If you work with skid steers, then you know how versatile they are with their attachments: grapple rakes, buckets, pallet forks, the works! In fact, one retailer makes a point in saying that most attachments can be shared across different skid steer brands because of a shared quick attach feature.
However, just because most attachments are interchangeable does not mean that all of them are. This brings us to approved versus unapproved skid steer attachments. Just to be clear, there is no blacklist of skid steer attachments or any list noting which attachments are banned from use.
Basically, a skid steer attachment is considered unapproved if
Here’s a good rule of thumb: if you have to do some redneck engineering to keep the equipment attached to the skid steer, then the attachment is not approved.
The International Organization for Standardization, ISO, weighed in and said that attachments can be interchangeable within certain dimensions. Put simply, if you try to put an attachment meant for a regular-sized skid steer onto a smaller or narrower skid steer, there will be some compatibility issues. Under such circumstances, that attachment would be unapproved for that particular skid steer.
Now, those examples showed how an attachment could be incompatible with the skid steer itself, but what does manufacturer disapproval look like?
Even though this really shouldn’t be done, it is common to see a work platform attached to a skid steer via pallet forks. We do not recommend this because, again, if you have to do some red neck engineering for it to work, it is not approved.
OSHA standards are a good reference point for whether an attachment is approved, but so are operator’s manuals. Both sources are the best way to determine what’s okay to attach to your skid steer and should be left alone.
The Hard Hat Training series also covers a lot of the ins and outs of skid steers, from different types of work they can perform to general safety tips for operation. Our online training course will also take care of all your certification needs, so be sure to check it out!
If you’re interested in the other trainings we offer, feel free to check out our homepage for more details!
Good luck and stay safe!
