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The skid loader, which is also known as a skid-steer loader, is considered a rigid framed, engine powered machine. The skid loader has lift arms that can be utilized to attach a variety of tools and attachments, which make it a versatile piece of machinery.

Normally, the skid loader is a four-wheel drive vehicle with left side drive wheels that are independent of the right side drive wheels. Since each side is independent of the other, wheel speed and rotation direction determine the direction the loader turns in.

A beneficial trait of the skid loader is its ability to turn in its own tracks. This makes the skid loader a very maneuverable vehicle. It will also make the skid loader more valuable on jobs that need a compact and agile loader.

The skid loader differs from the conventional loader in that the lift arms sit beside the driver and the main pivot points are found behind the shoulders of the operator. The earlier models of skid loaders were not as safe as the front loader because the operator was too close to the moving booms and buckets. This was extremely unsafe especially during entering and exiting.

However, today, the skid loader has been remodeled and upgraded with safety features that aim to protect the operator from safety related injuries. The skid-steer is also able to scrape material from one area to another area, it can carry material in the bucket, and it can load material onto a truck or even onto a trailer.

Operating a Skid Loader

Because of the size, the skid loader can be utilized in the place of a large excavator when digging a hole outwards from the inner side. In this situation, the skid loader has to dig a ramp that leads to the very edge of the hole. It will be this ramp that the skid loader is able to use to remove the material and debris from within the hole.

As the excavation becomes deeper, the skid loader will reconstruct the ramp and make it longer and steeper. This method is very convenient in situations where you need to dig under an overhead type structure, and the overhead does not have enough clearance for bigger excavation machinery. The skid loader would be put to good use when digging a basement underneath a house.

A notable feature of the skid loader is that the buckets on most models can be replaced with other specialized buckets and attachments. Many of the attachments utilize power generated by a hydraulic system.

The History of the Skid Loader

The history of the three-wheeled front-end skid loader takes you back to 1957, when two brothers by the name of Cyril and Louis Keller invented it in their machinist shop in Minnesota. The Keller Brothers were able to build the loader, which went on to help a local farmer clean out the turkey manure from the inside of his two-story barn. Their light and compact skid loader had rear caster wheels and it was able to maneuver around within the length of itself, while it was doing the same tasks the conventional front-end loaders carry out.

Eventually, in 1958, the right to the loader that was invented by the Keller Brothers was purchased by the Melroe Manufacturing Company, which was based in Gwinner, North Dakota. The Melroe Company even hired the Keller Brothers to continue working on their invention. They were able to improve upon the original loader they invented and they developed the M-200 at the end of 1958, which was a self-propelled loader.

This new loader featured two totally independent front drive wheels as well as a rear caster wheel. It also contained a 12.9 engine and a lift capacity that was about 750 pounds. Then only two years later, they upgraded even more and replaced the caster wheels with a rear axle. It was known as the M-400, the first and only four-wheel skid-steer loader.

In 1962, the name Bobcat was introduced and added to help describe the main features of this new machinery. The new model was tough, agile and speedy. A 15.5 HP engine powered it and it had an 1100 pound rated operations capacity. With a little more time, the skid-steer loader was upgraded to the M600 loader. As the years passed, the Bobcat skid-steer loader underwent many changes and upgrades. It incorporated a hydrostatic drive system, received an enforced cab structure, there are radius and vertical lift arms, innovative instrumentation, and a heating and air conditioning feature.

There have been so many advancements made with the skid loader over the years. Today, the rubber tire skid loader is just one type. Now, there is also the compact track loader and an all-wheel steer loader. The new compact track loaders create less ground disturbance and generally have better traction ability on terrains that are soft, muddy, slick and sandy.

When trenchers were first brought on the scene and introduced to residential and commercial construction contractors, they became an intricate and important entity of the crew. Trenchers saved the contractors lots of time and money because they replaced picks and shovels. Trenchers allowed the contractor to double up on the amount of jobs and projects his work force was able to complete in the same amount of time or even less.

There is a standard type of trencher, with some having units or attachments; nevertheless, trenchers are extremely versatile machines, and a wonderful addition for contractors to have on a job. Trenchers can be utilized in many different ways, such as digging valve box holes in trenches to accommodate the drainpipes. There are certain types of terrain that might contain rocky soil, large roots and other hindering problems, and sometimes machinery is unable to access that area of soil. In this case, the trencher is ideal, as it can minimize the time that was once spent having to dig the trench by hand.

