SK500COMPACT TOOL CARRIER

stopimg title="keepCool_img1" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px solid; BORDER-LEFT: 0px solid; WIDTH: 260px; PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; HEIGHT: 195px; BORDER-TOP: 0px solid; align: left" alt="keepCool_img1" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/1_KeepCool_260x195(1).jpg" border="0" />Catastrophic tornadoes and floods have grabbed recent headlines, but each year one weather phenomenon kills more people than tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and lightning combined: heat.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an average of more than 1,500 people in the U.S. die each year from excessive heat—yet it is the most preventable of weather-related deaths.

If you work in construction, summer is one of your busiest times of the year because it’s typically the driest season and offers the most hours of daylight. But the sun providing all that productive daylight can be the biggest jobsite hazard you face all year. No matter how tough you are or how used to the heat you think you are, excessive heat can bring down anyone who doesn’t take the necessary precautions.

The following information applies to anyone who is employed in an outdoor profession—construction workers in particular—but also applies to those who work in hot factories and anyone who spends time outdoors exercising, gardening, or laboring in any capacity during the summer months. (This is general information. More specific information can be found in the sources cited below.)

Know Your Chemistry

Our bodies dissipate heat by varying the rate and depth of blood circulation, and by expelling water through the skin and sweat glands. When we reach the danger zone, when our blood is heated above 98.6 degrees, we begin to pant—we’re literally “working like a dog.”

Sweating alone does little to cool the body, unless the sweat is removed by evaporation. But high relative humidity inhibits evaporation. When you’re checking the forecast for tomorrow, pay close attention to the heat index: the combination of relative humidity and air temperature. For example, if the air temperature is 96° F and the relative humidity is 65 percent, the heat index is 121° F. This is the heat your body really feels.

Heat disorders involve a reduction or collapse of our bodies’ ability to shed heat by circulatory changes and sweating, or a chemical (salt) imbalance caused by too much sweating. When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, or when the body cannot compensate for fluids and salt lost through perspiration, the temperature of the body's inner core begins to rise, bringing on various degrees of heat-related illnesses.

stopimg title="keepCool_img2" style="padding-left: 20px;" align="right" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px solid; BORDER-LEFT: 0px solid; WIDTH: 260px; PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; HEIGHT: 195px; BORDER-TOP: 0px solid; align: right" alt="keepCool_img2" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/2_KeepCool_260x195.jpg" border="0" />Ranking Heat Disorders

The severity of heat disorders is relative to a person’s age, weight, fitness, medical condition, and degree of acclimatization to the heat. For example, heat cramps in a 17-year-old may translate as heat exhaustion in someone who is 40, and heat stroke in a person over 60. Common heat disorders include:

• Sunburn. Along with being painful and irritating, sunburn can significantly retard the skin’s ability to shed excess heat. The best solution for sunburn is prevention, by applying sunscreen throughout the day.
• Heat cramps. Symptoms are painful spasms, usually in the muscles of the legs and abdomen, often preceded by profuse sweating.
• Heat rash. Also known as prickly heat, heat rash can occur in hot, humid environments where sweat is not easily removed from the surface of the skin by evaporation. Serious heat rash can be so uncomfortable that it inhibits sleep and impedes a worker’s performance.
• Heat exhaustion. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, headache, fainting, vomiting, and skin that is cold, pale and clammy. It is possible to have a normal temperature with heat exhaustion.
• Heat stroke or sunstroke. This is the most serious health problem for workers in hot environments. Heat stroke occurs when sweating stops and the body can no longer rid itself of excess heat. Symptoms include an excessively high body temperature (106° F or higher); mental confusion or delirium; convulsions; hot, dry skin; strong and rapid pulse; and possible unconsciousness. Make no mistake: heat stroke can be fatal, and victims need immediate medical attention.

Prevention: The Best Solution

The number one method of avoiding heat disorders: avoiding heat. But for construction workers in the summer, this is simply not possible. So, here are some tips for staying cool and staying alive, beginning with the most obvious:

• Drink plenty of fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink water even if you don't feel thirsty. Proper hydration actually begins the day before a long, strenuous day in the sun. Before increasing your fluid consumption, consult a physician if you (1) have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; (2) are on a fluid-restrictive diet; or (3) have a problem with fluid retention.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol dehydrates your body. Enough said.
• Limit caffeine intake.
• Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
• Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods that are heavy in protein increase metabolic heat production and also increase water loss.
• Dress as lightly as possible. You need protective clothing, of course, but consider light-colored fabrics, such as cotton, that breathe.
• When possible, take longer breaks than normal in a cool, shaded area. A rested worker is a more productive worker.
• Know the symptoms of heat illnesses. Use a buddy system to keep tabs on your fellow workers.
• Acclimate yourself to the heat. You can “get used to” the heat, to some degree. Workers, especially those who follow the advice above, can eventually develop some degree of tolerance. However, new employees and workers returning from an absence of two weeks or more should have a five-day period of acclimatization: 50 percent of the normal workload and time exposure the first day, gradually building up to 100 percent on the fifth day.

stopimg title="keepCool_img3" style="padding-left: 20px;" align="right" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px solid; BORDER-LEFT: 0px solid; WIDTH: 260px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; HEIGHT: 195px; BORDER-TOP: 0px solid; align: left" alt="keepCool_img3" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/3_KeepCool_260x195.jpg" border="0" />Supervisor Obligations

There are precautions every employer should take when temperatures are high and the job involves physical work.

• Understand the signs of heat stress and permit workers to interrupt their work if they are extremely uncomfortable.
• Provide training about the hazards leading to heat stress and how to prevent them.
• If possible, schedule the heaviest workload for the coolest part of the day: early morning or late evening, when the sun is less intense.
• Make sure your workers have easy access to cool water—a minimum of one quart of water per hour, per worker.
• Schedule frequent rest periods with water breaks in shaded or air- conditioned areas.
• Routinely check on workers who are at risk of heat stress due to protective clothing and high temperature. Pay close attention to those who are at risk because of age and physical condition (including obesity and diabetes).

When A Fellow Worker Is Ill From The Heat

• Call a supervisor for help. If the supervisor is not available, call 911.
• Have someone stay with the worker until help arrives.
• Move the worker to a cooler/shaded area.
• Remove outer clothing.
• Fan and mist the worker with water; apply ice (ice bags or ice towels).
• Provide cool drinking water, if the worker is able to drink.

