Attachment Central: The Most Popular Snow Implements for Tool Carriers

With the right attachments you can turn your skid steer loader, compact track loader or articulated loader into a snow removing powerhouse. Whether you’re clearing sidewalks, retail centers, commercial parking lots or grandma’s driveway, by choosing the proper snow removal attachments for your machine, you will be ready for whatever conditions Mother Nature decides to throw at you. Here’s a list of the most common snow removal attachments.

Snow Blowers

Snow blowers are the perfect attachment for clearing snow from driveways, sidewalks or any area your skid loader will fit. They are especially useful for clearing snow in tight spaces. Most snow blowers have a hydraulically controlled chute and can throw snow up to 45 ft, allowing you to throw snow wherever you want it. Snow blowers are available for standard- or high-flow hydraulics.

Recommended Machine: Skid steer loaders and compact track loaders
Surface: Streets, parking lots, driveways and sidewalks
Condition: Moderate to heavy snowfall

Angle Brooms

Angle brooms clean up just about anything, including light snow fall. The 60-in. angle broom is the perfect attachment for cleaning sidewalks and walkways. The brooms feature 50/50 poly/wire combo brush material and have a manual or hydraulic angle up to 30 degrees.

Recommended Machine: Skid steer loaders, compact track loaders and articulated loaders
Surface: Streets, driveways and sidewalks
Condition: Light snowfall

Snow Blades/V-Blades

Clear snow with ease with snow blades, trip edge snow blades or V-blades. Snow blades range in sizes from 60 in. to clear sidewalks up to 120 in. for jobs as large as industrial parking lots. Trip edge snow blades feature compression springs that allow up to 8 degree oscillation of the steel cutting edge to follow uneven surfaces. V-blades are the most versatile snow attachments with up to five different position options: V-shape, scooped, straight, right angles and left angles.

Recommended Machine: Skid steer loaders, compact track loaders and articulated loaders
Surface: Streets, parking lots, driveways and sidewalks
Condition: Light, moderate and heavy snowfall

Bulk Material/Snow Buckets

Bulk material/snow buckets are available in standard-, medium- and heavy-duty models and are a great option for snow removal. Standard-duty buckets are recommended for less than 2,400 lbs while medium-duty buckets are recommended for 1,800 lbs. The heavy-duty buckets are recommended for greater than 2,400 lbs.

Recommended Machine: Skid steer loaders and compact track loaders
Surface: Streets, parking lots and driveways
Condition: Moderate to heavy snowfall

Snow Pushes

There are three types of snow push attachments to choose from: oscillating, low profile and high profile. The oscillating snow push features a heavy-duty frame that oscillates up to 8 degrees along uneven surfaces to keep the edge in contact with the surface being cleared. The low profile snow pushes are a great option for smaller-sized skid steer loaders. High profile snow pushes are recommended for larger capacity machines.

Recommended Machine: Skid steer loaders, compact track loaders and articulated loaders
Surface: Streets, parking lots and driveways
Condition: Light, moderate and heavy snowfall

Hydraulic Spreaders

Hydraulic spreaders are a must-have attachment, especially for snow removal contractors. Some hydraulic spreaders feature a self-loading hopper that allows the contractor to remain in the comfort of the cab while scooping up sand or salt. Optional sidewalk deflector kits are also available for spreading material precisely to the width of the sidewalk.

Recommended Machine: Skid steer loaders, compact track loaders and articulated loaders
Surface: All surfaces
Condition: All snow conditions

“Snow removal can all be done in a safe and comfortable way with a compact loader, heated cab enclosure and the right attachments. The more snow you can move in a prompt and safe way, the more profitable you’ll be,” stated Ron Peters, product manager for Edge attachments. Make your compact loader work for you. When it comes to snow removal, choosing the right attachment for the job not only increases productivity, but it can also increase profitability.

Natalie Woodley-Glejf is the services and solutions marketing manager with Manitou Americas Inc.