Purchasing a skid steer can be quite expensive, but it will save you a lot of time in the long run. The best thing about a skid steer is that it saves you a ton of time in landscaping projects. On top of that, you won’t have to spend thousands of dollars on hiring professional contractors to get through a landscaping project. So, if you’re struggling with managing the landscape of your farm, it might just be the perfect purchase for you.
With that said, there have been many questions on Radial and Vertical Lift skid steer. If you’re also confused between these two options, then the following information should help you with a better perspective.
Radial Lift Skid Steer vs Vertical Lift Skid Steer
Radial Lift Skid Steer
It is one of the standard options used by many farmers for excavation projects. The geometry involved in this unit is rather straightforward and doesn’t follow any complex patterns for the hydraulic arms. In terms of functionality, it is one of the better options for users that need something for heavy digging. So, if you’re in the same boat, going with the radial-lift skid steer can save you some money when you compare the price with a vertical lift skid steer.
There are a ton of differences between the Radial and Vertical lift skid steer when you compare them side by side. The first difference you’ll notice is the geometry of the skid steers lifting arms and the basic design. There are fewer pivot points in this machine, and you’ll easily get through the maintenance cycle of this machine. With that said, the lifting arms on the radial-lift skid steer follow a curved path as they lift the load from the ground.
Aside from these differences in the functionality of the unit, you’ll find skid steers to be better suited for more demanding jobs. The lifting arms are just perfect for lifting anything that is below the roof of the skid steer chamber. Users enjoy better visibility in this unit, and it also brings a cheaper price tag to their farm.
All in all, Radial lift skid steers are simpler variants that better suit excavation jobs where you don’t have to lift anything above the skid steer roof. These are easier to handle and are more durable when you compare them with similar Vertical lift skid steer models. So, keep that information in mind as you decide which skid steer will better suit your project.
Vertical Lift Skid Steer
In terms of pricing, you’ll have to set aside a substantial budget to include this skid steer in your setup. It is likely you’ll be paying a few thousand on top of the price of the radial-lift skid steer to include this skid steer in your system. Even though the build quality on this unit is almost similar to the radial-lift skid steer, you’ll often find users struggling with the maintenance of this unit. So, you’ll have to put in more hours to get good performance from the skid steer.
In comparison to the curved path followed by the lift arms in radial-lift skid steer, this model follows an S-shaped path to lift the load over the roof of the skid steer. The complex lifting mechanism makes it easier for users to manage situations where you need to get the load to a higher position. So, if your project involves this kind of work, then going with a vertical lift skid steer is your best bet.
With that said, there is no perfect model that will fit every project. So, you’ll have to carefully consider the project requirements to make the best purchase decision. If you’re confused about the type of work involved in the project, then make sure to involve experts to avoid wasting money on a unit that won’t work well on your farm.
All in all, Vertical lift and radial-lift skid steers are quite different and bring unique use cases to your setup. The best thing about the radial-lift skid steer is that it is affordable and easier to manage. On the other hand, you can’t really do any pallet work with a radial skid steer, and you’ll have to rely on a vertical lift skid steer for better working efficiency.