AEM Promotes Consistent Terminology for Compact Tool Carriers

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has announced its initiative to advance the term “compact tool carrier” to refer to machines that are also known as mini-loaders, mini skid-steer loaders, mini skid steers, compact skid steers and compact utility loaders.

The AEM’s Larry Buzecky notes that U.S. and international standards writing bodies are adopting the term. A proposed SAE standard on personnel protection defines a compact tool carrier as a “self-propelled crawler or wheeled machine having an operating mass of less than 1,400 kg with a rigid frame, having either a walk-behind operator position or standing operator platform at the rear of the machine and having either front-mounted interchangeable equipment or lift arms with an attachment bracket capable of coupling to interchangeable front-mounted attachments.”

In September 2008, AEM produced a safety manual covering compact tool carriers. It is available in English and Spanish versions from the AEM Store online.