For more information about preventing and treating heat-related illness, consult these articles:

• “Heat Wave: A Major Summer Killer,” [http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php] by the NOAA
• “Protecting Workers From Heat Stress,” [http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3154.pdf] by OSHA
• “Protecting Workers In Hot Environments,” [http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FACT_SHEETS&p_id=167] by OSHA

Sources for this article:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (noaawatch.gov)
• Occupational and Safety Health Administration (osha.gov)

stopimg title="19a" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" alt="19a" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/19astopimg4Take the time to winterize your equipment this year. A few minutes spent could save you time and money in the months to come. The amount of winter care your equipment needs depends both on the climate and how it is used. Check your service manual guidelines, and keep the following tips in mind:

1. Check coolant. Provide protection by using the recommended antifreeze/water mixture for the lowest temperature expected during operations.

2. Change the oil and filter before cold weather arrives. In addition, use lubricants recommended for low temperature applications.

3. Maintain the battery. Remove cables, clean cable ends and posts, and clean and tighten terminals on the cranking motor. And remember never to charge a frozen battery.

4. Check tire inflation. Tires inflated in a warm shop will be under-inflated when used in cold temperatures.

5. Give hydraulic components time to warm up before beginning work. If you’re running diesel equipment, be sure to idle the engine a few minutes before shutting down to properly lubricate internal components. Your local Ditch Witch^® service technicians can help you make the most of your cold-weather equipment productivity, and can suggest winterizing techniques that are perfectly suited to your operation.

Compact Equipment
April 2009

Contractors need versatile tool carriers. A small piece of equipment like a compact utility loader offers multiple solutions. It performs dozens of tasks with interchangeable attachments, is maneuverable in tight locations, is easy to transport and store, and is considered more cost-efficient than most big machines.

But just as construction and landscape contractors need versatile tools to work day in and day out, machines like compact utility loaders (or CULs) need comprehensive service and maintenance to perform properly. There are many reasons for properly maintaining these versatile machines, too; number one being safety, and number two (by the slimmest of margins) being protection of your investment. Whether you are already an owner or frequent renter of CULs—a.k.a. mini loaders, compact skid steers, compact tool carriers or mini track loaders—or are simply curious about the appeal of these little powerhouses, you'll benefit from this compact guide to operating and maintaining these multitasking dynamos.

stopimg title="SK500" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" alt="SK500" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/SK500stopimg4The Market

The evolution of most industries invariably trends toward the smaller and more efficient. The electronics industry is a good example. Look at the steady miniaturization of stereos, calculators, cell phones and computer chip— or the auto industry, with its compact cars. In the underground construction industry, the shift toward more compact, more efficient equipment has been going on for 100 years with the introduction of compact tractors, trenchers, skid steers and mini excavators.

The demand for CULs has been growing steadily ever since—with smaller contractors and companies, in particula—for three equally important reasons. First, a CUL is designed to accept numerous attachments, so any one machine can perform dozens of tasks&mdashtrenching, plowing, demolition, grinding stumps, mixing cement—anything the machine has the hydraulic power to do. Their versatility helps the smaller contractor compete with larger companies for business and create more job opportunities. For example, a landscape contractor with a CUL can rent a snow blower and/or snowplow attachment to keep generating revenue during the normally slow winter months.

Second, a CUL can go where a big machine cannot. Most are designed to fit through a standard 36-in. yard gate, so they can easily get in and around backyards and congested urban construction sites. The rise in demand for CULs can be attributed in part to the rise in construction of zero-lot-line homes. They also have the upper hand in retrofitting established neighborhoods with new communications technology or updating utility infrastructure. Not only are these machines more maneuverable than standard-size equipment, they are also considerably lighter, which is important to both the customer and the contractor when the job requires traversing a pampered lawn.

Third, CULs continue to get more powerful and generally more efficient with each passing year. The major manufacturers—including Toro, Vermeer, Bobcat, Compact Power and the Ditch Witch organization— understand the demand for CULs that are more affordable and efficient, and have responded by challenging their engineers to think bigger performance in a smaller package. As these machines continue to improve in hydraulic power, lifting capacity and versatility, their demand can only go up in the increasingly cost-conscious world of underground construction.

CUL-de-Safety

Well-built CULs continue to make believers out of people who cut their teeth on the big rigs, but their relatively small size does not make safety concerns any smaller. Yes, a CUL can go where a full-sized machine cannot, but this means it can be exposed to a different set of obstacles and dangers. Creating a bicycle trail through a thick forest, for example, a CUL operator can encounter low-hanging tree limbs, slippery rocks, old stumps and dangerous slopes. Using a little loader to build a pool in a backyard, the operator has to be wary of sprinkler heads, stone walkways, other construction equipment and the homeowner's precious garden, to name but a few of the many potential on-the-job impediments.

And while he or she marvels at all of the things his machine can do, the operator must at the same time be aware of the limitations of his machine. A CUL's rated operating capacity is calculated at a certain percentage of its tip capacity. The rated operating capacity of a Ditch Witch SK650 CUL with loader bucket, for example, is 650 lbs (hence its name); this is 35 percent of its tip capacity, slightly less than 1,900 lbs. This is the load an SK650 could handle in reasonable working conditions.

Tracked units like the SK650 are rated at 35 percent of their tip capacity. CULs with tires are rated at 50 percent of tip capacity. So, a wheeled CUL with loader bucket with a tip capacity of 1,000 lbs would be capable of handling 500 lbs under reasonable working conditions.
Standard safety procedures should be followed when operating any compact tool carrier, including wearing protective clothing and calling 811 before digging. In addition to the equipment manufacturer's operator's manual, a Safety Manual for Operating and Maintenance Personnel for Compact Tool Carriers is available from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (www.aem.org).

Lifeblood of Your Loader
It's Important to Check and Maintain Three Main Fluid Levels in Your CUL:

stopimg title="SK650" style="padding-left: 20px;" align="right" alt="SK650" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/SK650stopimg41. Engine Oil—Make sure the engine is off and the machine is level. The oil level should be between the indicator marks on the dipstick. If the level is below the mark, add oil through the filler to the upper mark. Wait five minutes and then re-check the level. If the level is above the upper mark, drain the excess according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

2. Engine Coolant— Make sure the engine is off and cold. Turn the radiator cap counterclockwise to the first detent and wait for any pressure to escape. Depress the cap slightly and slowly continue to turn until any remaining pressure is released. If the coolant is within half of an inch of the bottom of the filler neck, the level is correct. If the level is lower than half of an inch, add coolant. Do not add pure antifreeze to a cooling system. Instead, add a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.

