Our 3-Step Guide to Picking the Right Skid Steer Attachment
Skid steers are versatile, compact machines found on many jobsites, but unlocking your skid steers’ full potential comes in the attachments you choose. With a wide range available, figuring out which attachments suit you and your equipment can be tough- but it doesn’t have to be. This step-by-step guide will walk you through picking the right skid steer attachment, no matter your project and industry.
Step 1: Know Your Machine
Not all skid steers are built the same. Before you consider attachments, it’s best to understand your equipment’s specs.
Hydraulic Flow Rate
Before you pick an attachment, make sure it’s compatible with your skid steer’s hydraulic system. Heavy-duty attachments like mulchers, cold planers, and large augers usually require a skid steer with a high-flow hydraulic system. Most common tools, like buckets and forks, can be paired with a standard hydraulic system.
Rated Operating Capacity (ROC)
Your skid steer’s ROC tells you how much weight the equipment can safely lift. Especially heavy attachments can reach or exceed your ROC before you pick up material and start working. Make sure the weight of your desired attachment is within your skid steer’s ROC, leaving enough leftover room for the materials you plan on handling.
Coupler Type
Most skid steers use a universal coupler system that allows for easy attachment swapping. However, some brands and older machines may not use this universal coupler, making it important to double-check that your attachment is compatible with your skid steer’s coupler before you make a purchase.
Step 2: Understanding Each Attachment
Before you choose a skid steer attachment, it’s crucial to understand what each one can do.
|
Attachment |
Use |
|
Buckets |
Scooping, carrying, dumping, and grading materials. |
|
Forks |
Acts as a forklift to lift, move, and stack pallets. |
|
Spears |
Piercing and lifting hay bales. |
|
Backhoe Arm |
Acts as a mini excavator. Dig trenches, ditches, and foundations with better reach than a standard bucket. |
|
Augers |
Drills into the ground. |
|
Thumbs |
Clamps over irregular objects for easier material handling. |
|
Brushcutters |
Clears thick vegetation. |
|
Mulchers |
Shreds trees, brush, and vegetation into a fine mulch. |
|
Tillers |
Churn and aerate soil. |
|
Blades |
Push and level material. |
|
Stump Grinders |
Grind tree stumps down for easy land clearing. |
Step 3: Define Your Main Tasks
Picking an attachment that suits your worksite comes down to figuring out your most common tasks. Consider your day-to-day projects to find an attachment that you’ll get the most use out of.
|
Type of Work |
Suitable Attachments |
|
Material Handling |
Forks, spears, and buckets. |
|
Site Prep |
Backhoe arms, trenchers, augers, and blades. |
|
Land Management |
Brooms, tillers, rakes, mulchers, brush cutters, and stump grinders. |
Conclusion
Whether you have a Cat 242D or a Cat 262D3, finding a skid steer attachment that suits your project doesn’t have to be hard. When you consider your machine, its specs, and your day-to-day tasks, it’s simple to find the right skid steer attachment.
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