Skid steer safety

Skid steers are a popular piece of equipment on farms and ranches. They’re very compact, designed to easily maneuver in tight spaces and will accommodate a variety of attachments. Operators may know how to safely run the machine but there are other factors that could increase the risk of someone getting hurt. They can misjudge their ability to stop or avoid a dangerous situation.

Aaron Yoder is an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health at the University of Nebraska. He says a lot of skid steer injuries happen to bystanders. 

"Other employees working around the machine and the operator’s focused on what they’re doing. They don’t see the people around them and because they do pivot and move around quickly, they can often times run people over," says Yoder. "So, making sure we keep people away from them, that’s the biggest one in my mind."  

Skid steers perform the best on a hard, packed surface that’s not concrete or pavement. Ice, mud, and slick work areas can limit traction and stability. The machines can tip over if they’re carrying loads that are heavier than what can be safely lifted. And since they’re so compact, their footprints are small which affects the center of gravity.

"Traditionally, they’re built with more weight on the back because that’s where the engine’s at. So, when we’re going over different terrain, one of the best mottos I’ve heard is you want the heavy end uphill," he says. "If there’s nothing in the bucket of a skid steer you’d want to back up into a trailer, up a hill. If there’s a load in the bucket then you probably want to go forward up the hill, or onto a trailer and that sort of thing."