What is a skid-steer loader?
Skid-Steer Loader (SSL) is a kind of compact construction machinery, known for its unique steering mechanism and modular design. Differing from traditional wheel loaders, it has no independent steering mechanism for its wheels, and realizes steering through the differential drive of left and right wheelsets. when one side of the wheels is moving forward and the other side is moving backward, the machine can complete zero-radius steering, and this characteristic of “skid steering” makes it far more maneuverable than its counterparts in a confined space. This “skid steering” feature makes it far more maneuverable in confined spaces than similar equipment.
Structurally, the lift arm system of the skid steer loader can be quickly changed to dozens of attachments, from standard buckets to special crushing hammers, which gives it the advantage of “multi-functionality”. Taking the hydraulic system as the power core, its main pump mostly adopts the Italian Bondioli high-pressure piston pump with Eaton travel motor, while the engine is selected from well-known brands such as Shinchai, Kubota or Perkins to ensure stability in high-intensity operation.
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What are the different types of loaders?
Vertical lifting type:
Adopting the parallelogram linkage mechanism, the lifting trajectory is nearly vertical, and the biggest advantage is the ability to keep the load at high altitude. In logistics scenarios, for example, this type can accurately stack loads to a height of more than 4 meters or load materials directly into truck compartments. In addition, its long arm design gives it an advantage in scenarios where extended work is required, such as municipal street light maintenance or wall painting.
Radial lift type:
Characterized by a curved lifting trajectory and a simpler structure (30% fewer moving parts), the Radial Lift performs better on the ground. Typical applications include earthmoving, site leveling, etc. When paired with a crushing hammer attachment, the radial lift loader’s impact force transfer efficiency is about 20% higher than that of the vertical lift type, making it more suitable for heavy-duty work conditions such as rock crushing.
Classification by Tonnage and Power: Three-Dimensional Classification According to AEM Standards
According to the American Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) standard, skid steer loaders are categorized into three main types according to rated operating load (ROC) and power:
| Type | Rated Operating Load | Application Scenario |
| Small machines | <1750 lbs (793kg) <50 hp | Interior renovation, municipal sidewalk repair |
| Medium-sized machines | 1750-2220 lbs 50-70 hp | General construction sites, agricultural pastures |
| Large machines | >2220 lbs >70 hp | Mining, heavy earthworks |
As an example of a large machine, a 2,500 lb. skid steer loader with a rock bucket can load 1.2 cubic meters of granite gravel in a single pass, which is equivalent to the operating efficiency of three mini excavators.
Technical Specification
| Major / Model | WT400 | WT730 | WT830 | WT930 | WT750D | WT870 | WT1100 | WT1200 | WT1405 | WT1605A | |
| A | Overall Operating Height (mm) | 2666 | 3897 | 3857 | 3577 | 3710 | 4143 | 4347 | |||
| B | Height To Bucket Hinge Pin (mm) | 2000 | 2982 | 2982 | 2729 | 2885 | 3205 | 3407 | |||
| C | Height To Top Of Cab (mm) | 1520 | 2090 | 2090 | 1552 | 2010 | 2065 | 2075 | |||
| D | Height To Bottom Of Level Bucket (mm) | 1868 | 2855 | 2855 | 2531 | 2726 | 3010 | 3217 | |||
| E | Overall Length Without Bucket (mm) | 2015 | 2536 | 2536 | 2637 | 2850 | 2857 | 3051 | |||
| F | Overall Length With Bucket (mm) | 2500 | 3352 | 3302 | 3367 | 3370 | 3649 | 3835 | |||
| G | Dumping Height (mm) | 1468 | 2266 | 2298 | 2044 | 2190 | 2460 | 2679 | |||
| H | Dumping Reach (mm) | 701 | 662 | 601 | 449 | 430 | 590 | 868 | |||
| I | Rollback 0f Bucket On Ground (°) | 30 | 25 | 25 | 38 | 25 | 30 | 26 | |||
| J | Ground Clearance (mm) | 177 | 210 | 200 | 144 | 204 | 195 | 220 | |||
| K | Angle Of Departure (°) | 28 | 30 | 32 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | |||
| L | Front Turning Radius without Bucket (mm) | 860 | 1252 | 1290 | 1299 | 1188 | 1338 | 1390 | |||
| M | Front Turning Radius (mm) | 1518 | 1052 | 2036 | 2059 | 1983 | 2174 | 2246 | |||
| N | Rear Turning Radius (mm) | 1210 | 1516 | 1516 | 1580 | 1634 | 1746 | 1898 | |||
| O | Width (mm) | 1166 | 1730 | 1818 | 1806 | 1705 | 1798 | 1864 | |||
| P | Bucket Width (mm) | 1250 | 800 | 1880 | 2000 | 1740 | 1910 | 1980 | |||
What is the mechanism of skid steer loader?
