Manufacturers are improving the productivity of skid steers – keeping them on the job site by reducing the time and effort of maintenance – through education, improved design for serviceability and innovations that increase maintenance intervals. All skid steer loader manufacturers offer their owners an operator’s manual that contains information not only on the unit’s operation, but its proper maintenance as well. For instance, Gehl’s manual has what the company calls an extensive section on service so that customers can follow appropriate procedures for maintenance checks, adjustments and lubrication. Many manuals, including Gehl’s, also feature a chart of maintenance schedules that show the time intervals for proper maintenance, typically 10, 250 and 500 hours. According to Diane M. Colsanti, of J. Fitzgerald Group for Thomas Equipment, Thomas also custom tailors maintenance schedules for units used in recycling, demolition and other severe applications. To further educate their dealers on the maintenance of their skid steers, many manufacturers invite dealers to attend company-sponsored service schools on a regular basis. At Gehl’s schools, technicians are brought up to date on current maintenance and service procedures, as well as the latest changes to its products. By attending these training sessions, dealer technicians can become certified by Gehl’s service support department. Thomas requires its dealers to participate in a weeklong service training seminar a minimum of once per year, either at their location or at the factory, according to Colsanti. These manufacturers also seem to agree that the most important procedures in maintaining a skid steer are to check engine oil and lubrication daily and test tire pressure regularly, depending on applications. According to Gehl, “the skid steer is powered by oil, it is imperative that operators ensure clean oil in the unit.” “A skid steer is a rigid frame machine and tire maintenance is important as well,” said Colsanti. So does this make skid steer maintenance any different from any other piece of construction equipment? According to Gehl, maintenance recommendations on the unit and engine are relatively similar in nature to other types of construction equipment. However, “skid steers are inherently difficult to service because they are very compact and often those items to be serviced are more difficult to get at than on larger pieces,” said Colsanti. With the progress of technology and design, though that phenomenon should begin to change. According to Trevor Jubenville, marketing manager of Ramrod, the fuel and hydraulic fluid tanks on the company’s skid steers swing out completely away from the machine, allowing full access to the engine, hydraulic drive system and the control valve systems. Other innovations being adopted by manufacturers include removable side panels, seats that flip up and entire boom and cab assemblies that lift away - all providing unobstructed access to engine, hydrostatic, driveline and transmission components without the use of tools. According to Caterpillar, the rear engine door on its models opens 90 degrees to expose the engine, which is mounted lengthwise on the frame for access to the front, left and right sides of the engine. Its radiator and hydraulic oil cooler assembly are mounted above the engine and tilt up and out of the way for further access to the engine compartment. The grill also can swing up to allow for cleaning of the cooling package. In addition, Caterpillar uses site gauges to eliminate the removal of fill caps when checking coolant or hydraulic oil levels, and all filters are spin-type, mounted vertically for spill-free maintenance. Further improvements in components and fluids also have allowed manufacturers to extend maintenance intervals, which means skid steers are spending more time on the job site instead of having maintenance done. Caterpillar has extended oil change intervals to 500 hours for engine oil with standard equipment oil sampling ports and ecology drain valves. In fact, due to a host of improvements, many manufacturers have been able to extend standard lubrication intervals to 50 hours, instead of daily; engine oil and filter replacement to every 300 hours; and hydraulic system and filter replacement to every 600 hours.This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.
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