Heavy equipment machinery

While buying a bucket for your skid steer may not require the same kind of investment in time and money as selecting its host, choosing and using the right bucket can go a long way toward getting the best possible performance from the pair.

Bucket choices offered by skid-steer manufacturers are numerous. There are also a large number of will-fit suppliers specializing solely in attachments, including buckets. Given all these choices, you may either become thoroughly confused, or find a bucket - or possibly two or three - that best accommodates your needs.

To ensure the latter happens, start the selection process by evaluating your application for the bucket. Will you be using it mostly for loading, spreading, digging, handling loose material - or maybe a combination of them all?

Buckets tend to generally fall into four categories: general purpose, light material, multipurpose and specialty. Specific terminology for buckets varies between manufacturers, so ask your representative about the characteristics of each one to ensure you’re getting the right fit.

Material density and weight
For the bulk of applications, a traditional dirt bucket - a.k.a., construction, industrial or general-purpose bucket, depending on whom you talk to - is likely the best choice. It is by far the most commonly used type. But even here you need to make decisions. Do you need extra strength and durability? How about teeth? What size do you need?

Dirt buckets generically are good choices for digging and moving dirt and rocks. But the material’s density and ground conditions will dictate if you need to upgrade to a heavy-duty dirt bucket. Constructed from a greater thickness or higher grade of steel, this bucket type is designed for harsh applications that need added durability.

"It’s made for more severe, rugged use such as on a track loader or a larger skid-steer loader with more power, traction and force," says Kelly Moore, product manager for skid-steer loaders and compact track loaders, Gehl.

Of course, when you add strength to a bucket, you also add weight. This in turn reduces the weight of material you will be able to carry.

For example, CEAttachment’s heavy-duty 48-cu.-ft. dirt bucket weighs about 950 lbs., which is about 400 lbs. more than a comparatively sized standard-duty bucket. "You wouldn’t want this heavy-duty version on an 1,800- or 2,000-lb. lift capacity machine," says Ron Grimstad, product manager, CEAttachments. "You’ve used up almost half of your lift capacity in the weight of the bucket. So unless you’re handling packing peanuts, you can quickly overload the machine."

The limiting factor in buying any bucket is the weight and density of the materials you’re lifting. "Are you hauling rocks or mulch?" asks Doug Laufenberg, product marketing manager for attachments, John Deere.

Look for the cubic foot rating on the bucket to make sure you don’t overload the machine capacity, which can stress the engine and drivetrain. Depending on the carrier, overloading may also eliminate your ability to roll back the bucket.

"But even worse, it compromises safety," notes Moore. "Carrying more load than intended for a given size loader can cause the back end of the loader to lift off the ground and operate in a very unsafe mode."

When it comes to capacity, Grimstad realizes it may be tempting to opt for more than what is actually needed in an attempt to get work done faster. "But that may hurt the performance of the machine," he says. "Sometimes it’s a balance between capacity and cycle times. It may be possible to do more work with a smaller bucket because you aren’t constantly overloading your machine."

More capacity vs. breakout force
When capacity is an issue, you may want to consider a low-profile dirt bucket. Low-profile buckets have a longer lip, which in some cases offers more capacity. Some contractors also like these buckets because they have a lower back, which enhances visibility.

"These types of buckets are becoming more common," says Moore. "Depending on the manufacturer, they can have slightly more capacity. And they lend better visibility to the cutting edge, so the operator can see it as he drives close to curbs, gutters and buildings."

While a low-profile bucket may enhance capacity, smaller buckets with a shorter lip and shorter bottom offer more breakout force than larger buckets with longer lips and deeper bottoms. "Think of it as a lever effort," says Laufenberg. "A shorter lever lets you put more force on the bucket to break through the dirt."

If you move to a smaller bucket to gain breakout force, make sure your bucket is slightly wider than the tires or tracks on the machine. "If you go too small, you will be operating within the track of the machine, so you won’t be operating on a flat plane," Moore explains. "Also, if you overfill the bucket, the excess will spill over the edge and the tires will run over it, which changes the level of the machine."

