The 5 Best Attachments for John Deere Skid Steers

John Deere skid steers are some of the most versatile and durable machinery available in the heavy equipment market today. These compact powerhouses are renowned for their reliability on construction sites, farms, and landscaping projects across the country. While the machine itself provides the necessary hydraulic power and maneuverability, the true potential of a skid steer lies in the tools connected to the front of it.

Without the right implements, even the most powerful engine cannot complete specialized tasks efficiently. By selecting the appropriate add-ons, operators can transform a single machine into a multi-purpose fleet capable of handling excavation, material handling, snow removal, and site cleanup. Check out the best attachments for John Deere skid steers to help you maximize productivity and get the most out of your investment.

Essential Buckets for Every Job Site

The bucket is the quintessential skid steer attachment. The standard dirt bucket is excellent for moving loose material like soil, gravel, and sand. It features a hardened cutting edge that allows operators to strip topsoil or level a grade with precision. However, for those working in more demanding environments, a heavy-duty tooth bucket is often a better choice. The teeth penetrate compacted soil and clay much more effectively than a smooth edge, making excavation tasks significantly faster.

Another variation worth considering is the low-profile bucket. They have a longer bottom, which provides better visibility of the cutting edge from the cab. This visibility is crucial for fine grading work where precision is paramount. For high-volume material handling, light material buckets offer a larger capacity. These are perfect for moving mulch, snow, or grain, where weight is less of a concern than volume. Choosing the right bucket configuration ensures that your machine operates at peak efficiency without putting unnecessary strain on the hydraulic system.

Grapples for Heavy-Duty Clean Up

When the job involves moving awkward, uneven, or loose materials, a simple bucket often falls short. This is where grapple attachments shine. A grapple consists of a bottom jaw (often like a bucket or a rake) and a top jaw that clamps down to secure the load. This clamping action is vital for clearing brush, moving logs, or handling demolition debris.

Root grapples are particularly popular among land clearing professionals. The open-bottom design allows dirt and small rocks to sift through while holding onto larger roots and branches. This separation means you are not paying to haul away clean fill dirt along with your waste material. Ideally, a root grapple should feature independent cylinder action, allowing each side of the top jaw to clamp down unevenly on irregular loads.

For scrap yards and demolition sites, a solid-bottom grapple bucket might be preferable. This attachment keeps smaller debris contained while still offering the clamping power needed to secure large items like pipes or concrete chunks. The durability of a grapple is essential, so look for models built with high-tensile steel and protected hydraulic cylinders to withstand the rigors of heavy use.

Augers for Precision Drilling

Fencing contractors, deck builders, and landscapers rely heavily on auger attachments. Digging holes by hand is labor-intensive and slow, while a dedicated drilling rig can be prohibitively expensive. A skid steer auger drive unit utilizes the machine's hydraulic flow to turn a bit, boring clean, deep holes in a fraction of the time.

Selecting the right auger involves matching the drive unit to your skid steer's hydraulic capacity. A standard flow system is sufficient for most post holes and tree plantings. However, if you are drilling into rocky soil, frozen ground, or large-diameter footings, a high-torque drive unit paired with a high-flow skid steer is necessary.

The auger bits themselves come in various styles. Standard bits work well for loam and clay, while rock bits feature carbide teeth designed to fracture stone and concrete. Extension shafts are also available, allowing operators to dig deeper than the standard length of the bit. This versatility makes the auger an indispensable tool for any project requiring vertical excavation.

Brooms for Site Maintenance

Keeping a job site clean is not just about aesthetics; it is a matter of safety and compliance. Skid steer brooms are the most efficient way to sweep mud, gravel, and debris from paved surfaces. There are generally two types of broom attachments: angle brooms and pickup brooms.

An angle broom works similarly to a street sweeper. It angles to the left or right, pushing debris off to the side of the road or parking lot. This is ideal for long stretches of pavement where the goal is simply to clear the path. A pickup broom, on the other hand, features a collection hopper. As the bristles spin, they flick the debris into the bucket. This allows the operator to collect the mess and dump it into a truck or dumpster, rather than just pushing it aside.

Both types of brooms often feature water kits to suppress dust during operation. This is particularly important in residential areas or on sites with strict environmental regulations. Regular use of a broom attachment helps prevent tire damage to other vehicles and keeps the job site professional and organized.

Snow Removal Attachments for Winter Work

For many contractors, the construction season ends when the ground freezes, but owning a John Deere skid steer opens up revenue streams during the winter months. Dedicated snow removal attachments are far more efficient than trying to clear a parking lot with a standard dirt bucket.

A snow pusher, or containment plow, is a popular choice for large open areas. These boxes capture a massive volume of snow and move it to a designated pile without leaving windrows behind. They are simple, durable, and cover a large surface area quickly. For more detailed work, such as clearing driveways or tight spaces, a hydraulic angle blade is superior. It allows the operator to windrow snow to the side or push it straight ahead.

When the snow is deep or heavy, a snow blower attachment becomes necessary. These implements chew through hard-packed drifts and cast the snow far away from the clearing area. This is essential when you run out of room to pile snow. By equipping your skid steer with the right winter attachments, you ensure that your machine remains a profit center regardless of the weather conditions.

Maximizing Versatility With Express Steel

Your John Deere skid steer is a significant investment, and the best way to capitalize on that investment is by expanding its capabilities. Whether you are drilling post holes, clearing storm debris, or managing snow in the dead of winter, the right tool makes all the difference. High-quality John Deere attachments increase efficiency, improve safety, and allow you to say yes to more jobs.

Express Steel offers a wide range of the best attachments for John Deere skid steers, designed to withstand the toughest conditions and help you get the job done right. From heavy-duty grapples to precision augers, equipping your machine with professional-grade tools ensures that you are ready for whatever challenge the job site presents.