There is also the plow. There are a variety of different types of vibratory plows, which are cost effective and offer up great savings. Again, these types of plows eliminate the need for laying pipes by hand as well as backfilling on so many jobs. Vibratory plows have made a good impression on the market and have been effective in doing tasks like pulling pipes, but trenchers are also a very important aspect of the industry and can be utilized in different applications.

The well-known quality company, Bobcat, has three types of trenching attachments, which have been designed for usage with the smaller skid-steer loader. The three attachment models are LT102, LT203, and LT304. Each one has the ability to dig depths from two to four feet.

The Compact Mini Trencher

Mini trenchers have been upgraded and innovatively re-designed to be finely tuned machinery. They are much like the standard trencher, which makes them just as popular. Of course, the name suggests the obvious and the mini trencher is indeed a lightweight, weighing in at less than 400 pounds. Because they are compact, mini trenchers can be easily transported on the back of an average sized pick-up truck.

The mini trencher is capable of digging a trench that is about four inches wide and approximately 13 inches deep, while it neatly lays the soil on the side of the trench. You can easily use the mini trencher to cover up pipes with backfill and the seam will not be noticeable.

Mini trenchers are also big money savers; and it is well known that time is money, particularly in the construction and excavation industries. The mini trencher is truly the answer with its ability to work in tight and narrow areas or on job sites that have lots of trees and shrubbery. The turning radius for the mini trencher is described as less than two feet and it has no problems fitting through garden gates. Jobs that used to require a lot of manual labor can now utilize the mini trencher, saving time, manpower and money.

If you take part in construction and excavation project, including gardening, the trenching and plowing equipment on the market today are really essential to your work. Once you have the chance to utilize this type of equipment, you will wonder how you ever managed without them. They really do save you time and money.

When thinking about starting up your own construction business, you will definitely want to consider adding this type of equipment to your machinery. Just think about it, you will no longer need a lot of physical and manual labor when you have a trencher on board. Again, it cannot be stressed enough, but the positive benefits you will have from trenching and plowing equipment are well worth the investment.

The front loader is referred to by a variety of different names such as the front-end loader, the scoop loader, the shovel, the bucket loader, and simply the loader. This type of machinery is described as a type of tractor that is wheeled, and utilizes a large squared bucket with tilting ability. The bucket is attached to movable arms that are able to scoop, lift and move material around.

Some front loader models have a loader assembly that can be removed, while others have it permanently mounted on to the vehicle. For convenience and flexibility, certain models allow for the bucket to be removed and other devices and tools can be attached, like forks or even a bucket that operates with hydraulics.

There are even larger style front loaders on the market, including the 950G from Caterpillar, or the L120E from Volvo, which generally utilize only a front bucket. Smaller front loaders may often be fitted with back equipment like backhoes, and in this case would be known as backhoe loaders.

The primary functions of a loader is for loading items into trucks, clearing and removing debris, digging and laying pipes, and even transporting items. However, if you are planning to dig, the front loader is not always the best or efficient choice of machines to do the job because it cannot dig deep; in fact, the front loader cannot dig below the level of it wheels, but a backhoe loader can.

The bucket on the front loader is deep enough to hold and store about three to six cubic meters of dirt, because the front loader buckets capacity is bigger than the capacity of the bucket on the backhoe loader. Interestingly, front loaders are not classified as excavating equipment because their primary function is to simply move dirt.

Front loaders are often used at road fixing construction sites, where they transport the building material needed for the job, such as the bricks, digging tools, metal slabs and piping.

Another important use for a front loader occurs during winter months, when it is used in snow removal because its bucket can be used for snowplowing. A front loader can conveniently remove and clear snow from streets, highways and parking lots. When used for snow clearing, a front loader can load the snow into a dump truck or push it to an out of way clearing.

Front loaders are different from bulldozers in that front loaders have wheels, while bulldozers are tracked. Being wheeled allows for better movement and speed, as the front loader travels, and it will not damage road pavement as much as tracks would. However, while it is good that front loaders have wheels, these reduce the traction they do have.

Since front loaders are tractors fitted with steel buckets, unlike backhoes, the large front loaders do not utilize automotive steering, but rather utilize a hydraulically actuated pivot point, which is located between the front and the rear axles. This type of steering is referred to as articulated steering. Articulated steering assists the front axle to be more solid so that it can carry heavy weights.

Another benefit of articulated steering is it gives a reduction to the turn in radius for that given wheelbase. Because the front wheels and this attachment rotate on the same axis, it can be operated to steer in an arc once the machine has been positioned. However, as handy as that is, if the machine happens to be twisted off to one side and the load it is carrying is lifted into the air, it will have a higher risk of turning over, and this can be dangerous.