Ideally, the bucket should be about an inch or two wider than the tires. "If you go too much wider, you can run into problems with machine overload because it will be easier to carry more than the machine is intended to," Moore points out. "It’s best to consult with your dealer and the operator’s manual to determine capacity. Then size the bucket accordingly."

Teeth and edges
Accessories such as weld-on or bolt-on teeth and bolt-on edges can also affect breakout force. "If the material to be moved is highly compacted with rocks, a bucket with teeth and a shorter floor length will increase the breakout force and make the skid steer more productive," says Jeff Freiburer, sales application specialist, Paladin.

"Teeth can also be a benefit in summer months when it’s dry because they can break through the hardpan," adds Moore.

If teeth are not needed (or wanted), a bolt-on edge can save wear and tear on the bucket edge.

"The surface the bucket will be used on is important to determine if a bolt-on edge is necessary," says Freiburer. "The bolt-on edge is the leading cutting edge on the bucket. It can be replaced if worn out, and will not affect the edge welded in the bucket."

The corrosive nature of the material the bucket will encounter is also a consideration. "Thicker steel will mean longer bucket life in a corrosive environment," Freiburer states.

Beyond dirt
While dirt buckets are by far the most popular choice for skid steers, there are situations that dictate a different option.

"If the material to be moved is considered light material, you may want to consider a bucket with a higher capacity rating to move a higher volume of material in a shorter time frame," says Freiburer.

Light material buckets are deep with a high back to carry larger volumes of lighter material, such as mulch, wood chips, sawdust, bark, etc. In some cases, they do double duty as snow buckets, although dedicated snow buckets are available from some suppliers. Utility buckets can also be grouped into this category.

"These buckets are not intended for digging, but rather for moving lighter weight material," says Grimstad. "They typically have more capacity than a dirt bucket, but they don’t have the strength. They are for loose materials or for backfilling around foundations."

Many manufacturers also offer specialty buckets, such as skeleton, brush and scrap grapple buckets. "A specialty bucket can be more cost-effective in the long run due to the fact the bucket is more efficient for the application," says Freiburer. "In some cases, a standard dirt bucket will not work for the job."

Skeleton and brush grapple buckets are essentially sifting buckets. They are a good choice for demolition or any task requiring you to separate dirt from the base material. "They let dirt fall out of the base material," says Grimstad. "It could be separating stone from dirt, brush from dirt, etc. - anything that is large enough to not fall through the cracks."

These buckets are also available with a grapple for handling and ripping out brush, small trees and shrubs.

Scrap grapple buckets are essentially buckets with open sides - they have a bottom lip and back with sides cut out, plus a pair of grapples. For construction applications, they are often used to handle brush. They may also be needed in a demolition-type application with grapples mounted to the top of the bucket, says Freiburer.

Multipurpose buckets
Multipurpose or 4-in-1 buckets have commonly been used in the Southeast, but are beginning to make more numerous appearances in other regions. As their name implies, these buckets can perform multiple functions because the bottom and sides can separate from the back.

"The combination bucket enables operators to do much more than dig," says Justin Odegaard, Bobcat attachment product representative. "Operators can dig, load, carry and dump material like a construction bucket, plus grip debris like a grapple, or grade and level dirt. Serrated grapple edges are good for moving logs, beams, concrete chunks or other bulky materials."

When closed, they operate like a standard bucket, but with an added advantage for dumping at maximum height. "You can roll it out like you would any other bucket. Dirt or other material will spill over the cutting edge of the bucket, which works 99% of the time," says Grimstad. "But if you’re trying to reach into a dump truck that’s at the limit of the lifting height capacity of your machine, you can’t roll out a bucket enough to dump it because you will hit the sides of the truck. With the

4-in-1 bucket, you can simply open up the bottom of the bucket and spill out the material."

When open, the back of the bucket can serve as a dozer or box blade. "If you’re doing trench work, having the straight-edge dozer blade is nice for backfilling," Grimstad notes. "Plus, you can reach across the trench with the bucket open and use the backside of the bucket part to pull material in."

Because of their clam-style design, these buckets can also operate like a grapple to pick up materials that can’t be handled with a standard bucket.

