A skid steer is a compact, highly maneuverable machine that lifts, carries, and grades material through a front-mounted loader arm, and it remains the single most versatile piece of equipment a contractor, landscaper, or agricultural operation can own. The machine is only half the story. The real versatility comes from the attachment library, since a single skid steer fitted with the right tool can dig, mow, mulch, screen, drive posts, and grade, replacing several pieces of dedicated equipment. Coastal Machinery and Attachments stocks both stand-on mini skid steers and full-size compact track loaders, along with the complete attachment lineup for every industry that relies on this platform.
Skid steers are built around a simple but powerful design: a rigid frame, a hydraulic loader arm, and a drive system that allows the machine to turn within its own footprint. That combination makes skid steers the right tool for digging, grading, material handling, demolition, land clearing, and dozens of other job types when paired with the correct attachment.
The two primary skid steer platforms differ mainly in operator position, size, and intended application.
Stand-on mini skid steers place the operator on an open rear platform rather than inside an enclosed cab, keeping the overall machine width between 36 and 48 inches. This compact footprint allows the machine to pass through standard gate openings and work in residential back yards, fenced properties, and other confined spaces a larger machine cannot reach. Stand-on units are the preferred choice for landscaping, irrigation, fencing, and any job where access matters more than raw lifting power.
Compact track loaders place the operator inside a fully enclosed cab with suspension seating and climate control, built for sustained operation across full work days on commercial and civil construction sites. Higher rated operating capacities and hydraulic flow output make this platform the right choice for bulk material handling, finish grading, and extended grading shifts where operator comfort and machine power matter more than tight access.
Key specifications at a glance to match the machine to your job.
| Machine Type | Rated Operating Capacity | Hydraulic Flow Output | Configuration | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stand-On Mini Skid Steer | 500 to 1,200 lbs | Standard flow | Wheeled or tracked, open platform | Landscaping, fencing, tight-access sites |
| Compact Track Loader | 1,500 to 3,500+ lbs | Standard to high flow | Tracked, enclosed cab | Grading, bulk material handling, commercial sites |
The attachment fitted to a skid steer determines what the machine can do. Below is a breakdown of the core attachment categories available across both the standard and mini skid steer platform, what each one does, and the job types it is built for.
Buckets
The attachment fitted to a skid steer determines what the machine can do. Below is a breakdown of the core attachment categories available across both the standard and mini skid steer platform, what each one does, and the job types it is built for.
Power Rakes and Soil Conditioners
Rotating tine attachments that loosen, condition, and clear the top one to three inches of soil. Used heavily in landscaping for seedbed prep, dethatching, and surface cleanup ahead of sod or seed installation. Harley rake is a commonly used brand-generic term for this attachment type.
Tillers
Work four to eight inches deep to turn over and break up soil structure, incorporate amendments, and correct compaction. Used for new lawn installation, garden bed construction, and any site where the soil profile below the surface needs structural correction rather than just surface loosening.
Augers
Hydraulically driven drilling attachments are used for post hole digging, tree planting, footing excavation, and fence post preparation. Common across landscaping, fencing, agricultural, and utility installation work.
Post Drivers
Hydraulic hammer attachments that drive T-posts, wooden fence posts, steel pipe, and square tube stakes directly into the ground without manual labor. Used extensively in residential and agricultural fencing, vineyard and orchard trellis installation, and erosion control stake driving. Raytree and Agrotk are two of the manufacturer lines available in this category.
Trenchers
Chain, rockwheel, or micro-trencher configurations for cutting precise trenches for irrigation lines, drainage systems, and utility conduit. Chain trenchers handle most soil types. Rockwheel trenchers are built for rock and caliche. Micro trenchers make shallow cuts in finished surfaces such as turf or asphalt.
Stump Grinders
Carbide-tooth cutting wheel attachments that grind tree stumps and root systems below grade. Used in land clearing, residential tree removal cleanup, and new construction site prep where leftover root systems would otherwise interfere with grading or planting.
