Salvage Wheel Skid Steers in New Zealand

Wheel skid steers (and track models) are invaluable on construction projects due to their excellent maneuverability and the versatility they offer for swapping out the front-end bucket for such attachments as augers, grapplers, breakers, forks, saws, and trenchers. Compared to tracked models, wheel skid steers are generally quieter, faster, and more fuel-efficient, but less-suited for rougher terrains.

The wheel skid steer’s history dates to the 1960s with the release of Melroe Manufacturing Company’s M-400, the world’s first four-wheel skid steer. The “skid steer” descriptor refers to the machine’s left and right wheels turning in sync, which causes the machine to “skid” and essentially rotate in place.

Skids steers can vary greatly in size, power, and operating weight. Bobcat’s S70, for example, is a 23.5 horsepower model with 1,270-kilogram operating weight and 9.8 km/h top speed, while its S850 is a 100 horsepower model with 4,650-kilogram operating weight and 19.8 km/h speed. Other top wheel skid steer manufacturers and brands include Caterpillar, John Deere, JCB, Volvo, Terex, Gehl, Hyundai, Kubota, and New Holland.

Recent innovations include JCB’s TeleSkid, a model with a telescopic boom, which enables the machine to dig roughly 1 metre below the chassis and reach 60% further forward and 8% higher than other models.