How To Operate A New Holland Skid Steer

A skid steer or skid steer loader is a four wheel drive machine with lift arms that can be used with a range of different attachments to push, excavate, carry and load materials.  New Holland skid steers are highly maneuverable, can work in compact spaces and can turn on their own footprint.  An important safety feature in most models is the fully enclosed cab to protect the driver from the moving lift arms that raise and lower on either side of the vehicle. 

New Holland skid steer loaders were first introduced in 1972 and have been going strong ever since, with over 200,000 units built.  New Holland skid steers models have lift capacities ranging from 600- 2800 pounds and have the advantage of a low center of gravity and long wheelbase for a smoother ride and lower tipping risk.  The operator’s cab has an overhead instrument panel and highly responsive controls.  Some of the newer models have superior lift arms (using a patented Super Boom design), which offer greater visibility at all points of the arc lift, better forward reach and lift height.

A wide variety of attachments can be used making the skid steer highly versatile. Attachments include the following: multi purpose buckets, pallet forks, backhoes, angle brooms, sweepers, mowers, snow blowers, spades, trenchers, tillers, angle blades, grapple forks, landscape rakes, stump grinders, vibrating compacters, forks, saws, graders, brooms, jackhammers, and even cement mixers - all powered by the loaders hydraulic systems. The skid steer attachments are added via a universal coupling system that allows for quick tool changes.

New Holland skid steers are lightweight, which allows them to be towed in a tandem trailer or even a quad trailer using a standard size pick up or large family care as the towing vehicle. Always check the width capacity of your trailer before towing, and for extra protection for your equipment, consider using an enclosed trailer.

First climb into the cab via the convex glass door that open to a comfortable 90 degrees and fasten your seatbelt. Start the engine and release the parking breaks. You should never operate the skid steer from outside the operator cab, or have any limbs protruding from it, as there is a real danger of trapping part of your body in moving parts of the vehicle, particularly the lift arms that pass either side of the cab. If you are operating a skid steer as part of your employment, remember that your employer has the responsibility to ensure that you are properly trained and certified. Refer any accidents, however minor to a work injury attorney. 

Much of the steering and work is done by using the two instant response joy sticks: The left one controls the wheels for steering and direction and the right joystick controls the hydraulic arms and attachment tilt. The machine is diesel powered with the output of the engine powering two hydraulic motors, one for each side of the vehicle.

Working the left hand joystick to control steering and direction

If you plan to move the vehicle forward and to the left, you'll need to push the joystick forward and move it to the left. Moving the joystick to the left effectively slows the left wheels, which results in a turn. To turn or pivot the machine over its own footprint, keep the joystick in the center and push it to the right or left (without moving the joystick forward).

Controlling the lift arms and tilt with the right joystick

Pushing the joystick forward lowers the lift arms and pulling it back lifts the arms. If you have a bucket attachment on the loader, you can tilt it up by pushing to the left or cause it to dump its load by nudging the joystick to the right. The lifts arms are connected to the rear of the machine behind the cab. They are designed to sit close to the sides of the cab for extra stability.

This video shows a super boom on a New Holland 1999 LX 665 skid steer loader.  The reach and height is very impressive is indeed.