The Wacker Neuson ST31 is a mid-size vertical-lift compact track loader built on the brand's shared ST27/31/37 uni-body platform. Published factory specs place standard hydraulic flow at 20.1 GPM and high-flow at 30.1 GPM with a 2,170 lb rated operating capacity and 8,241 lb operating weight. Universal SSQA quick attach means full compatibility with the Canadian third-party attachment market. Here's what BC and Northern Canada operators need to know for attachment selection.
The ST31 is the second model in Wacker Neuson's three-machine shared platform CTL series. It sits between the ST27 and ST37 in capacity and hydraulic output. These are factory-published specifications from Wacker Neuson's 2025 product data.
The ST31 shares a purpose-built uni-body chassis platform with the ST27 and ST37 introduced by Wacker Neuson in their 2023 generation. This shared platform delivers specific design characteristics that affect day-to-day attachment operation.
The uni-body platform's loader arm design sits lower and uses a narrower cross-section at the top of the boom than conventional vertical-lift CTL designs. The result is significantly improved operator sightlines — particularly looking forward and to the sides during attachment work. This matters for precision attachment operations:
The ST31's cab tilts fully forward (with the loader arms in the down position) for complete access to the engine compartment and hydraulic system. For attachment operators, this simplifies inspection of hydraulic quick-coupler fittings and attachment interface points. Daily checks and troubleshooting hydraulic fitting leaks are faster and safer with the tilting cab than on conventional CTL designs requiring boom lifting for engine access.
The ST31's auto two-speed system automatically selects travel range based on operator input and machine load. When running attachments under load, the system defaults to the productive low-range — operators don't need to manually manage speed range during attachment work cycles, which reduces operator fatigue on long-duration attachment operation.
The ST31 uses the standard universal skid steer quick attach (SSQA) system — the same geometry used across the industry by Bobcat, Case, Cat, John Deere, Kubota, and virtually all other brands.
What this means for Canadian attachment buyers:
| Attachment | Compatibility | Size Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GP Buckets (dirt, gravel, rock) | ✅ YES | 66–72" optimal | Vertical lift path maintains reach at height — good for truck loading on tight BC urban sites; 2,170 lb ROC covers typical fill loads |
| Pallet Forks | ✅ YES | 48" standard | 2,170 lb ROC handles most residential and light commercial material weights |
| Bale Spears | ✅ YES | Single or double | Within ROC for most large round bales; suitable for BC Interior and Northern Canada agricultural applications |
| Auger Drives | ✅ YES | Up to 16" bits in most soil | 20.1 GPM runs standard-flow auger drives well; track traction advantage in BC soft soil conditions |
| Dozer / Angle Blades | ✅ YES | 84–96" | Good for finish grading on BC construction and landscaping sites; track provides better stability than wheeled SSL on slope work |
| Grapples (root, rock, brush) | ✅ YES | 60–72" | Panoramic visibility advantage makes the ST31 particularly effective for precision grapple work; track traction on soft ground in BC and Northern Canada |
| Snow Pushers (box blades) | ✅ YES | 10'–12' | CTL track provides superior traction on snow-covered surfaces; vertical lift stacks snow effectively at dump sites |
| Power Rakes / Landscape Rakes | ✅ YES | 72–84" | 20.1 GPM runs hydraulic rake motors well; CTL traction advantage on soft BC landscaping sites |
| Landplanes / Box Blades | ✅ YES | 84–96" | Passive attachment; CTL tracks provide stability on uneven ground common in Northern Canada access road maintenance |
| Sweepers (angle brooms) | ✅ YES | 72–84" | Hydraulic brooms within 20.1 GPM standard flow; tracks well-suited to muddy and debris-laden BC construction site sweeping |
| Hydraulic Breakers (mid-class) | ✅ YES | Up to ~600 ft-lb class | Mid-class breakers within 20.1 GPM and 3,500 PSI system pressure; 8,241 lb operating weight provides good reaction mass |
| Post Drivers | ✅ YES | Standard | Standard-flow post drivers within 20.1 GPM; CTL traction useful on soft terrain for Northern Canada fence and infrastructure post work |
