HOW SKID STEER ATTACHMENTS HELP CONTRACTORS GET MORE DONE

Skid steer attachments can turn one machine into a versatile tool for material handling, digging, grading, demolition, landscaping, land clearing, snow removal and other construction applications.

Instead of transporting several specialized machines to a jobsite, contractors can change attachments as the work progresses. A skid steer that moves pallets in the morning may be used to drill holes, clear brush or remove concrete later in the day.

McCann Industries offers skid steer rentals, compact track loader rentals and qualifying attachment rentals for a variety of construction applications. Our rental team can help match the machine and attachment to the work you need to complete.

WHY CONTRACTORS USE SKID STEER ATTACHMENTS

Skid steers and compact track loaders are already known for their maneuverability and versatility. Adding the correct attachment can expand their capabilities while helping contractors control equipment, transportation and labor costs.

Benefits of using skid steer attachments include:

• Completing multiple tasks with one machine
• Reducing the number of machines transported to the jobsite
• Moving between tasks more efficiently
• Reducing manual labor
• Handling seasonal or specialized work
• Avoiding the purchase of attachments used only occasionally
• Making better use of equipment already in your fleet

The key is selecting an attachment that fits both the application and the machine.

POPULAR SKID STEER ATTACHMENTS AND THEIR USES

Different jobs require different tools. Understanding how common attachments are used can help you choose the right equipment for your next project.

BUCKETS FOR MOVING AND GRADING MATERIAL

Buckets are among the most commonly used skid steer attachments. A general-purpose bucket can handle soil, gravel, mulch, sand, debris and other loose materials.

Specialized buckets may also be used for:

• Grading and site preparation
• Light-material loading
• Aggregate and dirt work
• Cleanup
• Snow removal
• High-capacity material handling

Bucket size should be matched to the material and the machine’s rated operating capacity. A large bucket filled with a dense material may exceed the machine’s safe lifting capacity.

PALLET FORKS FOR JOBSITE MATERIAL HANDLING

Pallet forks turn a skid steer or compact track loader into a compact material-handling machine.

They are commonly used to move:

• Palletized supplies
• Lumber
• Pipe
• Concrete block
• Bagged materials
• Landscaping supplies
• Construction materials

Operators should know the approximate weight of the load before lifting it. The load’s weight, position and lifting height can affect machine stability and capacity.

AUGERS FOR DRILLING HOLES

A skid steer auger attachment can drill consistent holes more efficiently than manual digging.

Common auger applications include:

• Fence posts
• Signs
• Deck footings
• Building foundations
• Landscaping
• Utility installations
• Pole placement
• Tree and shrub planting

Auger bits are available in several sizes. The correct bit depends on the required hole diameter and the ground conditions. Clay, rocky soil, loose material and frozen ground may require different bit designs or operating techniques.

GRAPPLES FOR CLEANUP AND DEBRIS REMOVAL

Grapple attachments help operators secure bulky, loose or irregular materials that may be difficult to move with a standard bucket.

Common uses include:

• Demolition debris
• Brush and vegetation
• Logs and tree limbs
• Scrap material
• Storm cleanup
• Land clearing
• Construction waste

The hydraulic grapple arms hold material in place while the machine lifts and travels, helping reduce spills and repeated handling.

BRUSH CUTTERS FOR LAND CLEARING

Brush cutter attachments help contractors clear dense vegetation and maintain areas that may be difficult to access with traditional mowing equipment.

They may be used for:

• Overgrown properties
• Building sites
• Rights-of-way
• Fence lines
• Roadside maintenance
• Landscaping
• Storm cleanup
• Property maintenance

Brush cutters must be matched to the machine’s hydraulic capabilities. Operators must also follow the attachment manufacturer’s requirements for guarding, operating distance and protection from flying debris.

HYDRAULIC BREAKERS FOR CONCRETE AND ASPHALT DEMOLITION

A hydraulic breaker, also called a hydraulic hammer, can turn a skid steer into a compact demolition machine.

