A skid steer can already lift, carry, grade, and move material, but the attachments you run determine how much money it makes on a job. For contractors trying to expand services, shorten project timelines, or take on higher-margin work, certain skid steer attachments repeatedly rise to the top in terms of profit per job.
How Attachments Increase Profit on Construction Jobs
Before looking into the attachments themselves, it helps to understand how they actually increase profit margins:
1. They allow crews to finish tasks faster.
If your skid steer spends less time waiting and more time doing, the entire job moves quicker. Faster completion often means:
- More jobs per month
- Less overtime
- Fewer scheduling conflicts
- Less rented equipment sitting idle
2. They reduce manual labor.
Many of the attachments listed below replace multiple laborers over the course of a job. That can:
- Shrink payroll
- Reduce fatigue
- Minimize repetitive-strain work
- Improve day-to-day consistency
3. They open new revenue streams.
Some attachments let contractors offer services they weren’t able to offer before, like on-site material recycling, grading, trenching, or land clearing.
4. They reduce jobsite bottlenecks.
A single slow task, like moving concrete, digging holes, or clearing debris, can delay several other tasks. Attachments help keep crews and construction sites moving.
Most Profitable Skid Steer Attachments
Below are different attachments that deliver the strongest payoff across the broadest range of construction and landscaping projects. These tools are productive, versatile, and used frequently enough to pay for themselves quickly.
1. Material Recycling Attachments
Material recycling attachments (especially concrete crushers) have one of the fastest payback periods in construction. They let contractors take broken blocks, tile, masonry, or non-reinforced concrete and convert it into a usable base.
Why They’re Profitable
- Reduces dump fees
- Cuts down on trucking time
- Saves money on purchasing new aggregate
- Speeds up demolition and site prep
Ideal Projects
Great for commercial demo, residential tear-outs, driveway removal, hardscape replacement, and sites with limited truck access.
How This Looks on the Job
The EZG Hog Crusher® is one example of a unit that attaches to the skid steer and converts demo debris into usable material. Products like this can pay for themselves quickly on jobs where waste removal costs stack up.
2. Grapple Buckets and Demolition Grapples
Grapples move debris faster and more safely than forks or standard buckets. They’re one of the highest-earning attachments for general construction because one operator can handle work that usually requires multiple laborers. In fact, developers, remodelers, and GC crews frequently rate grapples as one of the first attachments that “earn money every single day.”
Financial Payoff
- Faster demolition cleanup
- Reduced need for extra labor on debris handling
- Shorter site-prep timelines
- Versatile enough to bill out on a wide range of projects
Where They Shine
Interior demo, roofing tear-offs, storm cleanup, landscape removal, and concrete/block debris.
3. Hydraulic Breakers
Hydraulic breakers help turn a skid steer into a mini demo machine capable of tackling concrete, asphalt, boulders, and foundation material.
Profit Gains
- Eliminates the need to rent a dedicated concrete breaker or mini-excavator
- Allows small crews to take on demo jobs they used to subcontract
- Speeds up site prep and utility installation
- Reduces time spent fighting thick material by hand
Ideal Construction Uses
Slab demo, curb and gutter removal, interior concrete demo, trenching, and rock removal.
Breakers tend to be mid-range in price but high in revenue potential because they dramatically expand the types of jobs a contractor can take on.
4. Augers (Standard, Rock, and High-Torque Options)
Augers are one of the most profitable attachments for construction because hole-digging appears in nearly every project type, from fencing and decking to footers and utility installation.
Revenue Advantages
- Decreases labor significantly: one operator vs. a team
- Increases accuracy and consistency
- Allows contractors to tackle more linear-foot work in less time
- Cuts down subcontractor costs
Used On
- Foundation piers
- Signposts
- Footers
- Deck footings
- Utility trenching
- Landscaping
5. Soil Conditioners, Harley Rakes, and Power Rakes
Grading and soil prep attachments generate steady income because final grading is required on nearly every jobsite. These tools let contractors move from rough grade to finish grade in far fewer passes.
Profit Advantages
- Cuts grading time dramatically
- Produces consistent results with fewer callbacks
- Reduces hand raking and leveling
- Enables contractors to take on landscape-related work they previously avoided
Ideal Hardscape Jobs
Ideal jobs include driveway prep, lawn preparation, new-build finish grading, hardscape base work, and road shoulder shaping.
For contractors who frequently work on new builds, these attachments pay for themselves quickly.
6. Concrete and Material Handling Attachments (Buckets, Pumps, Dispensers)
Material delivery is often a bottleneck on construction jobs. Attachments designed for moving concrete or dry mix can help crews pour faster with fewer laborers.
Why These Attachments Pay Off
- Faster form filling
- Less time spent pushing wheelbarrows
- Lower strain on workers
- Greater accuracy for walls, slabs, or utility trenches
Examples of High-Value Attachments
- Concrete hoppers
- Material dispensers
- Concrete buckets
- Skid steer-mounted pumps
EZG offers several concrete-handling tools that support faster, cleaner material delivery. The Cement Hog® dispenser attaches to a skid steer and allows rapid placement of wet or dry materials into forms or trenches. For contractors dealing with frequent pours, the Mobile Mud Hog® mixing units help improve consistency and reduce batch time, making concrete delivery smoother across a wide range of jobs.
Attachments like these often allow a contractor to complete pours in half the time.
