1. Skid-steer or all-wheel steering? In standard skid-steers, the tires are fixed in one position, which is why the machine must skid to turn. At least one manufacturer offers a skid-steer with an all-wheel steering option. Its four steerable axles allow the tires to turn, reducing tire wear and ground disturbance. That version can operate either in standard skid-steer or all-wheel steer mode.
2. Small, medium, or large frame? Manufacturers make skid-steers in a range of frame sizes. Which size is best for you depends largely on your job tasks and work sites. Small-frame skid-steers operate best in close quarters and are the easiest to transport, but they lack the power of larger models. Large units deliver the breakout force and lifting power that make them suitable for heavier-duty jobs, but they might not fit in tight spaces. As a result, many recyclers find midsized models offer the best balance of size and power.
3. What engine features do you want? Horsepower is one key engine feature to consider, and skid-steer models offer horsepower that ranges from about 23 to 120. Notably, more horsepower does not give a skid-steer a greater lifting capacity; the hydraulic system is what determines that, one manufacturer notes. For instance, a 75-hp loader and a 90-hp loader both can have 2,700 pounds of lifting capacity, but the latter machine’s greater engine power helps it reach the required hydraulic pressure and flow faster, which translates to faster cycle times and greater productivity. More horsepower also helps the loader perform better when doing multiple tasks at once.
4. Which attachments do you plan to use? In the scrap and demolition industries, the most common attachments include general-purpose buckets, grapple buckets, rake buckets, pallet forks, hammers, sweepers, and snow plows/blowers—but the list of options goes on from there.
