From larger, scattered amenities to confined spaces and smaller crew sizes, the challenges that jobsites present today – whether commercial, residential or municipal – are evolving. And as new challenges take new shapes, the need for a multi-purpose machine that’s adaptable for everyone from forestry industry professionals to homeowners working on landscape projects grows.
This makes finding the right machinery to safely get the job done on time and on budget more important than ever. When looking for a versatile machine to handle the broad range of landscape, hardscape, tree care and other jobs that were previously handled either through manual labor or compact track loaders (CTLs), the stand-on skid steer can be your new go-to machine.
Whether you call it a compact tool carrier (CTC) or a stand-on skid steer, there are several reasons why these machines are becoming an increasingly population choice on the jobsite.
Versatility
Attachments on the stand-on skid steer are abundant. Instead of relying on multiple machines to finish a job, operators can add attachments as needed to trench, plow, backfill, auger and more. For example, Rogue Tree Solutions used various bucket attachments with the Ditch Witch SK1050 stand-on skid steer at a jobsite to scoop tree stump grindings, load them into a dump trailer and fill the hole with soil. They also used a fork and grapple attachment to help relieve employees of moving materials manually. By customizing the stand-on skid steer with different attachments, jobs become less labor intensive and productivity improves.
Visibility and Accessibility
Climbing over attachments to get in and out of a CTL cab can be a hassle. When using a stand-on skid steer, that problem is completely removed. Operators can easily step on and off the platform located on the back on the machine, that also provides a 360-degree view of the jobsite. The operator’s point of view reduces blind spots and provides great visibility of both the equipment and jobsite. This increases efficiencies by removing any guesswork. Think of how helpful backup cameras are in vehicles – the stand-on skid steer allows for that level of visibility by eliminating the cab altogether.
Convenience
Stand-on skid steers are much lighter than CTLs, making transportation of the machines easier. Most stand-on skid steers fit on the back of a traditional trailer and may not require a commercial driver’s license. These machines are also very appealing for homeowner renters, as the user-friendly controls accommodate operators of all skill levels. Additionally, stand-on skid steers take up less space than CTLs, making them a better choice for tighter, more compact jobsites, like a backyard. Plus, their lift capacity isn’t compromised; the machines have expanded in size, and now, certain models can lift large piles of sod or fallen trees.
As capabilities and benefits of the stand-on skid steer continue to evolve and expand across industries and jobsite categories, it’s easy to understand how this type of machinery is growing in market share.
Chris Thompson is the product manager for compact equipment at Ditch Witch. For more information on stand-on skid steers and their benefits, click here.
