Skidsteer Bobcat

Skidsteer Bobcat

Buying Bobcat Skid Steer Loader

What Is A Skid Steer Loader?

A Skid Steer loader or 'Bobcat' is a small, compact construction machine. Their small size and manoeuvrability, as well as the large number of add-on attachments that can be fixed to them make them extremely popular for a wide range of tasks such as construction and landscaping. As well as being very agile and compact, they can easily accommodate a wide range of different attachments which makes them ideal for many different industries, including construction, landscaping, manufacturing and demolition. Bobcats normally come with 4 wheels, but they can be fitted with tracks - just like a small tank - to operate in muddy conditions. Skid steer loaders are normally equipped with four wheels built close together, but they can also be fitted with tracks for work in muddy or slippery conditions. Usually the engine is located behind the cab, and there are two arms that run from the back to the front and latch on to the tools.

Why The Funny Name ?

The actual "skid steer" term is used because of how the vehicle drives. Instead of having a steering mechanism like an automobile, a skid steer loader turns by moving the wheels on one side while stopping the wheels on the opposite side. This causes the skid steer to "skid" on the wheels that are stopped, thus turning the vehicle towards the wheels that have stopped. This makes skid steers not only more robust with fewer parts to go wrong, but enables them to have a very small turning circle.

Ok, so what should I look for when I buy one of these.

Choose the right size machine

You should consider three fundamental factors when choosing your Bobcat Skidsteer.

1. Overall size. Will it fit in your garage, down your driveway, through your gate? Most skid steers are between 3' and 6' wide, and between 5' and 7' tall. Taking into consideration the physical work area can make it easier to make your choice.

2. Dumping Height. Do you know how high you will need your skid steer to lift things. It is important to realize whether you need to dump over a 9' truck or a 4' fence. This is usually called the "height to hinge pin" measurement, or the distance from the ground to the point where the loader arms pivot the bucket. This usually ranges between 8' and 10'.

3. Lifting Capacity How much do you need to lift? Will you be lifting heavy loads? Many manufacturers also refer to this as the operating capacity. This is alos commonly known as the operating capacity. The most popular size, is the 1,700 lb - 2,200 lb range. Although some skid steer loaders can lift over 3,000 lbs, if you need to lift loads this big you really would be better to consider a full-size front end loader instead.

What About Tires

Skid steers come with three main choices of tire. The tire choices are air filled rubber tires - just like your car, foam filled tires, and solid rubber tires.You would normally fit one of three types of tire to these loaders - hollow air-filled rubber tires, rubber tires filled with pneumatic foam and solid rubber tires.. Remember they are also available with tracks.

1. Air-Filled Tires - the cheapest and probably the best solution for most people. these are the least expensive and are the best for smooth rides on rocky or uneven surfaces, of course, being air filled they can get punctures at just the wrong time!

2.Foam-Filled Pneumatic Tires - if you are worried about punctures, on sharp gravel for example then these are a good option, albeit a more expensive one. Also because foam-filled tires are much heavier than normal air-filled tires they can lead to breakdowns from the extra strain placed on the skid steer's transmission.

3.Solid Rubber Tires - these are thinner and longer lasting than foam or air filled tires but not nearly as comfortable.

Most of the time you should choose air filled tires as they are the most economical and certainly the most comfortable. You should remember, though, that you can easily change your tires to suit the surface if required to do so and many spare sets are often available from specialist dealers or websites at very reasonable prices

Can I Have Tracks ?

Certainly, tracks are an option. There are several benefits when working with tracked skid steers; you get much better traction in mud and on loose ground and there is generally less damage done to the ground than with a wheeled skid steer loader.

Tracked skid steer loaders tend to be bigger than wheeled ones, and therefore more expensive. As with tires, though you can buy conversion kits that enable you to attach tracks to a wheeled loader thus gaining the advantages of both.

Other Stuff

Once you have determined the size and capacity requirements for your skid steer, you will need to try out the available models and consider the following factors:

Cab Comfort Since you will probably be spending many hours in the cab it should be comfortable. Comfort is important because in many instances you will be inside a cab for hours. Make sure the seat can be easily adjusted and is well padded and that the main controls are all within easy reach.

All-round visibility Safety should always by uppermost in your considerations when buying a skid steer. In any work environment it is important to be safe. Good visibility from inside the cab, can both speed up work and reduce errors and accidents.

