New vs Used Skid Steer Loaders
Skid steer loaders are an exceptionally versatile piece of equipment, but not everyone who requires one is in the market for a brand new one. In this blog post, we are heading to examine some suggestions for purchasing a good quality used skid steer.
Do Some Research on Brands
Before you buy a used skid steer — you should do some background analysis on the brands you’ll be thinking about. For instance, how costly are the replacement pieces, and whether or not they are comfortable to get? Parts that are difficult to get, even if the cost is affordable, can end up costing you more funds in the long run due to extra downtime for your engine. You also need to think about how much the replacement tires are going to cost because you’ll ultimately need to substitute them.
Consider Age, Hours, and Usage
You should also attach to machines that were operated part-time as opposed to full-time. Assume this: full-time use for a typical skid steer is about 6 hours per day or 30 hours per week; a skid steer that has been operated part-time usually clocks about 15 hours per week. If a 2-year-used skid steer has 1,500 hours on it, it hasn’t been performed full-time.
Here’s a reasonable tip about hours and horsepower: the bigger the machine, the longer it can go before a total engine overhaul is.
As a law of thumb, an 80-hp machine won’t require an engine overhaul until it gives 8,000 hours;
A 40-hp machine, on the other hand, will likely demand an overhaul after about 4,000 hours.
Also, mention that older machines with more irregular hours are generally going to be a more suitable value than newer machines with more hours primarily because the newer machine was likely completed very hard in a short amount of span, which means more wear and tear are feasible.
Likewise, note that a used skid steer on a farm or for snowplowing doesn’t suffer the same type of abuse that is unavoidable when it’s been used for construction tasks.
What to Review on a Walkaround
Here are some specific items to look for and ask about when accomplishing a walkaround of the skid steer you are considering purchasing.
Tip #1: Skid Steer Booms
As you begin a walkaround on the skid steer, check for cracks or welds on the booms (also known as arm loaders) – cracks or harm that have demanded welds can be harmful. Also witness if the booms are bent, which signals very serious use, and check the boom hinge ends and pivots to see if they are flexible or tight.
Tip #2: Skid Steer Wheels and Tires
As you take a watch at the wheels, take the time to check for an axle seal leak. If there is proof of one, you might like to lift the machine and check to see which wheel is informing and verify that the bearings aren’t out. Next, check the wear on the tire tracks– typical used skid steer tires should last about 500 hours on standard. Note if there are any indications of uneven wear or harm to the sidewalls.
Tip #3: Skid Steer Leaks
Keep an eye out for proof of leaks, particularly around the final drives. A leaking final drive can lead to very costly repairs and can signal that the machine was not perfectly maintained. Also, take a look under the machine for proof of leaks. The belly pan should not be it with oil.
Tip #4: Skid Steer Cab
One of the major items to check when looking over the cab is the ROPS (Roll Over Protection Structure): make sure that no harm to it could stop it from sufficiently protecting the operator. Also, make sure the grab holds are securely attached to the cab. All security equipment, lights, and alarms should be fully operational.
Tip #5: Skid Steer Engine
Review the engine oil. If it is low on oil, there might be a leak or it might not have been preserved properly. If the oil if it so thick that it’s tarry, that is not a good signal and indicates that maintenance has not been kept up on the used skid steer.
When you reach inside the used skid steer, you should be able to revolve the key and hear the engine start up. Recognize that it is expected for a diesel engine to smoke for a few seconds after you start it, but if it is still smoking at 10 seconds then that machine has some heavy engine problems. You should also examine it and review that it sounds typical.
Tip #6: Skid Steer Hydraulics
You want to maintain an eye out for hydraulic leaks, of course, but keep in mind that it is OK if there is a small bit of hydraulic fluid around the heavy gear lubricants- auxiliary hydraulics – this is to be desired. Don’t ignore to check the appearance of the hoses and watch out for wear, repairs, and scuff marks.
Once you have the used skid steer running, lift the boom – it should not go back down by itself! If you let go and it starts to sink by itself, that is not a right sign. If the bucket begins to turn all by itself, that is also not a good signal. You should also be able to lift the machine off the ground using the bucket or the boom and, besides, it shouldn’t lower itself.
Used Skid Steer Loader General Tips
Be scheduled to spend enough time on the machine to make sure it doesn’t lose power or overheat — some issues might not manifest automatically. You are also required to have it reviewed by your mechanic. Ultimately, if the machine isn’t very old and already has a new paint job, that might be an arrow of very heavy use.
