Tips for the Proper Operation of a Skid-Steer and for Ensuring Operator Safety
The versatility of a skid-steer and its multiple attachments plays a critical role in getting the job done right and on time. And because such efficiency is a key to success for any contractor, there are often high demands placed on these machines and their operators.
However, contractors must also keep in mind the importance of prioritizing safety above all else; this embodies safeguards for their crews, their equipment, the operators of that equipment (e.g.: skid-steers), and any bystanders, as well as the protection of property on or adjacent to their job sites. In addition to the obvious reasons of avoiding serious personal injuries and property damage, an emphasis on safety can have a positive effect on productivity, and therefore on revenues.
Along with assigning precedence to safety considerations, the responsibility falls squarely on the owners and operators of the skid-steers to make sure that the correct procedures are understood, put into effect, and applied consistently. With this in mind, the compact equipment specialists at Tag Equipment in Stouffville, Ontario, suppliers of high-quality skid-steer rubber tracks and attachments, offer the following suggestions for the proper operation of a skid-steer and for ensuring skid-steer operator safety:
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Skid-Steer Safety Measures
- Travel up and down slopes in a direct fashion, not at an angle
- Negotiate slopes at the slowest speed possible; limit the load size
- Use only manufacturer-approved attachments for a specific skid-steer
- Do not modify, bypass, override, or disable any skid-steer safety systems
- Ensure that attachments are properly connected to the skid-steer’s coupler
- If lift-arms require maintenance, secure them in place with lift-arm supports
- Never allow extra riders in the skid-steer cab, in its bucket, or on attachments
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Skid-Steer Operator Safety
- Thoroughly review the operating and maintenance manual
- Do not operate a skid-steer without securing the safety belt
- Get familiar with all controls and switches for the specific model
- Do a visual scan before turning the skid-steer or moving its bucket
- Pre-inspect the terrain, grade, and job site conditions before operation
- Know the rated operating capacity to keep rubber tracks on the ground
- Perform maintenance when skid-steer has fully cooled (or prior to a shift)
- Always lower skid-steer buckets/attachments so they lie flat on the ground
- Do not attempt to access/activate controls from outside the operator’s area
- When engine is on, keep body parts inside cab; do not leave operator’s seat
Indeed, efficiency and productivity are important for any contractor from the standpoint of revenues gained or jobs lost. But the cost of foregoing safety for the sake of getting a job done can be immense, particularly in relation to the operation of any skid-steers and to the people who operate them on a daily basis.
An Extensive Inventory of Rubber Tracks and Attachments for Your Skid-Steer
Part of a contractor’s overall skid-steer safety practices should include the installation of the right rubber tracks for their specific model. In the same manner that quality tires on a car/truck will deliver a longer operating life, superior performance, and better safety for the occupants, skid-steer rubber tracks must endure the demands of daily use while providing the efficiency and operator safeguards needed for the type of job and terrain.
Tag Equipment offers high-quality rubber tracks, plus a broad selection of attachments, for sale to fit all makes and models of skid-steers, including:
- Bobcat
- Case
- Caterpillar
- Gehl
- John Deere
- Kubota
- New Holland
- Takeuchi
- Terex
- Volvo
- Yanmar
A sampling of the extensive inventory available from the professionals at Tag Equipment consists of the following:
- Skid-Steer Rubber Tracks
- Compact Track Loaders – Camso CTL SD and Camso CTL HXD
- Multi-Terrain Loaders – Camso MTL SD and Camso MTL HXD
- Mini-Excavators – Camso MX SD and Camso MX HXD
- Carrier/Dumpers – Camso Carrier HXD
- Skid-Steer Attachments
- Buckets – High-Volume Snow, Utility and Scrap Grapple, and Slab Lifter
- Snow Removal Attachments – Snow Pushers, Snow Blades, Snow Wings
- Pallet Forks – Light-Duty (Mini-Fork) and Heavy-Duty (various capacities)
To learn more about any/all of these skid-steer rubber tracks or attachments, please visit our website or click on the respective links noted above.
Purchasing high-quality rubber tracks and attachments can maximize operator efficiency and safety with your skid-steers, excavators, and mini-excavators. Call the compact equipment experts at Tag Equipment today at 647-559-3703 to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives and discuss which rubber tracks and attachments are right for your specific makes and models.