Will It Fit My Skid Steer?

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Overview
1. Attachment Connection
2. Hydraulic Couplers and Flow Rate
3. Machine Lift Capacity
4. Finding the Right Attachment

Determining Compatibility

Not sure if the attachment you're looking at will fit your machine? Here's the complete guide to skid steer attachment compatibility.

 

1. Attachment Connection Type

The attachment mounting plate on your machine must be compatible with the attachment plate of the attachment. Machine brands and attachment manufacturers have begun to conform to "universal" attachment plates which allow most attachments to fit most machines. There are still exceptions, however.

 

2. Hydraulic Couplers And Flow Rate

For attachments with hydraulic functions, the size and type of hydraulic couplers must be compatible between the host machine and attachment. The auxiliary hydraulic flow rate of the host machine must also fall within the range of accepted flow rates for the attachment. If the attachment does not require hydraulics, disregard this section.

 

3. Machine Lift Capacity

The weight of the attachment must not exceed your machine's rated operating capacity (ROC). For digging and container attachments like buckets and concrete mixers, you must take into account the weight of the contents of the attachment as well.

 

Attachment Connection

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A. Skid Steer Attachment Connection

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B. Mini Skid Steer Attachment Connection

A. Skid Steer Attachment Connection

Modern full size skid steer loaders feature a Universal Skid Steer attachment plate (commonly referred to as a quick attach or "quick tach") which is compatible with standard full size skid steer attachments. There are exceptions, so please use the diagram below to ensure compatibility of your machine's quick attach.

Universal Skid Steer Quick Attach (full size machines)

The images below feature the universal skid steer mounting plate, which comes included with all full size skid steer attachments for sale on our website. This mounting plate is compatible with the Universal Skid Steer "quick attach", which is used by modern full size skid steer machines. This mounting plate WILL NOT fit mini skid steer (stand on / walk behind) machines of any brand.

Exceptions

In this industry there are always exceptions. There are machines that may appear to be full size (cab style), but use a mini skid steer attachment plate. Other machines are sold in multiple attachment plate configurations from dealers. We've outlined several common exceptions below, but please be aware that measuring your quick attach and comparing with our diagrams is the best way to ensure fitment.

 

Bobcat

The smallest Bobcat cab style skid steers use a Bobcat mini skid steer (Bobcat MT) attachment plate, and are NOT COMPATIBLE with the Universal Skid Steer mounting plate. Examples include Bobcat models: 310, 313, 450, 453, 463, 520, 530, 533, 553F, S70.

 

ASV/Terex

ASV has several popular models of small cab style skid steers that use their ASV mini skid steer attachment plate, and are NOT COMPATIBLE with the Universal Skid Steer mounting plate. Examples include: RC-30, RT-30

B. Mini Skid Steer Attachment Connection

 
Mini Universal

Most mini skid steer attachments come with a Mini Universal mounting plate. Compatible machine brands include: Ditch Witch, Vermeer, Toro Dingo, Boxer, Ramrod, Kanga and more. Bobcat now offers their mini skid steers with a Mini Universal plate, but most still feature their proprietary plate (see Bobcat MT below). For this reason, we highly recommend you compare your machine's attachment plate with our diagrams in order to determine compatibility with our mounting plate options.

Bobcat MT

Most Bobcat mini skid steers use their proprietary attachment plate (Bobcat MT). Bobcat also has some cabbed machines that use the Bobcat MT plate (see Exceptions section above). However, Bobcat now offers the option to purchase their mini skid steers with a Mini Universal attachment plate, or the Bobcat MT plate. For this reason, we highly recommend you compare your machine's attachment plate with our diagrams in order to determine compatibility with our mounting plate options. If you do not see a "Bobcat MT" mounting option for an attachment you're considering, please chat with us or give us a call.

Mini ASV/Terex

ASV does not offer a stand on or walk behind style machine, but their smallest skid steers do feature a special mounting plate. Models that use this attachment plate include but are not limited to: RC-30, RT-30, PT-30. We highly recommend you compare your machine's attachment plate with our diagrams in order to determine compatibility with our mounting plate options. If you do not see a "Mini ASV" mounting option for an attachment you're considering, please chat with us or give us a call.

Hydraulic Couplers and Flow Rate

Couplers are the connection point that allows hydraulic fluid to flow between the host machine and the attachment, powering the hydraulic function of the attachment. Attachment compatibility depends on the quick couplers being the same size and kind and the auxiliary hydraulic flow rate of the machine being within the attachment's recommended hydraulic flow range. Use the Flow Rate Finder below to find your machine's flow rate and determine if it is within the accepted range of a certain attachment.

Skid Steer Hydraulic Flow Finder

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Max Flow

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Additional Machine Info

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Machine Width: N/A
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Machine Length: N/A
Wheelbase: N/A
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Tipping Load: N/A
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Operating Capacity (50%): N/A
Hydraulic Horsepower (Standard Flow): N/A
Hydraulic Horsepower (High Flow): N/A

Types of Hydraulic Couplers

Flat Face Couplers

Flat face couplers are the standard couplers that most skid steers and mini excavators are equipped with these days. The male and female are both flat on the end and simply push together to form the connection. Sizes include 1/2" for standard flow machines, 3/4" for high flow machines (5/8" less common for high flow machines), and 3/8" for case drains.

Pioneer Couplers

On most machines made prior to 1996, Pioneer style couplers are used. Pioneer couplers have also been used on older tractor equipment. The male end has a nipple protruding out of the end. The female end has a hole that has a ring of ball bearings around it.

Case Drain Couplers

Case drains are required on some attachments to relieve excess oil pressure from the motor seals. On these attachments there is a third hydraulic hose with a smaller 3/8” body coupler.
 
Typically, high flow Skid Steers and Excavators are equipped with a Male 3/8” Body coupler as the case drain coupler. In this case, when you are buying an attachment, you will select the Female 3/8” Body coupler to go onto the attachment.
 
If your machine is equipped with a Female 3/8” body coupler instead, then you will need to specify a Male 3/8” body coupler when purchasing these attachments.

Machine Lift Capacity

The final and most basic factor in determining compatibility is the lift capacity of your machine. The weight of the attachment and any material it might contain (buckets, hoppers, etc.) must not exceed the weight that would make the host machine unstable, or "tippy". This is commonly referred to as Rated Operating Capacity (ROC).
 
Because the different jobs/applications that skid steer loaders perform, a machine's ROC may vary between 30% and 50% of its tipping load (the weight at which the machine will tip on even terrain, while stationary). 35% of tipping load is a generally agreed upon standard, but this is up to the judgement of the operator. If you are running the machine at full speed or on uneven terrain, we recommend not exceeding 35% of tipping load.

Finding the Right Attachment

Now that you know what skid steer attachments will fit on your machine, how do you navigate our large selection of attachments?
 
We are implementing features to our website that will allow you to compare similar attachments side by side, looking at features, specs, and pricing of both in order to make your decision.
 
Ask for help! We highly recommend getting in touch with our knowledgeable sales team via the chat box or over the phone, as they will be able to walk you through your options, compare and contrast attachments, and inform you about lead times and product availability.

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Skid Steer Hydraulic Flow Finder

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Max Flow

N/A

Max Pressure

Additional Machine Info

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Machine Width: N/A
Machine Height: N/A
Machine Length: N/A
Wheelbase: N/A
Operating Weight: N/A
Tipping Load: N/A
Operating Capacity: N/A
Operating Capacity (50%): N/A
Hydraulic Horsepower (Standard Flow): N/A
Hydraulic Horsepower (High Flow): N/A

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