Steered for Success

Skid-steer loaders are extremely versatile pieces of equipment used in material handling applications across a range of industries, including recycling, construction, demolition, warehousing and excavation, among many others.

According to Kelly Moore, product manager of skid-steer loaders for Gehl Co., based in West Bend, Wis., the array of attachments available for use with skid-steer loaders enables the machines to be widely used across several industries.

"They are a multi-purpose machine, not just with a bucket, fork or grapple that would be used in recycling applications," Moore says. "There are literally hundreds and maybe even thousands of attachments that can be placed on a skid-steer. As a result, skid-steers can be used, and naturally are used in all types of applications, which includes recycling."

While skid-steer loaders are used across a variety of applications, the conditions in which these machines are employed are often very different in terms of the harshness of the environment and the types of materials being handled.

"Recycling applications for skid-steer loaders are extremely rugged applications in terms of underfoot conditions, hazardous operating surroundings, difficult material handling demands and high levels of traffic within the operating circle," says Walter Reeves, segment manager of demolition and material handling for Volvo Construction Equipment Inc., Ashville, N.C.

Although all recycling applications are considered rugged, the materials handled by skid-steer loaders often dictate just how demanding a given application may be.

"Any type of recycling work with a skid-steer loader is pretty rugged," says Moore. "If you are working with plastic or aluminum, naturally that’s a less-rugged application because the material is lighter. If you get into paper, it gets a little heavier and then, of course, when you get into ferrous and scrap metals, that’s where it becomes most rugged."

Because of the harsh working conditions present in recycling facilities, skid-steer loader operators would be wise to consider adding enhancements to the equipment for increased durability and to ensure a rigid maintenance schedule to maximize the life span of the equipment.

EQUIPMENT ENHANCEMENTS

Before buying a skid-steer loader for use at a material recovery facility (MRF) or other recycling facility, skid-steer loader manufacturers indicate that the machines can be equipped with special features to offset the extreme conditions in which they will be employed and to help maximize the life span of these machines.

Once an owner or operator of a recycling facility has purchased a skid-steer loader, paying close attention to a rigid maintenance schedule can help maximize the life of such a machine, particularly in demanding applications such as recycling.RETIRING EQUIPMENT

While operators and owners of recycling facilities can take measures to extend the longevity of their skid-steer loaders before buying the machines and after putting them into service, there comes a time when the machines have achieved their maximum productive use and should be retired.

The author is assistant editor of Recycling Today and can be contacted at zlloyd@gie.net.

According to Reeves, operators should look out for several signs that indicate a skid-steer loader is no longer operating efficiently, including "when the machine performance is seriously compromised, when normal fuel ‘burn’ rates have risen significantly and when repair incidents (over time) are much higher than the machine’s previous history."

If an operator begins to notice a decrease in the machine’s productivity, Moore says several options can be considered, including selling the machine, trading it in toward the purchase of a new machine or conducting an overhaul of the machine to extend its life span.

"The decision depends on the local dealer and the re-saleable condition," Moore says.

"The machine could be sold by the recycler. He could look at doing a trade-in to the dealership for a new one. Or if it’s going to be upgrading the machine, then it is an overhaul," he continues. "The engine is rebuilt and the hydraulics are rebuilt."

Moore says a recycler’s decision in this case can rest on the cost differential between the price to overhaul a skid-steer loader and the old machine’s trade-in value toward the purchase of a new skid steer.

"Proper maintenance in any given application becomes increasingly important as those applications become more demanding and have higher hour usage," says Todd Lynnes, product supervisor for skid-steer loaders for Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill. "The harsher the application the more frequently the ‘as required’ maintenance intervals become."

Moore adds that if recyclers keep good maintenance records and if the machine undergoes scheduled maintenance, including oil changes, filter changes, general checkups, cleaning and lubrication, then the skid-steer loader’s life will likely be extended.

Constant monitoring of the skid-steer loader’s cooling system is a vital maintenance concern, according to Zupancic. "Coolers should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis and, in some cases, may require regular maintenance several times per day depending on the application conditions," he says. "Skid-steers have several complex components that fit into a tight package that creates heat. Maintaining and cleaning the machine cooling package for optimal cooling capacity would be key in extending the overall life span in these harsher conditions."

Because recycling is a rugged environment for skid-steer loaders, Moore even suggests performing preventive maintenance before it is required by the maintenance schedule. "The more rugged the application, the more rigid maintenance must be adhered to and done even earlier," says Moore. "For example, if it says to change oil and filters at a given 250-hour interval, it would be in the best interest of the maintenance manger to change it earlier. Don’t wait until 250 every time. Do it at maybe 200 hours—use best judgment based on the application and the environment."

Preventive maintenance inlcudes simply visually examining the skid-steer loader before putting it into service on a given day. "Operators should always perform a visual inspection of their machines prior to operating in order to catch items that could cause damage to the machine, such as foreign material around the axles or cylinders, or could impact machine safety, such as cut tires, broken lights or loose or missing hardware," says Lynnes.

Zupancic recommends that operators consult the machine’s operating manuals to ensure that a routine maintenance schedule is enforced. "This will provide maximum life performance and help limit downtime," he says.

Additionally, Lynnes says many equipment dealers can provide a skid-steer owner with maintenance training or will offer a customer support agreement that may include services ranging from scheduled maintenance to total machine care.