7. Trenchers (Standard and Micro-Trenchers)
Trenchers let crews complete utility and drainage work without bringing in a mini-excavator. They are especially profitable for contractors dealing with repeated trenching on new builds or commercial infrastructure projects.
Profit Drivers
- Faster trench production
- Cleaner trench walls
- Less backfill
- More predictable trench depth
- Cuts rental expenses
Where They Excel
- Fiber installation
- Electrical conduit
- Drainage lines
- Irrigation
- Water lines
Micro-trench attachments, like EZG’s Trench Mixer, help with precision utility work in tight spaces.
8. Pallet Forks and Fork Extensions
Forks are not flashy, but they deliver nonstop value. On many jobsites, they are the single most-used attachment.
Why They Produce Reliable Earnings
- Move block, lumber, pallets, and supplies all day
- Reduce labor time and strain
- Increase daily material flow
- Support framing, masonry, roofing, concrete, and landscape crews
Best Jobs
These attachments are used constantly on commercial and residential new builds, material-heavy projects, and interior renovations where pallets need to be moved frequently.
Forks may not appear glamorous, but they produce near-constant time savings on nearly every construction project.
9. Brush Cutters and Land Clearing Attachments
Brush cutters, mulchers, and similar land-clearing attachments are highly profitable for contractors who handle site development or exterior cleanup.
Profit Advantages
- Turns a skid steer into a light clearing machine
- Reduces reliance on subcontracted clearing services
- Allows contractors to prep lots faster
- Cuts down on hand-cutting labor
Types of Work They Support
They support work such as lot clearing, overgrowth removal, storm cleanup, and road or right-of-way maintenance. These attachments tend to be most profitable in regions with heavy vegetation or active land development.
Best Attachments by Project Type
| Contractor Type | Highest-Profit Attachments | Why They Pay Off |
|---|---|---|
| General Contractors | Grapples, forks, augers | Used daily, reduce labor, speed up scheduling |
| Concrete Crews | Material handlers, breakers, buckets, pumps | Faster pours, fewer wheelbarrows, stronger production flow |
| Demolition Contractors | Breakers, grapples, crushers | Replace subcontracting, faster tear-outs |
| Fence Installers | Augers, trenchers, rock augers | Faster holes, improved linear-foot production |
| Landscapers | Soil conditioners, brush cutters, augers | Better finish grading, faster cleanup, reduced labor |
| Utility Contractors | Trenchers, micro-trenchers, augers | Predictable trench depth, quicker installation |
| Hardscape Installers | Crushers, soil conditioners, forks | Faster prep work and material flow |
Proper Maintenance: The Foundation of Long-Term Profit
No matter which attachments you choose, a skid steer only stays profitable with consistent upkeep. A well-maintained machine runs longer between repairs, handles attachments more efficiently, and avoids breakdowns that stall production.
Maintenance Practices Contractors Should Prioritize
- Daily inspections: Check hoses, couplers, wiring, tracks or tires, and attachment pins before starting work.
- Hydraulic care: Keep hydraulic fluid clean and topped off, especially when running high-demand tools like breakers, pumps, or trenchers.
- Attachment cleaning: Remove concrete, soil, and debris after each use to prevent buildup and premature wear.
- Greasing and lubrication: Follow manufacturer intervals to reduce friction and extend component life.
- Filter and fluid changes: Stick to a strict schedule, especially during heavy use seasons.
- Proper storage: Keep attachments covered or inside when possible to protect cylinders, hoses, and wear components.
How to Choose the Right Attachment for Your Business
If you’re thinking about expanding your skid steer lineup, start with these questions:
1. Which tasks slow your crew down the most?
If a particular task regularly creates downtime, like breaking concrete or handling debris, that attachment likely offers a strong payday.
2. Which tasks require extra labor?
If two or three workers perform a task that a single operator with the right attachment could handle, the payoff is immediate.
3. Are you renting equipment often?
If you repeatedly rent breakers, trenchers, or specialty tools, owning the attachment can save significant money.
4. What new services would you like to add?
Material recycling, grading work, trenching, and land clearing all become possible with the right attachment.
5. Does your region favor certain work types?
For example:
- Rocky regions benefit from breakers and rock augers
- Highly wooded regions benefit from brush cutters
- Wet regions benefit from trenching and drainage tools
What Is the Most Profitable Skid Steer Attachment?
There isn’t one attachment that’s the most profitable for every contractor, but several consistently deliver strong returns across construction trades. Grapple buckets, augers, hydraulic breakers, and concrete-handling attachments often rise to the top because they’re used frequently and replace large amounts of manual labor.
The most profitable attachment is the one that removes the tasks slowing your crew down or allows you to take on new work that wasn’t possible before. Each choice may differ, but the attachments above tend to deliver the fastest and most consistent returns.
Looking for Well-Built Attachments You Can Count On?
A skid steer becomes far more valuable when paired with attachments that speed up production, simplify tough tasks, and open new opportunities. While every contractor’s situation is different, certain attachments consistently stand out for their ability to increase revenue and reduce labor.
If you’re looking for attachments that can increase productivity on your jobsites, EZG Manufacturing offers a full lineup of contractor-tested tools. From material handling equipment to fencing systems and concrete solutions, our attachments are made for real construction challenges and hold up under tough conditions.
Browse the full equipment lineup here: EZG Skid Steer Attachments