3. Hydraulic Oi—To obtain an accurate measurement, make sure the machine is on level ground and the cylinders are fully extended. Check the level with either a dipstick or sight glass. If you need to add hydraulic oil, clean the area around the filler before removing the cap. Add hydraulic oil according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Maintenance Is a Must

Whether you own a CUL or are renting it for an extended period of time, keeping a close eye on its fluid levels and other maintenance points will help you get the most out of your equipment.

"We recommend, first and foremost, that you get comfortable with everything in the operator's manual," says Matt Collins, product manager of compact utility equipment at the Ditch Witch organization. "There are recommended maintenance procedures in the manual that, if followed, will keep the machine operating at peak performance for many years.

"Compact utility equipment is designed with minimal maintenance in mind. Most maintenance and routine repairs can be performed by the operator, but major repairs should only be done by authorized service personnel."

A CUL is typically operated in dusty, dirty conditions, which makes it essential to keep the inside and outside of the machine clean. Let's look at the inside first, i.e., the fluids and filters. Here is a summarized schedule of maintenance for a Ditch Witch SK500 compact tool carrier:
Every 10 hours     Check engine and hydraulic oil levels, hydraulic hoses and air filter
Every 50 hours     Clean air filter and check battery
Every 100 hours   Change engine oil
Every 200 hours   Change engine oil filter
Every 250 hours   Change hydraulic fluid filter
Every 300 hours   Change fuel/air filters

These service intervals are typical of most CUL makes and models. The operator's manual recommends minimum service requirements; in extreme conditions, the machine should be serviced more frequently. Manuals have a checklist that makes it easy to keep track of service.

Keeping the outside of the machine clean and functioning properly is essential for both machine longevity and safety. "Lift arm bushings, operator controls, the operator platform, the track and undercarriage—all of these are important to stay on top of," says Collins. "The track and undercarriage components are particularly important to the function of the machine. They bear the bulk of the stress these machines endure, so it is vital to check track tension regularly and keep all the components clean."

stopimg title="ZahnToolCarrier.jpg" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" alt="ZahnToolCarrier.jpg" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/ZahnToolCarrierstopimg4Collins emphasizes that adopting a preventive-maintenance attitude is the best way to avoid major problems. "For example, avoid skidding tracks and tires on concrete and asphalt," he says. The more often you do this, the more rubber you dissolve, and the sooner you will have to replace one of the most expensive components of your CUL.

"Do your homework." This is the advice Collins gives to anyone preparing to invest in a compact tool carrier. "Make sure it is manufactured by a reputable company and represented by a dealership network that can provide the parts and service when needed. And be sure that the machine has enough horsepower to the attachment to allow it to perform to the best of its ability."

Make a Checklist and Inspect Each of the Following Components:
1. Hydraulic Oil Cooler— Use compressed air to clear debris accumulated in the cores and repair damage if necessary.
2. Hinge and Cylinder Pins—Check for tightness and lubricate daily or more often in extremely dusty conditions. Apply multi-purpose grease to the grease points until it is visible on all sides of the pin and then wipe the excess off with a cloth.
3. Tires and Tracks—For tracks, check for excessive wear, tears and missing tread. Adjust the track tension, so the track does not come off during turning or so that the drive sprocket does not slip in the track during hard usage. Refer to the manufacturer's maintenance manual when an adjustment is required. For tires, check the tire condition and maintain correct tire inflation pressure, as shown on its sidewall. Check for loose or missing lug nuts.
4. Air Filter Housing, Intake Piping, Exhaust Piping and Muffler—Inspect for cracked hoses or pipes, loose or missing clamps, corrosion or punctures and cracked or broken mounting brackets. Tighten or replace parts as necessary to prevent intake and exhaust system leakage.
5. Radiator—On liquid-cooled models, look for damage and use compressed air to clear debris accumulated in the cores.
6. Fan/Alternator Belt Tension—Turn off the engine and check the alternator/fan and accessory drive belt(s) for excessive wear, cracking, glazing or fraying. Check the belt tension by applying a 22-lb force midway between the longest distance of the pulleys. The belt should deflect 1/4 to 3/8 in. If the belt tension is not correct, refer to the machine's maintenance manual for the proper tightening procedure.
7. Engine Cooling Fan—On air-cooled models, examine the cooling fan and surrounding area and use compressed air to clear debris that may have accumulated in the fins and fan.

There are many reasons for properly maintaining your compact utility loader: safety being one, and protection of your investment another. An article recently published in Compact Equipment magazine gives you all the details.

stopimg style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/selge_1.JPG" alt="selge_1" title="selge_1" />In the 47 years the company has been in business, Selge Construction, Niles, Michigan, has built a reputation as one of the most respected utility contractors in the Southwest Michigan-South Bend, Indiana, area.

Selge Construction is a multifaceted company specializing in municipal sewer and water systems, low-pressure sewer systems, concrete paving, and flat work. President Marv Selge, Jr., grew up in the business, purchasing the company from his father in 1992.

"It is the only work I've ever done," says Selge.

Selge has seen significant changes in water and sewer construction, and has made sure his crews are equipped with the latest technologies to keep pace with the needs of water and sewer utility owners and operators.

In addition to conventional open-cut construction, Selge crews use bore and jacking, and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) for underground infrastructure projects.

"We are capable of handling many of the difficult challenges often experienced in underground construction," says Selge. "In conjunction with installing pipe in the ground, we install a variety of lift stations ranging in size from six to ten feet in diameter. We are able to take projects many contractors are not equipped to do."

Selge always has been alert to market changes and conditions. Currently Selge Construction is actively involved in installing low-pressure sewer and grinder pump systems to serve rural homes near the area's many lakes. In response to initiatives to improve water quality standards in rural lakes, streams, and rivers, these systems are being installed to solve several problems, says Selge.

"Often," he explains, "homes and cottages around these lakes are in very close proximity to each other and have old, deteriorated septic tanks buried at or below the groundwater table. Sewage from these tanks finds its way into the lakes, causing contamination and increased weed and algae growth."

Because many lakes are outside the boundaries of towns and cities, Selge says regional sewer districts are formed to oversee the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of these low-pressure grinder pump systems.

