Material Handling Supplement -- Overworked but not Underappreciated

Versatility and ruggedness are two of the reasons why skid steers continue to be seen at scrap yards, MRFs and demolition sites. Able to maneuver in cramped areas as well as lift large quantities of materials, skid steers are powerful machines that can do work comparable to that of wheel loaders, but can also offer user more benefits and functions.

“Skid steer loaders are growing in use in any type of recycling application,” says Kelly Moore, product manager for Gehl Corp., West Bend, Wisc., “whether scrap, glass or cardboard. A skid loader with industrial tires and a grapple bucket is a good working machine in that environment.”

Skid steer loaders are machines that can get the job done and get it done efficiently, according to skid steer advocates. “When it comes to making fast, easy work of all kinds of recycling jobs, it’s tough to beat a skid steer loader,” says Lynn Roesler, skid steer loader product manager with Melroe/Bobcat, Fargo, N.D. “These versatile machines can handle an astonishing range of tasks.”

Skid steers provide both efficiency and value, says Louis Scheidt, senior marketing engineer for skid steers for Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill.  “I think the price value ultimately makes skid steers popular,” he says. “Skid steer loaders are an extremely good value for their money and are easy to operate.”

STAYING NIMBLE

One of the reasons why skid steer loaders are a popular choice of equipment for recyclers is their compact size. The versatility of the machine and the compactness of the skid steer compared to wheel loaders make the equipment a function choice, Moore says. “Skid steers can get into narrow aisles more readily,” he comments.

“I think the versatility of the machine is valuable, and that the skid steer is compact compared to the wheel loader,” says Moore. “The loaders are able to be equipped with solid tires … and we have an industrial bucket with a pair of grapples and a super heavy bucket and the customer can pick up varying types of materials and get productivity.” 

Known not only for productivity but for power as well, skid steers can be seen as smartly-packaged powerhouses in the recycling industry. “They are powerful machines in compact packages,” says Lee Callaway, product manager for Case Corp., Racine, Wisc. “They are able to do the work of a bigger machine but at the same time they are capable of actually getting through a doorway and getting inside a building. Besides moving the material, the operator can set the bucket down and pick up a broom and pick up the sediment from the move.” The strength, size and versatility of skid steers make them a popular equipment choice, he says.

ATTACHMENTS OFFER VERSATILITY

A number of attachments are available for skid steers, ranging from buckets to brooms to forks. The interchangeability of attachments means the skid steer can tackle jobs that would have to be completed by multiple machines and accomplished them single-handedly. “Rather than having a wheel loader, you’ve got a wheel loader, a tool carrier and maybe a hydraulic hammer all rolled into one package,” Callaway says.

Scrap grapples, buckets, hydraulic shears and forks are some of the attachments most commonly found at scrap yards. The hydraulic grapple is a functional choice because the grapple has the ability to open and close and allows the operator to grasp things. 

Moore recommends that skid steers in recycling applications include a bucket as an attachment option. “It can grab materials and is very ruggedly built for hard usage,” he says. Other pieces commonly used in recycling applications are pallet forks, brooms and sometimes a hydraulic breaker. And if it is not affordable for a company to buy all of these attachments, often times they can be rented for use on a particular job that demands a specific attachment not commonly used by the company.

The machine’s ability to be the “jack of all trades” at the MRF or scrap yard makes it a functional and practical piece of machinery.

“Thanks to a variety of attachments, today’s skid steer loaders do far more than just ‘load’ material,” says Roesler. Skid steer makers and other manufacturers make dozens of attachments to choose from to use in a wide variety of applications. 

Attachments commonly used in a scrap yard are similar to those found in other segments of the recycling industry and can include forks and industrial grapples, along with material handling buckets. “Scrap yards are using industrial grapples because they have to handle material that doesn’t necessarily have defined shapes,” Scheidt says. “A grapple offers the ability to handle materials that are odd shaped.”

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MODEL

When choosing a skid steer, there are a number of factors that the user needs to consider, from how often the unit will be turning corners to what kind of materials will be handled. And when shopping for a skid steer, recyclers should look at all of the equipment offered by a variety of companies, advises Moore. “Take a look at a variety of machines out there,” he says. “Durability, lifting ability, serviceability, the company owner and maintenance people that have good access to take care of the machine are all important,” Moore adds.

How the machine is going to be used is also an important consideration. For instance, a machine that is making multiple hard, 180-degree turns needs to have a “robust loader arm design so they’re not stressing the frame,” says Callaway.

Often machines that are used in demolition are used differently than those in recycling applications. “If you look at your scrap yards, paper packing plants and demolition, those are all related but all uniquely different,” says Roesler. “If you look at a recycling facility, the hours of use are probably higher than in demolition. In the recycling environment you typically don’t handle huge loads … but generally find smaller units there because they are handling glass, plastics, aluminum cans and paper and the density of the material really doesn’t warrant a capacity of 1,750 or 2000 pounds. You want to move and move it quickly.”