Although these buckets definitely offer advantages, there are some drawbacks to consider. Because of the mechanics required to open and close the bucket, you do lose some volume. Cutting edges and hydraulics also add to the weight. For example, CEAttachments’ 72-in. heavy-duty dirt bucket weighs 700 lbs., whereas its 72-in. standard-duty 4-in-1 bucket weighs 900 lbs. The added weight, in turn, reduces the weight of material the bucket can carry.

In addition, 4-in-1 buckets can cost up to three times as much, or more, compared to similar-sized dirt buckets. "You will need to evaluate if you need the extra features," advises Grimstad.

Yet, according to Odegaard, many contractors who have made the investment find they don’t go back to a standard bucket. "They can do so many things with the combination bucket," he says. "They find they need to leave the seat much less frequently because the machine can now pick up things that the operator used to have to get out of the machine to do." "All specialty buckets have several different applications and each has pros and cons depending on the job," adds Freiburer. "It is very important that the right bucket is used for the given application for both the skid steer and bucket to be cost effective."

Skid steer loaders are machines used in different types of construction sites, and are applicable especially in tight spaces because they are small and easy maneuverable.

They are equipped with wheels and can turn in their own tracks, making them extremely valuable for applications that require a compact, agile loader. They have light weight and so, they can be towed behind a pickup truck.

The skid steel loader has four wheels and its characteristic is that the left-side drive wheels are independent of the right-side drive wheels. This way, wheel speed and direction of rotation of the wheels will determine the direction the machine will turn.

The skid steel loaders have a simple operating system. Inside the cabin there are two joysticks: a left hand joystick and a right hand joystick. The left hand one is made for controlling the direction. The right hand one is for controlling the loader arms and bucket. By pulling the joystick back, the arms of the machine will raise; by pushing the joystick forward, the arms will be lowered. In order to tilt the bucket up the joystick must be moved to the left. By moving it to the right the bucket will dump. All the system is powered by hydraulic pumps, meaning that there is no mechanical transmission.

The Skid steel loader is suitable for digging and moving landscaping and other building materials. Due to its numerous tools it can also grade, jackhammer cement and load trucks. Some of the special tools of the skid steer loaders are: a dirt bucket, utility grapple bucket, pallet forks, utility fork, angle blade, auger, broom, cold planer, hydraulic hammer, landscape rake and tillers, material handling arm, stump grinder trencher and a vibratory compactor. These tools make skid steel loaders quite useful because there will not be necessary 10 machines any more to complete all these functions.

Another useful machine in the construction field is the backhoes. They are generally used for many different jobs and can replace many other types of heavy equipment at the construction site.

They are designed in a unique way; they have tools sticking out from every way of the machine. The backhoes can be considered to have three pieces of construction equipment combined into one unit: a tractor, a loader and a classical backhoe. Because the backhoes can use all these three functions at a construction site they are considered to be quite valuable and replace other machines.

The backhoe’s core structure is the tractor. Its design allows the machine to move easily over different type of rough terrain. It is equipped with a turbocharged diesel engine, with tires and a cabin for the pilot.

The loader is another part of the backhoe. It is attached in the front, while the backhoe is situated in the back. The loader is used as a spoon that picks up and carries a lot of loose material. It can also be used for smoothing things over, or for pushing dirt.

The backhoe loader also has a backhoe in the back of the tractor. Its function is to dig earth, or to lift heavy loads and then drop them in a pile at the side of the hole. All kinds of holes can be digged with a backhoe but most of all is suitable for ditches. In order not to fall inside the hole, the backhoes are equipped with stabilizer legs.

The backhoes are used mostly for digging ditches with the backhoe, and then for carrying out the dirt with the loader. After the work is done in that are, the loader will fill back the ditch with the extracted dirt.

These machines, the skid steer loader and the backhoe are very useful nowadays because they are very efficient and they save a lot of time because the operator doesn’t have to switch between two different pieces of equipment any more.

A skid loader is a stiff frame machine with mechanical arms that can be fitted with attachments for a wide variety of different tools, including a backhoe, hydraulic breaker, pallet forks, angle broom, sweeper, auger, mower, snow blower, stump grinder, tree spade, trencher, and a wheel saw.