Sickle Bar Mowers
Reciprocating blade attachments designed for cutting tall grass, roadside vegetation, and fence line growth without the debris scatter of a rotary brush cutter. Preferred for slope work, areas near fencing or structures, and vegetation management around standing water.
Mulchers
Drum or disc-style attachments that shred brush, saplings, and woody vegetation directly into mulch on site. Used in land clearing, forestry, and right-of-way vegetation management where material needs to be processed rather than hauled away.
Grapples
Hydraulic clamping attachments are used to grip and move brush, root balls, demolition debris, and irregular material that a standard bucket cannot hold securely. Common in land clearing, storm debris cleanup, and overgrown property restoration.
Compactors and Rollers
Vibratory plate compactors and sheepsfoot rollers are used to compact soil, gravel base, and trench backfill ahead of paving or finish grading. Used in utility trenching, driveway prep, and any application requiring compacted, stable subgrade.
Land Levelers and Box Blades
Grading attachments that smooth and level the finished surface after tilling or rough grading. Used as the final step before seeding, sod, or hardscape installation to produce an even, professional finish.
| Industry | Common Job Types | Primary Attachments Used |
|---|---|---|
| Landscaping | Lawn installation, seedbed prep, planting beds, irrigation | Power rakes, tillers, augers, screening buckets |
| Fencing and Land Management | Residential and agricultural fencing, vineyard trellis | Post drivers, augers, buckets |
| Construction and Site Prep | Footing excavation, grading, demolition, debris removal | Buckets, grapples, compactors, land levelers |
| Utility and Drainage | Irrigation lines, drainage systems, conduit installation | Trenchers, augers |
| Land Clearing and Forestry | Brush clearing, stump removal, vegetation management | Mulchers, stump grinders, grapples, sickle bar mowers |
| Agriculture | Perimeter fencing, soil prep, material handling | Post drivers, tillers, augers, buckets |
Once you know which platform and attachment category fits your work, browse the specific category that matches your needs.
compact stand-on machines for tight access landscaping, fencing, and residential work
post drivers, power rakes, screening buckets, trenchers, and the full professional attachment lineup for full-size machines
the same attachment categories scaled for compact machine hydraulic flow and coupler specifications
Not sure which platform or attachment is right for your work? Our team can walk you through the job types you handle most and recommend the machine and attachment combination that fits your budget and your hydraulic requirements before you order.
Answers to the questions we hear most from renters.
A skid steer is used for digging, grading, material handling, demolition, land clearing, and a wide range of other job types depending on the attachment fitted to the machine. Its compact footprint and tight turning radius make it one of the most versatile pieces of equipment available for landscaping, construction, agricultural, and utility work.
Skid steers are compatible with a wide range of attachments including buckets, power rakes, tillers, augers, post drivers, trenchers, stump grinders, sickle bar mowers, mulchers, grapples, compactors, and land levelers. Most attachments use a universal coupler plate that fits major skid steer brands, though hydraulic flow requirements vary by attachment type and must be matched to your specific machine.
A stand-on skid steer places the operator on an open rear platform, keeping the machine width between 36 and 48 inches for access through gates and confined spaces. A sit-in skid steer, also called a compact track loader, places the operator inside a fully enclosed cab with higher rated operating capacity and hydraulic flow, built for extended grading shifts and bulk material handling on open commercial sites.
Many attachments use a universal skid steer coupler plate compatible across both platforms, but hydraulic flow requirements differ significantly between stand-on mini skid steers and full-size compact track loaders. Always confirm your specific machine’s auxiliary hydraulic flow rate against an attachment’s minimum requirement before purchasing to ensure proper performance.
It depends on your primary job type. Landscaping operations typically need power rakes, tillers, and augers for soil prep and planting work. Fencing and agricultural operations rely most on post drivers and augers. Construction and demolition work calls for buckets, grapples, and compactors. Land clearing and forestry operations need mulchers, stump grinders, and grapples. Most operations end up running two to three attachment categories to cover their full range of work.
Ready to find the right skid steer and attachment combination for your operation? Check current specials or explore financing to get equipped before your next project.
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