Request help learning to operate

[Tom Brown]

A friend of mine has a skid steer and another buddy I was neighbors with for a couple of decades is a heavy equipment mechanic who works on skid steers (among other things) and has had lots of them at his place to odd jobs over the years. ... so I've done a bit of driving around, I can operate a bucket after a fashion, and I've watched plenty of well qualified operators working the machines. I know I can cobble through and do some things but I'd like to learn how to level and do other practical work with the machine. Would anyone care to offer some tips or suggestions for getting up to operating speed? Is it just seat time? Thanks!

 

[Tazza]

I have found the best way is to watch what others do then try it myself. Some things can be hard to explain but easier to just show. I'm sure others in here will have tips, I'm far from an expert! i only use my machines around the yard for digging and lifting things, makes for a pretty tough tow truck too!
The best tip i can give is when you have a load of dirt in the bucket, keep it as close to the ground as you can, keep the heaviest end up hill, full load thats your bucket side, empty thats the rear of the machine. Stability is the biggest safety factor, loads low will prevent you smacking into the ground hard if you go over a bump with a heavy load. I have done this a few times, over full bucket driving with the arms 1m or so up then tip forward while traveling at a decent speed then SMACK you get thrown forward into the seat bar.

 

[Fishfiles]

seat time

 

[sterlclan]

seat time

You are already over 1/2 there watch and try.....trust your seat if it feels bad/unsafe most likely it is it will also tell you grades if you listen ........Fishfiles is right time is the best teacher.......good luck.......Jeff

 

[Tom Brown]

You are already over 1/2 there watch and try.....trust your seat if it feels bad/unsafe most likely it is it will also tell you grades if you listen ........Fishfiles is right time is the best teacher.......good luck.......Jeff

Thank you, gents.