| Trenchers (mid-range) | ✅ YES | Mid-range chain | Mid-size hydraulic trenchers within 20.1 GPM; track traction helpful on BC and Northern Canada muddy trench conditions |
| Cement Mixers | ✅ YES | Standard drum | Most drum mixers draw 10–18 GPM; ST31 standard flow handles comfortably |
| Attachment | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mulchers / Forestry Heads (mid-class) | HF REQUIRED | At 30.1 GPM, the ST31 HF handles smaller to mid-class mulching heads rated up to ~28–30 GPM. BC contractors should note that the ST31 ROC (2,170 lbs) limits which heads are appropriate — verify attachment weight. Larger commercial forestry mulchers requiring 33+ GPM are better matched to the ST37 or ST45. |
| Snow Blowers (hydraulic) | HF REQUIRED | Commercial snow blowers up to ~28–30 GPM; ST31 HF covers most mid-range units. Verify attachment minimum GPM against 30.1 GPM output before purchasing high-output models. |
| Rotary Cutters / Brush Cutters | HF REQUIRED | Mid-class brush cutters requiring 25–30 GPM covered by ST31 HF; heavier cutting heads requiring 33+ GPM may underperform |
| Flail Mowers (mid-class) | HF REQUIRED | Mid-range flail mowers up to ~28–30 GPM within ST31 HF range; verify individual attachment spec |
| Soil Conditioners | HF REQUIRED | 30.1 GPM HF handles most soil conditioning heads rated to 28–32 GPM; good for BC landscaping seed bed preparation and Northern Canada site restoration |
| Cold Planers (light-duty) | HF REQUIRED | Light cold planers requiring 25–30 GPM within ST31 HF range; mid to heavy planers requiring 33+ GPM exceed this machine's HF output — step up to ST37 for heavier planing work |
| Attachment | Compatibility | Weight Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Stump Grinders | CHECK WEIGHT | Mid-size stump grinders 1,200–1,800 lbs fit within 2,170 lb ROC. Commercial grinders approaching 2,000+ lbs require individual verification. Also requires HF for most models. |
| Heavy Trenchers | CHECK WEIGHT | Heavy rock chain trenchers can approach 2,000–2,500 lbs. Verify against 2,170 lb ROC. Standard mid-range utility trenchers are more appropriate for this machine class. |
| Commercial Forestry Mulching Heads | CHECK WEIGHT | Many commercial mulching heads weigh 1,400–2,500 lbs. Verify individual head weight against 2,170 lb ROC in addition to verifying GPM requirements. |
The Wacker Neuson ST31's combination of compact size, vertical lift, and CTL traction makes it particularly well-suited to specific Canadian applications in BC and Northern Canada where soft ground, slopes, and visibility matter.
BC Lower Mainland residential and commercial construction contractors frequently work on sites with soft, clay-heavy soils common in the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver. The ST31's rubber tracks provide the ground traction and load distribution needed to stay productive in these conditions without excessive site damage. The panoramic visibility from the uni-body platform is particularly valued on tight residential lots where working around existing structures and services requires precision. Wacker Neuson has dealer representation in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Remote site contractors in Northern BC, the Peace Region, and Yukon Territory use compact CTLs like the ST31 because their versatility — one machine, multiple SSQA attachments — reduces equipment logistics on remote sites. The 3,500 PSI system pressure and universal SSQA compatibility means the ST31 can run a grapple, auger, bucket, and hydraulic breaker off a single quick attach without adapters, reducing the equipment manifest for fly-in or long-haul remote operations. Wacker Neuson's straightforward service access design (tilting cab) simplifies field maintenance without dealer proximity.
BC Interior contractors in the Okanagan, Kamloops, and Kootenay regions use the ST31 for residential development site prep, landscaping, and property maintenance. The combination of CTL traction for soft spring ground conditions, panoramic visibility for precision grade work, and universal SSQA attachment compatibility makes the ST31 a flexible single-machine solution for smaller operators who handle diverse job types across BC Interior's varied terrain.
The ST31 is compact and standard-flow — the most productive tools are correctly-sized buckets, pallet forks, and augers matched to the machine's frame. Don't overload the front end with oversized or high-flow attachments.