Whether you want to work on a construction, agricultural, or landscaping job, skid steer loaders and compact wheel loaders are two of the most useful machinery for your tasks. Although they are both forms of compact loaders, they have a few differences.

In this guide, we can help you find out what sets skid steers and wheel loaders apart from each other so that you can find out which is the right option for you.

Let’s take a look at them.

Skid Steer Loader

A skid steer loader is a flexible and versatile piece of machinery, capable of performing a wide range of tasks thanks to its ability to connect with a large assortment of attachments. As such, it is useful in landscaping, building construction, forestry, and more.

The skid steer is called so since it needs to be steered in a certain way. The operator can operate a right-hand joystick to move the wheels on the right side to drive forward and in reverse. On the left side is another joystick that controls the forward and reverse motions of the left-side wheels.

This allows the operator to push both joysticks forward if they want to move forward and push both joysticks back if they want to reverse. To turn left, they push the left joystick back and push the right one forward. These controls result in a skidding motion, which gives the machine its name.

Skid steers can be hitched to a wide range of attachments at the front, including its default bucket, which comes with or without teeth, augers, hammers, blades, fork tools, and many more.

Applications of a Skid Steer

Skid steers have a compact size, a precise turning radius, and a huge capacity to do work. This makes them a great piece of equipment for both smaller environments and large-scale commercial sites.

Skid steers come with a standard bucket that can scoop up and transfer all sorts of objects, including dirt, soil, gravel, rocks, and more. You can also carry large objects like tree trunks and boulders in the bucket.

Depending on the attachment you hitch to it, skid steers can be used for drilling holes, creating foundations, ripping up the ground, grading the ground, maintaining landscapes, removing snow, and a whole lot more.

Compact Wheel Loader

Compact wheel loaders are also machinery that comes with a standard bucket in the front and can be connected to a wide array of attachments. The biggest difference between a skid steer loader and a compact wheel loader is that wheel loaders have a pivot point that allows the equipment to turn easily. This means these loaders do not rely on a skidding motion to turn but instead drive like a truck.

This articulated steering results in smooth running, an extended tire life, and reduced disruption of the ground. The operator is also seated higher on a compact wheel loader and has a large range of visibility from the sides and the back.

Wheel loaders can also be outfitted with all sorts of attachments like tillers, rakes, forks, and more.

Applications of a Compact Wheel Loader

A compact wheel loader is a very important piece of equipment designed for hauling raw materials and other tasks. These loaders have an excellent ability to scoop a large amount of material, transfer them across the site, and load them into trucks.

Since the operator is seated at a higher vantage point, it offers more security in high-traffic areas and construction sites.

The compact wheel loader is a highly efficient machine when it comes to bucket capacity and quick traveling speed. The machine is operated by gearboxes that allow it to achieve a high travel speed, allowing them to transport material across large distances.

Bottom Line

If you have a skid steer loader or a compact wheel loader, you can maximize their usage by connecting them with various attachments. At Solaris Attachment, we offer you high-quality, powerful attachments designed through engineering excellence that is perfect for your machines.

Call us today to order your skid steer or compact wheel loader attachments today.