Blade Kits Turns Skid Steer Into Road Grader

Blade Kits Turns Skid Steer Into Road Grader TRACTORS Skid Steer Loaders 27-4-17 Using his Bobcat loader to level a road for paving didn't work very well for Lonnie Marquardt, Missoula, Montana. "I needed a grader and I already had the power and hydraulics sitting there in the Bobcat. Unfortunately, the attachments that were available didn't give me a clear view of the blade." His solution was to turn his skid steer into a mini road grader. He started by taking all the dimensions from a full size grader. His next step was to draw up plans using an AutoCAD program on his computer. With those in hand, he began building his prototype. The biggest challenge was operator seat placement, which he put on the grader attachment. "By moving the operator platform out front of the Bobcat, I have a clear view of the blade at all times," says Marquardt. Blade controls mount on either side of the steering wheel, which is connected by quick coupler linkage to the skid steer's steering levers. A hydrostatic foot pedal controls forward and reverse and throttle. The seat is a standard commercial skid steer seat with an electric safety switch. Once the operator leaves the platform, the hydraulics go dead, and the machine is inoperative. The blade controls run off the skid steer's auxiliary hydraulics. All electronic and hydraulic controls are plugged in to the skid steer's system. The only change made was to add a hydraulic drainline back to the tank for those models without one. "Most skid steers have back pressure on hydraulics, and you can't have that with a hydrostatic foot pedal," explains Marquardt. The former equipment fabricator is now building the units full time. He uses 100,000-lb. strength steel, more than sufficient, he says, to handle the torque created when operating the unit. A basic unit sells for $13,250. Installation kits run about $300, depending on skid steer make. He also offers an optional front scarifier blade for $2,600, a blade side shift for $1,800 and a 350-lb., front counterweight for $500. The grader attaches like any other quicktach unit. A lock-down mechanism holds it until the attachment is in place, and a ratchet binder can be installed between the grader plate and the skid steer frame. Once the electronic and hydraulic connections have been made, the operator can move to his new seat. "Once you put the weight on the skid steer, it ties it down, and you have a rigid frame," explains Marquardt. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Lonnie Marquardt, Equipment Resources, Inc., 3300 Rodeo Rd., Missoula, Montana 59803 (ph 406 251-4134; email: eqresources@micro/mania.net).

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