The Ultimate Tool for Compact Rental Jobs: Mini Skid Steer Versatility
Insights by Ditch Witch
Today, many rental operators are choosing compact mini skid steers instead of larger trenchers or track loaders for landscape jobs. The main reason for this shift is convenience: on most landscape jobs, operators need to get on and off their machine several times a day. With a mini skid steer, stepping on and off the operator’s platform is much quicker and easier than climbing in and out of a larger machine’s cab. Plus, these smaller machines can fit through standard yard gates and are easier to move around in tight residential spaces, where many rental jobs take place today.
Versatility and Efficiency Help Operators Do More With Less
And what’s more, the construction industry continues to see a shortage of skilled operators. Today, rental operators are challenged to do more with less; they need reliable equipment that gets the job done faster and easier. Due to this trend, operators turn to mini skid steers for their versatility. The units offer a variety of attachments to help perform different tasks. Operators can now have one dedicated machine for multiple jobs. For instance, operators can take one machine on a job and do trenching work, attach a bucket to remove dirt, and also restore the ground with a box rake attachment. These machines also direct maximum power to the attachment further improving productivity.
For these reasons, mini skid steers are fast becoming the preferred piece of equipment for many smaller, rental jobs. The units have a low initial cost and a low total cost of ownership, which also appeals to rental stores. The durability and ease of maintenance makes servicing the machines easy for both rental stores and operators—another appealing characteristic.
Today, there are a variety of mini skid steer models on the market to meet the growing needs of the underground construction and rental industries—from very compact, like the Ditch Witch SK800 unit, to larger and more powerful, like the Ditch Witch SK1750 unit. The SK1750 is designed to conquer complex landscape and irrigation projects that typically were only suited for traditional skid steer loaders, further improving versatility. Although larger, the unit still provides the key benefits of a mini skid steer, including a smaller jobsite footprint.
Mini Skid Steers Adapt to Meet the Evolving Needs of the Industry
The market and industry are continually changing. The mini skid steer design and functionality is evolving at the same pace to meet the growing needs of the compact, rental space.
