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Choosing the Right Skid Steer Bucket for Your Construction Projects

Choosing the Right Skid Steer Bucket for Your Construction Projects

Posted by Lee Padgett on 13th Sep 2024

The skid steer loader. A true workhorse of the construction industry, it tackles a multitude of tasks with unmatched versatility. But even the most powerful skid steer loader needs the right tools to truly shine.That's where skid steer buckets come in.These purpose-built attachments transform your skid steer loader into a multi-functional machine, capable of handling everything from digging trenches to loading materials.However, with a variety of skid steer bucket types available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the different varieties.That’s why, in this post, we’ll equip you with the knowledge to select the perfect skid steer loader for any project. We'll delve into the world of low-profile buckets, long bottom buckets, track duty buckets, and snow & litter buckets, exploring their functions, strengths, and ideal applications.Unveiling the All-Stars: Common Skid Steer Bucket Types1. Low Profile Buckets: Kings of Efficiency                    Imagine a skid steer bucket that excels at both loading and grading. That's the beauty of the low-profile bucket. Its shorter design, compared to standard buckets, keeps the center of gravity lower, enhancing stability during operation. This makes low profile buckets ideal for:Loading loose materials: The low profile allows for easier material entry, perfect for tasks like loading gravel, sand, or mulch.Grading and leveling: The straight cutting edge makes precision grading a breeze, ensuring a smooth and even surface.Working in confined spaces: The compact design allows for better maneuverability in tight areas.2. Long Bottom Buckets: Reaching New Depths                      Need to dig deep trenches or reach under low-hanging obstacles? The long bottom bucket is your champion. Featuring a deeper profile than standard buckets, it allows for increased digging depth and … read more
Skid Steer Grapples: Considerations, Sizing and More

Skid Steer Grapples: Considerations, Sizing and More

Posted by Lee Padgett on 9th Sep 2024

Like a skid steer bucket but more specialized, skid steer grapple attachments consist of a bucket with a solid bottom and usually without side cutters. Over the bucket there are usually one to two hydraulic tines that can be closed over debris in order to afford the operator better control - hence the name “grapple” bucket.This short post will cover some of the uses for skid steer grapple bucket attachments, along with a few other considerations.How to Choose the Size of a Skid Steer GrappleFirst, let’s take a look at how to size a skid steer grapple according to the intended use.The first and most important thing is that you get a grapple attachment compatible with your machine. Our skid steer grapples are engineered for easy cross-compatibility with most major makes and models of skid steers, but at the same time, you must get one within the appropriate rated class.Beyond that, we make skid steer grapple buckets in sizes ranging from 60” to 96”. As a general rule, you’ll get the most versatility from a bucket that is the same width as, if not a little bit wider than your skid steer. Going narrower can be acceptable provided you don’t use the bucket to clear a path through debris; if so, a bucket narrower than your skid steer will not be able to clear a path wide enough for the tracks.Uses for a Skid Steer GrappleNow let’s talk about some of the practical uses for a skid steer grapple. These are among the most versatile of all skid steer attachments and can be used for many more applications in addition to the following. Clearing construction and demolition debris. One of the most straightforward applications for a skid steer grapple is to help around the construction site, or for use in light demolition. They’re great for materials handling as well as for cleaning up debris after demolition as well. Consolidating root and burn piles. For those in forestry, landscaping or agriculture, skid steer grapple bucket attachments can be indispensable for compiling root t … read more
Best Skid Steer Attachments for Winter