A typical project consists of installing a small grinder station and control panel at every residence, service lines from the tank to the main line, main lines to collect the influent from each tank, large lift stations, and force mains to take the sewage to a treatment plant or tie into an existing municipal system if one is nearby.

"We have installed systems with as few as 68 grinder tanks and large systems with more than 500 tanks," says Selge. "The first step in a project is to install HDPE service lines—usually 1.25 to two inches in diameter—from the proposed main line locations to the proposed locations of the grinder stations. Once all the service lines are in the ground, a crew then installs the main sewer line, usually located within road right-of-way. After the main lines are installed, a crew then sets the grinder station at the predetermined location. A curb stop and a redundant check valve are usually installed on the outside of the grinder station."

Site conditions often propose a challenge.

"With lake projects," Selge explains, "homes often are with in close proximity to each other, so we often deal with narrow easements to work in, landscaping, and sometimes grinder stations on the lake side of the house where it is difficult to reach with equipment. We have seen a wide variety of soil conditions—from sand, gravel, clay, and silt to peat, marl, and muck—often on a single project. In addition to different soil conditions, we often deal with areas that have high groundwater tables, especially close to lakes."

stopimg style="padding-left: 20px;" align="right" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/selge_2.jpg" alt="selge_2" title="selge_2" />For these and other reasons, Selge says horizontal directional drilling plays a critical role in the company's low-pressure grinder system construction projects. "Directional drilling limits the amount of excavation necessary to the tie-in points and grinder stations locations," Selge says. "HDD lets us install both service lines and mains under landscaping, between houses, and in tight locations where typical open-cut operations would not be possible. HDD limits the damage to surface features, thus minimizing the restoration needed after the pipe has been installed. In high groundwater situations, HDD eliminates the need for extensive dewatering that open-cut operations would require."

HDD equipment often used by Selge crews on these projects includes Ditch Witch JT2020 and JT2720 drilling units.

The compact size of the JT2020 (51 inches wide, 207 inches long) suits it well to job conditions found on many low-pressure sewer projectsMounted on rubber tracks, it moves easily over landscaped areas and paved surfaces. The JT2020 develops 20,000 pounds of pullback, 2,200 foot pounds of rotary torque, and spindle speeds to 150 rpm.

The larger, 125-horsepower JT2720 produces 27,000 pounds of pullback, 2,700 foot pounds of torque, and spindle speeds to 195 rpm, providing plenty of power to make longer installations of mainline pipe. For its production capabilities, the JT2720 also is a relatively compact unit. Subsite 750 and 752 electronic tracking systems are used. Other Ditch Witch equipment includes a skid-mounted fluid mixing system; two FX60 vacuum excavators, one mounted on a trailer, the other on a truck; and an SK500 compact skid-steer loader.

After all pipe is in place, Selge crews complete a low-pressure grinder system by connecting services to the grinder stations and to the main line by fusing a branch saddle to the side wall of the main. The main is tapped, and finally the service lines are electrofused to the branch saddles.

"A control panel is set within close proximity to the grinder station," Selge continues. "Wires are buried from the tank to the control panel using the SK500 skid-steer, which is equipped with trencher and vibratory plow attachments. Incoming power wires are trenched in from the service drop to the control panel. Once all the tanks have been installed and the tie-ins made, the system is pressure tested and each grinder station is started to ensure that everything is running as designed."

Selge points out that the use of directional drilling technology is not new to Selge Construction. The company was one of the first water and sewer contractors in the area to recognize its potential for water and sewer work, and the benefits of HDD construction are not limited to low-pressure sewer construction.

"We recently installed 28,000 feet of eight- and twelve-inch water main for Niles Township," says Selge. The job was originally bid to be open cut, but the entire project was installed by HDD. By using this method, it minimized disruption to the heavily traveled commercial corridor, and kept restoration and drive closure to a bare minimum.

stopimg style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/selge_3.jpg" alt="selge_3" title="selge_3" />"We also utilize HDD to perform river crossings for municipal water and sewer mains, and we have used HDD in gravity-sewer operations to install sewer mains and laterals. This causes the least amount of disturbance to heavily traveled streets and busy highways."

With the growing need to replace and rehabilitate the nation's aging water and sewer infrastructure, Selge expects his company to remain busy on a variety of projects and expects demand for low-pressure sewer systems to continue to grow.

And, as if utility construction doesn't keep Selge busy enough, the company continues to carry out a variety of local paving projects, and has earned many awards of excellence in that industry.

If your machine's hydraulic system isn't working, neither are you. Here are some common causes of hydraulic system breakdown and steps you can take to avoid them.

stopimg title="SK650_1" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" alt="SK650_1" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/SK650_1stopimg4Contamination

An estimated 75 percent of all hydraulic system failure is due to contamination, so change filters regularly. If filters become dirty too frequently, examine them. Metal shavings can indicate that a pump, motor, or other upstream component may be failing. Resin or sludge—type material usually means oxidation of the fluid, often caused by low fluid levels or damaged seals.

Use clean tools and equipment, and always thoroughly clean hydraulic components before you remove, repair, or reinstall them. When you disconnect a hydraulic line, cap the end to keep contamination out while you're servicing the system. When you put the system back together, always install a new filter.

stopimg title="SK650_2" style="padding-left: 20px;" align="right" alt="SK650_2" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/SK650_2stopimg4Low or Dirty Fluid

Low fluid levels can cause everything from sluggish cylinder operation to catastrophic pump cavitation, so check the fluid regularly (with the engine off and the fluid cool) and maintain the proper level. Always use the right fuel for your system.

Murky or cloudy fluid usually indicates water or air in the system. Water can come from condensation, and excess air can be a result of low fluid levels, a damaged seal, or a crack in a suction hose.

Other System Components

Sometimes the obvious causes of hydraulic system trouble get overlooked. Try these preliminary checks:stopimg title="SK650_3" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" alt="SK650_3" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/SK650_3stopimg4

•  Check the hydraulic fluid level with the engine off and the fluid cool.
•  With the engine stopped, check for leaks around seals, castings, and hydraulic connections.    
•  Check for kinks in hydraulic lines.
•  Check for a plugged or damaged fluid cooler or fluid filter.
•  Check the electrical connections to solenoid valves. The problem may not be hydraulic after all.

When in doubt, you can always find factory—trained technicians at your Ditch Witch dealership, professionals whose only business is keeping Ditch Witch equipment healthy.

