Selection & Safety: The Landscaper's Guide to Skid Steer Attachments

Skid steers are valued in the green industry for their compact size, agility, and versatility. From residential landscapes to large-scale commercial sites, these machines adapt across tasks. Yet it’s the attachments that transform a skid steer into a Swiss army knife for landscapers to get any job done.

Let’s explore popular skid steer attachments for landscapers, when to use each one, and how to keep your crews safe on the job.

Power Rake: Preparing the Perfect Seedbed

Also known as a soil conditioner, the power rake transforms compacted soil into a workable seedbed. Its rotating drum, often bi‑directional, pulverizes turf, removes roots and breaks up surface compaction. Star Industries

Key Uses

Soil Preparation for Seeding/Planting: The rotating drum pulverizes clumps, removes rocks and debris, and creates a fine, even surface ideal for new turf or seed germination. Raking can enhance water infiltration and root penetration.

Debris Removal: Power rakes help crews clear debris such as thatch, rocks, roots, and other unwanted materials. This is particularly useful in post-construction site cleanup or preparing soil for new developments.

Surface Grading: Power raking helps grade gravel driveways, prepare sites for concrete pouring, and create smooth, level surfaces for landscaping.

Weed Control: The power rake’s aggressive action can uproot weeds and other unwanted vegetation, making it easier to maintain clean and healthy soil.

Power Rake Safety

Do:

• Inspect tines and drum condition before use
• Ensure hydraulic connections are secure
• Operate on flat ground where possible

Don't:

• Exceed machine flow rate or weight limits
• Use near people or pets
• Attempt to clear jammed debris while machine is running

Broom: Clean Surfaces for Post-Work Presentation

Skid steer brooms are used to prepare and maintain outdoor spaces. This attachment removes leaves, grass clippings, light snow, and other debris from lawns, gardens, and parks. A skid‑steer broom can sweep up to 7,000 square feet per hour, making it pivotal in efficient site maintenance. 

Key Uses

Surface Cleanup and Finishing Touches: The rotating broom attachment sweeps away loose material such as soil, grass clippings, mulch, and light snow, leaving a tidy, professional finish.

Hardscape Maintenance for Curb Appeal: Broom attachments are ideal for clearing driveways, sidewalks, and patios after trenching, planting, or grading to remove unsightly debris that could pose a tripping hazard.

Seasonal Debris Removal: Depending on the season and regional vegetation, brooms help remove catkins, leaves, and light snow, ensuring walkways remain clear and safe. This makes them a reliable year-round tool for property maintenance and commercial landscaping.

Broom Attachment Safety

Do:

• Perform daily checks on bristles and dust containment
• Use in low-speed, controlled motion
• Maintain visibility around work area

Don't:

• Operate without side covers or guards
• Sweep near unprotected drop-offs
• Let bystanders within range of dust or debris

Brush Cutter: Tackling Overgrowth and Invasive Vegetation

Clearing thick brush, tall weeds or small trees is typical in landscape rehab or land prep. The brush cutter delivers fast and powerful cutting power using high‑speed blades on a hydraulic blade carriage. Star Industries

Key Uses

Land Clearing: Skid steer brush cutters quickly clear thick brush, tall weeds, and even small trees. Hydraulic power allows rapid progress through overgrowth that would otherwise require chainsaws or manual labor.

Invasive Plant Management: Brush cutters are effective against fast-spreading vegetation like kudzu, briars, or sumac. High-speed blades sever plants near the base, reducing regrowth and improving visibility and access.

Firebreak and Trail Maintenance: These attachments help cut firebreaks in wildfire-prone areas or maintain trails through dense foliage, improving accessibility and safety in large outdoor spaces.

Pre-Planting Site Prep: Brush cutters can be the first step in converting wild terrain into usable land. They reduce surface vegetation and prepare the area for subsequent work like power raking or grading.

Brush Cutter Safety

Do:

• Maintain a 300-foot clearance from people, structures, or vehicles
• Inspect blades and shields before each use
• Use with appropriate PPE, including hearing and eye protection

Don't:

• Engage blades until area is cleared of hazards
• Use on slopes beyond equipment rating
• Transport with blades spinning

Grapple Bucket: Handling Irregular Landscape Debris

Skid steer grapple buckets are useful for tasks such as clearing brush and moving large, bulky objects such as fallen tree trunks. The root grapple bucket is a variation that is perfect for removing deep, tough roots. Star Industries

Key Uses

Storm and Tree Debris Removal: With this tool, landscapers can handle irregular, bulky materials such as branches, stumps, and other storm debris.

Material Sorting and Cleanup: Grapples help landscape crews sort and move mixed materials like turf scraps, construction waste, and organic debris. This tool reduces hard labor and helps keep sites clean and organized throughout the project lifecycle.

Log and Rock Handling: Heavy-duty tines and wide jaw openings allow grapple buckets to securely handle dense, heavy items like logs, large rocks, or demolition waste in structural landscaping.

Secure Load Transport: The hydraulic clamp mechanism ensures that irregular loads stay in place during movement. Whether transporting brush piles or uneven debris, the grapple allows for safe, controlled hauling across varied terrain.

Grapple Bucket Safety

Do:

•  Inspect hinge points and hydraulic cylinders regularly
• Secure load before movement
• Operate only from inside the cab

Don't:

• Allow anyone to guide loads manually
• Attempt to pick up loose or unstable objects without proper grip
• Operate on uneven ground with extended load

Auger: Precise Planting and Post Installation

Landscapers use augers to create holes to plant trees and shrubs, install fencing, and build garden structures. The controlled drilling action minimizes disturbance to the surrounding area, helping preserve the landscape’s integrity.

Key Uses

Tree and Shrub Planting: Augers drill clean, uniform holes for tree or shrub installation. With consistent depth and diameter, they ensure optimal planting conditions and reduce transplant shock for roots.

Fencing and Structural Foundations: Whether installing posts for fencing, pergolas, or signage, augers provide reliable, precise holes. The attachment eliminates manual digging and improves productivity on repetitive installation jobs.

Minimal Landscape Disturbance: The tight, controlled drilling action minimizes disturbance to surrounding soil and turf.

Versatility Across Soil Types: Equipped with the right bit, augers can drill into clay, loam, or even frozen ground. Landscapers and contractors can match the bit to the terrain, reducing wear and improving output across diverse job sites.

Auger Safety

Do:

• Identify and mark any underground utilities
• Start drilling with slow speed
• Keep bystanders at least 20 feet away

Don't:

• Force the auger into hard obstructions
• Attempt to guide or reposition during drilling
• Use dull or damaged bits

Today’s Attachments Are Built Different

Whether a crew is accustomed to using skid steers, or if they are looking to level up from hard physical labor, attachments are a game changer. With increasing project complexity and demand, attachments must handle tougher chores — cultivating soil, sweeping debris, and reshaping terrain.

Today’s landscaping attachments from leading manufacturers are often more durable than previous models, with carbide teeth, reinforced shells, thicker frames, and extreme-duty welding. High flow hydraulics deliver more speed and power. This means user safety is more important than ever. With the right decisions and oversight, landscaping leaders can get more done without cutting corners.