How Much Does a Skid Steer Bucket Attachment Cost?

KompareIt.com message: Let us do the work for you. Answer a few short questions & get cost estimates for your needs from trusted skid steer attachment companies who service your area. Our service is 100% free!

Thanks to their great versatility, skid steer loaders are one of the most common pieces of heavy equipment on a job site. With dozens of attachments available, your skid steer digs, grades, clears away brush, trenches, and more. There are numerous types of skid steer bucket attachments, from combination buckets designed to handle a variety of projects to specialized attachments designed to perform a specific task.

When choosing the perfect bucket, consider your needs carefully. Also, check the attachment's power needs to ensure your loader can handle it. Prices vary widely, from under $1,000 to well over $10,000. Lift and load capacity, breakout force, and more influence price.

Skid Steer Bucket Attachment Types and Costs

Different types of bucket attachments are designed to handle certain materials. Typically, this is based on the type and weight of what you're moving.

The combination bucket is a multi-function attachment intended for a variety of uses. They are available with and without teeth. In addition, some models let you replace the cutting edge at the rear of the dozer blade and clamshell. Use your combination bucket for loading, carrying, and dumping materials, as well as dozing, leveling, and spreading. You can also use it as a grapple when you need to handle objects with an odd shape, such as stumps and logs. Depending on size, manufacturer, and lift capacity, the average price ranges from around $1,500 to $6,000.

An auger mixing bucket lets you mix cement as well as transport and dispense concrete. Some auger mixers include a chute, typically 2' or 3', and a quick-attach frame that allows you to control discharge. You can also use your auger bucket to handle asphalt, sand, grain, feed, and washed gravel up to 3/4". The average price ranges from around $4,000 to $6,000.

A broom bucket is perfect for sweeping, collecting, and dumping lighter materials, including dirt, snow, and debris. This is a popular attachment for clearing driveways, loading docks, parking lots, sidewalks, and warehouses, because it easily removes caked-on debris and clears away mud. The average price ranges from around $4,500 to $12,000.

Unlike the auger bucket, the concrete placing bucket attachment is designed to quickly, neatly, and accurately carry and place concrete, particularly in areas that forbid a cement truck. You see these used most often for pouring patios, columns, and footings. Cubic yard capacity for the concrete bucket typically ranges between 1/2 and 3/4. The average price ranges from around $1,700 to $5,500.

The grapple bucket lets you grip large and/or oddly-sized materials, such as rocks and logs. It features two arms, each with its own cylinder, allowing the top portion of the bucket to safely handle uneven loads. The grapple may feature an open area in place of the standard bucket floor plate, to allow dirt and other fine materials to fall through. A high capacity bucket works well with oversized materials, such as large hay bales, particularly when it comes with individual grapple controls. You can pair the grapple feature with both forks and traditional buckets. Models range from 36" to 80" wide, and the average price ranges from around $2,500 to $3,500.

A light material bucket (sometimes called a snow bucket) is exactly what it sounds like: designed for handling light-weight materials, including snow, mulch, feed, manure, and other landscaping and agricultural products. These buckets typically have the highest capacity, ranging anywhere between 13 and 60 cubic feet. Design typically features straight sides to make it easier for the bucket to penetrate lightweight materials. This is a popular attachment on landscaping and agricultural sites. The average price ranges from around $800 to $2,000.

A grading bucket (sometimes called a low-profile bucket) gives the operator the greatest visibility of the cutting edge. The price of improved visibility is lower capacity, typically only between 10 and 18 cubic feet. Thanks to their great visibility, though, they're popular for grading and other dirt applications. The average price ranges from around $700 to $2,000.

The rock bucket attachment's design is perfectly suited to sift, sort, and clear materials, as well as clear away large debris. The bucket design allows fine particles, such as dirt and soil, to sift through to the ground, while retaining rocks and debris during grading and digging. Prices range from around $700 to $2,500.

Bucket Attachment and Skid Steer Compatibility

Look carefully at the specs for your skid steer, particularly its operating weight, low-flow or high-flow hydraulic capacity, counterbalance, and safety features. In addition, consider the work environment. Are there any access limitations? What's the terrain like? Your vendor can help you determine the best bucket for your needs.

One of the most important items is your loader's GPM (gallons per minute), which describes its hydraulic flow. Any attachments must fall within your equipment's GPM rating.

Find the Best Skid Steer Attachment Dealers Who Will Compete for Your Business