Modern skid loaders come in two varieties, a four wheeled system and a rubber track version. Wheeled skid loaders are typically are four-wheel drive and for additional maneuverability, the left and right wheels systems are independent. The track version also referred to as a track loader provides for better digging and pushes performance in higher end models due to less ground disturbance and better traction in un-ideal environments like mud and sand.

History of the skid loader machine

The first three-wheeled front-end loader was invented in 1957 by two brothers, Cyril and Louis Keller, in a small machinist shop in Rothsay Minnesota. The brothers conceived the idea to help a nearby farmer with the ignoble task of cleaning up manure for a pole barn. They wanted to help him, and out of this collaboration the first skidder was born.

This early machine was eventually purchased by Melrose Manufacturing Company and the Kellers brought on to continue development. Since then it has spread to become a highly valued piece of heavy machinery at construction and engineering site around the globe.

What are these machines used for?

Due to the wide array of attachments available for these vehicles , they have many uses, but mostly are employed for scrape material from one place to another, carry materials in a bucket and proceed to load them into a truck or trailer.

Skid loaders can also be used in tight digging situations where factors limit the practically of using a large excavator, like digging a basement under an existing house. In this situation a skid loader would make use of a ramp at the edge of the site. The loader would proceed to use the ramp to carry materials out of the hole. The skid loader would reshape the ramp by making it steeper and longer as the excavation deepened.

Differences between a front loader machine and a skid loader machine

The pivot arms on a skid loader lay behind the driver, alongside the side of the vehicle.

Major machine manufacturers

Skid steers are amazingly functional equipment. They are very useful both in their capability to execute a variety of different jobs and their flexibility by individual able to sketch in very small places.

Buying a used skid steer could offer you a vast reduction on the cost of a new one. First of all choose the right dealers who sell brand name skid steers. There is some popular brand like GEHL, JLG, JCB and Skytrak for skid steers in USA and overseas. New and used skid steers from these brands are easily available at very cost effective price.

Skid Steers are a very fine built piece of equipment and it is significantly considering the construct for excellence when buying a piece of heavy equipment. Skid steer loader also has a lot of very superior protection features.

Skid steer loader is a very high quality machine that will frequently offer various excellent services. It is contemptible to run and very fine built. It also has very excellent safety features and a thicker boom arm. Skid steers also have a dual container bucket design that provides a lot of power.

Another aspect that you should appear for in the skid steer attachments brush cutter is a top envelop that lifts off so that you can stare at the drive parts. If you utilize a new and used skid steer attachments brush cutter then you should be proficient to clear the brush quickly. Skid steer loader uses broad high tensile tubing that is a great deal stronger than most other skid steers.

Skid steer loader has a very good construction that should give you a lot superior work without any hassles. Skid steel loaders used two joysticks at left and right which feels comfortable for the user and increase the efficiency of work. it also reduce the cost of manpower.

Bobcat will be showing new excavators, skid-steers, compact tracked loaders, telehandlers, utility vehicles anda new range of articulated wheeled loaders at SED.

At SED 2006, Bobcat will be showing new excavators, skid-steers, compact tracked loaders, telehandlers, utility vehicles and, for the first time at a UK show, the company’s new range of articulated wheeled loaders. As always, Bobcat attachments will be a strong feature of the stand and visitors will be able to see an impressive display of both static and working machines including the new 1.3 tonne 319 mini-excavator, new skid-steers, new compact tracked loaders and the new T3571 telehandler, designed to show the capabilities of the entire Bobcat range of tool carriers and attachments.

Articulated wheeled loaders.

The UK launch of the new range of Bobcat compact articulated wheeled loaders will take place at SED 2006.

The new loaders are intended for a wide range of applications in construction, landscaping and rental, as well as general material-handling and road repair work.

By combining the three new articulated loaders with 15 skid-steer models, five compact tracked loader models, a mini-tracked loader, and an all-wheel steer loader, Bobcat now offers the industry’s broadest range of compact loaders.

Excavators.

