Tips For Maintaining Your Skid-Steer Loader

A skid-steer loader is a vital piece of equipment to have if you’re the owner of a construction business. These versatile machines are compact enough to fit into tight spaces and are always going to come in handy for whatever projects you have ahead of you.

However, your skid loader can’t do its job if you don’t keep it in good working order. Keeping your skid loader at its best involves performing regular maintenance tasks to ensure that the machine serves you well for years to come.

Arizona Tractor Sales here in Chandler is proud to be your Grand Canyon State heavy equipment and skid loader dealer. Read on to learn more about the proper steps for keeping your skid-steer loader in peak condition all year round.

Perform Daily Inspections

One very simple way to make sure your skid loader is in good shape is to examine it on a daily basis before you turn it on and use it. A quick visual inspection lets you spot small problems before they become big ones, and you can keep an eye on concerns that you may have, like low tire pressure. Using your machine without looking at it critically means that you’re more likely to miss those little issues before they turn into expensive repairs that take days to complete, reducing your operation’s productivity.

Leaking fluids are a major concern for heavy equipment like skid loaders, so check to see that your oil, coolant and fuel are not pooling underneath your machine while it’s parked, and that the caps on these tanks are secure.

The moving parts of your skid loader like the fittings and pivot points will need some grease to work smoothly. Check the air filter, fan belt and fuel-water separator, too.

Finally, the tires are worthy of some attention, since they keep your skid-steer moving. Make sure there are no bald patches, cracks in the sidewalls or objects embedded in your treads. You never want to operate your skid-steer if the tires are in bad condition, because a tire blowout can cause serious injuries on a worksite.

Do Monthly Checks

In addition to your daily inspections, certain tasks need to be performed on a monthly basis. For example, all of the fluids will generally need replacing every 250 operating hours, but your particular model’s needs may vary. The hydraulic fuel filter needs to be changed every 500 operating hours. Check your owner’s manual to see when oil changes and so forth are recommended.

Use Your Skid Loader With Care

Finally, it’s important that you use caution when operating your skid-steer loader so as not to overtax it or force it to operate beyond its capacity. Stick within the operating limits recommended by the owner’s manual so that you don’t break your machine by using it too roughly.

It’s also essential to make sure that you’re using the proper skid-steer for the task at hand, and that your model is equipped with the right tires for the work you want to do. Follow essential safety protocols around your machine’s use as well.

With regular care and attention, your skid-steer loader should be able to provide you with reliable performance for every task you need it to complete. We hope this guide has helped you to understand what tasks need to be completed and when to do them. Still in search of the perfect skid-steer loader for your business? Check out our website to take a look at our inventory of skid loaders for sale. Arizona Tractor Sales proudly serves all of the western United States.