Power system
Skid steer loaders are usually equipped with diesel engines as the power source. The diesel engine is characterized by high power and high torque, which can provide sufficient power for the whole machine to meet the operational requirements under various complicated working conditions.
Transmission system
Transmission system plays a vital role in the skid steer loader, which is mainly composed of hydraulic pump, hydraulic motor, transmission piping and so on. Hydraulic pump driven by the engine, the hydraulic oil from the tank and pressurized, through the transmission pipeline will be high-pressure oil to each hydraulic motor. Hydraulic motor will be hydraulic energy into mechanical energy, drive the wheel or work device movement.
Steering system
The skid steer loader adopts a unique skid steering method. Its steering system mainly relies on the speed difference between the wheels on both sides to realize steering. Moreover, all skid steer loaders are equipped with a rocker switch locking system located near the console, which must be activated before operation to unlock the wheel drive system, so that the hydraulic motor can normally receive power and drive the wheels; after the completion of the operation, it is necessary to turn off the locking system in a timely manner, to prevent the equipment from moving accidentally and to ensure the safety of the equipment parking.
Working device
The working device is the core component of the skid steer loader to realize material loading, handling and other operations, mainly including the moving arm, linkage mechanism, bucket and so on. The movable arm is connected to the frame through the articulation point, which can realize the lifting and lowering movement under the action of the hydraulic cylinder. The linkage mechanism is used to connect the arm and bucket to ensure that the bucket remains stable during the lifting and lowering process, and to realize the bucket’s forward tilting, backward turning and other actions.
Frame and chassis
The frame is the skeleton structure of the skid steer loader, which provides installation support for other parts and bears the working load of the whole machine. The frame is usually welded with high-strength steel, which has enough strength and rigidity to ensure the stability and reliability of the loader under complex working conditions. The chassis part includes wheels, tires or tracks and other walking parts.
Control system
The control system of skid steer loader mainly includes hydraulic control system and electrical control system. Hydraulic control system through a variety of hydraulic valves to control the flow of hydraulic oil, pressure and flow, so as to realize the precise control of the working device and walking mechanism.
Skid steer loader attachments that UNIQUEMAC provides
UNIQUEMAC understands the diversified needs of different working conditions on the operating capacity of the equipment, not only to provide customers with a variety of types and models of skid steer loaders, but also committed to creating a wide range of skid steer loader attachments to adapt to different brands of skid steer loaders, to provide attachments are strictly based on the design of skid steer loader drawings of the various brands, and the majority of brands of equipment on the market are highly compatible with the skid steer loader applications can be significantly expanded to enhance operational efficiency. This significantly expands the application areas of skid steer loaders and improves operational efficiency. The following are some of the most popular skid steer loader attachments provided by UNIQUEMAC:
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What are the major functions of a skid steer loader?
Road maintenance
Garden equipment
Snow removal in winter
Pasture equipment
Road maintenance
Sweeper: Sweeper is used for cleaning of road municipal administration, port, plaza and factory area, and it could move forward or backward to clean the the dust and waste. Rapid cleaning for parking lots, sidewalks, docks and warehouses. lt could also be used to spread material evenly. Model number72inches, 84inches.
