Construction Machinery Purchases: Business Applications For Skid Steer Owners & Renters

Among the most versatile heavy machines that are out there apart from the excavator is the skid steer loader.  It is an extremely versatile machine that is practical for most projects attributed to the fact that these machines are customizable to perform just about any construction, farming, and mining or home improvement projects just to mention a few. 

The customization of skid steer loaders generally involves using the right skid steer accessory that comes in the form of hydraulic attachments. Below are arrays of tasks or project categories that skid steers are perfectly suited to perform. 

Clearing, Earthmoving and Material Handling

Skid steers are machines that are capable of moving just about anything ranging from construction materials, tree trunks, dirt, debris, rocks, earth and sand. These machines are able to quickly move elements such as mud and gravel from one place to another without messy spills just using a bucket or grappler. 

As it is with excavators, skid steer loader come with either the standard bucket or buckets that have shark-like teeth. The edges of the standard bucket is smooth and sharp which allows it to scrape the top layer of surfaces and also scoop heavy objects such as boulders. Buckets that are toothed aid in excavation activities and are also good for loosening compacted clay, soil and earth that have stubborn tree root systems. 

Maintenance of Farms 

Skid steers are often used by the municipal to maintain roads and in farms operations they are even more useful where farms are dependent on the delivery of vital goods and equipment. Skid steers have the ability to build temporary roads and maintain these roads for farm hands to use and move about moving other equipment. 

Farms are dependent on having these ‘makeshift’ roadways that ensure that the general day to day farming operations run smoothly. Farm areas are also prone to fires during summers and having access to burning patches are critical towards keeping such fires in check. The skid steer are perfect road builders. The bucket may be used for grading the roads whilst attachments such as brush cutters are useful for removing vegetation that creep up unto roads.  

These machines are also useful for livestock management activities such as feeding and manure clean-ups. The fact that skid steers are capable of accommodating hydraulic attachments such as augers are also useful for farms as they are perfect for building strong fences for keep cattle from straying away from the farm.  

Seeding and fertilizing which are part and parcel of crop production is another factor that makes the skid steer useful for farms. Skid steers are popular among farm owners that either purchase them or rent (skid steer / bobcat for hire) for specific agriculture operations related to crop production. 

This is simply because these machines have the power and capacity to move materials quickly across the farm using a hopper attachment that is able to haul and spread seeds across the fields of a farm rapidly. They are able to do the same with fertilisers. 

Warehouse Operations

Warehouses have limited space and compact skid steer loaders are perfect to keep any given warehouse well organized. The day to day operations of a warehouse includes stocking, piling removing and loading goods to and from racks. Items that are kept in plastic bins or on wooden pallets are easily manageable with a compact skid steer similar to fork lifts only with additional features. 

Although forklifts are more common, they are also more expensive and generally used for large commercial warehouses. For smaller warehouses especially warehouses related to farms, the skid steer is sufficient enough. In essence the skid steer could be very easily be customised to perform almost everything that a forklift is capable off. The versatility of a skid steer eliminates the need for warehouse managers to buy forklifts. 

Season Based Maintenance 

The fact that skid steers are capable of accommodating a wide variety of hydraulic attachments, contractors managing streets and roadways could simply customise a skid steer into a snowplough or assist in removing debris or even wreckage when necessary. Skid steers are perfect for tight urban roads and their lightweight does not damage the road which larger heavy machines such as excavators could cause. 

Construction Operations 

The skid steer is a ‘spot on’ piece of equipment that are deemed as perfect solutions by construction managers due to their versatility especially for construction projects in urban areas as they are able to level and grade projects sites very rapidly even when space is not a luxury. 

Apart from that, skid steers are often taken for hire for use on specific days to either transport or manage materials across construction sites. Apart from moving materials about, these machines are also capable of crushing and demolishing provided they are fitted with the right type of hydraulic attachment. 

Option between Purchasing and Renting Skid Steers

Although having a skid steer available at all times by purchasing them would be a convenience, from a business perspective this option might not be the most feasible of ideas.  However, this scenario or option (buying a skid steer) may not be entirely not worthy of consideration. 

It is all dependent on the frequency of use. To obtain a skid steer for hire would cost an approximate $170 per day and based on the needs of the business operation, if the skid steer is only going to be used sparingly, then tenting a skid steer would be the best option. 

In contrast, if the skid steer is need for daily operations, then purchasing a skid steer would be the better option. This is a strategic idea as the owners of a new skid steer model would still be able to hire hydraulic attachments from construction equipment rental companies. 

Buying a skid steer is one matter, there is still the issue of maintenance and storage of the skid steer and also the cost of getting an operator/ driver for the skid steer unless the owner is able to operate a skid steer on their own. 

There are a lot of elements or factors that must be taken into serious consideration prior to investing in expensive heavy construction equipment and the possibility of hiring such equipment must not be overlooked.