How to pick the right skid steer for your project

Projects require a range of different plant and equipment items depending on the work that needs to be completed. Skid steer hire can be complicated if you aren't sure what specifications are right for your project. Understand what to look for when choosing a skid steer to ensure work is completed efficiently and effectively. 

Who better to learn from than a skid steer supplier!? We caught up with Brancatella Plant Hire to get the insider scoop on skid steer hire. Brancatella Plant Hire was first established in 1973 and has been involved in a range of projects throughout Queensland, specialising in civil contracting, plant hire, bulk earthworks and haulage.

What would you say is the most commonly used skid steer? 

When customers hire from our fleet, the most commonly requested skid steer would be the Toyota SDK8. This model is so popular due to its durability and reliability. However there is a large range of brands and models available in the marketplace. 

What work is a skid steer used for?

Skid steers are used for carting, loading or spreading material on site. They are used anywhere, from small domestic projects such as driveway cuts to larger commercial projects. Skid steers are used to move materials around site such as gravel, to prepare areas for concrete in order to pour footpaths, slabs etc. Often they work along side other machines like excavators for trenching services. 

What licenses are required for operating a skid steer?

An LS - Skid Steer Loader license class is required to operate this machine. 

What is the typical hire cost?

Typically skid steers are hired on an hourly rate basis with a truck, delivering the plant to site.The truck may also be used for moving materials on, around and off site. The going rate is approximately $95/hr + gst plus 1hr travel. They can also be hired as part of an excavator combo where the rates vary depending on the size of the excavator being hired. 

In order to further improve your skid steers hire decision we've listed two hot tips! Combining Brancatella Plant Hire's expert opinion and these tips you should be on the right track to making a confident hire decision. 

1. Frame size 

Selecting the wrong size skid steer for the work at hand is one of the most common mistakes made by people hiring equipment. Small Skid steers are to be used in confined spaces and larger machines in open areas. Forcing the skid steer to operate on a site which is not the right size will make you less productive. 

2. Radial or vertical lift type

The lift type of the skid steer is dependent on what you'll be using it for, this option is very job specific. If working on ground level, a lot of contractors choose radial lift as these tend to have better visibility and a slightly longer forward reach. Radial lift machines are usually better suited to projects where most of the work is digging ground. Whereas if you were predominantly using the skid steer for lift-and-place applications then a vertical lift machine might be the better options. Vertical lift skid steers usually have a higher rated operating capacity due to the way they're structured, being better suited to lifting heavy loads higher. 

Whether you're hiring plant and equipment or your're a supplier, it's important to understand what factors make mobile plant compliant for onsite use. Use this free checklist as a guide to help ensure the plant you're using onsite meets all required standards to be confirmed for work.