Piece updated December 2019.

For the average homeowner, heavy equipment rental is a new terrain. If you don’t have a background in construction, you might not know the difference between the standard pieces of equipment—or how to determine which machine you need to complete a project successfully. To help you decide, consider the following comparisons between two of the most popular rentals: excavators and skid steer loaders. 

What’s the Difference Between Excavators & Skid Steer Loaders? 

Excavators 

Excavators feature a backhoe bucket that pulls toward the cabin and pivots to the side in a 360-degree swing radius. They have a higher reach than skid steer loaders and are generally more powerful, but their impressive horsepower comes at the cost of some maneuverability and versatility. Despite this, excavators today come in different sizes and with a variety of attachments, including buckets that range in size from 6 to 60 inches. 

Excavators are best-suited for: 

• Heavy-duty digging and lifting
• Major construction projects
• Large tree removal
• Hardscaping on large plots
• Demolition

If you have a large-scale project, chances are an excavator will serve your needs better than a skid steer loader.

Skid Steer Loaders 

Unlike excavators, skid steer loaders use a bucket to lift and pull objects away from the cabin. They also have a zero-radius turn—the wheels on both sides operate independently, so you can change direction without moving forward or backward. This feature makes skid steer loaders ideal for tight workspaces, like a small yard or warehouse aisles. 

Skid steer loaders are often called the “Swiss army knife” of construction because they have interchangeable attachments to tackle different jobs. These include a bucket, tiller, sweeper, forks/pallet loader, rock hound, block lifter, auger, rake bucket, and more. 

Skid steer loaders have many applications, including but not limited to: 

• Rubbage removal
• Earthmoving 
• Auger boring
• Pallet moving
• Site cleanup

In general, contractors use skid steer loaders as auxiliary vehicles, while excavators do most of the heavy lifting. If you need equipment rental to transport heavy packages or organize a warehouse, skid steer loaders are probably the best solution.

What Do Excavators & Skid Steer Loaders Have in Common?

Both pieces of equipment are relatively easy to operate with a joy-stick and come with comfortable cabins that will protect you from the elements. They also have a large inventory of attachments you can use to customize the machine to your intended purpose.

 

If you need heavy equipment rental in Butler County, OH, the experts at Hamilton Rental Center Inc will help you decide on the best machine. In operation since 1984, Hamilton Rental Center Inc carries full-size and mini excavators and Bobcat S175 skid loaders. To learn more about their daily, weekly, or monthly equipment rental rates, visit their website. Do you have questions about the scope of your project and the horsepower you’ll need? Call (513) 868-8665 today to talk with someone who can help.