Skid Steer Comparisons Background shows a picture of a very early skid steer, no operator’s cab and very exposed lift arms. Mark Novak 2007 National AgrAbility Workshop

Skid Steer Comparisons Today’s Presentation Classroom Some slides and discussion about skid steers Outdoor –> hands on Complete skid steer comparison tool data gathering sheet

Skid Steer Comparisons Classroom History Definition/Uses Safety Features Manufacturers Web sites Marketing Attachments Discuss skid steer data gathering sheet

Skid Steer Comparisons Outdoor Have four skid steer models Break into groups Take some measurements and fill out skid steer data gathering tool No driving Turn data gathering tool results at end of session

Skid Steer Comparisons History 1st product was three-wheeled loader used to clean turkey barns in early 1950s Original rights sold to E.G. Melrose Co. In 1958, the “Bobcat skid-steer” loader was introduced by the Melrose Co. Change direction quickly Turn within its own wheelbase In 1995, Ingersol Rand bought Bobcat

Skid Steer Comparisons History Today Bobcat Co. is a business unit of Ingersoll Rand Many companies have developed their own skid steer loaders for agricultural and construction equipment use

Cut and paste of Bobcat’s web page on skid steer loader history.

Skid Steer Comparisons Definition/Uses: Skid steer, skid loader, skid-steer loader, etc. is a rigid frame, engine-powered machine with lift arms used to attach a wide variety of labor-saving tools and attachments. The term “bobcat” is sometimes used as a generic term for skid-steer loaders. Four-wheel drive vehicles, with the left drive wheels independent of the right drive wheels, so that wheel speed and rotation determine direction of the loader and allow the loader to turn within its own tracks

Skid Steer Comparisons Uses The safe operation of skid steer loaders can address limitations including: Lifting Carrying Pushing Pulling Use of only one hand Walking Reaching and bending

Skid Steer Comparisons Safety Web is full of great resources on skid steer loader safety and safe operation

Cut and paste of PDF document on skid steer safety from HOSTA (National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program).

Cut and paste of PDF document on skid steer safety from Kansas State University.

Skid Steer Comparisons Safety Hazards (short list): Loader or loaded front mounted buckets, roll over, tilt back and onto operator Lots of control levers in a tight space, easy to bump unintended Lift arms close to operator’s area Pinch, shear and crush points close to the operator’s area Entry and exit over the attachment and past operator’s controls

Skid Steer Comparisons Safety Features FOPS/ROPS (falling object protection, roll over protection) Safety belt and/or restraint bar Lift arm lockouts or lift arm supports Seat interlocks Back up sirens Read the operator instructions

Cut and paste of skid steer operation safety training course on Bobcat web page.

Skid Steer Comparisons Features Rigid frame Operation (left independent of right) Mostly diesel motors FOPS/ROPS (all new designs) Cab, some enclosed with heat, AC, etc. One or two lift arms Auxiliary hydraulics

Skid Steer Comparisons Features Turn within their own wheel base Most have hydrostatic (variable) speed transmissions Low center of gravity (by design) Most offer hand/foot control, or dual hand only control for operation Some also offer T-bar hand control and joystick controls

Cut and paste of skid steer loader specifications for different controls for marketing, on Gehl web page.

Skid Steer Comparisons Features Wheels versus tracks

Skid Steer Comparisons Manufacturers Some estimates say there are as many as 40 companies that “label or sell” skid steer loaders Some of the more common names of skid steer loader companies in the United States: Bobcat John Deere Gehl JCB Mustang New Holland CaseIH

Skid Steer Comparisons Manufacturers Web sites http://www.bobcat.com http://www.deere.com http://www.gehl.com http://www.jcb.com http://www.mustangmfg.com http://www.newholland.com http://www.caseih.com

Skid Steer Comparisons Manufacturers Examples of Skid Steer Loaders marketing brochures

Cut and paste of skid steer loader specifications for marketing, on Bobcat web page.

Cut and paste of skid steer loader specifications for marketing, on Gehl web page.

Skid Steer Comparisons Attachments: Skid steer attachment list is almost endless and continues to grow Most attachments have specific purpose (e.g., post hole digger, walk-way sweeper, etc.) Newer skid steers include the hydraulic capability to operate these attachments, while older skid steers may not

Skid Steer Comparisons Attachments Some of the more popular (even standard) attachments are: Bucket (different styles) Forks (for pallet moving) Blades (snow, dirt, etc.) Brooms (snow, dirt, etc.) Jack hammer (for construction/demolition)

Skid Steer Comparisons Attachments At http://www.skidsteersolutions.com counted about 60 kinds of attachments, some of the less well know might be: Brush mowers Log splitters Post pounders Rock saw Tree shears

Cut and paste of skid steer loader attachments on “skidsteersolutions” web page.

Skid Steer Comparisons Why did we develop the skid steer comparison tool data gathering sheet Look at skid steer features that maybe important to farmers and ranchers with a disability As we’ve seen, this information is not typically found in standard marketing brochure (i.e., number and placement of hand holds/hand rails, etc.)

