Capital Equipment News September 2017

Caterpillar is said to be the only manufacturer to offer a piece sealed/pressurised cab that offers advantages from a comfort, health and service perspective.

“A radial lift machine has a lower weight and lower cost than a vertical lift model of similar configuration.”

one identifies the need to have a skid steer loader on site, an important primary consideration would be to consider what the primary function of the loader is. “This will inform the process of fine-tuning the short-term and possible long-term considerations,” says Stansfield. Lift type Lift type – radial or vertical – is a key focus area when looking to specify a right skid steer loader for the right job. Rengaraju reiterates that the choice of lift type is also application driven. “The terms radial and vertical indicate the path the loader arm end follows when going up and down in the lift cycle,” says Rengaraju. “A radial lift machine has a lower weight and lower cost than a vertical lift model of a similar configuration.” Rengaraju adds that radial lift provides a compact and simple linkage design with good reach at mid-lift heights, and is ideal for tasks such as loading/unloading pallets from flatbed trucks with a pallet fork attachment or for drilling holes with an auger, for example. In a nutshell radial lift machines offer good performance in a range of applications, including digging, dozing and/or finishing grading/backfilling. A vertical lift design delivers higher lifting heights and extended reach at the top portion of the lift cycle, while preserving the excellent mid-lift reach found on radial lift machines, explains Rengaraju. “Materials handling, truck loading, digging and stockpiling, are just a few examples of applications where a vertical shift machine excels,” says Rengeraju.

QUICK TAKE

The tools required for an application often have an influence on the machine configuration

Site specific safety requirements are an important consideration in any buying decision

Radial lift skid steer is ideal when digging and lifting material at 50% of the maximum lift height

Tyre wear is an area where there has been a lot of concern when it comes to skid steers

Vertical lift loader is ideal for lifting at maximum height with forward reach as a key component

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS SEPTEMBER 2017 25