Countless Attachments: The Stand-On Skid Steer Has a Tool to Get Just About Any Job Done

Stand-on skid steers and their counterparts (mini track loaders, compact utility loaders, etc.) could most definitely be compared to Swiss Army knives — and for good reason. With the ability to easily switch out a variety of attachments, these versatile machines can take on almost any jobsite. Rather than hauling multiple larger machines to a jobsite, operators can simply bring one stand-on skid steer outfitted with a range of attachments that can be used to suit the needs of most projects. The combination of various tools suited for these mini tool carriers means that these machines are used by plumbers, arborists, landscapers, fence builders, electricians, general contractors and utility company crews and are readily available for rent.

While so many attachment options make a stand-on skid steer the perfect machine for many jobsites, the selection can also be overwhelming. Which attachment makes the most sense? Here are five attachments to invest in that will help you get the job done on time and on budget.

Stump Grinder

Stump grinders are the benchmark for rugged design, minimal maintenance and cutting speed. In the past, arborists and landscapers would have to bring a stand-on skid steer and a stump grinding machine when removing stumps. The stump grinder attachment eliminates the need for a stump grinding machine. In turn, minimizing the number of machines that are hauled to a jobsite and the cost to maintain multiple machines results in increased productivity and maximum ROI for a task that is typically labor-intensive and time-consuming.

Backhoe

Whether contractors and landscapers are loading, digging or moving material, the versatile backhoe attachment is designed to help contractors stay efficient on a variety of earthmoving tasks. With the correct bucket size, digging depth and 180-degree swing radius, the backhoe attachment can help improve operator agility and efficiency on the jobsite. Additionally, the backhoe attachment eliminates the need to rent or purchase an excavator, minimizing the transportation and maintenance costs associated with additional machines.

Power Rake

Power rake attachments are heavy-duty and reliable assets for any landscape crew. Power rake attachments are designed to clean, level and prep jobsites or to smooth and loosen soil for sodding — which allows operators to quickly move to the next step of a project. Most rake attachments require 10 to 14 gpm, but running a rake with a higher horsepower machine will create even more drum torque to break up hardpack or clay soils. Power rakes can help landscapers complete necessary tasks quickly and efficiently.

Hydraulic Power Fork

A hydraulic power fork is an essential attachment for loading and unloading material from a trailer or truck bed and makes material handling across tricky terrain easier and more efficient. A pair of pallet forks can help operators move a variety of materials like sod, bricks, trees and ornamental garden boulders. Compared to a traditional pallet fork, the hydraulic power fork allows for an operator to adjust the tines with intuitive controls on the machine, rather than manually. Eliminating the need to get on and off the machine to adjust the tines ultimately helps contractors move through a job faster.

Bucket

The bucket attachment is arguably the most popular attachment for stand-on skid steers. They help operators lift large piles of material or debris that need to be relocated or disposed of. There are a variety of bucket types to choose from, depending on the application. For example, dirt buckets are primarily used for transporting topsoil and backfilling. Grapple buckets come with hydraulic clamps to hold unstable material, making them ideal for tree care or landscaping. There are also high-capacity buckets, buckets with teeth for digging, and 4-in-1 buckets that allow for multiple jobs to be completed, making them ideal for any jobsite.

Attachments in Action

When contractors invest in versatile attachments, they can take on a variety of jobsite tasks with one machine. For example, an operator can take a single machine on a job to load, dig or move material with a backhoe attachment. They can then switch to a hydraulic power fork to handle materials. Afterward, they can attach a bucket to remove the dirt. Lastly, a power rake attachment can be used to restore the ground. Four attachments, four tasks complete and just by using a single machine.

In one instance, Darrel Anderson, owner and CEO of D2Scapes, a landscape company based in Hot Springs, Ark., credits the versatility of stand-on skid steer attachments for allowing his crew to take on two separate residential landscaping projects at one time. “Being able to easily switch attachments is key to helping us to accomplish a variety of jobs with just the one machine,” Anderson said. “Since many of our jobs are in residential areas that already have multiple vehicles taking up jobsite space, the ability to bring just one machine to a jobsite is a huge plus. In the future, I definitely plan to continue looking into new attachments that can help my crew take on new jobs. I believe that will be the future of how we work.”
With the right attachments, you can turn one machine into a multifaceted workhorse. Make sure to ask your equipment dealer what stand-on skid steer attachments will help you get the job done.

Brant Kukuk is the compact equipment product manager at Ditch Witch.

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