After dedicating themselves to 16 years of missionary service in Japan, the Gray family—mother, father, and four children—returned home to Virginia.

Their oldest daughter, wheelchair-bound and determined to succeed, dreamed of attending high school and college in the United States. And her parents set out on a new mission: finding a home that was both affordable and wheelchair accessible. The Grays found few options, deciding at last on the house they could afford. A caring community stepped in to take care of the rest.

Richmond television station WRIC chose the Grays for their TV8 Decorates program, a local version of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Several local businesses, including Ditch Witch of Virginia, eagerly pitched in. Thanks to the volunteer construction team, the Gray's home is now completely wheelchair accessible. And the three younger Gray children were certainly not overlooked. They needed places to play in the great outdoors, and Ditch Witch of Virginia went to work. They brought in the XT850 to grind out old tree stumps. They supplied the SK500 to till the grounds for new trees and flower beds—and to make way for the grand new sandbox.

"This is a great cause and the Grays are a great family," says Ditch Witch of Virginia's Wyatt Nunnally. "They've been giving all their lives, and it's so rewarding to be able to give something back to them."

The inspiring before-and-after story was televised in prime time on Sunday, June 19 with an encore showing the following Sunday afternoon.

Published in the Summer 2006 issue of The Underground.

What do you want in a mini skid steer? Power? Versatility? Reliability? Affordability? The ideal mini skid steer will have all of these features and more. But you have to do your homework. This checklist will help you determine the qualities you need the most.

Size and Weight.
Do you often need to get into tight areas: between zero-lot-line homes, in cramped construction sites or small yards? The width of the machine is a key factor when asking, “Can I use this piece of equipment to do the job?” The weight of the unit is also important. This determines the size of both the trailer and the truck you need.

Did you know? Many Ditch Witch mini skid steers are designed to comfortably fit through a standard 36-inch yard gate. And you can transport most Ditch Witch mini skid steers along with a variety of attachments with a standard 1/2-ton truck.

stopimg title="60a" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" alt="60a" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/60astopimg4Performance.
Tipping capacity. What is the Rated Operating Capacity (ROC) of the unit? (ROC is rated at 35% of tipping load, according to SAE standards.) Can the unit lift the material you need it to?

Did you know? The Ditch Witch organization offers four mini skid steers with ROCs ranging from 300 to 650 pounds.

Track length. Take a look at the length of the track: is the weight distributed evenly? When in drive, does it rock or bounce?

Did you know? Ditch Witch mini skid steers offer more track on the ground than other units on the market. Longer tracks translate into greater stability.

Dump height. Does your unit have the dump height to get the job done?

Did you know? Ditch Witch mini skid steers offer great dump heights, dump angles, and hinge pin heights.

Ground clearance. Is the unit easily maneuverable in work conditions?

Did you know? The high ground clearance of Ditch Witch mini skid steers is designed to provide excellent maneuverability and enable access to more locations.

Flow & power to attachment. Does the unit provide the power you need for your attachments? You should consider the hydraulic system and flow (gpm, or gallons per minute), and the actual net horsepower generated to the attachment.

Did you know? Ditch Witch mini skid steers are superior at running attachments. SK models offer pump capacities ranging from 6 to 13.5 gpm, which equates from 10 to 11 net hp (SK350 and SK500) to 20 net hp (SK650) to the attachment.

stopimg title="60b" style="padding-left: 20px;" align="right" alt="60b" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/60bstopimg4Power. Does the mini skid steer have the power to get the job done?

Did you know? Ditch Witch mini skid steers offer more power for their size than any units in their class.

Maintenance.
Ideally, the design of your mini skid steer is simple enough to maintain on your own, saving you both time and money. Check to see if the filters, reservoirs,and other wear items are easily accessible. Refer to the owner's manual to see how often you need to address your grease points.

Did you know? Some mini skid steer brands require a daily routine of greasing, but Ditch Witch mini skid steers have no grease points to maintain. Also, both the SK350 and SK650 have exterior fuel and hydraulic tanks, so you don't even have to lift the hood to refill the hydraulic fluid.

Ergonomics.
Comfort is a major aspect to consider with a mini skid steer. The more comfortable the operator, the more efficient he will be. The result: greater cost-efficiency, as more jobs are completed in a timely manner. Consider the location of the control levers: how easy is the machine to operate over a long time period? How easy are the hydraulics to engage? Also, do you prefer a ride-on platform or a walk-behind unit? A platform keeps operators out of the mud and debris and reduces fatigue. A walk-behind unit can offer the operator more control when working on slopes and rough terrain.

Did you know? Ditch Witch mini skid steers have simple, easy-to-use controls. All models—the SK300, SK350, SK500 and new SK650—have an intuitive operator interface, with only four levers controlling all functions. Several feature pilot-operated controls with highly responsive steering and little or no vibration feedback. This design eliminates linkages in the steering, so there are fewer wear items.

And Ditch Witch mini skid steers come in both walk-behind and platform models.

Resale Value/Warranty.
No matter what you purchase, you want quality, a product that lasts and maximum resale value. So, does your manufacturer/dealer represent a quality product? What is the company's reputation? Does it back up its reputation with a warranty?

Did you know? Better-built equipment lasts longer, so you'll save more in the long run than you would by buying less-expensive but inferior-quality equipment.

Since 1949, when our founder, Ed Malzahn, invented the compact trencher, the Ditch Witch brand has stood for quality and durability. Everything bearing the Ditch Witch name is built with unsurpassed attention to detail, and everything is warranted. All of this translates to higher resale values, and, more importantly, to peace of mind when you're trying to meet that deadline.

Dealer Support.
Is your dealer in a position to support you? Is it a reliable source for parts? Are its technicians factory-trained? All of these questions matter, because the less time you spend searching for quality equipment, parts, service and/or training, the more time you can be on the job. If your dealer is not going to be around in a year or two, then you might want to rethink where you make your purchase.

Did you know? The Ditch Witch organization supports all of its products with superior-quality parts, service and training, all available from a worldwide network of authorized dealers.

What's the ideal mini skid steer for your organization? Your local Ditch Witch dealer has all of the answers.

Published in the Spring 2006 issue of The Underground.

THE 420SX VIBRATORY PLOW CAN PLOW IN PRODUCT FASTER THAN ANY OTHER UNIT IN ITS CLASS.

stopimg title="49a" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" alt="49a" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/49astopimg4The new Ditch Witch 420sx vibratory plow expands the company’s popular compact vibratory plow product offering and adds riding capability, greater horsepower (41 hp/30.5 kW), and several features that other vibratory plows in its class do not have.

