Skid steer attachments have become a go-to tool for workers in a wide array of industries. Whether you’re working in agriculture, construction, or mowing, you can get a ton of use out of the right skid steer attachment. For those out of the loop, however, the term “skid steer attachment” likely sounds like a foreign language. 

So… What Exactly is a Skid Steer Attachment?

The work tool attached to a skid steer loader’s hydraulic arm is called an attachment. Multi-terrain loaders, compact track loaders, and compact wheel loaders are just a few of the loader models that high-quality skid steer companies offer. These are typically universally compatible with most skid steer loaders. However, some manufacturers create skid steer attachments that will only function with their specific brand of vehicles. For example, if you want to use the well-renowned landscape rake for John Deere skid steers that are currently on the market, you’ll need the proper John Deere equipment to use it. 

The wide array of available skid steer attachments are made for specific tasks, such as earthmoving, excavation, drilling, and dozing. Depending on the skid steer attachment you’re using, you can even move snow, break rock, and even get a mowing job done faster. Since there are so many various skid steer attachments available, you can complete a range of tasks with just one piece of equipment if you’re knowledgeable enough, and have the right budget in hand. The better you get at swapping out attachments between tasks, the more efficiently you can use your skid steer attachments when on a job site. 

The 6 Common Types of Skid Steer Attachments

Know that you understand what a skid steer is, it’s time to educate yourself about the various attachment tools you can take advantage of. Each one is specifically designed to help you carry out tasks that would be incredibly taxing otherwise. As long as workers respect the skid steer attachments, and are properly trained to use them, they are a safe and powerful way to up a workforce’s job site capabilities. Here are the six most common types of skid steer attachments you should know about: 

1. Landscape Rakes

Landscape rakes are an invaluable tool for agricultural workers and lawn care services. These rakes are used to save tons of time and effort when preparing soil for mass gardening and seeding efforts. The larger the rake is, the easier it is to get a complex job done in an incredibly short amount of time. 

2. Hammers

Setting up foundations for concrete, and other construction work often requires you to break through tough layers of stone, dirt, and other hard materials. Hammer skid steer attachments allow quarries and construction sites to quickly demolish rock, leftover building materials, and much more. Workers have to be extra careful around these attachments, however, as they pack a serious punch that is not to be underestimated! 

3. Brooms

Utility broom attachments are getting more and more popular amongst skid steer connoisseurs. These broom attachments help to get rid of mass trash, debris, and water build-up all over America’s cities. They are also used in tons of different industries to keep worksites clean and safe to use. Due to a labor shortage, people working in construction and public sanitation are currently seeing a huge wage raise. 

4. Buckets

Bucket attachments are used to help carry and excavate large loads of debris, dirt, and materials. On job sites where heavy loads need to be carried to and from locations frequently, bucket skid steer attachments are an extremely common site. That being said, they are sometimes outclassed by fork skid steer attachments. We will discuss the difference between these two tools later on. 

5. Backhoes

Backhoes are designed to carry out specific, and otherwise-difficult landscaping and construction tasks. Digging footprints, back-filling lots, crafting drainage ditches, and other dirty jobs are made infinitely easier when you invest in a high-quality backhoe skid steer attachment. The greater the operator is at finessing the backhoe, the more jobs they can get done in a quick, efficient fashion. 

6. Forks

When you see a forklift, you’re seeing a vehicle that’s essentially dedicated to the task that fork skid steer attachments are designed for. When heavy loads need to be lifted efficiently, or when tons of pallets need to be moved from one warehouse to another, many workers use fork skid steer attachments to get the job done. Outside of massive warehouses, these attachments are often a much more popular and cheaper alternative to investing in a forklift. 

Skid Steers are Here to Stay

A quality skid steer attachment can transform a business operation’s efficiency, or vastly improve an individual farmer’s daily schedule. No matter what you end up using quality skid steer attachments for, they are certain to bring you the value, power, and efficiency that you’ve been searching for.