Skid Steer Comparisons What does the Skid Steer Comparison Tool Data Gathering Sheet look like? 7 pages long First 3 pages have 13 questions Last 4 pages have sample pictures to assist with data collection Requires tape measure, pencil/pen, and clipboard Suggest including a digital camera Requires about 15 minutes to complete

Skid Steer Comparisons Other Features Important to AgAbility Are there places to safely step Are there multiple hand holds/hand rails What are the operator’s opening (doorway or door width and height) minimum and maximum What kind of foot room is allowed What kind of issues might arise accessing the common service areas (e.g., filling with fuel, checking oil levels, etc.)

Skid Steer Comparison Tool Data Gathering Sheet Skid steer manufacturers produce very detailed marketing brochures which you can review to compare one brand of skid steer against another. The marketing brochures include everything from basic machine measurements, turning radius, engine size, hydraulic flow, attachment capability, operating controls available (hand only, hand and foot, etc.) and whether the cab (ROPS/FOPS) is totally enclosed to allow it to be heated and cooled. Armed with this information, if a user is interested in purchasing or recommending a skid steer they will have most of the information necessary to make an informed decision. Almost all makes and models of skid steer require the operator to be able to climb into the skid steer from the front of the machine in order to operate it. Therefore, the few questions gathered below are notes about the availability of hand holds, steps, and some general measurements which may affect an individual’s ability to climb into and out of a skid steer, or do maintenance. Also, even with hand holds and steps, skid steers in general are not easy to access and may not be the proper machine for individuals with severe mobility limitations. (Please see the attached pictures for assistance with the questions and where/how to perform the measurements below.) Skid Steer Data Entry: Skid Steer Manufacturer: ___________Model: ___________ Date: __________ 1. Do you enter the skid steer from the front? ____ yes, ___ no (if yes, go to question #3) 2. Do you enter the skid steer from the side? ____ yes, ___ no (if yes, go to question # 4) 3. If there is a bucket attached to the skid steer that you must step over to enter the skid steer, how high must you step (top of the bucket)? ___ inches (Note: When recommending a skid steer, be sure you understand “all” the different types of attachments [not just a bucket] that a farmer/rancher might wish to use and thus you may have to step over to enter and exit the operator’s area. If one of these attachments makes entering or exiting the skid steer even more difficult when attached, this may help you decide to use a manual versus an automatic attachment mounting system. With an automatic mounting system, it should be easier to remove [and re-connect] any attachments, and without the attachments it may be easier for the farmer/rancher to enter/exit the operator’s area.)

5. Measure from the ground to here, the bottom of the doorway opening the operator must step across to enter the skid steer operator’s area. 4b. With or without the bucket attached, this would be an example of a second step or platform, on the side or front of the skid steer measured from the ground. Close up picture showing the various foot steps upon entry into a skid steer from the front. 3. Measure from the ground to here, this is the first step if the bucket is attached. 4a. If the bucket was not attached, measure from the ground to here would be the first step.

9. Three sets of hand holds, one inside and two outside the ROPS/FOPS (located on both sides). 7. Maximum doorway width. 8. Doorway height. Picture showing the different doorway widths and available hand holds/hand rails on the front of a skid steer. 6. Minimum doorway width is here, due to inside design of the door.

10. Notice the entrance and exit door latches, describe each. Picture showing the door handle from the outside and from the inside on a skid steer.

11. Area to measure for operator’s feet. 11a. Width area for feet, front to back. Picture showing the area where the operator would rest their feet while in the skid steer cab. 11b. Width area for feet, side to side.

Skid Steer Comparisons Pictures of things you may wish to look for if you are thinking about purchasing a skid steer loader…

Skid Steer Comparisons Two pictures, each showing the front entrance to a skid steer, one over a bucket, the other around an attachment.

Skid Steer Comparisons Two pictures, each showing the front entrance to a skid steer, one over a bucket, the other around an attachment.

Skid Steer Comparisons Two pictures, each showing the front entrance to a skid steer through their open door, which are different.

Skid Steer Comparisons One picture showing a left side door entrance to a skid steer.

Skid Steer Comparisons Two pictures, each showing the front operator’s foot area within the skid steer cab.

Skid Steer Comparisons Two pictures, each showing the front entrance to a skid steer, where the operator might place their feet to step inside.

Skid Steer Comparisons One picture showing the tracks which must be climbed over to enter the left side skid steer door.

Skid Steer Comparisons Two pictures, each showing differences in the left side lift arm design.

Skid Steer Comparisons Two pictures, each showing the fuel cap, or the difference in how skid steer manufacturer’s design for access of the machines.

Skid Steer Comparisons Two pictures, showing the rear or engine access area of the skid steer.

Skid Steer Comparisons Two pictures, each showing alternate smaller skid steer like machines, a compact riding loader and a stand behind compact loader.

Skid Steer Comparisons Two pictures, each showing alternate smaller skid steer like machines, a Tructor and a Toolcat.

Cut and paste of skid steer loader product comparison (the results) web page on the National AgrAbility web site.

References A 100-Year March of Progress: AEM & ASABE. By James H. Ebbinghaus. Web sites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skid_loader http://www.agrabilityproject.org/