Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders

Because it turns by skidding its wheels or tracks instead of steering them. One side moves faster than the other to change direction.

It’s a versatile machine for digging, lifting, grading, and moving materials.

Many people call it a “Bobcat,” which is actually a popular brand of skid steer.

No, it’s easy to learn with some practice.

Use a skid steer on hard, flat surfaces like concrete or asphalt, and a compact track loader on soft, uneven, or muddy terrain for better traction.

Common attachments include buckets, forks, augers, trenchers, sweepers, and grapples.

No. A skid steer is smaller and more versatile than a bulldozer.

Yes, with the right attachment, it can dig effectively.

No, but a skid steer can use forklift attachments.

It’s more compact, more maneuverable, and supports many attachments.

Don’t overload, drive on unsafe slopes, or lift people in the bucket.

Most run on diesel, but some smaller models use gasoline.

An attachment used to break up hard ground or surfaces.

A tracked version of a skid steer for better traction and stability.

Yes, it’s excellent for grading and leveling surfaces.

Radial lift loaders have a simple curved lift path, making them strong for digging and pushing. Vertical lift loaders have a more upright lift path, providing better reach and stability at higher dump heights. If your work is mostly ground-level, go for radial lift. If you need frequent loading at height, vertical lift is the smarter investment.

Radial lift is best for ground-level work such as grading, digging, backfilling, and landscaping tasks.

Vertical lift is ideal when loading trucks, handling pallets, or working at higher lift heights, thanks to its superior reach and stability.