Your Skid-Steer Loader Buying Guide
One of the most useful pieces of construction equipment you can buy is a skid-steer loader. Skid steers have proven useful in many different applications, from road construction to building construction, and they’re even more versatile when you add different attachments to them. Shopping for a skid steer can be challenging, though, if you don’t know what to look for or where to begin.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. FMI Equipment in Spokane Valley is your eastern Washington State skid-steer loader dealer. Here are some things to take into consideration when shopping for a skid steer for your work.
Determine Your Budget
First, think about how much money you can afford to spend on a skid steer loader. Don’t forget that you’re not just looking at the sticker price: you also have to think about maintenance costs, insurance, storage and fuel costs as well. If you’re looking for a way to save some money, you can investigate used skid steers, because these machines are extremely hardy and designed to last for many years, so a used skid steer will have plenty of life left in it for your work.
Think About Size
How large and how powerful your skid steer needs to be will depend on a few different factors. Is your work site full of challenging obstacles that a large machine would struggle to get around? Then you need a smaller skid-steer loader that is more agile and capable of navigating tight spaces. The lift height is also impacted by the size and horsepower of your skid steer, so if you need the lift higher, you may need a more powerful machine. You’ll also want to think about how you’ll transport your skid steer to the work site because that can impact the size you end up with, too.
Consider Comfort
As the operator of your skid steer, it’s important that you’re comfortable while you work. More comfort will help to boost your productivity so that you can work for longer without fatigue or pain setting in. There are a number of features that can help to make your skid-steer loader more comfortable, including adjustable seats so that you aren’t hunched over and you can easily reach the controls. You can also look into climate-control options in enclosed cabs to help you work more easily in adverse weather conditions.
When you’re ready to shop new and used skid steers in eastern Washington, visit our dealership in Spokane Valley, WA, to check out what we have available. Talk to our sales team if you’d like to use our financing options on your skid-steer loader purchase. FMI Equipment proudly serves greater Spokane, WA, and Coeur d'Alene, ID.