Complete Guide to Skid Steers

16th December, 2021

Gehl Skid Steer Dealer

What is a Skid Steer?

Before we get into our guide on skid steers, its best to talk about what is a skid steer. A skid steer is a small construction vehicle that can be used for a variety of tasks and comes with a range of attachments that can be used to make your life easier – just like a bucket attachment.

The skid steer gets its name from the way it turns, as the angle of the wheels or tracks are fixed, meaning they can only point straight ahead. Sue to the wheels being fixed, you can’t steer by angling the wheels, instead, you steer by speeding up either the left or right side of the vehicle.

Benefits to Using a Skid Steer

There are many benefits to using a skid steer on your construction site, here are just some of the benefits we’ve found:

  • Size and weight – This type of vehicle is smaller compared to the compact or front loader and can easily much through confined and narrow areas. Not only is this vehicle smaller, it is also lighter, meaning it can be easily towed and transported to other construction sites.
  • Attachments and flow rate – The best benefit to a skid steer is the sheer number of attachments that can be used on a range of different jobs. A skid steer also gets the best out of its attachments as it also has a higher hydraulic flow rate compared to front loaders.
  • Visibility and control – These vehicles provide higher visibility, and easer controls. Skid steers are controlled by using joysticks, meaning it can even be operated by unexperienced drivers.

Using your Skid Steer in Winter

A skid steer can be used in any weather, but it has great benefits to being used in winter. During the winter you can use a bucket attachment on your skid steer and use this to clear snow and other debris away. You can even attach a snow blade if you want to use your skid steer for serious snow removal.

How to Look After your Skid Steer in Winter

Now it’s all well and good using you skid steer in winter, but it is important that you look after it so no problems arise during your job. Here are some helpful tips to keep your skid steers running all winter:

  • Fluids, oils and fuels – This is one of the most important parts to check, if your skid steer doesn’t have proper engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil and fuel, your operator will find its performance not up to scratch.
  • Check your attachments – your attachments are just as important as your main vehicle, so make sure you complete visual checks of your attachments. You should check cutting blades and edges as they can show if wear is developing or if there is any damage.
  • Tires and batteries – Everyone should know that when the temperature drops, so does tire pressure – so first you should check your skid steers tires. Cold weather is hard on your batteries, as it requires them to generate nearly twice as many cranking amps in order to turn over and deliver oil to the engine.

Contact MTS Plant Today

MTS plant have one of the largest Bobcat & Gehl skid steer fleets in the North of England and Scotland – available to hire.

Get in touch with us today for more information on skid steers and how we can help.

Tel: 0808 302 6746

Email: info@mtsplant.co.uk