Yes, skid steer is a profitable business and according to reports, the global skid steer loaders market size was valued at USD 2.15 billion in 2018 and is expected to register a revenue-based CAGR of 2.4 percent from 2019 to 2025.
Globally, around 42 thousand skid steers were sold in 2018 and the demand is expected to exceed 60 thousand units by 2025. Notably, this massive growth in the industry is attributed to the rise in the number of infrastructure projects worldwide.
Skid loaders are compact and can maneuver in tight spaces which help in construction activities where large vehicles cannot reach or are difficult to operate. Also, these loaders can be outfitted with different attachments such as forks, buckets, hydraulic hammers, auger, stump grinder, trencher, and landscape rake, depending upon the specific task to be performed.
Have it in mind that their ability to perform multiple tasks just by changing attachments has a positive impact on their adoption across industry verticals. Skid loaders are very popular in North America and are leveraged on a large scale in many construction and mining activities. However, the use of skid steers in other regions is still in the nascent stage.
The skid steer loaders market is expected to witness sustainable growth owing to technological advancements with respect to engines used, telematics integration, and operator comfort. For example, in October 2018, Bobcat announced the new S100E skid steer loader with stage V emission standard compatible engine.
The machine comes with a rear camera, auto ride control, cushioned cylinders, LED sidelights, heated cloth air seat, and auto-reversing fan among other prominent features. The advent of technologically advanced machines is expected to grow the demand for skid loaders.
Meanwhile, have it in mind that the demand for skid loaders is facing tough competition from the rising adoption of Compact Tracked Loaders (CTLs). According to reports, CTLs outsold skid steers in 2015. However, the growth of skid steers is expected to be steady over the forecast period due to better-operating costs.
Also, note that the total cost of ownership of skid loaders is less as compared to CTLs due to the high price associated with tracks. In addition, the CTLs are limited to sandy terrain and are more or less useless on concrete or asphalt surfaces. Therefore, the low cost of ownership and versatility of usage is expected to drive the skid steer loader market growth from 2019 – 2025.
10 Jobs You Can Do With Skid Steer to Make Money
In this age, skid steer loaders are popular pieces of heavy equipment that can do a lot more than just clean out barns. With a host of attachments to choose from, a skid steer loader can take on a long list of jobs in construction, landscaping, agriculture, and material handling. Here are some examples of jobs you can do with a skid steer to make money:
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Demolition
Note that Skid steers work great for both interior and exterior demolition projects. With demolition shears, your skid steer can be used to demolish flooring, concrete, drywall, and other materials. Owing to its compact size and precision, a skid steer is indeed valuable for demo projects in tight spaces, such as when you’re tearing down a house in a neighborhood with other houses nearby.
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Roadwork
These machines can also perform road building and maintenance tasks. You can attach a cement mixer or pavement miller to your skid steer and use other attachments for tasks like demolition, grading, paving, and patching.
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Snow and debris removal
Have it in mind that you can use the bucket attachment on your skid steer to clear snow and other debris, such as a brush. You can also get a snowblower or snow blade attachment if you use your skid steer for serious snow removal.
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Excavating, digging, and trenching
A skid steer is ideal for earthmoving tasks like digging, trenching, and excavating. Note there is a wide range of attachments you can use for these tasks, depending on your specific needs. Some examples include a backhoe, auger, trencher, and wheel saw. With the right attachment, a skid steer can dig anything from a whole foundation for a building to narrow portholes.
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Grading and backfilling
Also know that you can fill in holes, level out the ground, and aerate it with a skid steer. You can also use a bucket for these tasks, but a rake attachment or a grading bar works even better when you’re leveling. With these attachments, you can also scoop up rocks while you level the ground without leaving big trenches behind. Note that for work that is low to the ground, you can use a radial lift skid steer rather than a vertical lift.
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Loading
These multipurpose machines can help you carry equipment and materials around the job site using a bucket attachment. If you need to lift materials, you may want to consider a vertical lift rather than a radial lift skid steer since these models can lift heavier loads and achieve a higher reach.
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Mowing
With a rotary brush cutter, you can cut down tall grasses and other growth to efficiently clear an area. You may even be able to cut down some smaller trees. Since skid steers are zero-turn, they offer the precision you need for mowing but with more abilities than a typical riding mower.
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Landscaping
Good examples of landscaping tasks you can accomplish with a skid steer are grinding stumps, chipping wood, and tilling. You can even leverage a tiller attachment to help mix in compost or fertilizer into the soil. With a bucket, you can transport materials like gravel or mulch or landscaping tools you would otherwise have to push in a wheelbarrow.
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Agricultural work
Skid steers can also be very useful for farm work. You can use them for tilling and other tasks as already mentioned above. In addition, you can use a bucket attachment to clean out barns and stables. You can even purchase a bale attachment to move bales of hay — a task that can otherwise be labor-intensive for farmers.
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Material handling
Skid steers can also be used in a warehouse setting. With a fork attachment, you can move pallets and other materials. If you want a skid steer for lifting materials and placing them in a warehouse, you will want to opt for a vertical lift rather than a radial lift option.
Conclusion
A skid steer can be a very profitable piece of machinery. When you invest in a skid loader, you will have a valuable, versatile tool to use on your own property, and you will provide yourself with an independent means of earning a good income. When it comes right down to it, your time and skills are your most valuable assets.
The best ways to make money with a skid steer are small demo jobs, clearing snow, loading/unloading jobs, gardening jobs, grading work, renting it out, or even selling it entirely. You can even use a combination of these to make the most money with just a single skid steer.