Skid-loader

Skid Loader

The skid loader is a rigid frame, engine powered

machine with lift arms that are used to attach a

wide variety of labor saving tools or attachments.

Skid loaders are normally four wheel drive with

left side drive wheels that are independent of

right side drive wheels. With each side being

independent to the other, the wheel speed and

direction of rotation of the wheels will determine

which direction the loader turns.

Skid loaders are capable of turning in their own

tracks, which makes them very maneuverable and

valuable for jobs that require the use of compact,

agile loader.

Unlike conventional front loaders, the lift arms

lay beside the driver with the major pivot points

located behind the shoulders of the operator. Due

to the operator being in close proximity to moving

booms and buckets, earlier models of skid loaders

weren't as safe as conventional front loaders,

particularly during entering and exiting.

Skid loaders today have fully enclosed cabs and

other safety features that will protect the operator

from injury. Just like other front loaders,

the skid steer can scrape material from one

location to another, carry material in a bucket,

or load material on a truck or a trailer.

Operation

A skid loader can sometimes take the place of a

large excavator by digging a hole out from the

inside. The skid loader will first dig a ramp

that leads to the edge of the hole. Then, the

loader will use the ramp to carry material out

of the hole.

The skid loader will then reshape the ramp by

making it steeper and longer as the excavation

gets deeper. This method is very useful for

digging under an overhead structure where the

overhead clearance doesn't allow for the boom of

a large excavator, such as those situations where

you are digging a basement under a house.

The bucket of most types of skid loaders can be

replaced with several specialized buckets or

attachments, many of which are powered by the

hydraulic system of the loader.

History

The first 3 wheeled front end loader was invented

by two brothers, Cyril and Louis Keller in their

machinist shop in Minnesota back in 1957. The

Kellers built the loader to help a nearby farmer

clean turkey manure from his two story barn. The

light and compact loader, with the rear caster

wheel, was able to turn around within the length

of itself, while performing the very same tasks as

conventional front end loaders.

Down the road, the Melroe manufacturing company

in Gwinner ND, purchased the rights to the Keller

loader in 1958 and hired the brothers to continue

their loader invention. Resulting from the

partnership, the M-200 self propelled loader was

introduced at the end of 1958.

The loader featured two independent front drive

wheels and a rear caster wheel, a 12.9 engine and

a 750 lb lift capacity. Two years later, they

ended up replacing the caster wheel with a rear

axle and introduced the M-400 loader, which was

the first four wheel skid steer loader in the

world.

In 1962, the Bobcat name was added to describe

the key features of the machine - touch, agile, and

quick. The M-440 was powered by a 15.5 HP engine

and offered a 1100 lb rated operating capacity.

In the mid 1960s, the skid steer loader progressed

with the introduction of the M600 loader.

Years later, the Bobcat skid steer loader experienced

quite a few changes, including the development of

a hydrostatic drive system, enforced cab structures,

radius and vertical lift arm configurations,

deluxe instrumentation, and even heating and air

conditioning.

In addition to the rubber tire skid loaders of today,

there are now all-wheel steer loaders and even

compact track loaders. Compact track loads offer

less ground disturbance and feature better traction

and control in soft, muddy, wet, and even sandy

ground conditions.

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