The new 319 1.3 tonne mini-excavator will be making its first appearance at SED.

The only machine in the 1.2 - 1.5 tonne class to offer as standard an expandable undercarriage, the 319 has a weight of 1271 kg with canopy and 1400 kg with enclosed cab, allowing it to be transported easily on a light trailer towed by a small truck, van or 4x4 vehicle.

Other Bobcat excavator models that can be seen at SED include both the conventional drive and Fast Track versions of the 430 zero tail swing excavator and the 7.5 tonne 442 excavator.

Skid-steers and compact tracked loaders.

Bobcat skid-steers and compact tracked loaders continue to set the pace and the company will be showing new improved versions of both the skid-steers and compact tracked loaders at SED 2006.

All of the loaders now feature more efficient cooling thanks to the new hydraulically-driven, infinitely variable speed fan, called ‘SmartFAN’, that senses the temperature of the machine and turns only as fast as it has to, to meet cooling requirements.

Among the changes are those in the Bobcat medium frame skid-steers and compact tracked loaders which have been upgraded with the hydraulic system previously used only on the large frame models.

This involves the addition of a dedicated charge pump to boost overall hydraulic performance.

Telehandlers.

An enhanced range of telehandlers will be an important part of the stand display with models from across the range with maximum lifting capacities from 2.5 to 4.0 tonne and maximum lifting heights from 5.6 to 17.43 m.

The new T2556, T3571, T35120SL and T40170 models being shown will incorporate the many enhancements that have been made over the last six months in the existing range of telehandlers, effectively making the new 11-model range a new generation of machines.

Utility vehicles.

Designed for a wide variety of load and carry work, the new Bobcat 2200D is a multi-purpose utility vehicle which seats two and complements Bobcat’s innovative Toolcat Utility Work Machine.

The unique 4x4 Intellitrak drive system allows the Bobcat 2200D to haul cargoes comfortably, climb grades with ease and tackle rough terrain.

Intellitrak automatically engages 4-wheel drive by transferring power to the wheels where it is most needed as driving conditions demand.

Attachments.

Among the host of Bobcat attachments on show will be the new Bobcat range of heavy duty flail cutter attachments.

The range comprises three models - the FC155, FC175 and FC200 - providing cutting widths of 1.55 m, 1.75 and 2 m, respectively.

The flail cutter attachments can be used for a wide variety of applications, from clearing deep scrub to create fire breaks and access areas for overhead powerlines in woods and forests to clearance work at road sides, on new building developments and in pipeline and utility projects.

http://www.buildingtalk.com/news/bow/bow107.html

Equipment supplier CSE Equipment Company, has a range of case skid steer loaders, which are available exclusively in Southern Africa, and which are designed for full efficiency, reduced maintenance and extended service life in diverse materials-handling applications, says the company.

“Skid steer loaders have become a very popular all-purpose machine in this country, in just about every materials-handling application, including construction, agriculture, landscaping and mining,” says CSE Equipment construction division director, Rod Watson.

“Compared to other earthmoving equipment, these machines are less expensive and yet are enormously versatile and highly efficient,” he says.

“The newest skid steer loader in the case range is the 400 series, which consists of four radial-lift and two vertical-lift models, with advanced features for improved performance.”

These units, which have capacities between 36,5 kW and 60 kW and operating heights from 2 500 kg to 3 480 kg, have an extra-heavy-duty design. Tier 2-certified engines ensure smoother power for improved productivity and a new cooling system provides more balanced cooling to both the engine and the hydraulics for increased reliability, says CSE. There are also new facilities for easier servicing and thus reduced maintenance costs, the company adds.

The 430 and 445 skid steer loaders have benefited from the new replacement design which offers high torque and extended service, says CSE. These engines feature 30% fewer parts than conventional loaders and offer improved fuel management, the company says.

CSE says that low effort, servo-assisted hydrostatic controls ensure precise operation and reduce operator fatigue. The instrument panel has been repositioned to give a cleaner eye line to the bucket, tyres and kerb line for optimum control and increased safety.

