A skid steer is one of the most productive machines in landscaping — but only when you match the attachment to the task. Rough grading with a bucket, final grading with a landplane, soil prep with a tiller, seedbed finishing with a power rake. Each phase of a landscaping project benefits from a different tool. Here's how they fit together.
General Purpose Buckets
Best for: moving and spreading topsoil, fill, and material
The foundation of landscaping work. A GP bucket moves topsoil, gravel, compost, and debris. For finish grading, use the bucket edge as a blade to drag and level. Width selection matters — a 72" bucket is the most common on mid-frame skid steers. For spreading fine material, a smooth-edge bucket is better than one with teeth.
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Landplanes
Best for: final grading of large areas, driveways, and yards
A landplane is a floating box blade that levels and smooths ground as the skid steer drives across it. It fills low spots and cuts high spots automatically as it drags. Far faster and more accurate than grading with a bucket on large areas. Standard 8–10 ft widths. Essential for lawn prep, acreage roads, and gravel surface maintenance.
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Power Rakes & Soil Conditioners
Best for: final seedbed prep, rock removal, finish work
A power rake uses a rotating drum with replaceable tines to work the top 2–3" of soil — breaking up clods, removing small rocks and debris, and creating a fine, even seedbed. Essential before hydroseeding or sodding. Also moves collected rocks and debris to the sides. Standard-flow compatible, 60–72" working widths common for skid steers.
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Tillers
Best for: breaking up compacted soil, garden beds, cultivating
A rotary tiller uses L-shaped tines to cultivate soil to a depth of 6–8". More aggressive than a power rake — tillers break up compacted ground, incorporate amendments, and loosen heavy clay soils. Essential step before power raking on a new lawn. Also used for large garden preparation and breaking sod. Mid-flow hydraulics work on most models.
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Vibratory Plate Compactors
Best for: compacting base material, pavers, pathways
A hydraulic vibratory plate compactor mounts to the front plate and compacts granular material, base rock, and prepared seedbeds. Used before paving stone installation, concrete pours, and after laying base material for a new lawn. Much more efficient than a walk-behind compactor on larger areas. Standard-flow compatible on most skid steers.
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Angle Brooms
Best for: cleanup, sweeping pavers and hard surfaces
A rotating angle broom sweeps clippings, dirt, and fine debris from hard surfaces after landscape work. Useful for post-installation cleanup on driveways, patios, and walkways. Year-round utility — same broom cleans up snow in winter. Polyethylene bristles are common; wire bristles for heavier material. Hydraulic angle adjustment lets you direct debris as you sweep.
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