Best Skid Steer Attachments for Winter

Posted by Lee Padgett on 2nd Sep 2024

Arguably the greatest thing about having a skid loader as a part of your crew’s equipment is that these little machines are so wonderfully versatile.For our part, we elevate that versatility to an art form with skid steer attachments that are compatible with most major makes and models.They’re also particularly great in the winter, since their weight and excellent traction make them better in the snow than even most trucks.With that said, here are some of the top skid steer attachments for winter from our catalog. If your crews deal with a lot of snow and ice in the colder months, you might want to equip your crew’s machine with one of the followingSnow Pusher AttachmentsProbably the single best all-around skid steer attachment for winter, snow pusher attachments are optimized for basically one thing: moving and consolidating massive piles of snow, with ease and efficiency.Available in multiple sizes, our snow pusher attachments for skid steers have larger volumes than comparable buckets and are made with special, thick rubber edges that make them perfect for clearing snow from paved surfaces without gouging the pavement.If you clear a lot of parking lots or other wide open spaces of snow, there is no better skid steer attachment for winter.Skid Steer Dozer BladesAfter snow pushers, dozer blades are probably the next best thing. While snow pushers are better at consolidating, dozers might take the edge (no pun intended) when it comes to easily clearing a path. A skiller operator can also use them for consolidating piles. By the way, any skid steer dozer blades are better than none, but we also make specialized snow dozer blades which are specifically designed for easy and efficient snow removal.Skid Steer Bucket AttachmentsSkid steer bucket attachments are probably the most versatile attachments overall, because they are great for snow removal and consolidating piles, but they’re great at other times of year too.Get a heavy-duty snow bucket if you need one for dedic … read more
Functional Differences Between an Excavator and a Mini Excavator

Functional Differences Between an Excavator and a Mini Excavator

Posted by Lee Padgett on 29th Aug 2024

Excavators and mini-excavators are essential pieces of heavy machinery used in construction, landscaping, and various other industries.While they share similar functions — primarily digging, lifting, and moving earth — their differences in size, capability, and application make them suitable for distinct tasks. In this article, we'll explore the functional differences between excavators and mini-excavators, as well as the specific applications where each machine excels. We’ll also highlight various mini excavator attachments and their use cases.Overview of Excavators and Mini-ExcavatorsExcavators are large, powerful machines designed for heavy-duty tasks. They typically weigh between 14 and 90 tons and are equipped with a boom, stick, and bucket that can rotate 360 degrees. Excavators are used in large-scale construction projects, mining, demolition, and other operations that require substantial power and reach.Mini-excavators, on the other hand, are smaller versions of excavators, weighing between 1 and 14 tons. Despite their reduced size, mini-excavators are incredibly versatile and can perform many of the same tasks as full-sized excavators but on a smaller scale. They are favored in projects where space is limited or where a lighter touch is needed.Functional DifferencesSize and Mobility Excavators: Due to their large size and weight, excavators are less mobile than mini-excavators. They require more space to operate and are not as easily transported between job sites. However, their size also allows them to handle much larger tasks, such as moving massive amounts of earth or demolishing large structures.Mini-Excavators: The compact size of mini-excavators makes them highly mobile and versatile. They can navigate tight spaces, such as urban construction sites or residential backyards, where a full-sized excavator would be impractical. Additionally, mini-excavators can be easily transported on smaller trailers, reducing transportation costs and time.Power and Per … read more
Uses for Auger Attachments for Skid Steers (Plus Other Questions Answered)

Uses for Auger Attachments for Skid Steers (Plus Other Questions Answered)

Posted by Lee Padgett on 29th Aug 2024

While auger attachments for skid steer loaders are not quite as versatile as some other more generalized attachments like buckets and dozer blades, they are much more utilitarian than you might expect. Here are some of the top uses for skid steer auger attachments, along with some other questions answered.1. Digging holes for sign and fence postsProbably the most straightforward use of an auger attachment for a skid steer is to excavate deep holes with straight sides that are perfect for installing sign posts and fence posts.  These are the attachments to use for this application as the deeper the post hole and the more vertical the sides the more structurally stable the hole will be. This makes it possible to install posts that are resistant to leaning.2. Preparing to drive poles or pilesThe same conditions that make auger drives the right attachment for excavating holes for fence and sign posts also make them perfect for excavating holes for poles and pilings. With that said, you’ll need to use an auger bit that’s wider as the hole you dig should only be slightly wider in diameter than whatever you’re going to lay in it.3. Digging holes for root ballsOne of the more interesting uses for skid steer auger attachments is to dig holes to make it easier to plant root balls. For this application digging depth is not necessarily as important as width as tree root balls can be fairly wide. Nonetheless, we produce HTF style bits specifically optimized for tree planting in sizes as wide as 48”, making them perfect for excavating holes for root balls. This application is particularly useful for farmers, ranchers, and landscapers, and possibly for some forestry crews as it completely revolutionizes the process of planting trees, eliminating hours of wasted manual labor that would be spent digging.                                                  &n … read more