Snow Attachments for Skid Steers

Picking the right tool for winter

Snow is not one problem. It is a dozen different problems that show up as the storm changes. Your attachment choice should be driven by the site layout, target finish, snowfall rate, snow type, and what the client considers done. A two inch wet skim on decorative pavers needs a different touch than a heavy lake effect band on a grocery lot at 3 a.m. Before you pull a trailer out of the yard, set expectations and pick the right combination of skid steer snow blower, skid steer snow plow, V plow skid steer setup, and a snow pusher for skid steer work on large lots. A snow bucket has a role too, but it is a cleanup tool, not a primary production piece.

Ask a few questions up front. What is the service trigger and the final target? Do you need bare pavement or a safe pass with grit until daylight traffic helps dry the surface? Where does the snow go and who controls the haul off pile? Are there fragile edges like stamped concrete, granite curbs, or turf close to the drive lanes? Do you have reliable stacking room, or do you need a snowblower attachment to launch pile height beyond what the loader can stack?

When to use a snow blower

A snow blower shines when you must remove snow from the site or when stacking room is limited. It also wins when wind rows are unacceptable, like downtown sidewalks, tight alleys, and apartment lanes where parked cars block plow angles. A blower throws snow up and away, past fences and berms, and places it behind obstacles you cannot reach with a blade or a pusher. If your lot edges stack up against storefronts, retaining walls, or landscaped islands, a snowblower attachment prevents the slow creep of piles into traffic lanes.

Blowers are also the right call during back to back storms when you cannot afford to lose parking spaces to banks. They control throw direction with a chute and a deflector, which means you do not blast entry doors or plate glass. A high flow snow blower can eat heavy wind packed drifts that stop lighter tools. If your routes include bridge sidewalks or multi level garages where drop zones are tight, the controlled discharge of a blower reduces rework and damage claims.

When to use an angle plow

An angle snow plow for a skid steer is a generalist. It clears quickly on small to mid size lots and long private drives. It is ideal for creating lanes during an ongoing event because you can windrow right or left and keep traffic moving. For two to six inch events on open pavement, an angle blade is tough to beat. It also leaves room for a snow pusher to follow and box the windrows without changing machines. If you work residential or light commercial routes with frequent turns and obstacles, a plow gives you surgical control with fast cycle times.

Angle blades need a plan for where snow goes. Without a follow up pass or stacking room, a long windrow blocks parking or visibility. The answer is to break the site into zones and move windrows to collection lanes that lead to piles. On tight sites with islands, a V plow can do the first pass and the angle blade can finish with cleaner edges.

When to use a V plow

A V plow adds two things an angle blade cannot do. It punches a path in deep snow with the nose forward, and it carries snow in scoop mode. That makes it a great first pass tool when drifts have bridged lanes or when you need to open access to a lot before a truck or a pusher can get in. V plow skid steer setups also shine in cul de sacs, long narrow lanes, and lots with islands because scoop mode gathers and transports rather than spilling off both sides.

The scoop function reduces passes on winding drives and keeps entries clean in front of storefronts. When you need to cast to one side, set it to angle and run like a standard blade. A V plow is the most versatile plow option but it is heavier and more complex. If you want one tool to handle first cuts, carry runs, and finish work on mixed routes, the V earns its keep. If your lots are wide open and flat, a pusher and a straight blade will likely beat it on speed and cost.

When to use a snow pusher or box

A snow pusher for skid steer work is a volume tool. It eats square footage fast on open pavement. Box sides trap snow, prevent spill off, and create tall, dense piles at the head of a push lane. If you service shopping centers, schools, churches, or warehouse lots, a pusher is the production leader during the heart of a storm. It is also the least sensitive to operator finesse because it does not require perfect angle management to keep the load centered.

Pushers rely on having space to build piles or a plan to follow with a blower. They also rely on the right cutting edge. Rubber edges glide over rough surfaces and trip over hidden irregularities without chewing up the lot. Steel edges scrape tighter on bonded snow and ice. On decorative pavers or gravel, rubber protects the surface and saves time on damage resolution. On sealed asphalt in bitter cold, steel edges break glaze and cut deeply enough to let salt work.

Choosing a snow blower

Pick a blower like you pick a mower deck. Match width, hydraulic appetite, and discharge control to the route. A narrow blower threads sidewalks and alleys. A wide blower eats lot edges and throws over tall berms. The wrong match wastes fuel and slows the route. The right match turns a skid steer into a precision removal tool that replaces dedicated truck routes on your tightest properties.

