Skid Steer Wiper Motor Install: Your Questions Answered

A skid steer wiper motor install is a mount-and-wire-up job that most owners finish in about an hour with basic hand tools. Our Electric Wiper Kit costs $229, was designed for the polycarbonate doors we build, and ships with everything you need, including written instructions. If you hit a snag, call or text (800) 781-8000 and a person who builds these doors will walk you through it. Below are the install questions we hear most, answered straight.

The quick answers

Now the longer versions, because the details are where installs go sideways.

Do I get everything I need in the box?

Yes. The Electric Wiper Kit was designed specifically for our skid steer doors, not adapted from some other machine. Here is what ships in the box:

• 12 volt electric wiper motor
• Wiper arm and blade sized for the door
• Mounting hardware
• Wiring to reach your machine’s power
• Written installation instructions

There is no run to the auto parts counter in the middle of the job and no matching a blade off a rack. Open the box, check the parts against the instructions, and start wrenching.

How long does the install take?

Plan on about an hour. The job has two halves. First the mounting half: mount the motor to the door, fit the arm and blade, and set the park position so the blade rests at the edge of the door. Then the wire-up half: route the harness into the cab and connect to power.

If the wiper is part of a bigger project, like putting on the door itself, do the door first. Our guide on how to install a skid steer door covers the general process. Door first, wiper second, with the schedule based on the model-specific door steps and the wiper instructions.

For the full step-by-step on the wiper, including why it earns its keep in rain and snow, read the electric wiper kit guide. This article answers the questions. That one walks the whole job.

What tools should I set out?

Nothing exotic. Before you start, put these on the bench:

• A socket set and combination wrenches
• A screwdriver
• Basic wiring tools for the power hookup
• The written instructions from the kit
• Your phone, in case you want us on the line

That last one is not a joke. We would rather spend ten minutes on the phone than have you force a part or guess at a wire.

Where does the wiper motor get its power?

The motor runs off your machine’s 12 volt electrical system, and the wiring comes in the kit. Skid steers already have the power you need on board. Route the harness into the cab and pick up switched power, so the wiper shuts down when the machine does.

Every machine’s electrical layout is a little different, and a loader that has been repaired over the years may not match the book. If you are not sure where to pick up power on your machine, stop and call us at (800) 781-8000.

One important note. Some machines have door interlocks or safety magnets tied into their controls. Never modify or bypass them. If your install touches anything like that, call us at (800) 781-8000 and we’ll walk you through your machine’s setup.

Do I have to cut or drill my door?

The kit was built for our doors, so the motor mounts clean to the door panel without cutting or guesswork. Follow the included instructions and the wiper lands where it should, sweeping the area you actually look through.

If your door came from somewhere else, call or text (800) 781-8000 before you order. We will tell you honestly whether the kit will work on it.

Will the wiper scratch the polycarbonate?

Not when you run it the way it is meant to run, on a wet door. Fine scratches in poly come from dragging dry grit across the surface, which is exactly what happens when you wipe a dusty door with a dry rag. A wiper works when the door is already wet, so the water carries the grit instead of grinding it.

Three habits protect the view. Only run the wiper wet. Park or lift the blade for dry, dusty work. Replace the blade when it starts to streak. Our guide on whether polycarbonate scratches covers the full care picture.

What warranty covers the wiper and the door?

Wiper kits and other hardware carry a 3 month warranty. The door itself carries our limited lifetime warranty against door failure or breakage: one free replacement for life for the original owner, under normal conditions. That is the door your wiper is keeping clear, and it is why the kit was designed to mount to it properly instead of being rigged on.

Should I order the wiper kit with my door?

If you work in weather, yes. Order the kit with your door and everything arrives together, so you install once and you are set. Door orders ship UPS 3 Day Air, $150 flat, typically 3 business days (not guaranteed).

Think about when you actually run the machine hardest. Snow removal happens in snow. Fall cleanup happens in rain and mud. Plenty of operators pair the wiper with a cab heater at $119 and set the machine up for the ugly months in one shot.

When should I call instead of wrench?

Any time you are not sure. Common reasons owners call us mid-install: the machine’s wiring does not match what they expected, the door was bought used and something is missing, or they want to confirm the park position before tightening down the arm.

Call or text (800) 781-8000, Mon–Fri 7am–4pm CST. You will get someone who builds these doors and installs these kits, not a call center reading a script. We built the kit for the door and the door for your machine, and we want both working the way we made them.

Find your door in 30 seconds. Pick your machine’s make and model and see the exact door built for it: [Find Your Door]. Questions? Call or text (800) 781-8000, Mon–Fri 7am–4pm CST.