What Can't I Do?

Given the admirable versatility, one might wonder if there are jobs for which the skid steer loader is not suited. What are the drawbacks? Are there similar machines that perform better? The answer is yes; some machines are better than the skid steer. For instance, large excavators are the better option for construction companies at work on a multi-story building foundation. Heavy bulldozers are better for clearing great amounts of heavy earth or rock. The larger models of conventional front end loaders usually have the advantage in sheer physical size, and can lift heavier loads.

Also, another disadvantage of the skid steer is its relative instability when compared with some other more conventional designs. The machine itself is not inherently unsafe by any means, but it can be more unstable in certain situations, such as when operating on an incline. Conditions like these offer greater risk to any loader, but skid steer loaders are slightly more prone to tipping when operating sideways on an incline, given their focused center of gravity. It is this very feature that makes them so versatile and useful in other situations, and is a natural cost that operators must take into account.