Skid Steer Loader Basics

A skid steer is a small, quick machine that turns in its own length and takes a long list of attachments. That makes it handy and also easy to misuse.

Key points

A skid steer pivots by driving each side at a different speed, so it turns tight but tears soft ground.
Seat belt and restraint bar are required every time.
Learn the controls in an open area before working near buildings.
Match attachments to your machine's hydraulic ability.
Compare rent versus own with your lender or accountant.

What is a skid steer loader and how does it steer?

A skid steer has four wheels or two tracks, and no steering linkage. The left and right sides are driven independently. Slow one side while the other keeps moving and the machine pivots. That is why it can turn in a very small circle.

The tradeoff is that wheels scrub the ground when turning, which tears up sod and soft soil. On a pasture or lawn, plan your turns and expect some surface damage.

Because there is no steering axle, the machine can spin in place, which surprises new operators. Make your first turns gentle, and look behind you before backing up, since the rear swings wide when you pivot.

What jobs does a skid steer do well?

Tight spaces are where skid steers shine. They fit inside barns, between pens, and along fence lines where a tractor with a loader would need three-point turns.

Cleaning out stalls, pens and loafing sheds
Moving gravel, dirt and compost
Light grading and leveling
Handling pallets with forks
Brush work with the right attachment and cab protection

How do the controls work?

Layouts vary. Some machines use two hand levers, others use foot pedals or joysticks with selectable patterns. Controls are not the same from one machine to the next, so never assume. Read the manual and practice in an open area before you work near buildings.

Start slowly. Learn how the machine reacts when you load the bucket, since a heavy load shifts weight forward and makes the rear lighter. Practice raising, lowering, tilting and turning at walking speed.

If the machine has selectable control patterns, confirm the pattern is set the way you expect before every start. A change made by the last operator can make the first movement the opposite of what you intended.

What safety rules matter most on a skid steer?

The operator sits in a protective cab or enclosure with a seat belt and a lap bar or similar restraint. Those are not optional. Fasten the belt, lower the restraint, and never operate with a door or bar disabled or removed. Many machines have interlocks that keep the loader from moving unless the operator is seated and restrained. Do not defeat them.

Enter and exit only through the opening the manufacturer describes, and never climb out over the front of a raised boom. Keep bystanders and children away from the work area. Slopes call for extra caution: go straight up and down rather than across, and keep loads low.

Fire is a real hazard on these machines because straw, hay dust and bedding collect around the engine and exhaust. Blow debris out on a regular schedule, keep a rated fire extinguisher where you can reach it, and park the machine away from stored hay.

Fasten the seat belt and lower the bar before starting
Never carry riders
Know where the power lines are before raising the boom
Lower the bucket and shut down before leaving the seat
Use a boom lock or support when working under a raised arm, as the manual directs

How do attachments change the machine?

Quick attach plates let one machine carry buckets, forks, augers, brush cutters and more. Each attachment changes how the machine handles and how much hydraulic power it uses. Check that the attachment is approved for your machine and that the locking pins are fully engaged before lifting.

High-flow attachments need a machine built for it. Ask the dealer what your hydraulic system supports before buying a mulcher or similar tool.

Should you rent, buy new or buy used?

If you use one a few days a year, renting often makes more sense than owning, since storage, service and insurance add up. For a ranch or hobby farm with daily chores, ownership may pay. Ask a lender or accountant to walk through the numbers for your situation.

On a used machine, check the pins and bushings, cutting edge, tires or tracks, and the cab frame. Run the hydraulics through every function and look for oil seeping from cylinders and hoses.

Ask the dealer what training they offer, and whether any operator certification expectations apply to your work or employees. Rules for hired workers can differ from rules for family on the farm, so ask OSHA or your extension office.

What routine upkeep keeps it running?

Grease the pivot points, keep the engine air filter clean, watch the cooling fins for chaff and mud, and check fluid levels each time. Skid steers collect debris in the engine area, which causes fires and overheating, so clean it regularly. Follow the manual for service intervals and fluids.

When to get help: Have a qualified operator or the dealer train you on the exact machine. Use the dealer service department for hydraulic, drive and safety interlock problems, and check with your insurance agent about coverage and rented equipment.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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