Like any other machinery, skid loaders work best when they’ve been looked after. This means regular monthly inspections, cleaning, and maintaining every part of the machine. But the big question is, how often do you need to repeat your maintenance checklist in order to get the maximum performance out of your skid loaders. Is it annually? Monthly? Or daily? We talked to a few local mechanics and operators and got our answer – it’s monthly. Let’s find out why.

Benefits of Monthly Maintenance and Inspections

1.     Safety

Creating a safe working environment should be the top priority in any workspace – even more so on a construction site. Even though skid loaders are some of the most versatile and tough heavy machinery out there, maltreating or not doing the required maintenance can make them more dangerous – both for the operators and those working around them. Burnt-out brake pads, dangerously high engine temperatures, and malfunctioning hydraulics are often causes of tragedy – but all of this can be avoided.

Give your operators and mechanics the time and resources to carry out the required maintenance tasks. If you think your operators are not well-versed with best maintenance practices, hold a short training seminar to create awareness.

2.     Preventing Costly Breakdowns

A skid loader that isn’t working is a skid loader that isn’t making money. More downtime means your operators and in many cases, other members of your construction crew cannot go about their work. But it all becomes a lot worse if your skid loader has to be sent to the shop for repairs.

Heavy machinery repair bills can easily reach thousands of dollars at a time. But inspecting and ensuring no undue stress leads to extra wear and tear. Parts in the engine bay are more sensitive to friction and temperatures and a lack of proper fluids can wreak havoc. Regular inspection will ensure that irregularities or even the smallest problems don’t go under the radar and eventually lead to breakdowns.

Avoiding breakdowns also means you won’t miss important deadlines, keep up with your schedule, and not have to pay for skid loaders on hire.

3.     Efficient Performance

When skid loaders are not working at max efficiency, the operating costs will be higher. These costs may increase due to higher lower fuel mileage, having to change oil/hydraulic fluids more frequently, shorter track life, and parts like belts, motors, and fans burning out much quicker. The best way to avoid this? Maintain your skid loader monthly.

When parts like hydraulic pumps are clean and working under optimal conditions, you’ll get higher performance at lower costs.

In a nutshell, monthly maintenance will increase the life of your machine, prevent costly breakdowns and delays, and keep everyone around the skid loader safe. If you don’t have a maintenance checklist, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. 

The Ultimate Monthly Maintenance Checklist

1.     Attachments

Attachments are important parts of your skid loader that add versatility and additional capability to your machine. However, because they change as per the requirements of the job, they are often overlooked and do not get the maintenance they deserve – don’t make this mistake. Inspect all of your attachments every month.

2.     Tracks/Tires

Track tension or tire pressure is one of the most critical aspects of safe operations as improper tensioning can lead to excess wear and tear or worse, causing the skid loader to walk out of the tracks. Wrong tire pressure can also damage the undercarriage and decrease the overall stability of the skid loader.

3.     Fluid Levels and Oils

Oil and hydraulic fluids lubricate the internals of your skid loader and prepare them for the extremes of working under harsh conditions. The operator or mechanic should check fluid levels every month to ensure they are at the right level and top them off if they aren’t. The monthly inspection also means the mechanic will be able to spot and clean grime before it builds up excessively.

4.     Internal Systems

The engine, electronics, hydraulic, and cooling system too requires a monthly inspection to ensure no damage was done to any of these parts. Monthly maintenance also means the mechanic will be able to check the build-up of any contaminants before they can cause any damage. You might also have to change or repair the fans, motors, and belts on a monthly basis.

So there we have it. Monthly – the sweet spot of regular maintenance for your skid loader.

When a heavy equipment operator can say they know how to run a skid steer loader, they are saying they can do a lot of amazing things in a small machine. The size and versatility of skid steer loaders make them very valuable on a construction or logging site because the loader can operate in a small space but do big, big jobs.

In order to do those big jobs, the operator needs to be able to understand exactly how the skid loader works and manipulate the controls without stalling. Some skid steer loaders have been designed to eliminate this problem but not all have done so. The skid steer loader can turn in its own footprint and maneuver in tight situations if the operator is experienced.

During training at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School, there will be in-the-seat training in a variety of pieces of equipment and they will be challenging at first. The skid steer loader doesn’t maneuver like the bulldozer, for instance. It also isn’t at all like driving a dump truck. Each type of heavy equipment is slightly different to operate because it has been designed for specific tasks.

Skid steer loaders are able to be outfitted with a variety of tools on the arms:

• various buckets: dirt, utility, multi-purpose, grapple
• various forks: pallet, utility, industrial grapple
• angle blade
• auger
• broom
• cold planer
• hydraulic hammer
• landscape rake & tillers
•  material handling arm
• stump grinder
• trencher
• vibratory compactor

This versatility makes the skid steer loader one of those machines that challenge an operator because every type of tool will take a slightly different technique to perfect. But it also means the operator who can meet the challenge of the skid steer loader is somebody in demand on the work site.

Terminology is something that everyone needs to come to terms with when starting a new career, and heavy equipment operations is certainly no different. Some terminology is manufacturer-specific, some regional-specific, whilst others often fit into the category of slang and only used in some workplaces. Loaders are a good example with the generic term ‘wheel loader’ the most common. Other forms of loader really depend on size or the way the loader operates when it comes to naming them. The following is a list of common terms used to name ‘wheel loader’.

• Front-End Loader – another generic term for a loader.
• Skip Loader – this loader is quite small, with the arms that control the loading shovel coming from behind the operator.
• Skid Steer Loaders – this is also a small loader and runs on tracks. It’s the tracks that give this loader its name. Each track runs independently with steering handled by stopping or reversing one track – hence the term ‘skid steer’ loader.
• Backhoe Loader – (often referred to as just a backhoe) is a combination of a wheel loader and excavator (or hoe, which is at the back of the vehicle). This is a popular unit of heavy equipment because of its versatility.

You may come across other terms used to name loaders, and hopefuly you’ll come to terms with those names quickly. Fortunately, loader training on one will equip you with the basic skills required to operate all with the exception of a backhoe loader. You’ll need to learn to either use the excavator component or learn to operate excavators to be proficient on this equipment. Loaders do the same basic job – they move earth and load dump trucks. For most operators, these are easy to learn to operate and a lot of fun on the job.

Often looked down upon when it comes to heavy equipment, skid steer loaders have their place in society, and there is always demand for more operators. Rather than concentrating on just skid steer loaders, new operators should be looking at a broad range of heavy equipment. Skid steer loaders, whilst quite small, can be quite challenging to operate. They rely very much on an operator’s coordination between hands and feet, and their ability to move all four limbs very quickly.

Skid steer loaders have found a home in areas such as landscape gardening, and in cleaning up construction sites once work has been complete. They are also frequently used to clean up demolition sites once the major work has been completed. If there were no skid steer loaders, this work would have to be done by hand, and this can be labor intensive. A skid steer loader can do the work of a dozen manual workers, especially in skilled hands.

Ideally, a skid steer loader operator will also have experience in larger loaders, and perhaps backhoes and bulldozers as well. The ideal training program is one which covers these and other heavy equipment whilst also covering the required safety aspects of heavy equipment operations.

Over the years, skid steer loaders have proven to be the ideal equipment for those who wish to become owner operators. The equipment is easily transported on a trailer pulled by a car. Skid steers can get into small areas that larger equipment would find impossible to manage.

If you’re looking for a career in some of the smaller units of heavy equipment, then a career as a skid steer operator is well worth considering. We include skid steer loaders as part of our heavy equipment training program as good operators are always in demand since they perform the finishing touches to many construction projects.

The more training a heavy equipment operator receives, the more projects he can work on and the more money he can make. The most valuable operator on any site is going to be the person with the most experience with the most types of equipment. This is definitely an important aspect of choosing a heavy equipment school. Many schools teach the basic bulldozer and crane work, but for an operator to really get ahead, the chosen school must go above and beyond the basics. Skid steer training is training that can be invaluable to a heavy equipment operator due to the skid steer’s various uses.

The skid steer loader is a very useful machine on any work site because of the many attachments that can truly make it fit almost any job. Its main attachment is a bucket that can be used to push, carry and load materials into a truck or other piece of equipment. But, the additional attachments that can be added on are nearly limitless in their possibilities. Some of the attachments that can be added on are augers, backhoes, snow blowers, lawn mowers and even wood chipper machines. These numerous uses really make the skid steer a necessity no matter what the construction project might be.

Skid steer training is an additional specialty a heavy equipment operator can add to his or her arsenal that can set him apart from the competition. The more training and experience a heavy equipment operator has to offer a company, the more likely he will be hired by a top tier company.

Skid steer loaders are often looked down upon by construction crews, yet they are one of the busiest and most versatile machines in use. In fact, many operators will brag that if a skid steer can’t do it, then it can’t be done. It’s a hard claim to argue against actually considering the range of attachments that can be used with a skid steer.

One of the real benefits to a skid steer is their maneuverability. Being small, and being able to turn in their own tracks, they can get in and out of most places. Being four wheel drive, they can work well in snow or mud, and in the unlikely event they get stuck, they can use their bucket to push themselves out. The most common attachments in use are a bucket and a set of forks. However, you can also attach post hole diggers, trenchers, grapples, and even a snow blower, and that’s just the tip of the attachment iceberg. Skid steers can:

• dig holes,
• load trucks,
• clear snow,
• push dirt, gravel, or sand,
• carry heavy items,
• spread dirt, gravel, or sand,
• back-drag dirt, gravel, or sand to achieve a level finish,
• shave turf strips, and
• dig trenches

Skid steers are used everywhere from farms to the construction industry. However, their real home is in landscape gardening where this one tool can do a variety of jobs, including carrying and holding large plants that are being transplanted. Compared to their larger cousins, skid steer loaders are also easy to transport. The can be driven onto a small flatbed and towed by any decent-sized vehicle. While skid steer loaders are small, they can be tricky to operate, especially for a novice. Heavy equipment training prepares an individual to operate a wide range of heavy equipment including skid steer loaders. Looking for variety, a skid steer loader operator certainly experiences that.

Have you ever seen a skid steer loader hard at work? From a distance it looks like a bee darting about everywhere. Some people question whether or not a skid steer loader, or any of the other smaller earth moving machinery, really are classified as heavy equipment. In reality, the term is “heavy earth moving equipment,” so the term refers to their ability to move a lot of earth, not their physical size.

With that definition, skid steer loaders are definitely in the heavy equipment classification. They can and do move a lot of earth each day, but what makes them special is their size – they can get into areas where other equipment wouldn’t fit. Just as importantly, they can work in areas where larger equipment could do a lot of damage to the ground. Landscape gardening is an area where skid steers and similar small equipment are able to work while doing minimal damage.

While skid steer loaders may be small beasts, they still require a skilled operator to get the most out of them. Skid steer loaders work on a similar principle to larger loaders, just on a smaller scale. That doesn’t mean you can jump from a loader to a skid steer if you haven’t had any prior experience, and that’s where a training body like ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools comes in handy.

The heavy equipment training program at ATS includes a range of heavy equipment amongst which are loaders and skid steers. Attend their training program and you will receive experience across the full range of heavy equipment – this means you can then swap between large loaders and skid steers whenever you need to.

If you’re looking for a job that is interesting, demanding, and often involves working with heavy equipment in tight spots, then consider a career as a heavy equipment operator in the field of landscape gardening. If there has been one boom area in the last five years, then it has to be landscape gardening and re-vegetation programs. It may seem a strange mix, heavy gas guzzling equipment working on environmental programs, but is shouldn’t be given the technology now available, and the type of work involved.

Businesses, whether they are factories or commercial office buildings, are all trying to find ways to become environmentally friendly. For many, it has been the conversion of empty space around their buildings into well manicured landscape gardens. This can take a lot of work, and this is where heavy equipment plays a vital role. Backhoes in particular can be particularly useful, breaking up the ground, removing excess unusable soil, then back filling with quality soil ready to grow plants. In recent years, smaller units like bobcats and skid steer loaders have also found their way into these roles, especially with smaller contractors.

In other areas, re-vegetation has become an important issue. The banks of rivers and streams, tracts of land where buildings once stood, and inner city precincts where land has been reclaimed are all the subject of re-vegetation. Heavy equipment is again often called in to remove sour soil and to replace this with topsoil that has been prepared for these areas. Removing sour soil also removes the non-native vegetation that has been growing in that area.

These are interesting careers as you often work closely with those heavily involved in environmental issues. They are also experts at land care and the types of vegetation best suited to different areas. You don’t necessarily need skills in landscaping or the environment to work in these fields. You do, however, should have the skills and some experience operating the equipment in use. Heavy equipment training can prepare you well for operating backhoes, bobcats, and skid steer loaders. Interested? Contact ATS for information on our next heavy equipment training program – there could be a career in the landscaping or environmental industry just waiting for someone like you.

Loaders are not all the same although in most cases, the operating principles are the same. All loaders perform similar actions – they have a scoop style bucket at the front and it is used to scoop up material, move it to another location, and dump it. A loader can also be used like a bulldozer to spread material like dirt, sand or gravel over an area. That concept remains the same with most loaders with the exception of some of the smaller loaders that can have various attachments added to do other types of work.

It can be disconcerting for a loader operator that is used to operating a larger wheeled loader to suddenly find themselves in the seat of a small skid steer loader, for example. Rather than the bucket arms being placed at the side and forward of the operator, now they are placed behind and over the operator. The steering is also different with skid steer loaders relying on tracks which are independently controlled using foot pedals.

Training on a variety of equipment like loaders, bulldozers and backhoes can help to familiarize operators on these different types of controls. Of course, that training needs to be hands on in-the-cab training, not just a walk around and a demonstration by a trainer. When looking for a training program involving heavy equipment, ask the training organization what equipment they have and which equipment will you be receiving hands on experience with. Don’t assume that all heavy equipment training programs are the same.

Don’t forget to include ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools on your list of possible training school options. We provide training across a range of heavy equipment including loaders, bulldozers, graders and backhoes. If you’re interested in a heavy equipment career, talk to us about where your closest school is and what equipment they have available at that location.

There is a lot of activity in and around many of our towns and cities now with landscapers repairing winter’s damage and preparing for summer. Skip loaders have become a weapon of choice for many landscapers. They can get into tight areas, are versatile when it comes to the type of work involved and very economical, particularly when you compare the cost of doing a job by hand.

One area you will see skips loaders and skid steer loaders at work these days is in the area of re-turfing lawns that have been damaged over winter. Skip loaders can be handy tools for these jobs. They are able to get under the old turf and slice through it like you would a cake. The old turf can then be dumped into trucks for removal. Skip loaders are also handy when it comes to moving new rolls of turf ready for laying in place. If you have ever manually laid turf, you will know how heavy each roll can be. The skip loader makes short work off carrying a load to the area to be laid.

Loaders are versatile machines and, in spring, in high demand. Operators that run their own business often find that spring brings so much work they are booked out for weeks in advance and have to refuse new work. Whether you’re operating skip loaders or full size loaders, the demand for operators is there and with training only requiring three weeks of your time; you could be ready for work well before the end of spring.

If you want to join the landscaping profession as a loader operator, consider a heavy equipment training program that provides skills across a range of light and heavy equipment. With skills across a range of heavy equipment, you will be surprised at how many landscapers snap you up for work.