The machine’s exclusive dual-speed attachment drive enables the operator to quickly adapt to changing ground conditions. The patent-pending plow design of the 420sx allows it to closely follow the contour of the ground, which helps the plow maintain a constant cover depth on uneven terrain. Besides a standard vibratory plow, the 420sx can also run a Roto Witch drilling attachment and a trencher.

“We’ve designed the head shaft of the trencher attachment to incorporate a large, heavy-duty auger,” says Brent Bolay, product manager for the 420sx. “The productivity and spoils handling of this attachment make the 420sx a true production trencher.”

As with other Ditch Witch products, the 420sx was designed with comfort and safety in mind. It is designed so the operator’s console moves with the operator when the machine’s frame articulates; the articulating joint is positioned under the floor of the operator’s station. The 420sx also minimizes vibration transmitted to the operator’s station, so the operator can work longer with greater comfort. The plow’s skid shoes keep plow pins and other components off the ground, which also saves wear and tear on the machine.

Another exclusive feature of the 420sx is the fold-down ROPS (roll-over protective structure), which enables the unit to operate under tree limbs, eaves, and other low-hanging obstacles. The fold-down ROPS reduces the unit’s overall height by 20 inches. This feature makes the 420sx highly maneuverable in and around jobsites.

PIERCE AIRROW II PIERCING TOOLS CAN TAKE A POUNDING—AND ARE, POUND FOR POUND, THE BEST OVERALL VALUE.

stopimg title="49c" style="padding-left: 20px;" align="right" alt="49c" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/49cstopimg4New from the Ditch Witch organization are seven pneumatic piercing tools designed to perform short- to medium-range compaction boring projects, pipe ramming and pushing, and pipe pulling. The models range from 2.25" to 4.25" (57-108 mm) outside diameter, with or without threaded heads.

Strength and simplicity are the main characteristics that make Ditch Witch piercing tools so productive. Their bodies are made of single-piece, aircraft-quality steel, which contains high amounts of nickel and is heat-treated to be extremely durable. With fewer moving parts than the competition, Pierce Airrow II piercing tools are very low-maintenance units that promise years of reliable service.

Everything about these tools is designed for outstanding efficiency. Their unique striker design enables the tools to continue operation when they encounter a buried obstacle, so you can avoid costly downtime. The highly machined tool does not require wear rings that would require the tool to be disassembled more often for maintenance. These and other design features help Pierce Airrow II piercing tools give you more blows per minute than the competition—in some cases, as many as 100 more blows—so you can work faster and get more accomplished.

Utility companies, utility contractors, and municipalities will want to take advantage of the many benefits of these tools. Pierce Airrow II piercing tools are also ideal for Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) contractors looking for a fast, low-cost, trenchless solution.

THE NEW DITCH WITCH HT220 TRENCHER IS BIG ON SIZE AND ROCK-DIGGING POWER.

stopimg title="49b" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" alt="49b" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/49bstopimg4The Ditch Witch line of trenchers just got bigger—a lot bigger. The HT220 is not the typical compact machine you’re used to seeing come out of the Ditch Witch factory in Perry, Oklahoma. But it still typifies everything you’ve come to expect from the Ditch Witch organization: quality, productivity, and extreme durability.

Optimized for digging in rock but also extremely effective in dirt, the HT220 is a hydrostatic trencher with 220 horsepower (164 kW). Designed for large installations—12 to 24 inches (305 - 610 mm) wide and 4 to 8 feet (1.2 - 2.4 m) deep—this machine has an exclusive flywheel gearbox that’s designed to deliver a tremendous amount of horsepower to the attachment—on demand—while protecting the hydraulic system and other components from shock loads. Plus, the operator vibration is further minimized by trencher stabilizers, standard on the machine, that isolate vibration when digging in rock.

Working in harsh conditions demands equipment that is extraordinarily durable and sturdy, and the HT220 does not disappoint. From the rugged undercarriage to the reliable analog controls to the forged, heat-treated, high-alloy steel head shafts that are guaranteed for life, everything on this machine is designed to endure the particularly rugged conditions of rock-laden jobsites.

Gas and oil, wind farms, rural water districts, and housing development contractors are just a few of the markets that will benefit from the HT220.

Published in the Spring 2007 issue of The Underground.

stopimg title="18a" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" alt="18a" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/18astopimg4Lewis Willey is doing exactly what he wants to do.

The Amarillo, Texas landscape contractor knew at an early age what profession he wanted to enter, but it took him 26 years to reach his original career goal.

“After serving in the Air Force, I prepared myself for a career in the landscape business by getting a degree in horticulture from Texas Tech University,” says Willey. “But I graduated during a recessionary period, and there wasn't much demand for people wanting to get started in the landscaping field.”

So Willey worked as a property claims adjustor for a while, then went back to school and got an MBA. Ultimately he began a five-year career with a company that markets risk-management software to the insurance industry and government entities.

“In February 2004,” Willey continues, “I resigned my position with the software company. I had grown tired of the corporate world and wanted out. I wanted to go back to my first love—landscaping.”

Willey established Willey’s Wildscapes, LLP, in Amarillo and began soliciting business for the coming spring season.

Says Willey: “Our target market is irrigation and landscaping, focusing on up-end projects, those above $10,000. We provide turnkey services, consultation, site evaluation, planning and design, ordering materials, construction, and follow-up.”

To be productive while keeping costs in line, he chose his equipment carefully.

The company’s primary piece of construction equipment is a mini skid steer loader with a selection of attachments suited specifically to the tasks that its target market demands. Other equipment is a 1-ton diesel truck, 17-foot, dual-axle trailer, and 3-cubic-yard dump trailer. The truck and trailer can transport the compact skid steer, attachments, and support tools needed for most jobs.

stopimg title="18b" style="padding-left: 20px;" align="right" alt="18b" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/18bstopimg4For its first year of operation, Willey’s Wildscapes has exceeded projected billings with 2005 projected to be even better, and Willey is ready to implement expansion plans as workloads increase.

Willey credits the multi-purpose mini skid steer loader—a Ditch Witch® model SK500—as one of the keys to the new company’s successful first year.

“This one machine is able to do most everything we need to do,” he says. “In addition to the loader bucket, we have a trencher attachment, an auger, pallet forks, and tree forks. Next we plan to add rake and mini backhoe attachments.”

