What is a Skid Steer, and What’s It Used For?

Skid steers are compact machines often used in construction, landscaping, and excavation projects, and they pack quite a punch in their small size. Whether you're a seasoned contractor or a newcomer to heavy equipment, understanding the basics of a skid steer can help you choose the right equipment for the job.

What is a Skid Steer?

A skid steer is a type of loader known for its maneuverability, compact size, and ability to take on loads of different tasks. The name "skid steer" comes from its unique steering mechanism: the wheels or tracks on either side of the machine rotate at different speeds, causing the machine to "skid" and turn. This design makes it agile as a kid fresh out of high school and new on the job site–nimble in tight spaces, which comes in handy on urban construction sites and more confined work areas.

There are two primary types of skid steers: wheeled and tracked. Wheeled skid steers are perfect for solid ground like asphalt or concrete, while tracked models excel in muddy or loose terrains, providing better traction and stability. Tracked skid steers take up most of our skid steer inventory, but we’ll get a wheeled version on the lot every now and then.

Common Uses of Skid Steers

Skid steers often work with a wide range of attachments, making them capable of performing many functions.

1. With attachments like trenchers, augers, and backhoes, skid steers are popular for digging tasks on residential and commercial job sites.
2. They’re also indispensable in landscaping projects, from tilling soil with a tiller attachment to grinding stumps or clearing debris with a grapple bucket.
3. Skid steers with snow blades or blowers can quickly clear snow from job sites, parking lots, or roads in colder climates.
4. Skid steers can easily haul materials, level grading, or even break through tough surfaces with attachments like hydraulic breakers or cement mixers in construction and demolition.
5. Skid steers can be fitted with pallet forks, making them effective in warehouses or any site that requires lifting and moving bulky materials.

Popular Skid Steer Manufacturers

When selecting a skid steer, consider the manufacturer to get the right power, versatility, and reliability for your projects. You’ll also want to look into the warranty for each manufacturer. These brands offer skid steers to meet various needs, from light landscaping to heavy construction tasks.

• Bobcat
• Deere
• Caterpillar
• New Holland
• Kubota
• Case
• JCB
• Takeuchi
• Gehl
• Toro

Attachments for Skid Steers

One of the biggest advantages of skid steers is their versatility, thanks to a broad range of attachments that can be swapped out quickly.

• Buckets (standard)
• Forks
• Grapple Buckets (for oversized materials)
• Hydraulic Breakers (for tough surfaces)
• Augers (for precise hole drilling)
• Snow Blowers/Plows (for winter operations)
• Tree Spades and Stump Grinders (for landscaping)

Skid Steer vs. Mini Excavator

Although they don’t look alike, people will ask us if it would be better for them to add a mini excavator or a skid steer to their fleet. The machine tasks can overlap, but they have significant differences.

Skid steers are all about versatility. With quick attachment changes, they’re perfect for grading, debris clearing, and material handling, making them ideal for fast-paced, dynamic job sites. However, they fall short in deep digging.

Mini excavators, on the other hand, excel at precise, deep digging with 360-degree rotation, making them perfect for tasks like trenching and utility work in tight spaces. They’re the go-to for various excavation tasks.

Choose a skid steer for flexibility and speed, or a mini excavator for precision digging. But heck, we won’t stop you from getting both.

Skid Steer Rentals vs. Buying

As a heavy equipment dealer, we get that cost is always a priority. Whether you should rent or buy a skid steer depends on how often you use it. Renting could be the more budget-friendly option if it's just for the occasional job. Plus, renting gives you access to different attachments for specific tasks without the upfront cost. But, if you plan to use the skid steer regularly, buying can save you money in the long run and gives you the convenience of having it whenever you need it.

Need help crunching the numbers on buying vs. renting? We’re happy to break it down for you.

BROWSE SKID STEER RENTALS

Looking for a skid steer?

If you’re in the market for a skid steer or have questions about which model fits your project needs, get in touch with us today. We offer both rental and purchase options for various sizes and models of skid steers and attachments!

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