Four hundred and forty-five models benefit from a power reach vertical heavy-lift loader linkage for more efficient and precise loading and unloading of palletised materials.

Optional attachments for efficiency in materials handling include 32 types of buckets, four types of pallet forks, breakers, augers, sweepers, backhoes, stump grinders, cement mixers, cold planers, trenchers, rollers, and slot cutters.

The Case range of materials-handling equipment, which includes loaders, backhoe loaders, excavators and skid steers, is known throughout the world for high levels of productivity, reliability, efficiency and operator comfort, says CSE.

CSE supports these with a technical advisory and maintenance service throughout the country. Operator and mechanic training is also provided. The company has a specialist spares and accessories division that offers a range of quality branded original equipment and replacement parts, which has been manufactured to stringent international standards, says the company.

CSE says that it is well positioned to enhance the efficiency of maintenance programmes. When a machine is stripped down during a breakdown, the ready availability of the correct components and efficient repair procedures significantly reduce down time and ensure complete efficiency.

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=113786

The gamut of skid steer attachments available borders on an overwhelming amount: planers, breakers, grapples, saws, etc. But just because there are so many to choose from doesn’t mean you won’t find the one you want. If anything, having so many options allows a contractor to do more with only one skid steer.

"With a loader and planer attachment, bucket and vibratory roller attachment, the contractor can mill out the problem area of asphalt (planer), carry fresh asphalt (bucket) and compact the asphalt (vibratory roller) with one machine," says Justin Odegaard, attachment product specialist for Bobcat.

Not only can attachments help by allowing one machine to do multiple tasks, but they also allow workers to do smaller jobs and work in harder-to-reach places with smaller equipment instead of having to bring in a big machine, possibly risking tearing up the entire road or work area. Using a skid steer and attachment may also decrease the time it takes to complete a job, says Kelly Guthrie, marketing director for Coneqtec/Universal.

Along with the possibility of reduced job time comes the potential of a decrease in prep time because it is fairly easy to fit an attachment to a skid steer. It is common now for the front of a skid steer to be equipped with a universal attachment, or quick attach. (The mounting plate and universal mount hold the attachment on.) This allows contractors the versatility of using attachments on different skid steers no matter what company manufactured the skid steer or the attachment, Guthrie says.

"Basically, on the back of the attachments you have a mounting plate, and as long as the skid steer has a universal mount on it, then you can put just about any attachment on it," he says.

Once the attachment is connected to the loader arms, the next step is to use hoses to attach it to the skid steer’s hydraulic system. Depending on the skid steer, the attachment may have an arm that reaches into the cab and allows the operator to control it from there. Some skid steers offer the option of electronic controls instead of hydraulic. The operator with electronic controls can use those skid steer controls to run the attachment rather than using the attachment’s arm.

The versatility and accessibility of skid steer attachments make them a viable option for paving contractors. But with so many to choose from, how do you know what might be the most benefit to your business? The following attachments are just a few options that can be helpful to a contractor during a paving job or on pavement repair.

Planers
Odegaard says planers are a useful attachment and a popular choice for pavement maintenance contractors. Originally, small planer attachments were intended as supplementary units to use with large machines, but the role of planer attachments has increased on the jobsite.

"There are now attachments that can mill close to half a traffic lane, enabling skid-steer loaders to tackle jobs that would not have been possible in the past," Odegaard says. "The versatility of these units allows them to be used for enhanced pavement profiles and cross sections, removing bumps and ruts, curb recovery, pothole repair, manhole cover adjustments, drainage and traction control, and improved bonding, along with countless other applications."

Paladin Light Construction manufactures several models of cold planers between their Bradco and FFC brands. Bradco has a standard-flow model and five high-flow models, says Melani Moorman, marketing services manager for Paladin Light Construction. Features of these Bradco planers include: a planetary drive to deliver high torque, a high rear spoilage clearance to prevent the recirculation of material, and solid, hardened steel wheels with greaseable manifold pins that can withstand heavy-duty conditions.

The Bradco high-flow planer has an overall width of 65 in., and the standard-flow planer has an overall width of 52 in. The standard flow model has 37 carbide picks, which are the "teeth on the drum," while the high-flow models range from 43 to 89 carbide picks, Moorman says. Both planers come with a standard side-shift that moves from center to right.

