Operators who are comfortable experience less fatigue, allowing them to not only spend more hours in the cab in a day but to be more alert while they work, increasing productivity and safety.
Yanmar CE NA
When thinking about compact track loader (CTL) and skid steer comfort, one’s head typically goes to a luxury cab or a smooth ride—and that’s a great place to start. But several often-forgotten features offer the potential to vastly improve an operator’s experience in the machine.
- Pressurized cab. A pressurized cab, for instance, wields enormous influence on how well the cab stays free of dust, debris and the elements. Pressurized cabs offer improved seals on the door and windows, making the cab quieter and more comfortable.
- Hydraulic quick attach. Contractors may also want to look for a machine with a hydraulic quick attach for the added convenience of remaining in the cab while changing attachments. One factor some may forget to consider is visibility of the quick attach from the cab. An unobstructed view of the quick attach makes the process much more smooth and prevents the need for in-cab gymnastics to get a proper view while making attachment changes.
- Heat and AC. A final comfort feature that goes less noticed is heat and AC distribution and venting. A cab designed for premium comfort will have good venting to all positions: top, bottom and both sides. Proper air distribution aids in effective window defrosting but assists in operator comfort as well, providing an equal body temperature. This feature helps limit the uncomfortable sensation of a sweaty head and frozen toes.
- Bonus features. Other modern features may not affect cab comfort or ergonomics but certainly impact the operator’s overall experience. These added features can include Bluetooth radios, speaker quality and placement, USB charging ports, and cell phone trays and chargers.
Creature comfort features such as Bluetooth radios and cell phone trays and chargers can make long days in compact equipment cabs more comfortable and productive.Yanmar CE NA
Operators who are comfortable experience less fatigue, allowing them to spend more hours in the cab and be more alert while they work, increasing productivity.