The Different Types of Forklifts

The standard and commonly used forklift design is the counter balance. You might also see, in usage, the reach truck forklift and the side loader forklift. Each of the latter types is used in situations where space and maneuverability will be minimal and limited.

The Control and Capability of Forklifts

Forklifts are available in a variety of types and models and have differing load capabilities. For comparison purposes, the load capacity of a typical forklift used in a warehouse setting is around five tons.

The operator of a forklift is able to raise and lower the forks, and also control the tilt of the mast, which will allow the operator to compensate for the tendency of a load to balance more toward the ground. This could be a potential danger if the load slips off the forklift. Being able to control the tilt allows the operator to limit and level the load.

In some models, there are variation aspects that allow the operator to move the forks and even the backrest laterally, and this makes load placement easier. Even still, some models are available with hydraulic controls that move the forks together and apart. This hydraulic control cuts out the need for the operator to get out of the forklift cab and manually switch the fork widths, saving time.

There are still other forklift models and variations, which are specifically used in manufacturing facilities, that use clamp attachments that open and close around the load it is lifting, instead of using the typical standard forks. With the clamp-like attachments, the forklift is able to pick up and move products like boxes and cartoons more easily.

Forklift Safety

One of the safety features of forklifts is that they are rated according to the loads specified maximum weight as well as for the specific forward center of gravity. The specifications are inscribed on the nameplate and affixed to the forklift, which is issued by the manufacturer. It is important to remember that the loads lifted must never exceed the dictated specifications.

Forklifts have an important operating feature, which is the rear wheel steering. This mechanism helps to increase maneuverability especially in narrow cornering areas. Even though rear wheel steering is a plus, it is different from the normal rear wheel steering of other types of vehicles because there is no caster action.

It is also crucial that the forklift operator be mindful of the possibility for instability. When picking up a load, the operator must remember that the load and forklift must be looked at as one unit that has a varying center of gravity during each movement of the load. If carrying a load, the operator should be careful not to negotiate a turn with a loaded forklift at full speed, since this could possibly tip the forklift over.

Most, if not all, forklift operators will have to undergo training and pass a test before they are permitted to operate the forklift. They may look more intimidating to operate, but, forklifts are not that difficult to work; however, it is so important to maintain safety when you are operating one. After a while, operating a forklift will be second nature, and safety will be always implemented.

Because the dump truck is such a useful vehicle, it has been configured in many different varieties. This allows you to choose a dump truck that will specifically fit the needs of the task at hand. The common varieties of dump trucks are as follows: standard dump truck, transfer dump truck, the semi-trailer end, the semi-trailer bottom, double and triple trailer, side dump truck and the off-road dump truck.

The Standard Dump Truck

With the standard dump truck, the dump body is mounted onto a full truck chassis frame. The dump body is operated by a hydraulic ram lift that gets mounted in front of the bulkhead, usually found between the truck cab and the dump body itself. This mechanism is used to raise and lower the dump body. The standard dump truck has one front axle and possibly one or more rear axles, with dual wheels located on each side. The standard dump truck can be configured for a six wheeler and a ten wheeler.

The Transfer Dump Truck

The transfer dump truck is easily recognized because of the extreme noise it produces during transferring jobs. The transfer dump truck is similar to the standard dump truck, except it pulls a separate trailer. The transfer dump truck is commonly used to transfer loads like sand, asphalt, gravel and dirt.

Fitted on the trailer of a transfer dump truck is the B-box or aggregated container, which is powered through an electric motor. It rides upon wheels and will roll off the trailer into the main dump box. The main advantage of using a transfer dump truck is that it maximizes the payload capacity without any loss in maneuverability. The Semi-Trailer End Dump Truck

The semi-trailer end dump truck combines the dump truck with a tractor-trailer. The trailer contains the hydraulic hoist system. The standard and average semi-trailer end dump truck have a three-axle tractor, which pulls a two-axle semi-trailer. The benefit of this type of dump truck is that the combination allows for rapid unloading.

The Semi-Trailer Bottom Dump Truck

With a bottom dump truck, you have a three-axle tractor pulling a two-axle trailer. The semi-trailer bottom dump truck has a clam shell-like dump gate located in the stomach of the trailer. This type of dump truck does have an advantage because it is able to lay the material it is carrying in a wind row. Unlike other dump trucks, the semi-trailer bottom dump truck is maneuverable in reverse.

The Double and Triple Trailer

These types of dump trucks have a two-axle tractor that pulls a semi-axle semi-trailer as well as additional trailers when needed. The driver and operator of this vehicle is able to lay material in wind rows and not have to leave the cab or even stop the truck. However, there is a disadvantage with this dump truck — the double and triple trailer dump truck has a difficult time going in reverse.

