Two-Pump Mini Skid Steer: Why a Mower or Tiller Won't Run
A two-pump mini skid steer runs a grapple or auger fine but cannot run a mower or tiller while driving; here is why.
A two-pump mini skid steer runs attachments that work while the machine sits still, but not a mower or tiller that has to run while you drive. Chupp Industrial sells mini skid steers such as the AGT MX CRT23, a two-pump machine, and which attachments a mini skid steer can run depends on how many hydraulic pumps it has.
Why won't a two-pump mini skid steer run a mower or tiller?
A two-pump mini skid steer cannot run a mower or tiller while driving because the drive motors take the hydraulic flow first. The auxiliary hydraulics, the circuit that powers the attachment, can turn a tiller or mower while the machine is stationary.
The moment you start to drive, the primary flow goes to the drive motors and robs flow from the tiller or mower. Those attachments need a dedicated three-pump hydraulic system to run while the machine moves. Some other brands make three-pump machines.
What mini skid steer attachments work on a two-pump machine?
A grapple or an auger works fine on a two-pump mini skid steer. Both are used while the machine is stationary, so they do not run into the same flow-robbing problem as a mower or tiller.
A two-pump mini does fine with attachments as long as you do not have to drive and use the auxiliary hydraulics at the same time.
Can a two-pump mini skid steer run a brush hog?
Not effectively. A mini skid steer needs a three-pump hydraulic system to run a brush hog effectively. Brush hog attachments are made for mini skid steers, but a two-pump machine is not the right fit for one.
Can a two-pump mini skid steer run a trencher?
Yes, but not in one steady pull. You trench, back up, trench and back up again. That is how the Chupp Industrial team has trenched with these mini skid steers, and any hydraulic trencher will probably perform about the same on one.
What should I have ready when I ask about an attachment?
Know your mini skid steer's model and whether the attachment has to run while you drive. That tells you whether a two-pump machine will handle it.
Questions on the right machine for the job?
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