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Radial lift skid steer
is ideal when digging
and lifting material at
50% of the maximum
lift height
The tools
required for an
application often
have an influence
on the machine
configuration
Vertical lift loader
is ideal for lifting at
maximum height with
forward reach as a key
component
Tyre wear is an area
where there has been a
lot of concern when it
comes to skid steers
Site specific safety
requirements are an important
consideration in any buying
decision
one identifies the need to have a skid
steer loader on site, an important primary
consideration would be to consider what
the primary function of the loader is. “This
will inform the process of fine-tuning
the short-term and possible long-term
considerations,” says Stansfield.
Lift type
Lift type – radial or vertical – is a key focus
area when looking to specify a right skid
steer loader for the right job. Rengaraju
reiterates that the choice of lift type is
also application driven. “The terms radial
and vertical indicate the path the loader
arm end follows when going up and down
in the lift cycle,” says Rengaraju. “A radial
lift machine has a lower weight and lower
cost than a vertical lift model of a similar
configuration.”
Rengaraju adds that radial lift provides
a compact and simple linkage design with
good reach at mid-lift heights, and is
ideal for tasks such as loading/unloading
pallets from flatbed trucks with a pallet
fork attachment or for drilling holes with
an auger, for example. In a nutshell radial
lift machines offer good performance in a
range of applications, including digging,
dozing and/or finishing grading/backfilling.
A vertical lift design delivers higher
lifting heights and extended reach at the
top portion of the lift cycle, while preserving
the excellent mid-lift reach found on
radial lift machines, explains Rengaraju.
“Materials handling, truck loading, digging
and stockpiling, are just a few examples of
applications where a vertical shift machine
excels,” says Rengeraju.
Caterpillar is said to be the only
manufacturer to offer a piece
sealed/pressurised cab that offers
advantages from a comfort, health
and service perspective.
“A radial lift machine has a
lower weight and lower cost
than a vertical lift model of
similar configuration.”
CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2017
25