{ "type": "article-standard", "settings": {}, "author": "Simon Blackburn", "blog_id": "", "body_html": "", "created_at": "25.10.2022", "content": "<h4 class="mt-0">Wait, what is a Skid Steer again?</h4> <p>If you're entirely new here or have mysteriously forgotten since our previous blogs, let's clarify what a skid steer is. Many people call all skid steers bobcats even though it's just a brand name for skid steers! It may help by telling you that it's just a bobcat. </p> <p>But if that still doesn't help, a skid steer is a machine often used in landscaping, construction, and agriculture for digging. They're light and small, making them easy to manoeuvre, but only when travelling forwards and backwards. It can be a little trickier when attempting to turn, and this is how they got their name.</p> <p>The only way to turn a skid steer is to increase speed on a single side which makes the wheels or tracks on that side skid and turn the machine, hence skid steer.</p> <h4>Can a Skid Steer go down slopes?</h4> <p>Simply put… preferably no.</p> <p>But if necessary, yes.</p> <h4>How steep can a Skid Steer go down a slope?</h4> <p>Great question. The safe answer is to check your operator's manual. But if we want to generalise, it's typically limited to 30 degrees or a little steeper than a 2:1 slope.</p> <h4>Any tips if it does have to go down a slope?</h4> <p>If you do need to manoeuvre your skid steer down a slope of no more than 30 degrees, then there are a few things you should note beforehand.</p> <ul> <li><strong> Keep the heavy end pointed uphill</strong></li> <ul> <li>If the bucket is empty, then this is the back of the machine, but if the bucket is full, this is the front of the machine.</li> </ul> <li><strong> Don't go too fast</strong></li> <ul> <li>Speed is important to control the movement of the machine, so stick to a safe pace for the conditions and try to keep it smooth, avoiding any sudden jerks</li> </ul> <li><strong> Attachments</strong></li> <ul> <li>Consider whether the slope is manageable depending on the attachment. Different attachments impact the machine's centre of gravity and manoeuvrability</li> </ul> <li><strong> Experience</strong></li> <ul> <li>Pretty simple, but have the operator most experienced with the machine take over as they'll understand the unique quirks of the machine itself and its capabilities</li> </ul> </ul> One final point… be sure to do a safety check on the machine before completing any risky movement for both the safety of the operator and the machine as you don't want to do any unnecessary damage to it due to a little wear and tear issue that wasn't picked up!", "excerpt": "<meta charset="utf-8"><span>If you do need to manoeuvre your skid steer down a slope of no more than 30 degrees, then there are a few things you should note beforehand.</span>", "excerpt_or_content": "<meta charset="utf-8"><span>If you do need to manoeuvre your skid steer down a slope of no more than 30 degrees, then there are a few things you should note beforehand.</span>", "handle": "the-himac-herald/how-steep-can-a-skid-steer-go", "id": "559312470198", "image": { "alt": "How Steep Can a Skid Steer Go?", "src": "//himac.com.au/cdn/shop/articles/himac-attachments-blog-how-steep-can-a-skid-steer-go_1x1.jpg?v=1666669224" }, "published_at": "28.09.2022", "summary_html": "", "tags": [ "construction equipment", "earthmoving equipment", "operation", "safety", "skid steer" ], "template_suffix": "", "title": "How Steep Can a Skid Steer Go?", "updated_at": "2022-10-25 11:40:24 +0800", "user_id": "", "next_article": "", "previous_article": "" }