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Articulated Front End Loaders Gain Ground In Skid Steer Market
Today significant numbers are steering away from the industry stalwart, the skid steer, in favour of an articulated loader. The skid steer is the generic "bobcat-style" machine that has dominated the compact earthmoving and integrated tool carrier market in Australia for decades. From a design point of view, articulated loaders and skid steers are like chalk and cheese, says Schaffer Loaders Australian manager Cameron Moir says. A skid steer is a rigid-framed machine whereas an articulated loader has two chassis joined by an articulation joint. Articulated loaders are now often superior to a skid steer for many types of work traditionally done by a skid steer. Some people say they like skid steers because they turn on the spot, but this has a downside because they dig up the ground. You may have just laid a new driveway and you turn on it and wreck it! And it's very hard on your back and expensive on tyres compared to an articulated loader. For example, an articulated loaders may be nearly as nimble as any skid steer because they have a 20% greater articulation angle than any other front end loader on the market and are narrower in width, which allows them to work in very tight areas, but they still have good capacity. Skid steers typically run a variety of tools but this versatility has now been matched by articulated loaders. They are integrated tool carriers that can adapt to any job. You can fit them with anything from pallet forks and four-in-one buckets through to augers, trenchers, and sweepers. An important advantage of articulated loaders is driver comfort and safety. You get much smoother operation, especially in rough terrain. Many skid steer guys get back problems because the short wheelbase transfers all the bumps into the seat. Driving an articulated loader is like a limo by comparison. Articulated loaders tick other OH&S boxes as well. The seating position on top of the loader gives you better visibility, which makes an articulated loader safer, particularly on sites with personnel operating nearby. Articulated loaders also score well over skid steers on lifting capacity. The short wheelbase of skid steers can make them unstable in certain conditions. Articulated loaders with their long wheelbase have their counterweight further back, allowing them to lift heavier loads higher and reach out further more safely. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Schaffer has been the leading brand in mini loaders and front-end loaders for over 50 years. Schaffer provide mini loaders, front-end loaders, fork-lifts, telescopic loaders, articulated loaders, skid-steers, mini diggers, articulated fork lifts and all accessories. |
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