Milling planer: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this milling planer. Milling planer has two kinds: standard and large-flow model.With direct-drive and high-torque hydraulic motor, and hydraulic side shifter enable easy and fast planing of bitumen and concrete floors (municipal,highway,freeway and airport).
Hydraulic hammer: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this hydraulic hammer. Hydraulic hammer could be used for breaking cement pavement and asphalt pavement, and it is very fast and efficient. Suitable for road, municipal and other uses.According to different loader model, there are four different hydraulic hammers, and there are five different shovels (Slotted, Shaped, Pyramid,Wedged and Cone type)
Manhole cover type milling planer: This attachment is mainly used for cutting the damaged asphalt road on the manhole cover in municipal road.Open the manhole cover, firstly fix the positioner in the well frame, and adjust the cutter to the asphalt road, then begin to cut until the soil layer, finally lift the positioning shaft, then the positioner and the cutting asphalt part will be also lifted.
Wheel trencher: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this wheel trencher. When you need lay the water pipe, gas pipe, cables or repairing highways, wheel trencher could help you to save time and labor.
Vibratory roller: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this vibratory roller.The vibratory roller could move forward and backward to compact the road surface, channel and asphalt potholes. The vibration drum could be side shifter to make some uneven area more compacted. There are four models: 60inches, 66inches, 72inches and 84inches.
Garden equipment
Tree spade: This attachment could make skid steer loader become a transplanting machine. The operator can dig, transport and grow a tree without leaving his machine. Opening the hydraulically controlled front shovel, the operator could reach the tree from any angle. It could be used for digging trees and also loading the trees onto the trucks in minutes, and only one peron is enough.
Continuous trencher: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this continuous trencher. The continuous trencher has a variety of ditching functions, and you could finish a wide range of works by trencher. trencher could supply the function of adjusting the trenching depth, and move close to the wall corner by manual or hydraulic type.
Auger: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this auger. Auger is used for drilling holes in earthy terrain. The unique design could make you drill holes accurately and quickly even in uneven area, for example planting trees in the garden, installing telegraph pole and sign post in the road. One hole just need only two minutes and improve the working efficiency greatly, and it could save a lot of manpower and material resources. There are different models to choose: drill hole depth 1200-2000mm and drill hole diameter 100-900mm.
Single-arm backhoe: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this single-arm backhoe. This attachment could make your skid steer loader a very powerfull excavator and it could be used in pipe laying and landscaping project in many different industries.
Forestru mulcher: Forestru mulcher is driven by hydraulic motor—-the roller with blade makes high-speed gyroscopic movement. Using the cutting force of the blade, the bushes and grobes are reclaimed into a flat open area. The working width of this attachment is optional andthe working efficiency is very high.
Tree shear: The blade could work by a pair of cylinder to cut the trunk. The suitable trunk diameter is from 0 to 300mm and this tree shear could be equipped with skid steer loader.
Snow removal in winter
Snow blade: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this snow blade. The angle of snow blade could be adjusted by 30degree left and right, and it could remove the thin snow in the cross walk, and it will not destroy the road sureface.
Ice removal: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this ice removal. UNIQUEMAC ice removal is the best tool for removing dirt, snow, and ice that are firmly bonded in lanes, sidewalks and parking lots, and the road could be smooth immediately.
Angle broom: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this angle broom. UNIQUEMAC angle broom could quickly and effectively remove the dust, caked dry mud, thin snow and other scrap. It is very suitable for sweeping lanes, sidewalks, parking lots, docks and warehouses, especially in tight spaces. It will not destroy the surface of pavement. There are three models for optional: 60inches, 72inches and 84inches.
Snow blower: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this snow blower. UNIQUEMAC snow blower uses hydraulic drive system to remove the thick snow from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. The height of the support feet could be adjusted, and the bucket height could be located to avoid touching sand and destrying the pavement surface. The snow throwing distance could be 12m in max.
Pasture equipment
Horizontal rotary pickfront: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this WT-051575 horizontal rotary pickfront and control the turning angle by hydraulic system to adjust the length, so that the horizontal rotary pickfront could be in working situation. Skid steer loader is in a constant speed to make the padding loose and smooth in the cow house by horizontal rotary pickfront, and it is very high effectively and save manpower.