The compact, 500-pound-class walk-behind SK500 is designed for light-to-medium duty work for a variety of construction applications and is especially well suited for landscape work. Its compact size allows it to work in areas where larger equipment can’t go; permitting it to do work that often is done by hand labor.

It is powered by a 24-horsepower, air-cooled engine and travels on rubber tracks powered by dual independent hydrostatic ground drives, providing a zero-degree turning radius. Ground drive pilot control provides highly responsive steering with little or no vibration transferred to the control handles. Rubber tracks limit disturbance to turf and paved surfaces and are available in either 7- or 9-inch widths. Track length is 40 inches.

Availability of the Ditch Witch-designed-and-built trencher attachment also is a strong selling feature because it is more rugged and productive than “will-fit” attachments and was designed specifically for the SK500.

stopimg title="18c" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" alt="18c" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/18cstopimg4On typical jobs, the rugged little machine is used for site preparation, including light grading; moving material around work sites, digging fence and post holes, and trenching for installation of irrigation pipe.

“The machine has performed very well,” says Willey. “We have put it to some tough tests, and it is very rugged.”

Willey says he shopped around before settling on the Ditch Witch model.

“There were several factors involved in the decision,” he explains. “First the Ditch Witch reputation is very strong, and the organization is known for excellent service. And the fact that there is a dealer in Amarillo was important to us—we know we won’t have to wait to get parts or service if we need it.”

During the first year of operation, Willey Wildscapes was comprised of Willey with his wife, Lorrie, handling the books and finances. Extra help was hired on an as-needed, project-by-project basis.

Other changes are planned.

“We operate out of our home now,” he says. “But we are planning to move to a 20-acre site with an office and shop and a nursery for drought-tolerant plants.

We are in a semi-arid region—average rainfall is 16 to 19 inches—and we have found no nearby nursery that stocks plants native to the area or others that are not native but would thrive here. We believe we can develop a strong market for such plants for the retail market as well as for use in our projects.”

Willey emphasizes that growth plans will progress in an orderly manner.

“New business owners must recognize the importance of taking care of the business end of their operations,” he concludes. “Office work for me isn’t enjoyable—I would rather be outside working on projects. But it has to be done, and we schedule regular office days to keep everything current. Skip a day in the office, and you may spend a week later straightening out the resulting problems.” 

stopimg title="12a" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" style="WIDTH: 260px; HEIGHT: 195px" alt="12a" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/12astopimg4Rich Edwards of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is a trails specialist. In the course of his work, traveling the country to educate people on building sustainable natural surface trails, he has also become something of an expert on compact utility equipment, the Ditch Witch® SK500 in particular, which he considers an essential piece of machinery for any trail-building organization.

"Building trails used to be done by hand," says Edwards, chuckling at the thought. "Back then, we averaged ten feet per labor hour. With mechanized equipment, we now expect to average 30 to 35 linear feet per labor hour. So we are able to produce trails for essentially one-third of what we could before."

This tripling of productivity is drawing the attention of numerous city, state, and national park departments, as well as other government agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers. The SK500 figures prominently into this cost-saving formula, and Edwards is eager to show anyone and everyone how. During the first week of May, for example, he conducted a workshop at the 2005 Governor's Conference on Greenways, Blueways and Trails in Richmond, Virginia.

In attendance was a diverse group of natural enthusiasts, including state park officials, landscape architects, conservationists, public health experts, and eco-tourism promoters. Edwards led a group of volunteers to a section of forest in Pocahontas State Park where, using a two-ton bulldozer and an SK500, he demonstrated how the right equipment can make the otherwise backbreaking, time-consuming process of building a trail, well, a walk in the park. After the demonstration, the State of Virginia purchased three SK500s.

Edwards conducted the workshop with the assistance of Chris Gambrell of The Charles Machine Works, Inc. (manufacturer of Ditch Witch equipment) and representatives of Ditch Witch of Virginia who provided two SK500s, an XT850 excavator-tool carrier, and an MX15 mini excavator for the demonstration.

Edwards is nearly as enthusiastic about the SK500 as he is about his work for the IMBA, whose mission is to create, enhance, and preserve trail opportunities for mountain bikers and non-bikers alike. Why? Because when he discovered compact utility equipment, he realized how much faster the IMBA's goals could be achieved.

"Mike Riter of Trail Design Specialists was the first to use a walk-behind machine to build trails with, probably about four years ago," says Edwards. "We experimented with all types of compact equipment before we tried the SK500, which we find the best for its combination of compact footprint and power. The SK500 is powerful enough to build through most terrain on its own and also works well as a finishing machine behind a SWECO trail dozer or mini excavator." He estimates that in the past two years, 150 miles of trail have been created using an SK500.

Edwards praises the SK500's stability, maneuverability, and ease of maintenance, but says the two main features that sold him are the machine's 6-way backfill blade attachment and its easy-to-use controls. "This blade is critical for the kind of work we do," he says. "We used to use a 2-way blade, which works, but the 6-way blade allows us to put the power where we want it, which makes the smaller machine more efficient." The 47-inch wide, 17-inch high 6-way backfill blade angles 30 degrees left and right, tilts ten degrees in each direction, and features a replaceable, reversible cutting edge. Edwards says he uses the 6-way blade 90 percent of the time, but also keeps a bucket attachment handy as well as a grading fork attachment for brush removal.

The SK500's color-coded, easy-to-use controls are an advantage for many reasons. One, they're similar to the controls of the SWECO bulldozer Edwards often uses for the initial clearing. Two, they're easy to master for even novice operators, which is an incentive to professional and volunteer trail-builders who never would have considered trying machinery—a group that makes up a significant percentage of Edwards' typical audience. And then there's the fatigue factor.

In his travels throughout the country, Edwards is starting to see more and more people catching on to the many benefits of the SK500s. "Of the public land agencies that we've done demos for or shown how to build trail, eight of them have purchased Ditch Witch equipment—all SK500s.

