1. 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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. Skid Steer Comparisons
Features
Wheels versus tracks

20. 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

21. Skid Steer Comparisons
Manufacturers
Web sites

22. Skid Steer Comparisons
Manufacturers
Examples of Skid Steer Loaders marketing brochures

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

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

25. 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

26. 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)

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

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

29. 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.)

30. 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

31. 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.)

32. 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.)

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

46. 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.

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

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

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

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

51. References
A 100-Year March of Progress: AEM & ASABE. By James H. Ebbinghaus.
Web sites: