When you are in the market to purchase a skid steer, you will find that your options are infinite. There are many manufacturers, like Mustang, Bobcat, Caterpillar, etc., that build skid steer loaders, so you may ask yourself "Where do I begin." Well, here are some of the things to think about when purchasing a skid steer.
You first will need to decide whether your needs would be filled by a used unit or if you are at a point that a new unit would be best suitable for your needs, secondly you will need to determine the proper size machine for your application, depending on the type work you do, the largest or highest horsepower machine isn't always the most efficient machine.
You will also need to decide if you were going to set a budget to spend or if you are going to be financing this unit. If you intend to purchase a unit outright, you will need to set your budget realistically. Some of the aggravation may stem from not being able to find a machine in the size range that also fit in the price range you are looking to spend. When shopping for a used unit, you must really pay attention to the unit, sometimes folks will let the glitter blind them, a machine with the best aesthetic value may not always be the best mechanical value. You need to look past shiny paint and new tires, you should do a complete evaluation on the machine, key points to check are as listed below.
1. Look for wear on important hinge points of the machine. Check for abnormal play in pinned joints on the boom lift arm. Check the bucket hinge pins and all bucket and lift cylinder pinned joints, always be sure to check both ends of the hydraulic cylinder ends.
2. Check for broken welds or cracks on structural components of the machine. You will want to inspect the boom lift arm, axle tubes and housings, check around hydraulic cylinder pinned joints. Also pay attention to the bucket. If you see multiple post manufacture welds, this may be an indicator that the machine has been used in an abusive manner, such as ramming skid steer into large masses.
3. Check for excessive oil or fuel leaks. Look over engine compartment, if accessible check under the cab of the unit as well. Don't count on finding a used machine that is perfectly dry, but you don't want oil standing in the belly of the unit either. Also keep in mind that just because the a unit has an oil leak doesn't mean the unit has problems, it can be as simple as a lose hose fitting, or a failed
4. Check the steering and drivability of the machine. This could be one of the more important parts of the inspection, due to the nature of the problem these can be a more expensive fix and worse, it could be a safety issue as well. Drive the unit fully engaged forward, check that the machine tracks straight. You will also want to be sure that there isn't a lot of slop in the chain case by driving the machine from reverse to forward and vice verse. When machine is in the neutral position be sure that the unit isn't creeping (still moving), this can be very dangerous as it could run into something or if you are work with laborers it could cause injury.
5. Check for engine wear. Keep in mind most skid steer loaders are powered by diesel engines, much different than conventional gasoline engine. Diesel engines are much louder than gasoline engines, they have a noticeable clatter at lower rpm's.
Diesels may also smoke a little grayish-black smoke when first started or while warming up, this is normal especially in a used unit. Check for power loss under a light load, you may do this simply by driving the machine up a slight incline, the rpm's will drop some but they shouldn't drop more than 50 % of full throttle rpm's just from driving alone. Remember that diesel engines create the most power at lower rpm's under a load. Just because the engine is losing rpm's, that does not necessarily mean your losing power.
6. Lastly, check the overall condition of the machine. This step of the evaluation is important in the sense that you will want a machine that looks professional and you will base a portion of your decision off your findings from this step. If you do purchase a used skid steer, if the paint and decals show a lot of wear, I would highly recommend a good touch up to the paint and replace the decals. This is usually inexpensive and will give your machine a better aesthetic value, especially important if you are a contractor, You want customers to feel confident in the equipment your using to complete their projects.
Copyright (c) 2008 Will Burke
You will find that there are infinite options, from engines to operator control options. As with the purchase of any piece of equipment you need to start by purchasing the right unit to complete the application you will be using it in, don't ever think that because you have purchased the largest or highest horsepower machine that it will complete the job more efficiently.
Below are some of the key objectives for purchasing a new Skid steer Loader.
1. Budget vs. financing. You will need to start the buying process by determining whether you will need to finance the equipment or purchase outright depending on your financial situation. Even if you have available funds to purchase the equipment, don't rule out financing. With current programs manufacturers are offering 0 - 4% interest programs on new equipment.
You may be able to put as little as 1% down and keep your working capital for if or when you or your business is having a slow time and the income isn't coming in the same as it had been. When you're trying to get money, the worst time to try and get it is . . . well . . . when you actually need it. With this decided, you will need to determine a dollar amount or payment that fits your needs. Leasing is also another viable option that many construction businesses are utilizing. Typically, leases have better tax structures, lower payments and can help you avoid too much exposure on your financial statements because true leases can typically be shown as an "off-balance sheet" transaction. If a bank sees that you have too much debt, they may begin to stop loaning you money. Leases can help prevent that from happening.
2. Purchasing the Equipment that will best suit your applications. This is by far one of the most important steps of this process. You will need to provide the equipment sales company with accurate information about the type of work you will be doing, this will allow them to provide information and pricing on the unit that meet all your need on the job. Utilization is key when purchasing a piece of equipment, the more task you can complete with owned equipment the less you will have to rent equipment from an outside source, again saving you money in the long run. You will need to know information such as lifting capacities(especially if you intend on using the equipment to handle material), you will need to have an idea of what the weight is of the material. Next you will need to consider lift and dumping heights. If you need to load into truck you will need to know how tall the bedsides are. You will also need to know if you are restricted by the physical dimensions of the equipment(are you working in confined spaces that a large loader would not be able to maneuver safely).
Another key is properly equipping the unit that you purchase. Think about things that you may need or want as far as options. Many times, consumers will buy a base model machine and then come to realize later on that they'd be able to better use the equipment if it had heat and air conditioning or foam filled tires. Also, they find themselves being restricted on the attachments they are able to run based on whether or not they have high flow hydraulics opposed to standard flow hydraulics. Transport is also a major concern, do you have the capabilities of transporting the equipment from project site to project site without buy larger truck and/or trailers.
3. Comparing various models. When you begin comparing different models, be sure you understand how the various manufacturers rate their equipment, when you are comparing horsepower rating be sure that you are not comparing net horsepower to gross horsepower. Some manufacturers rate their machine by gross horsepower and others rate theirs by the net horsepower, the same will apply with lifting capacities. The rated operating lifting capacities are figured as a percentage of the machine tipping load, again the different manufacturers rate their machines differently, some will use 50% of the tipping load and others may only use 30%. Just be sure to compare apples to apples for the best value. Another good idea is to ask about resale on the equipment, Ask what a comparable machine that is a few years old would be sold for, this will give you a rough idea of what you may be able to sell this unit for when it is time to upgrade.
4. Service and Warranty after the Sale. When purchasing a new piece of equipment be sure to ask about warranties, you should determine what is covered and how long the warranty is in affect. Be sure to find the closest warranty repair center before you purchase. Ask if a service loaner will be issued in case of mechanical breakdown. You may also want to ask if the dealer stocks parts for the unit. Before the sale is final be sure to ask the dealer how they would handle the situation if a month or so after you purchase the equipment, you decide that you are not satisfied with it.
Copyright (c) 2008 Will Burke
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Will Burke has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Will Burke has been selling new and used construction equipment for more than 9 years. For additional information, visit