Hydraulic breakers are commonly used for:

• Concrete removal
• Asphalt demolition
• Sidewalk and driveway removal
• Pavement repair
• Foundation work
• Trenching through hard material
• Demolition in confined areas

The breaker must be correctly matched to the carrier. Hydraulic flow, operating pressure, attachment weight and machine size can all affect performance and equipment life.

TRENCHERS FOR UTILITY AND LANDSCAPE WORK

Trencher attachments can help create narrow, consistent trenches with less surface disturbance than a wider excavation bucket.

Common applications include:

• Utility lines
• Irrigation systems
• Drainage
• Electrical conduit
• Landscape lighting
• Residential service connections

Trenching depth, cut width, soil conditions and the presence of buried utilities must all be considered before work begins.

SWEEPERS AND SNOW ATTACHMENTS

Seasonal attachments allow skid steers and compact track loaders to remain productive throughout the year.

Depending on the application and equipment availability, these machines may use:

• Brooms
• Sweepers
• Snow buckets
• Snow pushers
• Blades
• Other cleanup attachments

These attachments can be useful for parking lots, construction sites, municipal properties, commercial facilities and other paved areas.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SKID STEER ATTACHMENT

Selecting an attachment based only on the task it performs can lead to poor performance or equipment damage. The attachment must also be compatible with the skid steer or compact track loader.

Before choosing an attachment, consider:

• Rated operating capacity
• Hydraulic flow and pressure
• Standard-flow or high-flow requirements
• Attachment weight
• Coupler compatibility
• Electrical connection requirements
• Lift height and reach
• Machine width
• Jobsite access
• Required guarding
• Ground and surface conditions

A properly matched attachment should perform more efficiently while placing less stress on the machine.

STANDARD-FLOW OR HIGH-FLOW HYDRAULICS?

Some skid steer attachments operate with standard-flow hydraulics, while more demanding attachments may require a high-flow machine.

Buckets, pallet forks and many grapples do not typically require high-flow hydraulics. Attachments such as certain brush cutters, planers, trenchers and other powered tools may require additional hydraulic flow.

Using an attachment with a machine that cannot provide the required flow may result in poor performance. It can also create excessive heat or place unnecessary stress on hydraulic components.

Always confirm the attachment’s hydraulic requirements before connecting it to the machine.

SKID STEER OR COMPACT TRACK LOADER?

Many attachments can be used with either a wheeled skid steer or a compact track loader, but the best carrier depends on the jobsite.

A wheeled skid steer may be a good choice for:

• Concrete or asphalt surfaces
• Firm, stable ground
• Jobs requiring frequent travel
• Applications where maneuverability is important
• Work where ground disturbance is less of a concern

A compact track loader may be better suited for:

• Soft or uneven ground
• Muddy jobsites
• Landscaping
• Slopes
• Applications requiring additional traction
• Jobs where lower ground pressure is beneficial

The attachment may perform the same task, but the carrier can affect traction, stability, surface damage and overall productivity.

WHEN RENTING SKID STEER ATTACHMENTS MAKES SENSE

Not every contractor needs to own every attachment. Renting provides access to specialized equipment only when a project requires it.

Skid steer attachment rentals may make sense for:

• Short-term projects
• Seasonal work
• Specialized applications
• Unexpected project requirements
• Supplementing a fleet during busy periods
• Testing an attachment before purchasing
• Avoiding long-term storage
• Reducing ownership and maintenance costs

Renting the skid steer and attachment together can also make it easier to confirm that the equipment is properly matched.

RENT SKID STEERS AND ATTACHMENTS FROM McCANN INDUSTRIES

The right skid steer attachment can help contractors complete work faster, reduce manual labor and get more value from one machine.

McCann Industries offers skid steer loaders, compact track loaders and qualifying attachment rentals for material handling, excavation, demolition, landscaping, land clearing and other construction applications. Equipment and attachment availability may vary by location.

For a limited time, customers can save 20% on monthly skid steer rentals and qualifying skid steer attachment rentals.

Contact McCann Industries to discuss your application, confirm equipment availability and reserve the right machine and attachments for your next project.