That usage at a recycling facility can be contrasted with usage by demolition contractors. “Physically it takes longer to do their jobs because of the size of the project and job site conditions,” he continues. “They’ll typically use it for 750 to 1,000 hours a month in a much heavier duty type cycle. In demolition of existing buildings, sometimes the small size is an advantage.” Often when a machine is going to be purchased for use in demolition, durability is a big concern.

Other factors to take into consideration include the frame of the machine and the type of structure it has. Flag pins, grease fittings and gussets all need to be looked at for durability.

When a skid steer loader is going to be used in a demolition application, safety issues such as fly debris and material should be taken into account. An enclosed structure on the skid steer can help protect the operator from injury due to flying debris.

And when looking at how the machine will be used, features such as the type of lift path the skid steer loader has and the units carrying distance should be considered. “The type of lift path can affect the skid steer loader’s productivity on a particular job,” says Roesler. “Loaders with a radius lift path … offer the maximum reach in the middle part of the lift path. As a result, they’re better suited for lower or middle range work, such as loading low hoppers.” A skid steer loader with a high lift path can make the machine ideal for loading materials into trucks.

Lift path not only affects productivity but operating capacity as well. “For a given loader size, machines with a vertical lift path have a higher rated operating capacity than (another machine) with a radius lift path—even though both machines share the same engine with identical horsepower ratings,” Roesler says.

If a machine is being used to carry materials over a longer distance, features such a skid steer loader with an extended wheel base can make the unit ride more smoothly than machines with compact frame wheelbase, Roesler says.  

In addition to loader arm reach, tires are also an important part of the equipment to look at, Moore says. “There are a variety of tires out there today and a good tire would be non-pneumatic, solid heavy tires,” Moore recommends. “It could be a segmented tire or a solid tire. This gives the user more life and eliminates flats.”

Accessibility to work area and the physical components of the work area are also factors that need to be looked at. While skid steers are very maneuverable, they must still physically fit through doorways. The weight of the skid steer and the durability of the ground that it will be traveling on also should be researched. The ground the unit will be used on must be able to support the machine.

Travel speed is also another function that could increase productivity of an operation. Options like 2-speed control may be useful for some operators, as well as equipment with hand controls. Skid steers with hand controls make the unit easy to operate, Callaway says. “In a recycling operation it might be necessary to accelerate and decelerate as you turn corners and the throttle gives you the opportunity to vary travel speed,” Callaway says. “With foot controls you don’t get that option.”

Dump arm height is also a factor in a purchase. The arm height needs to be high enough to reach trucks. As well as dump arm height, bucket capacity is also important to consider. The ability for the bucket to be filled 100% each time and having a machine powerful enough to do so could be the difference between a productive yard and flailing yard. “Size and power are everything,” Callaway says.

Training programs that the manufacturer may offer are also something to be considered when making a skid steer purchase. Many manufacturers offer training courses for new operators and often times courses are offered for service technicians as well.

But, like in most industries, “recyclers are looking for low cost of long term ownership,” says Roesler, “reliable service, operator comfort, ease of maintenance and flexibility.”

KEEPING THINGS RUNNING

To keep a skid steer running in optimum condition, routine maintenance needs to be performed on the equipment, Callaway says. Routine oil and hydraulic fluid changes will help keep the skid steer running, as well as making sure the radiator is kept clean.

Also, watching the maintenance of the lubrication and filter intervals can help prolong the life of the machine, Moore says. “Using a skid steer in a recycling application is very hard on a machine,” he says. “Owners and operators have to be keen on watching the hour meter and following the maintenance schedule very carefully, sometimes even exceeding regular maintenance.”  

The life of the skid steer really depends on how hard the equipment is used and how well it is maintained. “It really depends on the hours of use and the severity of use, as well as the longevity of use,” Moore says. “I’ve heard of some machines needing replacement in three years, but and some others after ten years. The maintenance of the machines is what makes a difference.”

Proper maintenance of the skid steer is a contributing factor to the life of the machine. And having access to key components to perform that service can be even more important to the purchaser. “Ease of servicing plays a key role in maintaining top loader performance,” Roesler says. “Strong and timely dealer support goes a long way in minimizing skid steer loader downtime.”

Issues to consider when looking at maintaining a skid steer is how easy it is to perform regular maintenance rituals such as checking fluid levels and fluid quality. Components that are hard to get to can make regular maintenance of those areas difficult and could deter the owner from keeping up on them, thus inhibiting the skid steer’s performance.

Often the operator, it should be noted, has lot of effect on how long the skid steer loader will last. “Ultimately,” Scheidt says, “the thing that has the most effect are the operators themselves. It’s their technique, how they operate or finesse the machine, and how well the machine is maintained.”  The author is the Assistant Editor of Recycling Today.