How Skid Steers Work

Skid Steer Steering

An interesting aspect of skid steer loaders are that their left and right side drive wheels act independently of each other, making the skid steer itself be extremely maneuverable, and able to change direction depending on the rotation of the wheels.

Skid steer loaders are operated with joysticks, which are ideal driving mechanisms for its tiny, one-person cabin. Two joysticks allow you to take control of a skid steer: the left joystick handles the wheels, while the right joystick controls the skid steer loader arms with bucket or any other attachment. As for the left joystick (which controls the wheels), the skid steer will move forward when the joystick is pushed forward, and it will move 45-degrees to the left when the joystick is moved to the upper left position. When the joystick is centered and moved directly left, the left wheels move very slowly and the right wheels speed up, moving the skid steer into a "complete turning" position. This demonstrates how effectively it can move in a small amount of space. In regard to the right joystick (which controls the arms), pulling the joystick back raises the arms, while pushing the joystick forward lowers them. When the arms are raised, pushing the joystick left will raise the bucket at the end of the arms, and pushing the joystick right will lower (or "dump") the contents of the bucket.

The Skid Steer Powertrain

Skid steers have no transmission at all within their powertrain - they are solely driving by hydraulic motors. All skid steers have two motors, which independently control the left and the right side of the skid steer. The motors are connected to chains via a sprocket that turn the wheels, which are designed to provide a gear reduction, vastly increasing wheel torque. A separate hydraulic motor powers the skid steer arms.

Skid steer engines are diesel powered. Thanks to the increased efficiency of diesel power over traditional gasoline power, skid steers are able to operate for about 8 or more hours per day. The skid steer engine as well as other vital engine parts are all stored in the rear of the skid steer, and are accessible through an easy to open latch. Engines typically output horsepower from the upper 40s to the mid 70 HP range.

Skid Steer Power Output

The internal pumps of a skid steer loader are devised in a way that will use its engine power without stalling the vehicle. It's important to note that when a skid steer attempts to manipulate a load that requires greater demand than what its engine can produce, it stalls! The power limit of an engine is dependant entirely on its speed. In other words, an engine working at its full speed will output its top horsepower.

How Skid Steer Arms Work

One of the marvels of the skid steer are its arms. The vehicle itself is designed in such a balanced, careful way, so that its hydraulic system is capable of lifting a load with its arms and not toppling the entire skid steer as a result. Skid steer arms operate in two different ways: radial lift and vertical lift. Radial lift is the more common feature that skid steers come standard with. It involves an "arc" like lift, in which the bucket, at ground level, follows the path in an arc until it is lifted high above the skid steer at its maximum height. At this height, the bucket is positioned closer to the vehicle. With vertical lift, the bucket follows a more linear rise (much like that of a forklift). The vertical lift feature is unique to the company Caterpillar, of whom has offered it as a package for certain trims of their skid steer loaders.

Where to go next:

See all used skid steer loaders for sale