Skid steers and track loaders are some of the most versatile pieces of equipment in any industrial or commercial environment and are famed for their durability and potential. They can be even more effective when paired with the right type of attachment, allowing you to minimise the effort and time you put into a certain task while maximising productivity. So if you have just acquired a new skid steer or new track loader, what do you need to know about the various attachments?
Introducing Skid Steer and Track Loader Attachments
The skid steer attachment will be affixed to the hydraulic arm of your loader. Most attachments are universally compatible with loader models and are usually very easy to mount and dismount. Certain attachments are utilitarian and can be pressed into service for various tasks, from excavating to dozing or drilling to earthmoving. Other speciality attachments are excellent for digging post holes and then installing the posts, and when you are finished with one task, you can quickly switch out the next attachment to press on with your day.
Watch our on-site testing and review of track loader and farm attachments below!
What Are Some of the Most Popular Types of Skid Steer and Track Loader Attachments?
Buckets
While your skid steer may already come with a general-purpose bucket, you may want something more appropriate for the job at hand. Some buckets have a cutting edge and a particularly low profile, while others may also have a spill guard. 4-in-1 buckets are also very popular, as the wide opening jaws allow for easy loading and dumping. 4-in-1 buckets can also be used for clamping objects like scrap material and logs.
Brooms
You’ll want to clean up as quickly as possible when your heavy-duty work is done, and for this type of job, you need a broom attachment. As you might expect with these versatile machines, you can choose a broom attachment depending on the environment and the debris. Use a pickup broom with a rotating head that allows you to brush the dirt into the integrated hopper. Angled brooms are perfect for confined spaces (like car parks), where the broom head can be set in a certain position to gather the debris for subsequent pickup.
Trenchers
A trencher is a must-have attachment when you need to lay electrical lines from one part of your property to another or install irrigation ditches to help grow your crops. Many of these devices have an integrated attachment that can also move the displaced soil away from the trench. Choose the attachment based on your required depth, and there are different solutions for varying soil conditions. If you are working in the toughest terrain, fit a trencher attachment with tungsten carbide teeth to breeze through the challenge.
Augers
If you need to dig holes with maximum efficiency, you need an auger for your skid steer loader. These hydraulic devices can be attached easily and will apply significant torque to the job at hand. Choose different bits depending on the scale of the challenge, with standard bits more suited for loose soil and industrial bits preferred for rocky conditions. You’ll be able to dig holes for a brand-new fence around your plantation or plant shrubs or saplings at your new nursery.
Post Rammers
Once you have finished digging your holes with the auger attachment, change over to a post rammer. This will allow you to install fence posts safely and with maximum efficiency, no matter the post’s size or the hole’s depth. You can also get these rammers in a number of different styles, like a drop hammer, vibratory post driver or breaker.
Forks
Consider a fork attachment for your skid steer if you need to lift and move cumbersome loads. These devices are widely used on farms or in lumber yards, as well as in various construction environments. Choose from multiple fork tools to give you the required lifting and moving capability. These forks allow you to maintain visibility and deal with heavy loads efficiently and safely.
Spreader Bars
When you have rough land that you need to smooth out or have to dress a large area with some new soil to prepare it for seeding, choose a spreader bar attachment. These are designed to level all types of surfaces and fill in the ground smoothly as the machine moves from point to point. The design of the bar will also allow you to transport any excess material to the end of the run, and its attachments can generally level and spread soil in any condition.
How Do You Fit Skid Steer Attachments?
If you’ve never fitted a skid steer attachment before, you’ll be glad to know that the process Is straightforward and quick.
- Once you’ve decided which attachment to use, simply position the machine in line with the tool, lower the coupler and drive forward.
- When you have connected with the attachment, raise the coupler upward and backwards.
- You can then enable the quick coupler function directly from the cab.
- Some machines only have a manual coupler, so you will need to get out of the cab to secure the pins in place.
- Once everything is coupled correctly, you can return the tool to the ground and reverse for a short distance to ensure that the attachment is secure.
- Finally, attach the hydraulic hose to give you the necessary drive.
Getting High-Quality Attachments for Your Skid Steer Loader
If you want to make full use of your skid steer or track loader, get a range of high-quality general-purpose, speciality and earthmoving attachments. The EEA Group and Earthmoving Attachments Australia are one of the leading suppliers of skid steer attachments on the Australian eastern seaboard, and our friendly staff members are waiting for you to get in touch. Reach out to the experts at EAA for their advice on 1800 ATTACH