Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/933470
January 2018 | EquipmentWorld.com 30 had in a compact track loader." They're also preferred for snow removal, whether by snowplow, snow blower or snow pusher, because they provide greater traction. Snow removal is relevant to, at most, half of all skid steer customers, and then only for a certain portion of the year. But to those customers, a skid steer's snow capabilities means it can generate ad- ditional revenue instead of sitting idle for months. With their amazing maneuverability – such as being able to counter-rotate and execute spin turns – skid steers shine in tight jobsites. "The skid steer is the origi- nal poster child for jobsite mobility and remains domi- nant in that role," says Hugo Chang, wheel loader and compact product manager at LiuGong. This maneuverability results from the weight bias on a skid steer, which is typically around 30/70 front/rear un- loaded; the reverse ratio is true with a full bucket. Dahl says this imbalance means one set of wheels, the front or rear, is bearing less weight than the other set at any time. This makes tight turns easier, reduces tire scrub and minimizes surface damage. Tracks on a CTL can be counter-rotated, but it's not a good idea. "To maximize the service life of tracks and undercarriage components, a CTL should be operated like a dozer with long, sweeping turns," says Tharen Peterson, brand marketing manager, New Hol- land Construction. Maximum maneuverability is also essential in applica- tions that require precise positioning of attachments, such as breakers and sweepers, notes Dahl. George Mac Intyre, global product portfolio manager, light equipment, Case Construction, says industry data reveal several areas where skid steers are preferred over CTLs by a margin of 3-to-1. Among them are scrap, waste, recycling, industrial material handling, and mine and quarry. "Demolition, agriculture, and state and municipal markets also use more skid steers, but by a smaller margin," he says. Mac Intyre adds that skid steers are better for clear- ing, cleaning and back-dragging. Operators tend to put a lot of downforce on the attachment – whether broom, bucket or blade – shifting much of the weight to the rear of the machine. Tracks want to be evenly loaded; wheels are more tolerant of this type of imbalance. machine matters | continued Rated operating capacities are given as 50 percent of tipping load for skid steers and either 50 percent or 35 percent of tipping load for compact track loaders. When comparing ROCs of skid steers with CTLs, make sure you're looking at the same value for each. In the Equipment World Spec Guide, we give the 50 percent figure for skid steers and both the 50 percent and 35 percent values for CTLs. ROC confusion The Kubota SSV75 features 74.3 gross horsepower and 20.9-gallons-per-minute standard auxiliary flow with option- al 30.4 gpm high flow available. Kubota offers a full range of attachments including power rakes, grapples, specialty buckets and those for snow removal. The 90-horsepower L234 is the most powerful skid steer in the New Holland lineup. The Super Boom design improves rear visibility by eliminating rear towers and positioning the crossbar low and out of the way. Bucket breakout force is 9,323 pounds; lift arm breakout force is 6,918 pounds. Takeuchi offers the large-frame TS80 Series skid steers in radial (TS80R2) and vertical (TS80V2) lift configurations. A Deutz engine provides 74 horsepower and is rated at 192 foot-pounds of torque at 1,800 rpm. The radial model has a 2,825-pound ROC; the vertical, 3,500 pounds.