Bobtach vs SSQA, standard vs high flow, S-Series vs T-Series vs R-Series — the complete compatibility reference for Canadian Bobcat skid steer owners.
Bobcat is the most common skid steer brand in Canada by a significant margin. They're on job sites from St. John's to Prince Rupert, on farms across the prairies, and in every municipality's equipment yard. The problem: Bobcat's proprietary Bobtach coupler system means attachment compatibility isn't as simple as it is with other brands. Buy the wrong attachment and it won't fit without an adapter. Buy the wrong adapter and you're dealing with performance penalties and safety complications.
This guide is the reference Canadian Bobcat owners need before buying any attachment — whether it's a new Bobcat OEM piece or a third-party attachment from HLA, TMG, Virnig, or anyone else.
Bobtach is Bobcat's proprietary quick-attach coupler system. It's been on Bobcat machines since the 1970s, and it's mechanically different from the SAE J2513 universal quick-attach plate (SSQA) used by most other manufacturers. The difference: Bobtach uses a wedge-lock mechanism that engages from the sides, while SSQA uses a bolt pattern and pin engagement from the top.
Bobcat OEM attachments — anything sold directly by Bobcat — are built with Bobtach plates and will connect directly to any Bobcat skid steer that uses Bobtach (which is most of them). The complication is that third-party attachments are almost universally built for SSQA, not Bobtach. This means if you have a Bobcat with a Bobtach receiver, you need an adapter to run non-Bobcat attachments.
Most Bobcat skid steers built before 2015 use the original Bobtach pattern. The newer R-Series (R-Series was introduced in 2018) comes standard with SSQA, which Bobcat calls "Bobcat-Brand SSQA." Some S-Series and T-Series machines from 2015 onward offer SSQA as an option or were delivered to certain fleet buyers with SSQA plates.
How to confirm which coupler you have:
Quick-attach compatibility is only half the equation. Hydraulic attachments need to be matched to your machine's hydraulic output — both flow (GPM/LPM) and pressure (PSI/bar). Bobcat's lineup spans a wide range of hydraulic capability.
Bobcat uses the term "High Flow" to describe their high-output hydraulic circuit, which is a separate auxiliary circuit (or upgraded circuit in some models) that delivers significantly more GPM than the standard auxiliary port. High Flow is what you need to run hydraulically demanding attachments — mulchers, large snowblowers, cold planers, and some larger auger drives.
| Bobcat Series | Typical Standard Flow | High Flow Available? | Typical High Flow Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| S70, S76 (small frame) | ~15–17 GPM | No | — |
| S550, S590, S595 | ~18–22 GPM | Option on some models | ~28–32 GPM |
| S650, S690 | ~24–26 GPM | Yes — factory option | ~36–40 GPM |
| S740, S770, S850 | ~26–30 GPM | Yes — factory option | ~40–45 GPM |
| T550, T590, T595 | ~18–22 GPM | Option on some models | ~28–32 GPM |
| T650, T690 | ~24–26 GPM | Yes — factory option | ~36–40 GPM |
| T740, T770, T870 | ~26–30 GPM | Yes — factory option | ~40–45 GPM |
Note: These are approximate ranges based on published spec sheets. Always confirm your specific machine's hydraulic output from the operator manual or by calling your Bobcat dealer with your serial number. Actual flow rates depend on engine RPM, oil temperature, and hydraulic system condition.
Any SSQA bucket fits a Bobcat with an SSQA receiver or with a Bobtach-to-SSQA adapter. Bobcat OEM buckets fit Bobtach directly. Most third-party bucket manufacturers (HLA, Virnig, Paladin, TMG) build SSQA-pattern by default.
Width selection: Bobcat's standard frame machines run 60–72" buckets comfortably. The larger T770 and T870 can handle 78–84" buckets. Don't go wider than your machine's footprint without checking the rated operating capacity — wider buckets move more material per pass but increase tip risk on uneven terrain.
Pallet fork frames are built for SSQA. Bobcat OEM fork frames use Bobtach. Either works with the appropriate coupler. Note that the fork spacing and carriage class matter separately from the coupler type — Class II and Class III carriages differ in pin spacing and load rating. Confirm your carriage class matches the forks you're buying.
Auger drive units are hydraulic attachments — SSQA mount plus one or two hydraulic hose connections. Standard-flow auger drives (for bits up to about 18" diameter in normal soil) run fine on a standard-flow Bobcat. Large-diameter bits (24"+) or use in hard/frozen ground puts real demand on hydraulic flow — a high-flow machine produces significantly better auger torque and speed in these conditions.
Auger bits are universal — bit shank size (2" hex, 2-9/16" hex) is what determines fit, not the machine brand. Confirm the bit shank matches your drive unit before ordering bits.
Root grapples and brush grapples are SSQA-mounted hydraulic attachments. Bobtach-to-SSQA adapter required on older Bobcats. Grapples are relatively low-demand hydraulically — even standard-flow machines handle grapples well. The consideration here is weight and ROC (Rated Operating Capacity). A heavy grapple with a full load of brush or stumps needs to be within your machine's ROC. Check the attachment weight plus maximum material weight against your machine's ROC before buying a grapple.
This is where many Bobcat owners get surprised. Forestry drum mulchers and heavy brush cutters require high flow — typically 30–45 GPM minimum. A standard-flow Bobcat simply doesn't have enough hydraulic output to run a mulcher at rated capacity. Running an oversized hydraulic attachment on insufficient flow causes overheating, poor performance, and premature pump wear.
If you have a standard-flow Bobcat and want to mulch vegetation, your best option is a light-duty disc or flail mulcher designed for standard flow (some manufacturers make standard-flow units for the 15–22 GPM range), or you consider whether a compact track loader with high flow is the right tool for your operation.
Mid-size snowblowers (60–72") typically need 18–25 GPM and run fine on standard-flow machines like the S550 or T590. Larger snowblowers (78–84") need 25–35+ GPM and benefit significantly from high flow. Running a large blower on a marginal-flow machine results in a machine that works but throws snow weakly and overheats the hydraulic system in sustained use.
Breakers run on standard flow — most mid-range breakers require 12–22 GPM, which virtually any Bobcat S or T series can provide. The critical specification is operating pressure — most breakers need 2,200–3,000 PSI, and you need to confirm your machine's auxiliary circuit pressure falls within the breaker's acceptable range. Bobcat's standard auxiliary pressure is typically 3,000 PSI or adjustable in that range, but verify with your dealer.
High flow required. Cold planers are among the highest hydraulic demand attachments — typically 35–50 GPM at high pressure. You need a high-flow S700/T700 series or larger to run a cold planer productively. Don't attempt this on a small-frame or standard-flow machine.
The Canadian operator community has extensive experience running non-Bobcat attachments on Bobcat machines. Some things worth knowing:
Bobcat has one of the strongest dealer networks in Canada — Alta Equipment (formerly Bobcat of the West), Bobcat of Ottawa, and regional dealer groups across the prairies and Atlantic provinces. For compatibility questions, a quick call to your local Bobcat dealer with your serial number is usually the fastest way to get a definitive answer.
The Ontario dealer guide, Alberta dealer guide, and BC dealer guide have regional dealer listings that include Bobcat dealers. For the broader machine-specific compatibility picture, see also the Bobcat attachments overview.