Skid Steer Loader Weight Calculations: A Complete Guide

Skid steer loaders are versatile, compact machines used in construction, agriculture, and landscaping.

Whether you're transporting, towing, or just operating a skid steer, you have to fully understand its weight that is just safe and efficient handling.

In determining the size of a skid steer loader by how much trips it completes, we must keep in mind the weight of its accessories, luggage, etc., and, in some cases, the trailer as well.

The correct weight is needed for transportation purposes to cover the safe load, avoid the occurrence of damage, and to be within the legal weight limit.

In this guide, we will go over everything you need to know about the skid steer loader weight calculations, starting from operating weight to the full transport weight.

If you are a contractor, a landscaper, or an equipment operator, through this guide, you will be able to take the best decision for buying a product.

Why Are Skid Steer Loader Weight Calculations Important?

Before discussing the computations, let's get clear about the reason for knowing the weight of your skid steer loader is a must:

• Safe Transportation: Overloading your trailer or tow vehicle can lead to accidents, tire blowouts, or braking issues.

• Compliance with Legal Limits: Exceeding the legal towing or axle weight limit can result in fines and penalties.

• Equipment Safety: Incorrect weight distribution might damage your trailer, towing vehicle, or the skid steer itself.

• Efficiency: Accurate weight calculations ensure that you select the right equipment for the job, saving time and resources.

Key Terms to Understand Skid Steer Loader Weight

To check the weight of a skid steer loader, it is paramount that you familiarize yourself with a few key terms:

• Operating Weight: The operating weight consists of the base weight of the skid steer, a full tank of fuel, and the operator's weight. It is the weight most frequently quoted for skid steers.

Example: A Bobcat S650 skid steer has an operating weight of 8,080 pounds.

• The operating weight consists of the base weight of the skid steer, a full tank of fuel, and the operator's weight. It is the most frequently quoted weight for skid steers.

Example: The Bobcat S650 skid steer has an operating weight of 8,080 pounds.

• Rated Operating Capacity (ROC): The ROC denotes the maximum weight to which a skid steer can be safely raised without the risk of it tipping over. Normally, this weight is around one-half of the tipping load.

Example: A skid steer which can lift up to 2,600 pounds is said to have an ROC of the same amount.

• The ROC denotes the maximum weight to which a skid steer can be safely raised without the risk of it tipping over. Normally, the weight is around one-half of the tipping load.

Example: If a skid steer has an ROC of 2,600 pounds, it can safely lift up to that amount without becoming unstable.

• Attachments such as buckets, grapples, or augers add extra weight to the skid steer. Always include the weight of the attachments in your calculations.

• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):The GVWR is the maximum legal weight of your vehicle including the skid steer, trailer, and towing vehicle. Do not exceed this weight limit.

• The GVWR is the maximum allowable total weight of your vehicle, including the skid steer, trailer, and towing vehicle. Ensure your total load doesn’t exceed this limit.

Calculating the Weight of Your Skid Steer Loader

We will now go through the weight calculation step by step to make it more understandable for you:

Step 1: Find the Base Operating Weight

At the onset, you are required to establish the skid steer’s operating weight. Usually, this data is available in the manufacturer’s specifications or the owner’s manual.

• Compact Skid Steers: 2,500 to 4,000 pounds (e.g., Bobcat S70: 2,845 pounds).

• Medium Skid Steers: 5,000 to 8,000 pounds (e.g., Caterpillar 262D3: 8,011 pounds).

• Large Skid Steers: 9,000 to 12,000 pounds (e.g., Kubota SVL97-2: 11,299 pounds).

Step 2: Add the Weight of Attachments

Attachments are the main contributors to the overall weight of the skid steer. Below, you can see some examples of the attachment weights:

• Standard bucket: 300 to 500 pounds

• Heavy-duty grapple: 600 to 800 pounds

• Auger: 250 to 400 pounds

• Pallet forks: 200 to 300 pounds

Example Calculation: In accordance with the standard bucket, if your skid steer has a base weight of 8,000 pounds and you're using a heavy-duty bucket that packs 500 pounds, the sum total is: 8,000 lbs (base weight) + 500 lbs (attachment) = 8,500 lbs

Step 3: Add the Load of Extra Cargo

If you’re carrying ton of cargo/materials in the skid steer, include the weight of the additional stuff in your calculations. For example:

• A load of gravel, earth and sand in the bucket could weigh 500 to 1,500 pounds.

