look For A Cab That Must Be Comfortable
You must know that comfort matters, especially when you are operating heavy machines. Moreover, when there are tasks that require special attention, you have to spend more time on them. Therefore, having a comfortable cab can help you focus much better. You must ensure that your skid steer loader has a comfortable cab.
If your equipment doesn’t have a comfortable cab, you must ask your supplier to customize it for you. Many manufacturers customize the skid steer loaders. You must look for features like a smart control layout, ergonomic design, and highly responsive controls.
Tip7. Look For Optional Features
It is interesting to know that technology is making progress in different fields of life. The same is the case with the skid steer loaders. Manufacturers are making efforts to introduce new features in their equipment.
Moreover, they give you the option to customize a skid steer loader with amazing features. This is something that can make your equipment more productive.
Moreover, if you want to save time and gain higher efficiency, you must not hesitate to invest in optional features. So, what you can do is talk with your manufacturer. A good manufacturer will suggest features according to your needs and budget.
Tip8. Get A Skid Steer Loader With Telematics
Telematics helps you to understand your driving behavior. It can help you take great control over your skid steer loader. Those who buy telematics skid steer loaders keep the security and maintenance of their equipment up to good condition. You must also realize the fact that a telematics system is an optional thing to have with your skid steer loader.
Telematics is a remote monitoring system that helps you optimize your machine’s performance. However, you must ensure that your skid steer loader has manufactured with an advanced telematics system.
Tip9. Deal With A Qualified Skid Steer Loader Manufacturer Or Supplier
Now, this is something where most people get scammed. Before proceeding further, I would like to make clear that we have written a complete guide on choosing the right supplier for an SSL. You can read it here. To summarize everything, we suggest you conduct proper research before buying a new skid steer loader.
You must know which suppliers are popular in the market. Moreover, you should check their reviews, websites, models, prices, specifications, features, and more. A good supplier will also have quality certificates to prove its qualification in manufacturing skid steer loaders. Moreover, you should not forget to make it clear the payment and shipping methods.
Tip10. Understand The Engine Emission Standard
It is important to note that when a manufacturer produces equipment, he considers the emission standards. The standards of an engine may vary across the globe. Make sure that you know the standards of your chosen skid steer loader. Moreover, you must also look for standards allowed in your country.
This is because you might be importing your skid steer loader from China. And if you find that they allow importing of your SSL, you will waste your time and money if the emission standard is not satisfied by your government. Moreover, before buying a new skid steer loader, you must understand your skid steer loader’s fluid needs, maintenance, and technology.
Conclusion
Purchasing a skid steer loader might not be rocket science if you know how to do it. You only need to follow all the important tips listed above. Moreover, if you are looking for a qualified skid steer loader supplier, especially have the plan buying a new skid steer loader from China, please contact us now. We are always there to serve you with the best. Hixen Skid Steers also comes with the best pre-sales and after-sales services. And all the attachments are available. We have divided our skid steers into 4 categories, kindly please take a quick view of the following links.
