Skid loaders may be the most trusted piece of equipment for work around the yard. Because of their relative light weight you?EUR??,,????'???ve towed them with your pickup-truck to-and-from job sites. You?EUR??,,????'???ve used them to do everything from earth moving to demolition, and while some models can be huge, when you think of skid loaders you think small, versatile, and maneuverable. With a wide array of attachments and the ability to operate in tight spaces their flexibility makes them irreplaceable. But when it comes down to shelling out the cash for one of these workhorses, load capacity usually is the deciding factor. With that in mind we?EUR??,,????'???ve ranked these skid loaders by how much they can haul.

Volvo Construction Equipment

Model Number: L20B
Horsepower: 54 HP
Net SAE Load Capacity: 7,055 lbs.
Dimensions: 98?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? height by 200?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? length by 68?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? width
Maximum Speed: 12.4 mph
Attachments: Over 60 plus
Special Features: Separate working and steering hydraulics, 100 percent front and rear differential locks, center point articulation oscillation joint, 100 hour oil change intervals, same oil in hydraulics and engine, easy ground level servicing.
Warranty: Many different types
Cost: Average of $54,000

Manitou

Model number: SLT 415 B
Horsepower: 52 HP
SAE load capacity: 3,000 lbs.
Dimensions: 75?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? height by 124?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? length by 66?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? width
Maximum speed: 8 mph
Attachments: All skid steer attachments
Special features: Manitou patented JSM joystick
Warranty: One year full
Cost: List $57,450
Information Request # 901

Ramrod

Model Number: Taskmaster Mini-Skid loader 1150
Horsepower: 27 HP
SAE Load Capacity: 2,300 lbs.
Dimensions: 87.8?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? height by 80.4?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? length by 43.5?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? width.
Maximum Speed: 3.5 mph
Attachments: More than 50 Quick-on, Quick-off attachments available.
Special Features: Compact body style provides unobstructed view of attachment and work area; patented high torque hydraulic drive system provides 1,600 lbs. of tractive power.
Warranty: Three year structural machine, two year engine, one year all other components.
Cost: $22,772 for gasoline, $26,201 for diesel.

New Holland

Model Number: SuperBoom?EUR??,,????< Horsepower: 81 HP
SAE Load Capacity: 2,800 lbs.
Dimensions: 79.6?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? height by 145.7?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? length with bucket by 71.25?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? width
Attachments: Superior visibility, more lift capacity, better stability, and better dump height and reach.
Special Features: Suitable for multiple the applications including landscaping, construction, demolition and farming.
Warranty: One year with unlimited hours
Cost: Base list price of $36,812

Caterpillar

Model Number: 226B
Horsepower: 57 HP
SAE Load Capacity: 1,500 lbs. rated operating capacity, 3,000 lb. tipping load
Dimensions: 146?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? height by 99?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? length without bucket by 60?EUR??,,????'?? width over tires
Maximum Speed: 6.9 mph (forward and reverse)
Attachments: Augers, backhoes, blades, brooms, brushcutters, buckets, cold planers, hammers, landscape rakes, landscape tillers, material handling arms, pallet forks, power box rakes, stump grinders, trenchers, vibratory drum compactors, wheel saws.
Special Features: Also available with high hydraulic flow
Warranty: Standard Manufacturer?EUR??,,????'???s Warranty 1 year/1,500 hrs.
Cost: Base machine MSRP $27,520

Mustang

Model Number: 2044
Horsepower: 49.5 HP
SAE Load Capacity: 1,450 lbs.
Dimensions: 77.7?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? height by 122.5?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? length by 67?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? width
Maximum Speed: 7 mph
Attachments: Two additional control options: dual lever with foot controls and T-bar with foot controls.
Special Features: Re-engineered ROPS/FOPS enclosure includes a larger rear window and a redesigned side screen, providing enhanced panoramic views of the job site. Visibility is also enhanced by new exterior, halogen lighting.
Warranty: 12 months/1,000 hours
Cost: $23,500

Compact Power

Model Number: 526 DX
Horsepower: 26.1 HP
SAE Load Capacity: Operating capacity (at 50 percent of tip load) 1,050 lbs.; tip capacity 2,100 lbs.
Dimensions: 54?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? height by 77?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? length without bucket, 96?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? with bucket by 43.5?EUR??,,????'?? fully extended width, 35?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? fully retracted
Maximum Speed: 3.7 mph
Attachments: Trenchers, standard buckets, 4-in-1 buckets, auger power heads and bits, adjustable forks, carry all/levelers, angling blades, landscape power rakes and many more.
Special Features: Boxer offers an integrated track-widening system. The variable track offers a fully extended width of 43.5?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? and a retracted width of 35?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'???.
Warranty: one-year warranty
Cost: About $23,000

Case

Model Number: 465

Power Points

16 to 110: Range of engine horsepower that can be found on skid loaders on the market today.

7,000 to 45,000 : Amount, in dollars, that contractors can expect to pay to purchase a skid loader.

Source: www.compactequip.com