Can a Tractor Loader Run Skid Steer Attachments?

A tractor loader can run some skid steer attachments, but it depends on the attachment. To run skid steer attachments, the loader needs a skid-steer-style quick attach, the tractor's hydraulic flow has to fall inside the attachment's range, and some attachments, like the Raytree RABC44 brush cutter, also need a case drain.

Does a tractor need a skid steer quick attach plate?

Yes. The quick attach is the first thing to check. If the front of the tractor has a skid-steer-style quick-attach plate, a skid steer attachment can physically mount. Whether it runs comes down to hydraulics.

Does the tractor's hydraulic flow have to match the attachment?

Yes. The tractor's flow, measured in gallons per minute (GPM), has to fall inside the attachment's range.

The Raytree RABC44 articulating brush cutter needs 12 to 32 GPM. A tractor putting out about 20 GPM is within that range, so the RABC44 should work on it, as long as the tractor also has a case drain.

A lower-flow tractor has fewer choices, not none. A smaller drum mulcher sized for low flow can run on a tractor with about 11 GPM.

Does the tractor need a case drain?

For the RABC44, yes. The case drain is the line that returns hydraulic fluid to the tank. Hooked up, the RABC44 runs on three hydraulic hoses:

1. A hose with a male fitting
2. A hose with a female fitting
3. A case drain hose

If the tractor has no case drain, the RABC44 is not a match even when the flow is right.

What if the tractor doesn't have hydraulics up front?

There are units that hook up to the tractor's rear PTO (power take-off) and provide standard low-flow hydraulics like a skid steer, with hoses run to the front to power the attachment. The catch is cost: it means buying a whole extra attachment on top of the one you want to run.

How do you check whether your tractor will run skid steer attachments?

Gather each machine's GPM capability and pictures of the hookup on the front of the tractor. With those, the Chupp Industrial team can see which skid steer attachments will fit and run on it.