Are you thinking about ways to get your money’s worth out of your skid steer? Adding a versatile attachment is probably the best way to do that. Skid steer loaders can be highly versatile, but their potential really comes through when paired with appropriate attachments.
In this instance, let’s take a look at skid steer backhoes, an attachment with stabilizers, hydraulic arms, and buckets that are used for excavation.
Can You Put a Backhoe on a Skid Steer?
The short answer is yes, you can put a backhoe on a skid steer, but you need to make sure you are using a compatible skid steer mount and sub-frame.
Some mounts are universal but nonetheless many manufacturers of skid steer attachments will still require you to specify the make and model in order to ensure that the transaction is for the appropriate attachments and related equipment.
How Deep Can a Skid Steer Backhoe Dig?
The reach and depth of a skid steer backhoe attachment will vary according to the size and specifications of the attachment.
For instance, Spartan Equipment offers two separate skid steer loader backhoe attachment models, each configurable with different buckets.
Their backhoe model SE509 can achieve a maximum digging depth of 116”, with a 50” loading reach and a 180° swing arc. This backhoe attachment can also dig straight walls down to 87”
They also offer a backhoe attachment model that, though it is similarly powered, is slightly larger, giving it a greater depth. The SE511 can dig to a maximum depth of 133” and straight walls down to 98” with a loading reach of 60”. It also has a 180° swing arc.
Basically, the depth which a skid steer backhoe will be able to reach will depend on the dimensions and power of the model in question so be certain to read all manufacturer specifications and ask the seller questions before buying.
What Can You Do with a Skid Steer Backhoe?
The most straightforward application of a skid steer backhoe is excavation. They can be used to quickly and efficiently dig holes for the purposes of landscaping, laying foundations, accessing or laying utilities, and so much more. They can also be used for grading and backfilling.
A skilled operator can also use the flat bottom of an excavator bucket for compacting earth, or the teeth on the bucket for breaking up, lifting, or removing slabs of concrete or asphalt.
In addition, a skid steer backhoe can be used for light demolition work. They can be used to manipulate and move debris around a construction site or in the wake of demolition.
When you outfit a skid steer backhoe bucket with a thumb, the attachment becomes even more versatile. Some models are configurable with both static and hydraulic thumbs that can add an entirely new dimension to a backhoe attachment.
A thumb can convert a backhoe’s bucket into a sort of grapple, making it much easier to lift and remove large, heavy, bulky, or irregular debris, such as construction materials, waste left after demolition, or brush left as a result of preliminary land clearing.
I Need a Skid Steer Backhoe Attachment That Will Never Surrender. Where Do I Get It?
If only the toughest skid steer attachments in the industry will cut it for you, save yourself some time, and start your search with Spartan Equipment.
Their motto is “Never Surrender” and they stand by it. Plus, they offer a large range of different attachments. In addition to the two models of skid steer backhoes mentioned above, they also sell skid steer mulchers, brush cutters, augers, mowers, buckets, dozer blades, graders, grapples, forks and so much more.
Take a look through their skid steer attachments and get in touch with them at 1-888-888-1085 if you have any questions.