Thrower: Skid steer loader could be equipped with thrower WT-0630 and transport the feed to the cow house area through the conveyor by the hydraulic motor, and the thrower could throw the dry cow dung or sand to the bed, and it is very fast for loading feed the loader could turn In 360 degree, this way could improve the production efficiency greatly.
Root rake: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this root rake WT-050972. The upper grasping hook is controlled by hydrailic system, and the bottom is in a shovel type and could firmly grasp the grass by large capacity, and it is very fast and convenient. It is mostly suitable for cleaning and carrying in calving pen and some special working environment.
U-type manure blade: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this U-type manure blade. It is mainly used for cleaning manure more than 2meters coprodaeum. The upper U-type manure blade is made of steel plate, and the bottom and two sides have rubber blade protection, and this way could avoid destroying the anti-skid slot of coprodaeum, and it could finish the cleaning in the coprodaeum in a high effciency.
Four in one bucket: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this four in one bucket. It has four functions: Loading, Pushing, Clamping, Flating and it also could be used as loading bucket, and the discharging height could be 3m when the bottom is opened. It could be used for 2.8m height loading.
Adjustable thruster: Skid steer loader could be equipped with this adjustable thruster. Theopening width could be 3.4m and the thrusting capacity is very big and in a very high efficiency. The outer part all steel structure and the lower edge of the ground contact is protected by the rubber blade, and this way could avoid the damage for the anti-skid slot of coprodaeum, and it is suitable for cattlefarm with width 3-4.5m of cowdung.
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What is the difference between a skid steer and a loader?
In the field of construction machinery, skid steer loaders and wheel loaders are both highly regarded pieces of equipment that play an important role in different construction scenarios. The core difference is reflected in the following aspects.
Chassis and steering: skid steer loaders rely on wheels to achieve “skid steering”, which allows one side of the wheels to turn positively and the other to turn negatively, realizing 360-degree in-situ rotation, and flexible operation in narrow spaces; wheel loaders use traditional steering mechanisms, which run stably in wide venues but are not flexible enough in narrow places.
Operational performance: Compact track loaders (easily confused with skid steer loaders) have a large grounding area for the tracks and a heavy body, so they are good at passing through soft ground and have strong digging and bulldozing ability, which is suitable for wet and muddy environments and scenarios where the ground needs to be protected; skid steer loaders, although a little weaker in power, can work quickly and accurately by virtue of their flexible steering and small body when loading and unloading and transporting.
Applicable scenarios: skid steer loaders are suitable for indoor decoration, narrow street construction and other space-restricted scenarios; wheel loaders are mostly used in mining, large-scale earthwork projects and other large-scale open operation scenarios.
How Does a Skid Loader Work?
Skid loaders stand out with their unique skidding turn mechanism, powered by a hydrostatic transmission that controls each side independently, enabling tight maneuvers in small spaces. Here are the key operation steps:
1. Pre-Operation Inspection
Before starting, check engine oil, hydraulic fluid, and coolant levels. Inspect tires for damage, ensure the attachment is secure, and verify all safety features are working.
2. Starting the Skid Loader
Enter the cab, fasten the seatbelt, turn the ignition key to “on,” and follow the manufacturer’s start procedures. Let the engine warm up, especially in cold weather.
3. Familiarizing Yourself with the Controls
Typically controlled by two joysticks, the left one manages forward/backward movement and boom lift/lower, while the right one handles bucket tilt and curl. Practice in a safe area to understand the machine’s response.
4. Performing the Work
Approach the task area slowly, position the loader and attachment accurately. Keep the load balanced during transport and use skidding for tight turns, staying aware of surroundings.
5. Shutting Down the Skid Loader
Stop in a safe spot, lower the boom and bucket, return joysticks to neutral, turn off the engine, remove the key, and perform a post-operation inspection.
Remember to wear PPE, never exceed the load capacity, and follow safety guidelines to operate the skid loader safely and efficiently.
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