Skid Steer Buying Guide

Skid steer loaders have become an indispensable part of any construction, agricultural, or site management fleet. They have superior maneuverability and plenty of power and utility to get the job done. Choosing the right skid steer loader can be a difficult task.

There’s a lot to consider, from finding the right manufacturer and model to the many options, add-ons, and implements available.

Skid steer loaders are one of the most versatile machines you can buy, and matching the right model to the specifics of your work needs is important to make sure you can get the most out of it. 

That’s why your friends at Synergy Equipment have put together this short guide to help with your search. Then, stop by one of our dealerships serving Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to check out the used skid steers for sale in Florida, and even our skid steer rentals.

Frame and Size

The first consideration for almost all commercial vehicle purchases is going to be size compared to operational area, and skid steer loaders are no different. Fortunately, skid steer loaders are highly prized for their compact size and general maneuverability, so you won’t need a lot of room for them to operate. Still, there are several frame sizes that do account for many differences between models. Generally, there are small, medium, and large frame sizes, each of which dictates what kind of work they’re best suited for.

Larger loaders can lift higher, which makes them great for transferring material into dump trucks with higher sideboards. But if you force a larger skid steer into a confined work area, they lose many of their advantages. Smaller units face the opposite problem, wherein they’re fantastic at moving around cramped workspaces, but come up short if your needs are more about lifting and carrying limits.

Size can also come into play when transporting equipment from site to site, as larger units might need more specialized trailers. An owner-operator with a pickup truck and trailer isn’t going to be able to get a larger skid steer to the job in the first place. Small units are compact enough to fit on a trailer alongside other equipment or even another compact vehicle.

Engine Power

Size isn’t everything, and the engine power a skid steer boasts is equally as important as the overall size and weight of any given unit. Horsepower is an important metric to consider, but so is torque. Horsepower can be seen as how quickly a piece of equipment can perform its main operational functions, while torque is the underlying strength of that work. This can mean running smaller skid steers at lower engine RPMs while still getting enough torque for the job at hand. This translates to greatly improved fuel efficiency.

Fuel type is another factor to consider. Though most skid steers are powered by diesel fuel, there are also gasoline units available on the market. While the diesel engines are plenty powerful and run efficiently, they are more costly to maintain. Having an in-house service shop makes this a trivial matter, though. Gasoline will also be more environmentally friendly and make the engine easier to start.

Operator Comfort

You might think catering to an operator’s comfort while operating a skid steer is an added luxury, but operator discomfort can increase fatigue and negatively affect both safe operation and productivity. Put extra value on skid steer models that are easy to get in and out of and those with extra options for comfortable or adjustable seats.

Even though you might find a unit with a comfortable seat, the controls might not be easily accessible, which is another important consideration. This might mean getting in the cab yourself or bringing a worker along to test things out from an experienced perspective. Pay attention to noise levels inside the cab, as well as visibility. A well-designed cab should allow operators to see the bucket edge or other tool without leaning or reaching around.

Attachments

While a base skid steer loader will have a primary implement through which its amazing power and utility will flow, there are a host of other attachments that can be changed out for even more versatility on the job. There are a lot wide assortment of different attachments to consider.

When it comes to considering attachments for a skid steer purchase, think about what types of jobs you have in mind for your new workhorse and figure out which attachments are going to help with those tasks. There’s no sense getting a hammer or auger implement if you don't need to break up concrete or dig holes.

When determining whether an attachment is right for your skid steer, look at operating capacity and auxiliary hydraulic flow. It’s paramount that a loader is powerful enough to effectively work with your selected attachments, so that means having a big enough unit to provide that power and carry the weight. Otherwise, you could run into problematic operation or even a safety concern.

There’s a lot to consider when purchasing a skid steer loader, from potential attachments to frame size. Hopefully, this information will help you find the right unit for you. For more information about skid steer loaders, or if you’re just interested in checking out our inventory, including used skid steer loaders for sale in Florida and even skid steer rentals, head into Synergy Equipment, serving all of Georgia and South Carolina