On construction sites, a skid steer with the right attachments replaces several single-purpose machines. A trencher installs utilities faster than digging by hand. An auger drills footings and posts. A hydraulic breaker busts concrete and frozen ground. A bucket grades and loads. The key is knowing which tool is right for each part of the job — and whether your machine has the hydraulic flow to run it.
⚠ Know Your Machine's Hydraulic Flow
Trenchers, hydraulic breakers, and cold planers typically require high-flow hydraulics (28–40 GPM). Standard-flow machines (15–22 GPM) can run augers, compactors, and buckets but will underperform on high-flow attachments.
See hydraulic flow guide →
Trenchers
Best for: utility installation, drainage, irrigation, conduit
A chain trencher cuts a clean, narrow trench (4–12" wide, up to 48–60" deep) far faster than digging by hand or bucket. Used for water lines, electrical conduit, drainage tile, gas lines, and irrigation. Chain trenchers (continuous cutting chain) are common on skid steers; rock wheel trenchers handle harder ground. High-flow typically required for chain trenchers over 36" depth.
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Augers
Best for: footings, piers, sign posts, helical piles
Skid steer augers drill holes for structural footings, sign posts, helical piles, and concrete piers. On construction sites, common sizes are 12", 16", and 24" diameter for footings; 6–9" for posts. The skid steer's weight and stability make it more controllable than a tractor-mounted auger in tight site conditions. Match the drive unit's torque to your soil and bit diameter.
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Hydraulic Breakers
Best for: breaking concrete, asphalt, rock, frozen ground
A hydraulic breaker (demolition hammer) mounts to the front plate and uses high-pressure hydraulic impact to break concrete slabs, curbs, asphalt, rock, and Canadian frozen ground. Essential for utility work in winter or removing old hardscaping. High-flow required — typically 25–45 GPM depending on breaker class. Matched to machine weight class for efficient breaking.
Read: Hydraulic Breaker Attachments →
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General Purpose Buckets
Best for: grading, backfilling, loading debris and aggregate
A GP bucket is the core of site work — backfilling trenches, rough grading, loading debris, and moving aggregate. For demolition cleanup, add a tooth bar for breaking up compacted rubble. For loading trucks, get a high-capacity 4-in-1 bucket that opens at the bottom for precise dumping. Match bucket width to your machine's rated operating capacity.
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Vibratory Plate Compactors
Best for: compacting base rock, backfill, subgrade
A hydraulic vibratory compactor firms up base material for concrete pours, pavers, and building pads. Faster and more consistent than walk-behind compactors on large areas. Some models include a water tank for asphalt compaction. Required before any concrete work to prevent settling. Standard-flow compatible on most skid steers; wide plate models on high-flow machines get significantly better compaction rates.
Read: Compactor Attachments →
Cold Planers
Best for: milling asphalt, surface prep, road repair
A cold planer mills asphalt or concrete to a precise depth — used for road repair, resurfacing prep, and removing deteriorated surface layers. The drum with carbide cutters grinds material which is then loaded and hauled. High-flow required (35–45 GPM minimum). A specialized tool, but irreplaceable for paving contractors who need to mill rather than overlay.
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Cement Mixers
Best for: small concrete pours on remote job sites — footings, posts, flatwork
A skid steer cement mixer (drum or hopper-style) mounts to the front plate and lets you batch-mix and pour concrete on-site without a ready-mix truck. Ideal for footings, fence posts, curbs, and flatwork where a truck can't access or isn't economical. Standard-flow compatible on most models; electric or hydraulic rotation available.
Read: Cement Mixer Attachments →
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