This report is the sixth study published in the European Service on the market for skid-steer loaders in France, and is an update of the report last published in May 2012.  It assesses the current trends in the market, examines the suppliers, and forecasts the French market over the next five years. 

The skid-steer loader is a small, compact four-wheel drive machine, which originated in the USA, for the cleaning of animal sheds, and is designed to operate in restricted areas.  It is distinguished by its steering system, the machine’s movement being controlled by varying the speed and direction of the two sets of wheels on each side independently.  The loading is by a bucket lifted by two arms (or occasionally one) which are pivoted from the rear of the machine to reduce the space required.

Skid-steer loaders are classified according to their carrying capacity (payload), which is classified as being half of the minimum load in the bucket, which would cause the machine to tip forwards at maximum reach.  This is measured according to a formula of the American SAE and is expressed in Europe in kilograms.  There are no recognised categories into which to divide the market, in the manner in which one can divide the wheeled loader market into horsepower categories, but there are various concepts that shape the product ranges of suppliers.

Tracked skid-steer loaders, often referred to as compact tracked loaders and generally equipped with a rubber track undercarriage to improve traction and flotation in difficult ground conditions were created for the North American market, but were introduced into Europe around 15 years ago.  They are not included in this analysis except in so far as they impinge on the skid-steer loader market.