By Jamie Martin
For farmers and acreage owners, some jobs are too big for a wheelbarrow but not quite big enough to justify firing up a full-size tractor or skid steer.
That gap is helping compact mini skid steers find a place on smaller farms, livestock operations and rural properties. Their size makes them useful around barns, fence lines and other tight spaces, but the versatility of these machines depends largely on what is attached to the front.
Buckets, pallet forks, grapples, augers and trenchers can turn the same compact machine into equipment for moving feed in the morning, repairing fence in the afternoon and cleaning up brush before the day is over.
Choosing those attachments, however, requires more than deciding which farm chores need to be done.
“People tend to shop for the machine first and the attachments second, and it should be the other way around,” said Braden Chupp of Chupp Industrial, an equipment company in Chouteau, Oklahoma. “Make a list of the three or four jobs you do every week, figure out which attachments do those jobs, and then find a machine that can run them.”
Match hydraulic flow to the attachment
Hydraulic compatibility is one of the first specifications buyers should consider when pairing a mini skid steer with powered attachments.
Augers, trenchers and brush cutters generally rely on a machine’s auxiliary hydraulic system. Each attachment is designed to operate within a particular hydraulic flow range, measured in gallons per minute, or GPM.
Smaller gas-powered mini skid steers may deliver only about 5 to 6 GPM, while larger diesel-powered machines can provide considerably more flow.
Too little flow can mean an attachment operates slowly, stalls when the workload increases or contributes to excessive hydraulic heat. Too much flow can also create problems if an attachment is operated beyond its specifications.
“Hydraulic flow is the number we see trip people up the most,” Chupp said. “An auger will still turn on a low-flow machine, so it seems fine in the yard. Then you get into hard clay and it just stops. Check the attachment’s GPM range against the machine’s spec sheet before you buy either one.”
Lift capacity matters on the farm
The other important number is rated operating capacity.
Many compact mini skid steers have rated capacities in roughly the 500- to 1,000-pound range, substantially less than a full-size skid steer. That limitation becomes important when handling farm materials such as gravel, feed and bales.
Attachment weight is part of the equation. A heavier grapple or set of pallet forks reduces the amount of payload that can be carried within the machine’s operating limits.
Loads also become less stable as they are raised, making it important to keep material low and close to the machine while travelling.
Bales are one farm load that can easily be underestimated.
“Know what your bales actually weigh,” Chupp said. “A dry small square is easy. A wet round bale can be more than the little machines are rated for, and that’s when they get tippy.”
Buckets and forks cover everyday chores
For farms primarily looking to move bedding, feed, soil or other loose material, a general-purpose bucket is likely to be one of the most frequently used attachments.
Pallet forks add another level of versatility by allowing the machine to handle pallets of feed, mineral and other supplies, provided the total load remains within the loader’s rated capacity.
A bale spear can also be useful for handling appropriately sized bales, but owners need to consider both bale weight and the machine manufacturer’s limits before lifting.
Augers can take the work out of fencing
Fence construction and repair can be labour-intensive, particularly when dozens of post holes have to be dug.
A hydraulic auger allows a mini skid steer to drill holes with relatively consistent diameter and depth, potentially speeding up fence installation considerably.
The correct combination of auger, bit and machine depends on soil conditions and the size of the posts being installed. Larger auger bits and difficult ground can demand more hydraulic performance and torque.
Before drilling or trenching, operators should also contact the appropriate utility-location service so underground infrastructure can be identified before work begins. In the United States, that generally means contacting 811 before digging.
Grapples help tackle brush and debris
A grapple can quickly become one of the most useful attachments on a property where brush, branches, old fencing or other bulky material regularly needs to be moved.
Root and brush grapples allow operators to grab awkward material rather than loading and dragging it by hand.
“Grapples are the attachment people end up using more than they expected,” Chupp said. “Every farm has a pile of something that needs to be moved.”
For heavier vegetation, some operators may consider a brush cutter. These powered attachments can place significantly greater demands on the hydraulic system, making the machine’s flow specifications particularly important.
Maintaining lanes and installing utilities
Mini skid steers can also help maintain gravel lanes, barnyards and other high-traffic areas.
A bucket can move and roughly spread stone or soil, while a leveling attachment or box rake can help finish the surface.
A trencher adds another capability for properties installing water lines to livestock areas or running underground wiring. As with auger work, underground utilities should be located before the machine goes into the ground.
Build an attachment lineup around real farm jobs
The ability to change attachments quickly is one of the reasons a small loader can handle such a wide variety of work.
Many mini skid steers sold in North America use common quick-attach systems, but compatibility should never be assumed. Buyers should confirm the mounting plate as well as hydraulic requirements before purchasing an attachment.
For farmers considering a mini skid steer, starting with the workload rather than the machine may ultimately result in a more useful equipment package.
“Once a farm has three or four attachments that fit their machine, it turns into the thing they use every day,” Chupp said. “The key is buying the attachments for the work you actually do, not the work you might do someday.”
Photo Credit: AGT
Categories: National