
The engine powered skid-steer loader comprises a small and rigid frame, equipped with lift arms that could attach to many industrial attachments and tools to execute several labor saving tasks. Normally, skid-steer loaders are four-wheel drive vehicles that have the left-hand side wheels functioning independent of the right-hand side wheels, although several models are equipped together 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 determine what course the loader will turn.
The skid-steer loader is able to perform zero-radius turns or likewise called "pirouettes." This added feature enables the skid-steer loader to maneuver for particular applications that require a compact and agile loader.
On a skid-steer loader, the lift arms are beside the driver with pivot points behind the driver's shoulders. This makes them different as opposed to a traditional front loader. Because of the operator's proximity to moving booms, early skid loaders were not as safe as conventional front loaders, specially through the operator's entry and exit. Modern skid-steer loaders now have many features so as to protect the driver including fully-enclosed cabs. Like other front loaders, the skid-steer model could push materials from one site to another, could load material into a trailer or a truck and could carry material in its bucket.
There are many times where the skid-steer loader could be utilized instead of a large excavator on the job location for digging holes from within. To begin, the loader digs a ramp to be used to excavate the material out of the hole. As the excavation deepens, the equipment reshapes the ramp making it steeper and longer. This is a remarkably functional technique for digging beneath a building where there is not enough overhead clearance for the boom of a large excavator. For instance, this is a common scenario when digging a basement underneath an existing house or building.
There is much flexibility in the accessories that the skid steer loaders are capable of. For example, the traditional bucket of many of these loaders can be replaced with numerous attachments that are powered by the loader's hydraulic system, comprising pallet forks, backhoes, tree spades, sweepers, mowers, snow blades and cement mixers. Various other popular specialized buckets and attachments consist of trenchers, angle booms, dumping hoppers, wood chipper machines, grapples, tillers, stump grinders rippers, wheel saws and snow blades.
The 3-wheeled front end loader was invented during the year 1957, by Louis and Cyril Keller in their hometown of Rothsay, Minnesota. The Keller brothers created this machine to be able to help mechanize the method of cleaning in turkey barns. This machinery was light and compact and included a back caster wheel that enabled it to turn around and maneuver within its own length, enabling it to execute the same work as a traditional front-end loader.
In 1958, the Melroe brothers of Melroe Manufacturing Company in Gwinner, N.D. obtained the rights to the Keller loader. They hired the Keller brothers to continue refining their loader invention. The M-200 Melroe was the result of this partnership. This particular 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 the year 1960, they changed the caster wheel along with a back axle and introduced the very first 4 wheel skid steer loader which was called the M-400.
The term "Bobcat" is utilized 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 business continued the skid-steer development into the mid 1960s and introduced the M600 loader.
Numerous manufacturers have their own skid-steer loader model just referred to as Skidsteer within the construction trade. Gehl Company, LiuGong, ASV, Hyundai, JCB, Catterpillar, Bobcat, Komatsu, Mustang, John Deere, JLG and New Holland are a few for instance, amongst some.