Stone Crushers Lend a Hand in Site Prep, Land Clearing and More

If your jobsite is riddled with rocks, a stone crusher attachment may be just what you need. This powerful, durable attachment can be paired with your skid steer or compact track loader and is ideal for processing stones that may be a nuisance to your project.

“Stone crushers can be used in construction site preparation, gravel road improvement and agricultural land reclamation, among other uses,” says Shannon McComas, chief operating officer at Loftness Specialized Equipment. “Oftentimes, vegetation management and similar contractors with an existing skid steer can easily expand into these other services to increase revenue. There are also benefits for some large property owners looking to manage troublesome rocks.”

When looking to add a crusher to your fleet, the biggest consideration is making sure the attachment matches the machine. It’s crucial that the machine’s flow and pressure are in line with what it takes to run the crusher. If not, an operator won’t achieve the performance they expect. Daniel Montgomery, product launch manager at Fecon, says a high-flow machine — typically 90 hp or greater — is required for a stone crusher to run properly.

“After that, it’s really about durability and how the unit is built,” he says. “Rotor design, tooling and overall construction matter a lot in this kind of application. It’s a very abusive environment, so you want to make sure the unit is built to handle the day-to-day demands.”

More Considerations

Other considerations include visibility, working width and how the crusher handles mixed material — that will make a big difference in daily productivity. Ease of operation and maintenance are also important.

“Customers should consider that a wider stone crushing attachment isn’t always better,” says McComas. “In tough working conditions, the widest attachments available may lag in performance if the power unit isn’t at the top range of hydraulic horsepower. A 63-in. working width is generally a ‘sweet spot,’ as it’s wide enough to cover the power unit’s tracks, but not too wide that it draws excessive power.”

As for cost, crusher attachments range from $50,000 to $80,000 depending on size and capability. Montgomery mentions that rental can be a good way for contractors to get started or to cover a specific job. However, he says a lot of renters end up buying once they see the value.

Beyond the crusher, operators may opt to add counterweight to their machines to help with stability. If the attachment is working long hours in hot conditions, operators may also consider an auxiliary hydraulic oil cooler.

“The cooler mounts to the top of the skid steer or CTL to provide additional cooling to the hydraulic system,” says McComas. “A product like the Loftness Cool Flow can provide up to 150,000 BTUs per hour of cooling performance to help protect the power unit from costly heat-related downtime or equipment damage.”

Two Options

Loftness released its Stone Ax stone crusher in February 2026 and showcased the new attachment at CONEXPO-CON/AGG the following month. Compatible with skid steers from 80 to 135 hydraulic hp, it features a 6-in. stone capacity and 4-in. working depth. McComas says the crusher boasts a large 200cc radial piston motor and specialized rotor design to help produce some of the finest crush sizes in the industry. Operators can control how thoroughly stones are processed thanks to an adjustable anvil and rear hydraulic door. This helps users to meet individual jobsite needs.

“The Stone Ax has 1-in.-thick drum walls, a Hardox lined body and protected, 2.5-in.-diameter rotor bearings to provide outstanding durability,” says McComas. “The unit is equipped with a pressure gauge that’s visible from the cab to help operators optimize productivity.”

Fecon offers two stone crushers — the SC7620 and SC6220. Montgomery says these models are built with durability and simplicity in mind.

“The goal is to give operators a tool that can handle tough conditions without being overly complicated to run or maintain,” he says. “The units are designed around a heavy-duty rotor and a solid overall structure so they can hold up in high-impact, abrasive environments. We also focus on serviceability, making sure wear components are easy to access and straightforward to replace.”

Fecon’s stone crushers are also equipped with the company’s Fusion technology, which automatically tunes the attachment to the carrier each time the machine is powered on. The technology provides real-time feedback through an LED panel — giving the operator a simple, visual way to monitor performance while they work.