How Do You Stop a Skid Steer?

Operating A Skid Steer

If you are wanting to learn how to properly and safely operate a skid steer loader, you will be required to successfully complete and pass a skid steer loader training course. Luckily for you, here at Hard Hat Training we have an OSHA Aligned Skid Steer Training available for purchase today. 

Once you have completed a safety course and have been certified, you will then need to participate in on-the-job training. This will enable you to better understand the machine you will be operating at work and make  you a safer and more efficient skid steer loader operator. 

Skid Steer Controls

If you’ve never used one before, learning how to operate a skid steer can be scary. This type of equipment is small but powerful, and it may weigh as much as a small vehicle. Its compact size makes it a popular choice for a range of operations, such as hauling materials or waste, digging up landscaping materials, or leveling and grading a piece of land.

Inspecting Your Controls

Inspecting your controls is critical. Every gauge, button, lever, pedal, and switch must function properly and be in good condition. If a control is damaged or malfunctioning, it should be repaired or replaced.

To put your controls to the test, start the engine with the emergency brake on and the transmission in neutral. Then you may test each function to ensure it is operating properly. Take note of any buttons that may be stuck or damaged, as well as any delays in movement. Also, keep an eye on the gasoline gauges.

Automatic Lockout System

Skid steers are equipped with an accessory or parking lockout mechanism that activates automatically when the engine is started. To begin operating the machine, you’ll need to find the buttons or toggles with lock symbols near the primary instrument panel. Before releasing the parking brake, make sure your seatbelt and overhead safety lock are in place.

The Different Types of Controls

To fulfill the growing demand for operator preferences, most skid steer loader manufacturers provide more than one form of control system. The skid steers you will be operating at your worksite may also vary when it comes to controls. If you are unsure what type of control system your machine will have, consult the operator manual or reach out to your employer to get clarification. The three types of skid steer and small track loader systems available today are as follows:

• Standard manual controls
• H-pattern controls
• ISO joystick controls

We will be going into detail about  these different types of controls throughout the next sections. 

Standard Manual Controls

Standard controls are still the most common among construction workers today. Many experienced operators prefer manual control systems since they were taught on them and have used them throughout their careers. The hydraulic lift and tilt features of the skid steer loader are controlled by dual foot pedals.

H-Pattern Controls

For fleet owners whose operators prefer hand controls, H-pattern controls are an option. Handles on the left and right steering levers pivot right and left for simple use and less operator strain.

Left Hand Control

The left handle controls the lift arms. Operators will have to move it left in order to raise the lift arms and right to lower them.

Right Hand Control

The right handle controls attachment tilt. Move it right to dump a bucket or tilt an attachment forward. Move it left to curl the attachment back.

Boom & Bucket Controls For Single Arm Skid Steers

If you are operating a skid steer that uses only one arm control for steering, the second arm control not used for driving is used to operate the bucket and the boom:

• To dig with or curl the bucket: move the arm control to the left
• To dump the bucket: move the arm control to the right
• To lower the boom: pull the arm control back
• To raise the boom: push the arm control forward

ISO-Pattern Joystick Controls

ISO-pattern joystick controls are a third loader control option that is becoming more popular with the arrival of newer skid steer operators.

All machine workgroup functions can be controlled with minimal effort using the electronic joysticks. Operators can conduct basic loader duties with more comfortable hand and wrist movements. Operators who use joystick controls rather than normal controls are less likely to be exhausted at the end of a lengthy workday.

The left joystick controls drive operations in the ISO pattern, while the right joystick controls lift and tilt functions. Forward and backward movement of the left joystick controls the loader’s left-side drive, while side-to-side movement controls lift in the H-pattern. The right joystick’s forward and backward movement controls the loader’s right-side drive, while side-to-side movement controls tilt.

Parking Brake

The skid steer loader does not have brakes, but when you stop using the controls, the machine will stop moving and return to neutral. However, skid steers have parking brakes. To avoid unintended rolling or movement, the parking brake is required.

Before operating the equipment, make sure you understand where the parking brake is and how it works. The parking brake, like the other controls, should be tested before use. Engage the parking brake and then attempt to drive ahead or backward.The machine should not move during this test; if it does, send it in for repairs.

Safely Mounting & Dismounting a Skid Steer

Aside from pre-operational tests and training, it is critical to understand how to safely access and depart from the machine. It may appear straightforward, yet injuries caused by mistakenly entering the equipment happen all the time.

When climbing on or off the machine, use the three-point contact method (footstep, handle, handle). Foot or hand controls should never be used as steps or handholds. Maintain clean handles and stairs, and exercise caution when the ground is muddy, damp, or icy.

Slowly swivel your body and ease backward into the cab. Position yourself comfortably to avoid harm or striking any controls by accident. Lower the restraint or lap bar and fasten your seatbelt.

Take the same measures when exiting. You must also ensure that the bucket or other attachment is flat on the ground, the parking brake is engaged, and the engine is switched off. Enter or exit the loader with the lift arms raised unless the lift arm support braces are engaged for maintenance.

Skid Steer Tires & Tracks

As stated earlier, skid steer loader tires are usually independent, however there are some skid steers with tires that are synchronized with one another. Often, they are air-filled; but, for extra stability, they are increasingly being filled with foam or liquid. Before changing tires, always consult the manufacturer.

Skid steer loaders manufactured with tracks are preferred over tires because of the stability and handling they offer the machine. However, tracks are more complex than the average tire and need extra care to keep the machine running at maximum efficiency and minimize any damage.

Skid Steer Equipment Safety Facts

Skid steers, like any other sort of heavy equipment, can be dangerous — even fatal — if proper safety precautions are not taken. Crushing and rollover incidents are the most common causes of skid steer injuries and deaths, and in most situations, they can be avoided. When operating a skid steer, keep these suggestions in mind and always consult your machine’s operating handbook for a more comprehensive description of safe operation methods:

• No one should be riding in the bucket of a skid steer
• No one should be riding in the cab of a skid steer with the operator, especially children
• Know your surroundings and keep bystanders at a safe distance
• You should check the stability of the grab handles every day
• If the bucket is carrying a load, avoid driving downhill

For skid steer training that meets OSHA Requirements visit our website.