Ruggedness Lets face it skid steers are built to be tough but like any mechanical device they work better when well maintained. Check how easy you can access the parts such as the hydraulic pumps and engine.

About the Author

If you are thinking about buying a bobcat skid steer loader then why not look at Bobcat Tractor Auctions. They have a great range of new and used loaders

Bobcat $949.99 Bobcat

A Bobcat $39.99 Norbert Rosing A Bobcat - Photographic Print

Tan Bobcat $949.99 Tan Bobcat

Friendly Bobcat $949.99 Friendly Bobcat

Bobcat Stretching $39.99 Ralph Lee Hopkins Bobcat Stretching - Photographic Print

Bobcat Running $39.99 Michael S. Quinton Bobcat Running - Photographic Print

N3072 BOBCAT ATV FAIRING $269.96 N3072 BOBCAT ATV FAIRING.

Bobcat Mouthpiece Puller $49.99 Bobcat Mouthpiece Puller

A & A Optical Bobcat $209.85 A & A Optical Bobcat Eyeglasses for Men are available at BestBuyEyeglasses.com in the following colors: Black, Brown, Gray/Gunmetal. The style is Rectangle and the frame material is Titanium. A & A Optical Bobcat Metal. These frames accept prescription lenses.

Montana State University Bobcat Eclipse $74.98 Montana State University Bobcat Eclipse Montana State University Bobcat Eclipse

Bobcat in the snow in Montana $19.99 Charles Krebs Bobcat in the snow in Montana - Photographic Print

A Bobcat Hides in the Overgrowth $299.99 Roy Toft A Bobcat Hides in the Overgrowth - Art on Acrylic

Close-up of a Bobcat $39.99 Dr. Maurice G. Hornocker Close-up of a Bobcat - Photographic Print

Bobcat Prowls over the Snow $39.99 Dr. Maurice G. Hornocker Bobcat Prowls over the Snow - Photographic Print

A Bobcat Takes Refuge in a Tree $39.99 Ben Horton A Bobcat Takes Refuge in a Tree - Photographic Print

Bobcat Toys with Vole $39.99 Michael S. Quinton Bobcat Toys with Vole - Photographic Print

Bobcat Jumps, Idaho $39.99 Michael S. Quinton Bobcat Jumps, Idaho - Photographic Print

Close-Up of a Bobcat $34.99 Dr. Maurice G. Hornocker Close-Up of a Bobcat - Photographic Print

Bobcat at the Rolling Hills Zoo $34.99 Joel Sartore Bobcat at the Rolling Hills Zoo - Photographic Print

A Four-Year-Old Female Bobcat $24.99 A Four-Year-Old Female Bobcat - Photographic Print

Folkmanis Puppet Bobcat 12 $34.29 Looking deceptively like a domestic cat, the bobcat remains wild at heart as it hunts through the night for prey. This Bobcat puppet features a movable mouth, dark tufted ears and the dark stumpy tail that gives it its name.

Bobcat, Lynx Rufus, North America $24.99 Joe McDonald Bobcat, Lynx Rufus, North America - Photographic Print

SHAKES THE CLOWN BY GOLDTHWAIT,BOBCAT (DVD) $19.31 Artist: GOLDTHWAIT,BOBCAT Genre: Comedy Rating: R Release Date: 4APR2000

Montana State University Bobcat Dynasty - Men's $78.73 Montana State University Bobcat Dynasty - Men's Montana State University Bobcat Dynasty - Men\'s

Montana State University Bobcat Executive - Men's $143.45 Montana State University Bobcat Executive - Men's Montana State University Bobcat Executive - Men\'s

Montana State University Bobcat Finders Key Purse $12.35 Montana State University Bobcat Finders Key Purse Montana State University Bobcat Finders Key Purse

Montana State University Bobcat Alarm Clock - Gripper $16.53 Montana State University Bobcat Alarm Clock - Gripper Montana State University Bobcat Alarm Clock - Gripper

Montana State University Bobcat Dynasty - Ladies $78.73 Montana State University Bobcat Dynasty - Ladies Montana State University Bobcat Dynasty - Ladies

Montana State University Bobcat Eclipse - Mother Of Pearl $92.51 Montana State University Bobcat Eclipse - Mother Of Pearl Montana State University Bobcat Eclipse - Mother Of Pearl