Mini Skid Steer Attachments: What Fits and What Does Not

Mini skid steer attachments are not just smaller versions of full-size skid steer attachments. Many attachments built for full-size machines will not work on a mini skid steer, because a mini has smaller frames, lower lift capacity and lighter hydraulics.

Chupp Industrial, in Chouteau, Oklahoma, sells attachments and ships nationwide, and fit questions like these come up constantly.

How is a mini skid steer different from a full-size skid steer?

A mini skid steer differs from a full-size skid steer in three places: weight capacity, hydraulic flow and the mounting plate.

• Weight capacity. A mini tips easier with a heavy tool hanging out in front.
• Hydraulic flow. Some tools need more oil than a mini pumps.
• The mounting plate. The plate on a mini may be different from a full-size plate, and the width of the machine limits how wide a tool can be.

An attachment that bolts up is not always an attachment that works. It can hook to the plate and then stall, lift poorly or make the machine unstable.

Will full-size skid steer attachments fit a mini skid steer?

No, not as a rule. A 72-inch 4-in-1 bucket built for full-size skid steers does not fit a mini skid steer, and that has caught people out. For a mini you want a bucket made for that class of machine, not the big one with a hopeful adapter.

The same caution goes for grapples, breakers, augers and sweepers. Buy the size built for your machine.

What do you need to know about your mini skid steer before you buy attachments?

Before buying any mini skid steer attachment, know these details:

1. Your machine's exact make and model, not "a small skid steer."
2. Your machine's rated operating capacity, the lifting number that keeps it safe.
3. Your machine's hydraulic flow and pressure, to compare with what the tool needs.
4. Auxiliary hookup. Some tools need one line. Some need a case drain too.
5. The job. Digging, sweeping, grading and clearing all want different setups.

With those details, Chupp Industrial can match attachments to the machine, which is easier than sorting out a tool that does not fit after the fact.

Can a mini skid steer run a hydraulic breaker?

A hydraulic breaker on a mini skid steer needs the right flow and enough machine weight behind it. Too small a machine will bounce and wear itself out. Pick the breaker class the machine can carry, not the one that looks impressive.

How do you read an attachment spec sheet for a mini skid steer?

Compare the attachment's weight, flow range and pressure to your machine's numbers. Attachment listings can be confusing, so work through them in order:

• Add the attachment's weight to whatever you plan to carry so the total stays under your rated capacity.
• Check the tool's flow range and pressure against your machine's hydraulic flow and pressure.
• Compare the tool's width to your machine and to the gates and lanes you work in. A tool much wider than the machine is harder to control in tight spots.

If a listing says "fits all skid steers," be careful. A "fits all" claim rarely holds for a mini skid steer.

What if an attachment is too big for your mini skid steer?

If an attachment is too big for your mini skid steer, do not force it. An adapter can solve a mounting problem, but it will not solve a capacity or flow problem. Use a tool sized for the mini instead; a mini-sized tool beats a tipped machine.

How can Chupp Industrial help you pick mini skid steer attachments?

Give Chupp Industrial your machine's make and model, and our sales team can match attachments to it. We are in Chouteau, Oklahoma, and we ship nationwide.

A little time confirming fit before you order beats a return trip to the freight terminal.