The Side Dump Truck

The side dump truck has a three-axle trailer that pulls a two-axle semi-trailer. It also has hydraulic rams, which are designed to tilt the dump body on its side. This mechanism empties the material to either the left or the right side of the dump truck trailer. The benefits of the side dump truck are that it is quick to unload and can carry the most weight out of any other dump truck.

The side dump truck is also safe, as it is impossible to tip it over while dumping. Other semi-end dump trucks are more prone to tipping over. Unfortunately, the downside of this dump truck is that its length makes it difficult to maneuver.

The Off-Road Dump Truck

The off-road dump truck looks like most heavy construction machinery and not like what a highway dump truck should resemble. Off-road dump trucks are specifically utilized in off-road mining and for heavy dirt and rock hauling. Excavation sites utilize the off-road dump truck often. Off-road dump trucks are large in size, making them perfect for digging out roads, where you need to haul away large amounts of debris and dirt.

Whenever construction is scheduled for a specific area, the raw land needs to be prepped in order to accept the improvements or construction. This procedure is typically called site prep. The site prep is almost as important as the actual construction that will take place; whether the project is a building, parking lot, road or other such amenity, the raw land needs to be prepped, but once the project is finished the site prep will be invisible.

Site prep may seem like a simple term, but it entails several different tasks. When an area needs to be prepared, preparation will include the following tasks: management of soil erosion and sediment control, preparing for storm drainage, clearing and grubbing, placement of water and sewer pipes, topsoil stripping, rock removal, underground utility installation and other tasks.

Management of Soil Erosion and Sediment Control

Managing soil erosion and sediment control are essential site preparation measurements, which help protect the water quality. In most areas, storm water permitting is necessary. This step in site prep is very important because erosion management and sediment control measures must be integrated and inspected prior to any other work being allowed on that land. So, without this step, work on the area is not permitted until it is up to code.

Overtime, storm water management systems have been developed and designed with more complexity; however, the complexity makes for efficiency. This system consists of a detention basin that has a complex spiraling side slopes with bottoms that have an almost flat grade.

Clearing and Grubbing

When it is time to clear the raw land, a GPS dozer can be utilized to mark the limits of the clearing. The bulldozer operator, who is in the cab, is able to follow the outline of the display and can cut a clean path through wooded areas. This allows other equipment operators to have a clear line to follow.

Burning, an older and traditional method for clearing debris, is beginning to fade as a choice. There are stricter air pollution standards and regulations that have been enacted, which often prevent the use of burning methods in most parts of the United States.

Making Site Prep Easy

Of course, the type of job site you are working with will vary how you will prep and ready the site for construction. For instance, with an excavation project, the prep needed to finish the task is different from the prep needed for a housing development project. However, it does not matter how different the job is; it stills require the usage of heavy machinery for clearing.

When we think of excavation, we think of clearing lots for structures, grading roads, placing pips, repairing water leaks and even digging foundations. Those who typically work in this field have to be able to handle the rough climatic changes, and, generally, enjoy working out of doors all year round.

The job of laying pipes calls for a great deal of expertise and skill. First, it is necessary to dig a trench to house the pipe in. It is important that the elevation is correct and that the pipes meet all the specifications that have been outlined in the blueprints. There are several types of pipes that have to be put into place, such as, the water piping, the sewer lines, and the important storm drainage.

Before the job begins, it is necessary for you to check and double check that all the proper permits have been obtained from your local area. After you have obtained all the proper construction permits, and checked all the construction codes for the area, you are ready to go to work. When doing certain construction type jobs, it is required that you document on paper the accurate and actual amount of land you will be disturbing each day of the project.

With certain types of excavation projects, the site and plans may call for ponds or temporary ponds, which can actually be a fun sort of task, but also one that requires you to be careful. Ponds are common when working on subdivisions, and they require a lot of skill in order to do the dig correctly.

It is also common to encounter manholes when working in construction. There are specialized equipment and machinery that can be utilized to set the manholes into place because manholes need to be set in place a certain specified way. The most common way to set a manhole into place is by using an excavator, which can be used to lower the manhole down, and then a couple of construction workers can set it precisely into place.

Whenever you are working on a construction or excavation site, it is extremely important that you are careful and carry out all tasks by the book because there is no room for error and short cuts. In this type of work, there are always rules, regulations, standards and codes that you will need to know and then follow. Excavation is a rewarding and often fun trade to be part of, but you will have to be dedicated to acquiring the knowledge, following the plans and running machinery, all while having fun out of doors.