Contact us About us News far fa-map-marker-alt Find a Branch far fa-phone-alt 13 15 52 far fa-user-alt Coates Connect far fa-shopping-cart Hire Now

Equipment for Hire

Access Earthmoving Lift & Shift Site Accommodation Air & Air Accessories Floor & Cleaning Lighting Tools & Equipment Compaction Generators & Power Distribution Materials Handling Traffic Management Concrete & Masonry Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Pipeline Testing Trucks Vehicles & Trailers Confined Space Entry Ladders & Scaffolding Propping & Structural Support Water Management & Pumps Construction Lasers Landscaping Shoring Welding
Equipment for Hire
Access Earthmoving Lift & Shift Site Accommodation Air & Air Accessories Floor & Cleaning Lighting Tools & Equipment Compaction Generators & Power Distribution Materials Handling Traffic Management Concrete & Masonry Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Pipeline Testing Trucks Vehicles & Trailers Confined Space Entry Ladders & Scaffolding Propping & Structural Support Water Management & Pumps Construction Lasers Landscaping Shoring Welding View all

Engineering Solutions

Design & Installation Water Management Structural Support Traffic Management BIM Library
Engineering Solutions
Design & Installation Water Management Structural Support Traffic Management BIM Library View all Engineering Solutions

Industrial Solutions

Site Management Equipment & Services Technology & Innovation Industry Sectors
Industrial Solutions
Site Management Equipment & Services Technology & Innovation Industry Sectors View all Industrial Solutions

Power & HVAC

Power Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Compressed Air Service and Support
Power & HVAC
Power Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Compressed Air Service and Support View all Power & HVAC Solutions
fas fa-bars Access Air & Air Accessories Compaction Concrete & Masonry Confined Space Entry Construction Lasers Earthmoving Floor & Cleaning Generators & Power Distribution Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Ladders & Scaffolding Landscaping Lift & Shift Lighting Materials Handling Pipeline Testing Propping & Structural Support Shoring Site Accommodation Tools & Equipment Traffic Management Trucks Vehicles & Trailers Water Management & Pumps Welding View all BIM Library Design & Installation Structural Support Traffic Management Water Management View all Engineering Solutions Equipment & Services Industry Sectors Site Management Technology & Innovation View all Industrial Solutions Compressed Air Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Power Service and Support View all Power & HVAC Solutions far fa-shopping-cart Hire Now far fa-user My Coates Hire far fa-map-marker-alt Find a branch far fa-phone 13 15 52 Contact us About us News

Skid steer: the swiss army knife of construction

The rugged skid steer may be the single most versatile piece of equipment on the construction site. If you're thinking about hiring a wheel loader, digger, trencher, roller, forklift or other heavy equipment for your project, a compact skid steer loader with the right attachments could be all you need.

WHY IS IT CALLED A SKID STEER?

Skid steers are so called because of their distinctive turning action. Unlike the larger six-wheeled loaders, skiddys have four wheels (except those with tracks) and the front wheels are not independent of the rear wheels. This causes the machines to skid when steering, allowing for a tighter turning circle.

Skid steers are also called bobcats after a prominent manufacturer.

What are skid steers used for?

A skid steer loader can perform a huge range of tasks with the right attachments. Different sizes of skid steers are better suited to certain types of jobs. Smaller models can be ideal for landscaping and agricultural work, as well as working inside buildings and underground. Larger models have the power to take on heavy construction and demolition jobs, including lifting, excavating and grading.

How easy are they to use?

Another advantage of skid steers is that they're easy to operate, with ergonomic operator stations and intuitive joystick-type controls. They also offer greater visibility and easier front access than some larger loaders.

While certification is no longer required to operate a skid steer loader in Australia, operators must be appropriately trained.

What options are there?

Skid steers come in a range of sizes suited to different tasks, from mini bobcats up to extra large loaders weighing over a ton. All share similar controls, hydraulics and power trains. Another decision to make is whether you need a wheeled or tracked loader. If you're working on grass or soft ground, a skid steer loader with tracks will be more manoeuvrable and cause less damage than one with wheels. However, if you're working on rough terrain such as a demolition site, this could cause damage to rubber tracks.

What attachments are available?

The reason skid steers are so versatile is the sheer variety of attachments that can be fitted for different jobs. Most models are supplied with a 4-in-1 bucket as standard, which can dig, doze, haul and load. General purpose buckets are available in a range of sizes.

Other common skid steer attachments include:

augers – to bore holes for fence posts and other uses up to 600mm in diameterbrooms – for sweeping dirt and debris from roads, paths and floors

brush cutters – for cutting tall grass and weeds on farms and overgrown sites

crane jibs – for lifting heavy loads

dozer blades – for cutting and spreading material

forks – for lifting and transporting pallets, bales and other loads

hammers – for breaking rocks, concrete and other hard materials

rakes – for conditioning and levelling soil prior to turf laying

trenchers – to dig trenches for irrigation, pipes or cables

vibratory rollers – to compact clay, soil, asphalt and other surfaces>

Modern skid steers have high-flow auxiliary circuits that make them more efficient when using hydraulic attachments.

Hire a skid steer loader today

If you need a heavy-duty skid steer or a mini bobcat for rent, Coates Hire has one of the largest fleets of earthmoving equipment and accessories in Australia.

See our complete skid steer range

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

{{ socialIcon(api.type) }} {{ socialIcon(api.type) }} {{ socialIcon(api.type) }}
Find out how we can help with your project fas fa-phone-alt CALL US 13 15 52 Submit Enquiry

By submitting this enquiry you agree to Coates's Communications Terms & Conditions

Give us a call
fas fa-phone-alt 13 15 52 fas fa-check Australia’s largest fleet fas fa-check National branch network fas fa-check Friendly & reliable service fas fa-check End-to-end solutions
far fa-times-circle Your enquiry has been submitted

Thank you for your enquiry. One of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible.