Learning how to change skid steer attachments is absolutely essential is for anyone looking to maximize their machine. This blog is geared towards more novice skid steer users, but could also serve as a good refresher for those who may have some experience operating these machines. If you are like us, we are always trying to become more safe and efficient and we hope this blog helps.
How to change skid steer attachments
While it may seem too basic, it’s really important that we start at the very beginning and be as thorough as possible. Changing skid steer attachments starts well before getting into the machine and ends long after getting out. Here is your step-by-step guide to changing attachments.
Total Time: 5 minutes
Safety Comes First- Surroundings
Before you begin changing your skid steer attachments, please ensure you are in a safe, flat area with sufficient room to maneuver.
Equipment Check
Make sure machine, attachments, and quick attach plates are clean with no rocks, mud, sticks, ice, or snow on them.
Attach Skid Loader to Attachment
Attach skid loader to attachment and lock levers or pins down into attachment. Lift the machine up and visually verify that the pins are through both holes on each side of the quick attach plate.
Connect Hoses
Connect hoses from attachment to the skid loader. Doesn’t matter the sequence that you hook them up in. Connect by pushing them together (Male and Female couplers). You should hear a click and once connected, give a little pull on them to make sure they are secure and locked together.
Turn on Hydraulics to Operate
Turn on auxiliary hydraulics inside the skid steer to start operating attachment. First off, operate auxiliary hydraulics on low idle and low speed. You want to do this to make sure all connections are secure and there are no hydraulics leaks on either skid loader or attachment. Once you can see no leaks and everything functioning as it should, you can start to turn up the idle on the skid loader and run hydraulics at a faster speed.
Prepare to Disconnect
When ready to disconnect, check the skid loader to see if there is auxiliary pressure relief, if so press and shut off the machine. Another way to relieve pressure from the hoses is by pushing the hoses that are connected to the skid loader back into the skid loader. The couplers on the machine will retract backward about ¼-3/8 of an inch. Pull back on the female coupler to disengage the male coupler.
Disconnecting
Unlock levers or lift pins upwards out of the holes in a quick attach plate and back away slowly.
Video on How To Change an Attachment
If you’d prefer to see the steps for how to change a skid steer attachment in a video, please check out the clip below.
Notes and tips for specifics brands
There are a few idiosyncrasies that are specific to each brand of skid steers, however, those idiosyncrasies are becoming fewer as the attachment world becomes quite universal within the skid steer space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are skid steer attachments universal or interchangeable?
Yes, they are. Almost every attachment comes with a universal quick attach plate which makes them interchangeable with today’s skid steer lineup. Also, we are finding more garden and small farm equipment that are including quick attach plates on their products, which is expanding the market beyond solely skid steers.
What is a skid steer quick attach?
Skid steer version of a universal mounting plate, making all attachments compatible with all skid steer brands. It is expanding into other implement lines as well. We believe this expansion beyond just skid steer compatibility is only going to get more vast.
What is a skid steer quick coupler?
Quick connect/disconnect flat-faced coupler. Quick disconnects are used for applications requiring the minimum amount of spillage of hydraulic fluid during disconnect of attachment. Maximizes ease and efficiency when using multiple attachments.
Are all skid steer hydraulic couplers the same?
Yes, the majority are the same. There are some instances where there are some larger couplers, but most were on older equipment.