Skid steers are a popular machine to have on any construction job site. They are highly useful due to their maneuverability and power. When doing roadwork, skid steers are a great asset to the team. Skid steers have what it takes to handle the tight turns and solid roads of concrete and asphalt.
Skid steers are the ideal vehicle for road work because of their versatility and attachment capabilities. If you are looking for equipment for roadwork, a skid steer is a good fit.
Maneuvering Roadwork
Skid steers are known to be extremely easy to maneuver and manage compared to most other construction vehicles. Skid steers run on tires rather than tracks, making them a good option for rougher and more level surfaces.
Jerry Corder, project manager of construction equipment at Kubota, said, “Skid-steer loaders (SSLs) operate on tires that are specifically designed for the abuse of cement and asphalt. The wheels on SSLs hold up better and do less damage to road surfaces than the tracks on a compact track loader (CTL).”
Corder explained that thanks to the decrease in friction, the wheels on skid steers tend to be more nimble and maneuverable than tracks.
Skid steers are naturally more compact than the majority of normal-sized construction vehicles. While there are compact machines and even mini skid steers, normal skid steers are still not as large as the typical equipment — this adds to their nimble demeanor.
Chris Mayo, regional sales manager - Eastern U.S. at Road Widener, said, “[Their] compact design [makes] them easy to operate in tight spaces. They're also highly portable and compatible with a wide range of attachments.”
Being smaller in size allows skid steers to be transported more easily and moved around the job site as needed. As a more compact product, the costs tend to look better than some of the other equipment out there.
“Not only do skid-steer loaders perform better on concrete and asphalt, they are also a very cost-effective tool for road construction work as they have a lower initial cost and require less maintenance than a comparable CTL,” said Corder.
Thanks to their compact design, skid steers make for a great, cost-efficient piece of equipment for your construction site. Corder discussed the benefit of skid steers by describing the value of higher travel speeds and a lower cost of ownership. 
Road Widener
A Function of Ability
Skid steers have many functions that allow them to work easily on roadwork. Some of these qualities include built-in technology and tire capabilities.
“SSLs have auxiliary hydraulics that can power the specialty attachments that are often found in road construction,” said Corder.
With the right connection areas, skid steers are a powerful and versatile option for the job site. Without the right technology, it's hard for equipment to use every attachment to its full extent. Auxiliary hydraulics are an important supplemental technology to bolster each attachment’s abilities.
Not only are skid steers well equipped to be used as versatile machines, but they are also capable of driving on various types of terrain.
Mayo said, “These compact machines excel in both hard and soft landscapes, offering versatility and adaptability. Their multifunctional design makes them ideal for a wide range of roadwork applications.”
Able to drive with ease on an assortment of surface types, skid steers can go just about anywhere and be used for just about anything - especially thanks to their ability to support a range of attachments.
Attached to Skid Steers
While skid steers are useful on their own, you can easily improve their capabilities by finding the right attachments.
Corder said, “These machines are easy to tailor to the specific needs of the road construction industry.”
No matter the job needs, skid steers can be applied if equipped with the right attachments. There are countless attachment options for a skid steer and therefore countless possibilities. Even though there are numerous choices for attachments, there are some that are imperative for any skid steer owner to have.
“Some must-have attachments for skid-steers include buckets, forks, brooms, and sweepers,” shared Mayo.
Corder said that there are must-have attachments for each phase of roadwork. He said when doing prepping or demolition work it is vital to have a bucket, concrete breakers, concrete claws, augers, etc. for clearing debris. When prepping areas for patching, Corder recommends road saws and cold planers.
In places where it snows, skid steers come in handy for snow plowing needs. Although it’s likely not the first thing you think of when considering roadwork, snow removal is an important part of road care and upkeep.
Corder said, “Pushers, trip-edge blades, and snow blowers are all necessary when snow needs to be dealt with.”
Some attachments are must-haves for skid steer owners in general while some are vital depending on the type or stage of roadwork being done. Each attachment comes with its own abilities and its own advantages.
Take Advantage
Some attachments provide skid steers with great advantages. Overall, attachments allow skid steers to be versatile, multifunctional pieces of equipment and assets on a range of construction sites.
Mayo said, “Skid-steers offer great value to operators with their ability to quickly switch between attachments. An operator can seamlessly transition from a bucket to forks to a sweeper in no time.”
A skid steer is a time saver on the job site because workers can simply switch out attachments rather than shift around different vehicles to do each construction function needed. While the ability to switch the function of your skid steer is convenient and seems like the easiest thing to do, there are some things you must do to ensure the best quality and safety from your equipment. 
Road Widener
“Using the correct attachment ensures greater precision and delivers high-quality results,” said Mayo.
Keeping your skid steers and attachments well-maintained is a huge part of keeping a safe and efficient job site. It is important to care for your equipment but it is also important to be using the proper attachments for your skid steer.
“Making sure the skid steer has the hydraulic power to properly operate a given attachment ensures that the attachment performs correctly, and the job goes as planned,” said Corder.
Not every attachment can work with every skid steer and not every attachment will be a seamless fit for every skid steer. Confirming with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) what attachments are made to connect to and be used by the brand of skid steer you own is crucial to the quality and safety of the work done by skid steers.
Skid Steers Take to the Road
With so many advantages to having a skid steer when completing road work, it’s no wonder that the vehicles have risen in popularity among contractors and operators. There are lots of facets of roadwork to account for and with the help of the right attachments, skid steers can satisfy each one.
From demolition work to snow plowing, skid steers have you covered on the road. Check with your OEM to see which attachments you can use to better harness your skid steer's power, an take advantage of what your maneuverable and nimble machine has to offer.
