The engine powered skid-steer loader has a rigid and small frame, outfitted along with lift arms that could connect to several industrial tools and attachments in order to carry out numerous labor saving jobs. Typically, skid-steer loaders are four-wheel drive vehicles which have the left-hand side wheels operating independent of the right-hand side wheels, even if several models are outfitted along with tracks instead. On the four-wheel models, having each side independent of each other allows the wheel speed and rotation direction of the wheels to know what direction the loader will turn.
The skid-steer loader could carry out zero-radius turns or also called "pirouettes." This added feature allows the skid-steer loader to maneuver for particular applications that need a compact and agile loader.
The lift arms on the skid-steer loader are located alongside the driver with pivots at the back of the driver's shoulders. These features makes the skid-steer loader different than the conventional front loader. Due to the operator's proximity to moving booms, early skid loaders were not as safe as conventional front loaders, particularly during the operator's entry and exit. Today's' modern skid-steer loaders have various features to protect the driver including fully-enclosed cabs. Similar to various front loaders, the skid-steer model could push materials from one location to another, is capable of loading material into a truck or trailer and can carry material in its bucket.
There are various times where the skid-steer loader could be utilized rather than a large excavator on the job location for digging holes from within. To begin, the loader digs a ramp to be utilized to excavate the material out of the hole. As the excavation deepens, the machinery reshapes the ramp making it steeper and longer. This is a remarkably helpful method for digging below a structure where there is not adequate overhead clearance for the boom of a large excavator. For instance, this is a common situation when digging a basement underneath an existing house or structure.
There is much flexibility in the attachments which the skid steer loaders are capable of. Like for example, the traditional bucket of many of these loaders could be replaced with various accessories that are powered by the loader's hydraulic system, comprising pallet forks, backhoes, tree spades, sweepers, mowers, snow blades and cement mixers. Several other popular specialized attachments and buckets consist of wheel saws, snow blades, trenchers, angle booms, dumping hopper, wood chipper machines, grapples, tillers and stump grinders rippers.
The front end 3-wheeled loader was invented in the year 1957, by Cyril and Louis Keller in their hometown of Rothsay, Minnesota. The Keller brothers created this machine so as to help mechanize the process of cleaning in turkey barns. This particular machinery was compact and light and consisted of a back caster wheel which allowed it to turn around and maneuver within its own length, allowing it to execute similar tasks as a traditional front-end loader.
The Melroe brothers of Melroe Manufacturing Company in Gwinner, N.D. bought in the year 1958, the rights to the Keller loader. The business then employed the Keller brothers to assist with development of the loader. The M-200 Melroe was the end result of this particular partnership. This model was a self-propelled loader which was launched to the market in 1958. The M-200 Melroe featured a a rear caster wheel, a 12.9 HP engine, a 750 lb lift capacity and two independent front drive wheels. By 1960, they changed the caster wheel along with a back axle and introduced the first 4 wheel skid steer loader which was known as the M-400.
The term "Bobcat" is used as a generic term for skid-steer loaders. The M-400 soon after became the Melroe Bobcat. The M-440 version has rated operating capacity of 1100 lbs powered by a 15.5 HP engine. The company continued the skid-steer development into the mid nineteen sixties and introduced the M600 loader.
Many manufacturers have their own models of the skid steer loader that is just known as a Skidsteer within the construction trade. Hyundai, JCB, Caterpillar, Bobcat, Komatsu, Mustang, John Deere, JLG, New Holland, Gehl Company, LiuGong and ASV are a few for example, amongst others.