• Large logs and the boulders might weigh 1,000 pounds or more.

Example Calculation: If a skid steer and its attachment weigh 8,500 pounds and the amount of soil being carried is 1,200 pounds, the total weight is: 8,500 lbs + 1,200 lbs = 9,700 lbs

Step 4: Count the Trailer Weight

While taking the skid steer to other locations, the trailer should be considered in the weight count. Trailer weights may differ according to the size and material of construction as follows:

• Compact utility trailer: 1,500 to 3,000 pounds

• Tandem-axle flatbed trailer: 3,000 to 7,000 pounds

• Gooseneck trailer: 5,000 to 10,000 pounds

Example Calculation: In a scenario in which your skid steer and load weigh 9,700 pounds while the trailer's weight is 3,500 pounds, the total damage from the transport is: 9,700 lbs + 3,500 lbs = 13,200 lbs

After you find out the total weight, ensure that it is not greater than:

• The GVWR of both your trailer and the vehicle that you will use to pull it.

• The tire load ratings and the weight limits of the axles.

For instance:

• A trailer with a GVWR of 14,000 pounds can carry the load of 13,200 pounds.

• Nevertheless, if the load is more than the GVWR, you will have to get paid for the larger trailer or give out a lighter load.

Common Weight Scenarios for Skid Steer Loaders

Here are some examples of typical skid steer weight scenarios:

Scenario 1: Compact Skid Steer with Light Attachments

• The weight of the skid steer itself: 3,000 lbs

• The extra device (pallet forks): 300 lbs

• The weight (pallet of bricks): 1,000 lbs

• Together, they weigh: 4,300 lbs

Scenario 2: Medium Skid Steer with Heavy Bucket

• Weight of the skid steer: 7,500 lbs

• The additional loader (grapple bucket): 800 lbs

• Cargo (soil): 1,200 lbs

• Trailer weight: 3,500 lbs

• Total load weight turnover: 13,000 lbs

Scenario 3: Large Skid Steer with No Cargo

• Basic weight of the skid steer: 10,000 lbs

• The attachment (auger): 400 lbs

• Trailer weight: 4,500 lbs

• Total transport weight: 14,900 lbs

Tips for Accurate Skid Steer Weight Calculations Always refer to the manual of your skid-steer for the exact weight specifications.

Weigh Your Load: Use a portable scale or visit a weigh station to measure the exact weight of your skid steer, attachments, and cargo.

Utilize a portable scale or go to a weigh station for checking the weight of your skid steer, attachments, and cargo.

Distribute Weight Evenly: Improper weight distribution can cause instability or trailer sway. Position the skid steer slightly forward of the trailer’s axle(s).

Improper weight distribution can cause instability or trailer sway. Position the skid steer slightly forward of the trailer’s axle(s).

Check Legal Limits: Verify state-specific laws regarding trailer weight limits, axle loads, and permits.

Make sure you check the laws of your state about the limits of the trailer weight, axle loads, and permits you need.

Inspect Tires and Suspension: Ensure your trailer and towing vehicle’s tires and suspension can handle the total weight.

Guarantee that both your trailer’s and towing vehicle’s tires and suspension are capable of bearing the total weight.

Conclusion

Due to the fact that it involves safety, the law, and at the same time the optimal efficiency of the machine, the knowledge and correct calculation of the skid steer loader weight is very vital for the operation of this type of equipment in numerous industries.

Indeed, the latter allow ensuring that the load does not exceed the permissible one and thus facilitate the transport of the machine or/else increase the work rate on the site but at the same time, they have the most significant controlling value from the point of view of the management of the machine.

We are including the above three under the main topic which would be a cluster of various factors affecting the safety of a working environment including base machine weight, operator weight, fuel load, attachments, and fair play.

On the other hand, one can ascertain the safety of the work environment and at the same time the length of the life of the machine by using reliable methods or by not excluding the possibility of modern technologies like onboard sensors and GPS tracing.

In the final analysis, closely following the guidelines specified by the manufacturer, periodically determining the weight of the machine and properly managing the load are the three main practices which are very important.

Thus, professionals from various walks of the construction industry and civil engineering such as construction workers, contractors, and operators who are constantly provided with such knowledge were indeed able to avoid many operational problems, fully adhere to safety regulations, and get the best, smooth, and highly efficient and reliable performance of equipment.