Editing Skid-steer loader (section)

== Loader-arm design ==

[[File:Skid Loader anim.gif|thumb|Lift mechanism of a skid loader of the powered-triad type]]

===Radial lift===

The original skid-steer loader arms were designed using a hinge near the top of the loader frame towers at the rear of the machine. When the loader arms were raised the mechanism would pivot the loader arm up into the air in an arc that would swing up over the top of the operator. This is known as a radial lift loader.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-05-20|title=The Difference Between a Radial Lift vs Vertical Lift Skid Steer Loader?|url=https://duranterentals.com/difference-between-a-radial-lift-vs-vertical-lift-skid-steer-loader/|access-date=2020-09-30|website=Rent Construction Equipment in NY, NJ, CT {{!}} Durante Rentals {{!}} Call 1-800-DURANTE|language=en-US}}</ref> This design is simple to manufacture and lower cost. Radial lift loaders start with the bucket close to the machine when the arms are fully down and start moving up and forward away from the machine as the arms are raised. This provides greater forward reach at mid-point in the lift for dumping at around four to five feet, but less stability at the middle of their lift arc (because the bucket is so much further forward). As the loader arms continue to raise past mid-height the bucket begins to move back closer to the machine and becomes more stable at full lift height, but also has far less forward reach at full height.

Radial lift machines are lower cost and tend to be preferred for users who do a lot of work at lower height of lift arms, such as digging and spreading materials at low heights.  Radial lift designs have very good lift capacity/stability when the loader arms are all the way down and become less stable (lower lift capacity) as the arms reach mid-point and the bucket is furthest forward. Static stability increases as the arms continue to rise, but raised loads are inherently less stable and safe for all machine types. One downside of radial lift design is that when fully-raised the bucket is back closer to the machine, so it has relatively poor reach when trying to load trucks or hoppers or spreaders. In addition, the bucket is almost over the operator's head and spillage over the back of the bucket can end up on top of the machine or in the operator's lap. Another downside of radial lift machines is that the large frame towers to which the loader arms are attached tend to restrict an operator's visibility to the rear and back corners of the machine. The radial arm is still the most common design and preferred by many users, but almost all manufacturers that started with radial lift designs began also producing "vertical lift" designs as well.

===Vertical lift===

"Vertical lift" designs use additional links and hinges on the loader arm, with the main pivot points towards the center or front of the machine. This allows the loader arm to have greater operating height and reach while retaining a compact design. There are no truly "vertical lift" designs in production. All loaders use multiple links (that all move in radial arcs) which aim to straighten the lift path of the bucket as it is raised. This allows close to vertical movement at points of the lift range, to keep the bucket forward of the operator's cab, allowing safe dumping into tall containers or vehicles. Some designs have more arc in the lowest part of the lift arc while other designs have more arc near the top of the lift arc.

One downside of vertical lift designs is somewhat higher cost and complexity of manufacturing. Some vertical lift designs may also have reduced rear or side visibility when the arms are down low, but superior visibility as the arms are raised (especially if the design does not require a large rear frame tower). Most Vertical lift machines provide more constant stability as the arms are raised from fully-lowered to fully-raised position since the bucket (load) has a similar distance from the machine from bottom to top of the lift path. As a side benefit to constant stability, most vertical lift machines have larger bucket capacities and longer, flatter low-profile buckets that can carry more material per cycle and tend to provide smoother excavating and grading than short-lip buckets. Vertical lift designs have grown rapidly in popularity in the past thirty years and now make up a significant proportion of new skid loader sales.

====Loader arm safety precautions==== 
When controls are activated, the loader or lift arm attachments can move and crush individuals who are within the range of the machinery. To prevent injuries, it is strongly advisable for operators to not start or operate controls from outside of the cab. When in the operator’s seat, the operator should always fasten the seatbelt and lower the safety bar to stay securely in the cab and avoid being crushed.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Ebert |first1=Kerri |url=https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/2019-03/skid_steer_loader_safety.pdf |title=Skid Steer Loader Safety |last2=Ricketts |first2=Mitch |last3=Lind |first3=Sarah |publisher=K-State Research and Extension |year=2006 |location=Manhattan, Kansas |page=14 |language=English}}</ref> Operators should also ensure that any helpers or bystanders are clear of the machine before starting it.