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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen skid steer loaders were first developed by Melroe Company of Gwinner<\/a>, North Dakota in 1960, they were known as the M-400. This innovation was a great improvement over the three wheeled loaders that had been traditionally used for turkey barn cleaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The M-400 had greater stability and traction and was more easily maneuverable than that device. This is because a skid steer loader steers using independent clutching of the left and right drives. This means that the vehicle is able to spin on a dime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next iteration of the M-400 came in 1962 and was called the M-440. This was the first skid loader designed by Melroe to bear the “Bobcat”<\/em> logo. Today, this logo is so strongly associated with skid loaders that they are commonly called “bobcats”<\/em> regardless of the actual name of the manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today many different manufacturers<\/a> offer versions of the skid loader. Among them are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of these, John Deere and Bobcat have been the most aggressive in developing small, compact skid loaders that are affordable and useful to small-scale farmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although small compact tractors<\/a> are still their first choice, today small-scale farmers are finding that having a skid loader means quick work and increased productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you own one, you can breeze through all sorts of jobs quickly and easily. The savings in time and money more than make up for the initial investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, one farm job that is greatly simplified by use of a skid steer is cleaning out poultry barns and other livestock housing, since the first skid loader was developed for just such a use on a turkey farm. Since that time, livestock farmers of all sorts have found just how handy this powerful, compact machine can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can purchase a dedicated loader which is designed for use in moving dirt, landscaping, grading corrals, cleaning barns and keeping your farm lanes clean and maintained; however, you can use this machine for a great deal more, and you can use your skid steer to make extra money<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s easy to see that with a wide variety of attachments available for a skid steer loader, the small, powerful utility machine is an absolute necessity on any small farm. A high flow skid steer with high flow<\/a> attachments can increase job efficiency by as much as 75%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, there are a few things that you should not use a skid steer loader for. Among them are pulling a baler<\/a> or a chisel plow across a field or meadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This small but mighty vehicle is not quite strong enough to do that. For this kind of task, you’ll have to have a tractor that’s able to tow ground engaging, heavy implements, as well as powering them from the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should also keep in mind that a skid loader does not have very high ground clearance, especially when you compare it with a tractor. If you are cultivating row crops or windrowing hay, you’ll have a hard time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s possible to perform these tasks, but it’s not really efficient to use a skid steer for this. Furthermore, because skid loaders do not have axle oscillation, you may find navigation on rough terrain uneven<\/a> and potentially dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compact track loaders are based on skid steer loader design. This is why compact track loaders look a great deal like skid steer loaders. In fact, many of the same attachments that can be used with a skid loader can be used for a track loader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The difference is that track loaders move on a track undercarriage, but skid steer loaders move on wheels. You definitely don\u2019t want to get your skid steer bogged down because a non-moving skid steer<\/a> (weighing 6000 pounds or more) can be quite difficult to shift!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You steer compact track loaders in the same way as skid loaders, but tracks provide quite a bit less ground pressure, more suspension and better mobility over rough ground. Tracks are less damaging to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, tracks are better able to handle deep snow and mud. This is why track loaders are a bit pricier than skid steers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a need for greater traction, more flotation and the ability to navigate lots of snow or mud, you’re better off investing in a track loader. If you’re going to be working on pavement or firm, flat ground, you’ll be fine with a skid steer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the final analysis, a skid steer is an excellent, versatile and affordable piece of equipment to add to your small farm setting (even though you can rent it<\/a> as well).<\/p>\n\n\n\n While some tasks can be accomplished by adding attachments to your tractor, a skid steer loader is a superior choice for many types of work on the farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be used for hauling and moving things and much more. Its compact size makes an ideal choice for a wide variety of necessary jobs around a small farm. If you haven’t operated it before, here are our guides on how to drive it<\/a>, or how to load it on a trailer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Farm Jobs Can Be Done With A Skid Steer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou Just Need To Add A Few Attachments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Can\u2019t A Skid Steer Do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDifference Between A Compact Track Loader And A Skid Steer Loader<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA Skid Steer Is A Sound Investment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Skid Steer Loader – Types And Operation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n