History of the Versatile Skid Steer Loader

One of the most versatile machines on any construction or demolition project is the skid steer loader, a compact, rigid-framed, engine-powered machine with lift arms that can be fitted with a variety of different tools and attachments. 

The skid steer loader was invented in Rothsay, Minnesota in 1956 by a pair of local blacksmiths named Cyril and Louis Keller. A turkey farmer asked the two brothers to make a lightweight machine he could use to clean manure from his barns, and they came up with a three-wheeled vehicle that quickly became popular. The Melroe Manufacturing Company bought the manufacturing rights in 1958 and hired the Keller brothers to develop it further. By 1960, the single rear caster wheel had been replaced by a rear axle, and in 1962 the four-wheel skid steer loader was dubbed “Bobcat.”

Skid steers are ubiquitous on R. Baker & Son demolition projects, and one or more skid steers can usually be seen on any given job site. Skid steers are light, easily transported, and can be lifted via freight elevator or rigged by crane. They are highly maneuverable, using two joysticks to operate, and can turn within their own footprint, allowing them to operate in tight spaces.

There are dozens of attachment options available for the skid steer loader including buckets, augers, hammers, brooms, saws, forks, rippers, scrapers, backhoes and more. Multi-terrain counterparts to four-wheel versions are fitted with tracks. Operating capacities range from 800 lbs. to over two tons. On demolition and construction sites, skid steer loaders are used to move debris, gravel, snow, sand, cement, dirt, etc., and can lift and manage tools and materials such as rebar, pipe, conduit, tool boxes, and air compressors. Demolition attachments commonly include shears and hydraulic breakers for demolishing walls, floors and ceilings. Popular manufacturers include Bobcat, John Deere, Caterpillar, Gehl, Case, and more.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

732-222-3553

https://rbaker.com/rigging-services.php

R. Baker and Son All Industrial Services Project in Hard Hat News

R. Baker and Son All Industrial Services was recently featured in Hard Hat News.  The story was on how the company commenced a very technical selective demolition and rigging project at an active petrochemical facility in New Jersey. The full story can be seen at Hard Hat News

Daewoo 225 LCV Excavator Demolishes Interior Concrete Structures

R. Baker & Son All Industrial (www.rbaker.com) rented this Daewoo 225 LCV excavator with a hammer attachment from Hoffman Equipment (www.hoffmanequip.com) to demolish concrete structures inside a large industrial building. The excavator is almost 50,000 lbs in weight and with the demolition hammer attachment made easy work of wrecking the concrete structures. A Dust Boss machine was utilized to maintain dust suppression. You can see the misted water in the picture keeping dust down.

Expert Licensed Demolition Contractors Services by R. Baker & Son

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, is an expert in building demolition contractors services which operates throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The demolition company has been provided these services for over 73 years with a focus on safety, professionalism, schedule and costs.

Demolition and Wrecking Services that the company provides includes:

• Industrial and Commercial Demolition of Structures, Buildings, Plants and Facilities
• Scrap Metal Recycling and Salvage
• Wrecking of Water Towers and Concrete Silos
• Interior Demolition, Removal of Interior Mezzanines, Entire Renovations
• Used Equipment Purchasing, Salvage and Removal

Please feel free to contact us for an estimate, proposal or bid by visiting our website at http://www.rbaker.com/ or email marketing@rbaker.com

R. Baker & Son Completes Selective Demolition of LNG Vaporizers

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services (R. Baker & Son) recently completed the demolition of three (3) Liquid Nitrogen Gas (LNG) vaporizers including piping, conduits and selected foundations at an active LNG facility in New Jersey. The large energy services client contracted R. Baker & Son due to their exemplary safety record, expert selective demolition services and competitive rates.

The vaporizers were shutdown in early 2008. The piping was previously purged by the client with nitrogen and made safe. The vaporizers were also confirmed to be asbestos free.
Prior to any demolition and dismantlement activities, R. Baker & Son worked with the client representatives to make necessary disconnects and weld caps, reroute piping, and isolate mechanical systems from the existing vaporizers. This included hydrostatic pressure testing of the newly installed vales and piping as well as certification of the welding (100% radio graphed). In addition, all necessary Local and State permits were obtained to perform the work.

Due to the proximity to active operations, strict safety measures were implemented. These safety procedures included:

• A Contractor Safety Orientation was completed with each worker before any work began.
• Daily “Tail Board” safety talks were given to the workers covering work topics such as MSDS sheets, hand tools, weld flash, burning, fire extinguisher use, ladders, etc
• No smoking policy on entire facility
• U.L. approved fire extinguishers and fire hoses with nozzles to protect work area and equipment.
• Temporary fencing, barricades, safety lights, traffic control,etc. were utilized to secure work area.• All roadways remained open at all times for emergency equipment access.
• All fire hydrants remained operable and accessible during the entire demolition process.• Area combustion testing was performed at the start of the work day and at mid day
• Since the LNG plant is an active operating plant, no equipment, pipes beams, etc. could be dropped which would cause vibrations to the surrounding operating equipment. All materials needed to be carefully lowered to the ground using cranes or heavy equipment.

Once the vaporizers were isolated, R. Baker & Son began the demolition of these items. The typical procedure for the demolition of each vaporizer was to first torch cut the legs of the vaporizer. A 75,000 lb excavator with shear was utilized with rigging gear to carefully lower each vaporizer in a controlled manner to the ground. Once on its side, it would be moved to the nearby staging area to be cut into scrap metal using the excavator with shear attachment.
Once the demolition of the vaporizers and associated piping and conduits was completed, R. Baker & Son proceed with the concrete work. The main concrete foundation needed to be prepared for grading. The foundation was to remain but all surface protrusions such as anchor bolts and grout needed to be removed to create a flat smooth surface. In addition, pipe support footings were removed to one foot below grade. Voids created by concrete footing removal were filled with ¾ size clean stone. Final grade was accomplished by covering the area with 4 inches of ¾ inch clean stone matching existing area stone.

The work was completed in less than a month weeks without incident or injury.

For pictures and additional information go to http://www.rbaker.com/selective-demolition.php

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor for dismantlement, decommissioning, plant relocations and demolition in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The Veteran owned company has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (The company has been actively involved on four (4) sites that have received OSHA VPP site safety awards) and is financially strong (bonding over $10 Million). Capabilities include total plant and facility dismantlement, decommissioning, demolition, onsite concrete crushing as well as heavy equipment rigging, entire plant relocations, machinery moving and millwright services.

Contact Information

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Website: http://www.rbaker.com
Email: marketing@rbaker.com