Moorman says that when deciding which cold planer is right for you, the main factors to consider are the size of your skid steer and the size of the jobs. If your skid steer offers 22 gpm or higher and the work typically involves planing larger widths, then the high-flow planer is the better choice.

The FFC brand offers two standard-flow planers with planing widths of 12 to 16 in. as well as six models of high-flow planers with widths that range from 16 to 36 in. All the FFC models also have a side-shift. Carbide pick quantities differ on the FFC models with the high-flow planers having between 48 and 88 picks and the standard-flow planers having between 36 to 44 picks.

Odegaard says Bobcat offers six planer attachments for different contractor needs. The standard-flow planer is great for minor repairs to parking lots, driveways, and roads. It is available in a 14-in. planing width and does not require the loader to have high-flow hydraulics.

A second Bobcat attachment is the high-flow planer. "The Bobcat high-flow planer provides additional versatility with more features, independent controls, and more production," Odegaard says. This attachment is available in 18-, 24-, and 40-in. models. For more specific jobs Bobcat also has a surface planer that removes roadway or parking lot stripes and leaves behind a smooth finish and a curb planer that mills slipform curbs to create a smooth transition from the road to driveway. With most Bobcat planers, multiple drums are available for each model and vary by width or number and types of teeth.

Drums of a smaller size will typically fit in planers with a wider housing; for example, a 24-in. planer can utilize drums ranging from 2 ½ in. to 24 in. wide.

Moorman says the advantage to using a cold planer is that it "completes the job more efficiently and in less time. It mills, and you won’t have to redo any of the work."

Compaction Plate
A compaction plate is an attachment for prep work before the asphalt gets placed. It compacts soil, sand, or gravel to give the asphalt a firm, solid, level base to help resist the shifting and settling that causes cracks, according to Guthrie. One of the benefits of a compaction plate is it can be used in small or confined areas.

"The compaction plates let paving contractors utilize their skid steers so that they can do parking lot repair, driveways, and around manholes and trenches and things like that where the big, huge, expensive machines can’t go," Guthrie says. But a compaction plate attachment doesn’t only help the bigger paving companies. Guthrie says that small contractors who are growing and getting bigger jobs can use this attachment as well. A paving contractor doing small jobs can use a hand-held unit, but once he starts bidding and winning larger jobs, such as parking lots or even low-volume roads that need compaction, the hand compactors aren’t going to cut it. That’s where the attachments come into play. Guthrie says they are the next step up before buying the big machines.

Most compaction plates have a shaker box, which is what delivers the pounding force. The Coneqtec/Universal plates also offer dual counterweights and isolation mounts. The dual counterweights ensure that the compaction force will only be applied vertically and nothing will be wasted horizontally, Guthrie says. They also help to lessen the "every action has a reaction" element by reducing the vibration back to the skid steer and its operator.

Guthrie compares the plates’ isolation mounts to a car’s shock absorbers. The isolation mounts absorb some of the vibration so that it isn’t really hard on the skid steer. "The idea is to keep all that thumping down in the attachment and not to have that reaction come back up into the loader arms, which is just going to put wear and tear on the skid steer and the operator," he says.

In addition to the dual counterweights and isolation mounts, the three compaction plate attachments have a front lip that can be used to drag dirt before compaction and tilt to angle the plate for the slope that is being compacted.

Coneqtec/Universal has the DC8000 compaction plate that offers 8,000 lbs. of vertical force at a rate of 2,300 vpm. The DC5500 is a smaller attachment that will fit on regular or mini-skid steers and provides 5,500 lbs. of force at 1,900 vpm.

Guthrie says paving contractors know that they have to compact before they pave. "If it’s not compacted, it’s not going to work," he says. Since compacting is not really an option, a compaction plate attachment can be a very valuable resource for both big- and small-time paving contractors.

