When to use these 8 essential mini skid steer attachments

With Storm Darragh bringing winds of over 70mph across the UK in December, damaging trees and leaving more than 3,000 properties without power because of tree damage to power supplies, as reported by the BBC, it goes to show just how important it is to have your skid steer attachments at the ready for clean-up and maintenance.

Mini skid steers, sometimes referred to as ‘compact utility loaders’, are incredibly versatile and powerful machines, designed to handle your tree care and recycling tasks in confined spaces (browse our range here and learn about their lifting capacity here).

There are a whole range of attachments available for our mini skid steers, and the hydraulic circuit within each machine is designed to power the attachments you use with them. In this guide, we take a closer look at high-flow and low flow hydraulic circuits and we explain when to use each of the top 8 mini skid steer attachments offered by Vermeer.

Understanding hydraulic circuits: high flow vs. low flow

The hydraulic circuit in your mini skid steer delivers pressurised fluid to your chosen attachment, allowing it to lift, cut, drill or grind. These circuits are classified based on what’s known as their flow rate, which is measured in litres per minute (L/min).

Low flow circuits provide a moderate flow rate and pressure, and they’re typically used for attachments that don’t need continuous high-speed rotation or high torque. Log grapples, dozer blades, brush grapples and 4-in-1 buckets use low flow circuits.

High flow circuits, on the other hand, deliver a higher flow rate, allowing attachments to operate at much faster speeds or handle more demanding tasks. Examples include a flail or auger drive.

In some cases, attachments require both high and low flow circuits simultaneously, especially when they include a tilt function. Attachments like the power rake, road planer, or stump grinder benefit from this configuration, giving you better precision and more flexibility.

Top 8 mini skid steer attachments and when to use them

Here are our most popular skid steer attachments and a description of when you’ll want to use them:

1. 4-in-1 bucket (low flow)

A multipurpose attachment, the 4-in-1 bucket excels at digging, scooping, grading, and clamping. Its low-flow hydraulic circuit makes it ideal for controlled, steady operations.

Applications include:

• Loading soil, gravel, sand or mulch onto trucks or trailers
• Smoothing dirt or gravel pathways
• Picking up logs, rocks or large debris during landscaping or forestry work
• Digging planting holes for trees and shrubs
• Compacting soil in trenches

2. Log grapple (low flow)

Designed for forestry tasks, the log grapple uses the low-flow circuit to manipulate heavy logs efficiently. It’s a go-to tool for loading and moving timber with precision.

Applications include:

• Lifting, transporting and loading logs or tree trunks
• Removing fallen trees and branches
• Handling large wooden beams, poles and fence posts

3. Brush grapple (low flow)

Perfect for clearing brush, debris, or loose material, the brush grapple operates smoothly using the low-flow hydraulic circuit, making site clean-ups faster and more effective.

Applications include:

• Clearing piles of vegetation, roots and stumps
• Collecting and disposing of scattered foliage from storms or natural disasters

4. Auger drive (high flow)

The high-flow circuit enables the auger drive to drill deep, clean holes quickly and consistently. This attachment is invaluable for fencing, landscaping, or construction projects.

Applications include:

• Drilling holes for fence posts, signposts or utility poles
• Extracting soil samples for environmental studies or agricultural analysis
• Drilling holes for drainage systems or irrigation posts
• Preparing areas for water pipeline installations

5. Power rake with tilt function (high and low flow)

Combining the precision of a tilt function with powerful high-flow operation, the power rake levels ground, removes debris, and prepares soil. Its ability to reach tough angles makes it a favourite for landscaping and grading.

Applications include:

• Removing rocks, debris and clumps from soil to create a smooth surface
• Reshaping land to control water drainage or erosion
• Preparing ground for concrete pours or asphalt layers

6. Dozer blade with tilt function (low flow)

Whether you're levelling soil, moving earth, or clearing snow, the dozer blade's tilt function ensures accuracy. Utilising both hydraulic circuits, it offers enhanced control over slopes and uneven terrain.

Applications include:

• Moving soil, gravel or sand to clear or reshape land
• Backfilling trenches or holes after excavation work
• Creating and shaping ditches for water drainage or irrigation systems
• Clearing snow from roads, driveways, carparks and paths
• Clearing and levelling fields for planting or irrigation

 7. Flail (high flow)

Ideal for mowing and clearing heavy vegetation, the flail attachment thrives on the high-flow circuit, delivering consistent performance for demanding tasks.

Applications include:

• Cutting overgrown grass, weeds and shrubs in fields, ditches, and embankments
• Controlling invasive plants or unwanted growth in natural areas
• Maintaining clear boundaries along property lines or roads
• Clearing ditches and slopes to ensure proper drainage
• Clearing vegetation around buildings, utility poles and fences to minimise fire risk.

8. Stump grinder (high and low flow)

Removing stubborn stumps becomes manageable with the stump grinder. Its combination of high and low flow ensures precise grinding, while the offset function allows access to challenging locations.

Applications include:

• Grinding down tree stumps after tree removal
• Clearing stumps to prepare land for construction, landscaping or agriculture
• Removing old or rotting stumps to improve the aesthetic of a property
• Removing hazardous stumps in recreational forest areas
• Eliminating stumps to prevent regrowth or pest infestations

Struggling to decide on which stump grinder you need? Check out our full guide to choosing the best stump grinder for your business here.

Why Vermeer mini skid steer loaders?

The dual auxiliary hydraulic circuits of Vermeer mini skid steer loaders make them adaptable to a range of attachments, ensuring maximum efficiency and functionality. Whether you're managing a construction site, maintaining a property, or working in forestry, Vermeer’s loaders and their attachments provide the reliability and power needed to get the job done.

Explore the full range of Vermeer Mini Skid Steer Loaders and attachments to find the perfect solution for your needs.

If you’re looking for more advice on which attachments to use with your mini skid steer, you can contact our team of experts on 01933 274400 or email us at sales@vermeeruk.co.uk. Alternatively, fill out an enquiry form with details of your request and we’ll get back to you. 

Vermeer Corporation delivers a real impact on the way important work gets done through the design, manufacture and support of high-quality industrial and agricultural equipment that helps connect people to the necessities of life, manage natural resources and feed and fuel communities. With a reputation for being built tough and built a better way, that equipment is backed by localized customer service and support provided by independent dealers around the world. To learn about Vermeer Corporation, products, the dealer network, financing options and careers, visit vermeer.com.