"It's an ideal unit for this type of work. We're building trails two to four feet wide, so the dimensions are right. We work in remote, forested areas, so they're easy to transport to the site. And we're working most of the time on slopes, and their long tracks give us the maneuverability and stability we need. Sometimes when the soil is softer or the conditions are wet, we'll use the SK exclusively because it won't tear up any terrain it's not supposed to. It's just a great dirt-shaping tool."

stopimg title="17a" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" style="WIDTH: 260px; HEIGHT: 195px" alt="17a" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/17astopimg4When the Ditch Witch® organization introduced the SK500 mini skid steer in 2002, Ditch Witch of Montana's Padriac Moriarty predicted a limited market of homeowners and big box stores. Still, he took the versatile unit and a few attachments to customer Chris Wagner, owner of Wagner Nursery and Landscape, for a trial run. When he returned a week later to pick up the equipment, he found a devoted fan unwilling to part with the SK500.

Wagner Nursery and Landscape is a full-service nursery and garden center located in Whitehall, Montana. The 20-year-old company specializes in water features, rock and plant landscaping. They are known throughout Montana and the Mountain West for its expertise in creating beautiful outdoor living spaces.

Each spring, Wagner offers landscaping demonstrations for his customers. With the SK500, he was able to include do-it-yourself rock placement and waterfall landscaping. Wagner began to see business pick up dramatically as his customers learned how easily they could create their own water features using the tough, versatile SK500 with bucket, auger, and pallet fork attachments. Waterfalls and ornamentals, even designs with large rocks, became a real possibility, and Wagner’s customers were hooked.

“It’s so safe, and you can operate it so easily,” Wagner says of the SK500. “Anyone can. It’s very precise in its movements, so we use it all the time in our nurseries.”

stopimg title="71b" style="padding-left: 20px;" align="right" style="WIDTH: 260px; HEIGHT: 195px" alt="71b" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/17bstopimg4The original Ditch Witch mini skid steer, the SK500 is a track-mounted, walk-along unit powered by a 24-horsepower Honda engine. Featuring dual hydraulic gear pumps and a 500-lb lifting capacity (rated at 35 percent of tip capacity), the SK500 is designed with more than enough power to perform light- to medium-duty construction work. The SK500 is engineered to help even a novice operator work proficiently in a short amount of time. Only four levers are needed to run all functions, and each control is color-coded for quick, intuitive operation.

Wagner says his employees enjoy the maneuverability of the SK500, the horsepower that replaces the need for back power, and the responsiveness and ease-of-use the SK500 brings to tight-space projects. Wagner also owns a Ditch Witch 410sx vibratory plow that his crew uses to install sprinkler pipe, create bores under sidewalks and trench the hard, compacted ground common to this area of Montana.

stopimg title="17c" style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" style="WIDTH: 260px; HEIGHT: 195px" alt="17c" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/17cstopimg4But the future of Wagner Nursery and Landscape, a future that promises an increase in cost-conscious do-it-yourselfers, seems to lie in the capable steel “hands” of the SK500. Wagner recently expanded his business with the purchase of an additional SK500 and plans to add another specifically for rental—he says his customers can actually rent the SK500 for half the cost of hiring him to do the work.

Thanks to its ability to run more than 70 quick-change attachments, the SK500 can accomplish nearly any light- to medium-duty construction project that Wagner’s customers have in mind. Trenchers, vibratory plows, backhoes, earth saws, jackhammers, and even snow blowers are just a handful of the attachments that increase the versatility of this machine.

“My only problem now,” says Wagner, “is what attachment to add next. My customers are excited about the possibilities the SK500 has opened up, and we’ll be here to keep them inspired.”

stopimg style="padding-right: 20px;" align="left" src="/uploadedImages/Left_Nav/Press_Room/Job_Related_List/4a.jpg" alt="4a" style="width: 260px; height: 195px;" title="4a" />Compact, versatile skid steer loaders have become one of the most widely used types of construction equipment available today.

Hard-working, skid steer loaders can scoop up soil, sand, gravel, or about any kind of loose material, move their loads around jobsites, or deposit material into trucks. Specialized buckets are available for handling different types of material.

Compact size and excellent maneuverability allow skid steer equipment to work in areas where larger machines can not go. The steering system which turns a machine by locking either the left or right set of wheels or counter rotating the left or right set of wheels literally allows a skid steer unit to turn on a dime.

As loaders, skid steers are used in general construction for loading material, spreading material, construction site clean up; and for specialized applications including demolition, recycling operations, mining, road construction and repairs, landscaping, sports facility construction and maintenance, agricultural operations, and snow removal.

However, skid steers are much more than loaders. They can do light grade work, and scores of attachments equip a basic skid steer unit to perform a variety of specialized tasks. A skid steer vehicle can be used to power hydraulic tools such as breakers and tampers. Popular attachments include small backhoes, augers, trenchers, concrete containers, pallet forks, bale spears, nursery jaws, tillers, stump grinders, rotary cutters, rakes, brooms, and grapples. "Track" accessories fit over tires to increase flotation and improve traction in wet, muddy conditions.

(Attachments and accessories are available from skid steer manufacturers as well as companies that produce specialized attachments designed to fit most makes and models.

The skid steer loader market is extremely competitive, and manufacturers have made great improvements of their product’s efficiency and dependability. Noise levels and harmful emissions have been lowered. Simplified controls make operation easier and operator comfort have been significantly improved over previous models.

Skid steer loaders are available in many sizes which are defined by SAE ratings for rated operating capacity, which is a fraction of the maximum load weight its bucket can lift. Bucket capacity varies with size, model, and type of bucket. Other important specifications are loading height; breakout force; and machine width, length, and height. Smaller models are usually powered by gasoline engines with many larger units available with diesel engines.

Historically, medium-size machines with rated operating capacities ranging from 1300 to 1750 pounds have been most popular.

Newest members of the skid steer lineup are mini skid steers, sometimes called compact utility loaders, which are establishing a strong niche in the marketplace.

With rated operating capabilities from 200 to 1000 pounds, these walk-behind and platform models can get into confined spaces where even the smallest conventional models can not go—such as narrow spaces between closely spaced houses. In addition, they can slip through a 32-inch door, fit inside elevators, and work in basements. They also are popular for horticulture uses and working in greenhouses. A growing selection of attachments are available for mini models.

Skid steer loaders are standard equipment for general contractors and many specialist contractors, including road and bridge builders, landscaping firms, driveway and sidewalk contractors, demolition contractors, farmers and ranchers, recycling firms, operators of golf courses and outdoor sports complexes, facilities maintenance departments, and city, state, and federal government agencies, including park departments and the military.

More information about Ditch Witch mini skid steer units and attachments is available from the Ditch Witch dealers, on the Ditch Witch Web site—www.ditchwitch.com—or by calling toll free 800-654-6481.