Vibratory Roller
Another skid steer attachment that can be especially beneficial to a paving contractor is a vibratory roller. These attachments perform the same work as dedicated ride-on or walk-behind compactors - compact base materials and remove air pockets - but instead of requiring a separate piece of equipment dedicated only to compaction, the work can be done using a skid steer. This helps save time and money as well as transportation space, Moorman says.

If a contractor is looking to construct new pavement or make pavement repairs, this attachment is a good choice. It functions like a dedicated roller, but the vibratory roller is powered by the auxiliary hydraulics of the skid steer, Odegaard says. When the auxiliary hydraulics are activated, oil is sent through a hydraulic motor to power the shaker box and drum. With the Bobcat vibratory roller, a simple reverse of direction reverses the drum’s direction as well. In order for proper compaction to occur the arms must be in the float position, he adds.

Bobcat offers two sizes of vibratory rollers, 48 in. and 72 in., and both sizes are available in either a padded or smooth drum. "Padded rollers are typically used to compact base materials that are very cohesive such as clay and heavy soils," Odegaard says. "Smooth drum rollers will compact base materials such as sand, gravel, and pea rock and also work well for asphalt patching jobs."

The Bobcat roller attachments offer free form oscillation to keep the drum in contact with the surface where the ground is uneven, rubber isolation mounts to reduce vibration transfer to the skid steer and the operator, and an offset drum design that allows the right side of the roller to extend past the skid steer to compact next to sidewalks, walls, or curb, Odegaard says.

Paladin Light Construction also offers a line of vibratory roller attachments for skid steers. The Bradco rollers come in eight models, four with smooth drums and four with padded drums. Both types of drums come in sizes of 48-, 66-, 73-, and 84-in. widths. They deliver up to 9,370 lbs. of dynamic force when operating at 20 gpm.

The hydraulic drives are isolated and protected to ensure maximum performance, and the steel drums have adjustable steel scrap blades between the frame and the drum to provide smooth and uniform compaction on the Bradco rollers.

Slot cutters
A slot cutter is an attachment for pavement repair. Slot cutters basically have two uses. First, they can be used on roadways or parking lots to cut out only a section of the asphalt or concrete that needs repair, rather than having to tear up the entire area. A slot cutter is also useful when repairing cracks. If a crack is not wide enough to accept repair material it can be widened or deepened with a slot cutter and then filled with the repair material. This way the crack repair will hold better, Guthrie says.

A slot cutter is a toothed-wheel, similar to a saw blade. Coneqtec/Universal offers slot cutters that can cut 7 in., 9 in., or 12 in. deep, each with a 3-in. cutting width.

The SSG-7 and SSG-9 have 20 teeth on their wheels, and the SSG-12 has 24 teeth. With the two deeper cutters, the SSG-9 and SSG-12, the minimum hydraulic horsepower required is 45 - compared to the minimum of 35 for the SSG-7.

Although Guthrie points out that slot cutters don’t have much to them - basically just a hydraulic motor run by the hydraulics of the skid steer and the toothed-wheel - he does say a contractor has two options with the hydraulic motors: direct-drive motors or planetary systems. A direct-drive motor delivers the rated power directly from the motor. Planetary motor systems use a smaller motor with an extra gear box and gears to help produce the rated power. Guthrie says the Coneqtec/Universal slot cutters, as well as all of its other attachments, use a direct-drive motor system.

Drop Hammer
A drop hammer attachment is an alternative to hydraulic breakers. It allows for fast concrete or asphalt demolition, creates less stress on the skid steer and operator, and results in a cleaner surface, according to Odegaard. These attachments work well for jobs that require demolition of large, flat concrete slabs that still need to be driven over.

"Depending on the material, the surface is generally left free of sharp, broken pieces and may not even look destroyed," Odegaard says. But don’t let looks deceive you. The concrete or pavement will be heavily fractured underneath the surface. An added benefit of a cleaner surface is that the smoother surface will be less damaging to tires or tracks on contractors’ equipment.

A drop hammer gets attached to the skid steer and delivers a "smashing blow," according to Odegaard. The Bobcat drop hammer can break concrete up to 18 in. thick. Another added benefit to using a drop hammer is the little noise and vibration it creates, making this attachment ideal for areas where too much noise is undesirable.

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