Best Uses for Skid Steers

How Skid Steers Work

Skid steers feature a reliable, secure and innovative design. The right and left wheels pivot independently, allowing you to make acute turns on either side without risks of tipping or compromising your load. You can modify the lift-arm assembly with various attachments to accommodate different weights and job requirements.

Skid steers either have two tracks or four wheels. The front and back axles lock to move simultaneously, but you can operate them separately. To turn a skid steer, increase the wheels’ speed on the opposite side of the direction you want to move. This action causes the machine to skid as it turns, giving it its name. You can return to your operating speed after completing the turn.

Alternative Uses of Skid Steers

Skid steer applications’ flexibility allows this machine to be one of the best pieces of equipment for your job site. Initially, the skid steer was a farming tool for tilling and cleaning barns and stables. Now, various attachments make it possible to streamline even more agricultural tasks. For instance, farmers can attach accessories to move hay bales, which can otherwise be very labor-intensive.

Though skid steer loaders are still exceptional for agricultural applications, their role has expanded into other industries. Over time, people recognized the machine’s capabilities and began using it to move materials, mow grass, remove tree stumps and more. You can use skid steers for landscaping to trim hedges, plant trees, move large items and otherwise enhance a property. Below, you can find additional applications for this piece of equipment.

Snow Removal

Heavy machinery is necessary for clearing snow from large spaces like parking lots and plazas. Instead of pushing the snow around, you can use a skid steer to lift and transport it to another location. These machines have excellent traction, increasing your safety while working. After a heavy snowfall, you can use skid steers for snow removal by attaching an accessory, such as a snow blade or snow blower.

Demolition

You can rely on skid steers for exterior or interior demolition needs. Their compact size allows them to remove debris and navigate tight corners or spaces. You can use skid steers to break concrete, demolish drywall, move materials and haul debris away from the site. Finding the proper attachments can empower your team to complete the work faster and improve the machine’s life span.

The machine’s light weight is ideal for demolition sites where a team clears one floor at a time and needs to lift the skid steer to various floors. The small size also makes it perfect for sites in crowded locations. For example, if you’re clearing away one home within a neighborhood, this machine will be less intrusive than other options, allowing you to work efficiently.

Brush Clearing

You can use a skid steer and attachments to clear highway overgrowth, a utility easement or the initial land for a project. You can efficiently cut tall grasses and other growth with a brush cutter. You may even cut small trees with the correct attachments. You can choose between various attachment sizes, allowing you to tailor the machine to your needs. Using this tool, you can begin projects like building a park, office space or residential homes.

Excavation

Most construction and building projects require excavation. Digging can be time-consuming without the appropriate tools, and a skid steer is one of the best. You can use skid steers for excavation tasks, including:

• Drilling
• Mining
• Landscaping
• Grading
• Material handling
• Forestry
• Digging trenches
• Creating foundations
• River dredging
• Digging holes
• Construction

A skid steer for excavation can be one of the most valuable pieces of equipment on the job site. You can find bucket attachments to fill holes and rake attachments to level ground. Multiple other attachments can aid in unique excavating tasks. This tool can do everything from creating an entire foundation to filling narrow potholes.

Road Maintenance and Cleaning

Building smooth, flat and straight roads requires precision and effort. A skid steer can be a significant asset for road maintenance. These pieces can complete road grading, push materials to various locations and haul dirt and gravel away from the site. Use the skid steer to demolish existing roads and dig holes. You can also attach a pavement miller or cement mixer to complete additional maintenance tasks. After completing the building job, you can use the skid steer to clean the site by sweeping away debris.

Construction Projects

The construction industry completes a broad range of projects, from bridges to buildings to statues. Skid steers can aid in small applications and large-scale projects. The applications we’ve listed above indicate the value of skid steers on the construction site. Some specific construction applications include:

• Lifting materials
• Trenching
• Excavating
• Transporting materials
• Digging foundations
• Clearing an area
• Paving
• Patching
• Distributing gravel or soil

Meet Your Construction Needs With GT Mid Atlantic

Quality construction equipment is essential for efficient jobs. With the appropriate attachments, you can use one machine for multiple tasks, saving you money on storage space and equipment purchases. At GT Mid Atlantic, we are proud to be your one-stop shop for equipment.

GT Mid Atlantic is your source for everything under construction. We’re the premier dealer in the mid-Atlantic region, proudly serving Maryland, Northern Virginia, Delaware, Washington, D.C., New Jersey and the Philadelphia area. Our team has decades of combined experience to deliver comprehensive solutions.

When you need heavy equipment, you can rely on our products to supply your fleet. GT Mid Atlantic is a licensed dealer for more than 30 top brands. We also sell high-quality equipment attachments and have a knowledgeable sales team ready to assist you in finding your perfect option. Browse our online catalog or contact us for help finding equipment to suit your needs.