Single stage and two stage designs

Single stage blowers use a single high speed rotor to ingest and throw snow. They are lighter, simpler, and can be very fast in low to moderate depths. They struggle with heavy wet slush and taller drifts because they rely on one rotor to do both jobs. Two stage designs add an auger that feeds a separate impeller. The auger controls ingestion and the impeller controls distance. That lets two stage heads chew through heavy windrowed snow from municipal plows, throw farther in all conditions, and stay consistent when depth varies along the pass. If your route includes mixed depths and curb cast piles, two stage is the safe bet.

Width and throw distance

Common widths range from 60 to 120 inches. A 60 to 72 inch blower fits sidewalks, townhouse lanes, and tight retail pads. An 84 to 96 inch blower matches mid to large loaders for lot edges and long runs along fencing. A 108 to 120 inch head belongs on a high flow machine with the weight and hydraulic power to keep the impeller at speed while you feed aggressively. Throw distance is a function of impeller speed, chute design, and snow quality. Dry powder throws far. Wet snow throws shorter. Deep cold shrinks hoses and slows cylinders. If your contract depends on throwing over 10 foot berms, do not undersize the head or the flow package.

Auger drive, impeller size, and cut height

Larger diameter augers pull snow in without stalling when you hit drift faces. Bigger impellers move volume and keep throw distance consistent as you hit mixed density. Adjustable skid shoes and a tall housing set the cut height and prevent you from chewing gravel or catching pavers. If you service mixed surfaces, set conservative shoe height on the first pass and drop for a cleanup cut once you prove the base is safe.

Chute and deflector control and cold weather hydraulics

Chute rotation and deflector angle are not optional add ons. They are how you avoid peppering storefronts and how you tuck discharge behind fences without climbing the curb. Cable or chain drives work but can ice up. Hydraulic rotators and deflectors are the standard on modern blowers because you need smooth control at low temperatures. Check the control method your loader supports. Some heads use a simple solenoid diverter for chute functions. Others use a small electric over hydraulic manifold. Whatever the system, cold weather performance matters.

Hydraulic oil thickens in deep cold. Viscosity rise slows cylinder movement and steals power from the impeller motor. If you run before the loader is fully warm, the chute can creep or stall. The fix is boring but effective. Choose the correct cold weather hydraulic oil spec for your fleet, warm up until case temperatures stabilize, and route hoses so they do not kink when the rubber stiffens. Shield exposed sections from wind so they warm with the machine instead of chilling in the slipstream.

High flow requirements and relief settings

Many blowers list a standard flow version and a high flow snow blower version. The standard flow heads run in the 16 to 25 GPM range at 2500 to 3500 PSI and are effective on sidewalks and lighter lot work. High flow heads in the 28 to 40 plus GPM range at 3000 to 4000 PSI keep impeller speed up in deep runs and heavy windrows. A few models use piston motors that require a case drain line to tank with very low backpressure. If the spec says case drain required, install it correctly and keep the line free of tight bends because backpressure there cooks seals fast.

Relief settings protect both the head and the loader. A relief that cracks too low kills throw distance and encourages operators to feed too fast to compensate. A relief that is too high shears pins and overloads the motor when you ingest frozen blocks. Set reliefs to the manufacturer recommendation, test with a high load cut, and log the numbers. If your machine has adjustable auxiliary relief, make sure it matches the head rather than whatever the last attachment needed.

Plow and pusher features

Details on blades and boxes make or break your season. Moldboard shape, trip edges, wings, edge material, oscillation, and backdrag features change how much rework you do after each pass. The right combination earns an extra site or two per route without adding a machine.

Trip edges and full trip

Trip edge plows hinge only the cutting edge when you strike a hidden obstacle. The moldboard stays upright and you keep control. Full trip plows hinge the whole blade. Full trip is forgiving at speed but can dump the load when it trips. On skid steers, trip edge designs are popular because travel speeds are lower and control is critical around obstacles. For pushers, a segmented trip edge lets each section ride over manholes and curbs without lifting the whole box.

Wings and containment

Blades with hydraulic wings create instant box plows that carry rather than windrow. They reduce far side spill and save passes on lots with islands. On a V plow, expect wings to act like short box sides in scoop mode. For pushers, taller and longer box sides carry more but add weight. Make sure the loader has the ROC to turn with a full box without skating on glare ice.

Rubber versus steel edges

Rubber edges are kinder to pavers, gravel, and rough asphalt. They conform and ride over protrusions. They leave a skim on bonded snow that salt can finish. Steel edges scrape tighter in deep cold and chew through packed tire tracks. Many crews run rubber on pushers for early and mid storm work, then swap to steel on a dedicated blade for final cleanup and ice scraping. If your routes include sealed decorative concrete, rubber avoids expensive surface claims.

Backdrag and backplate design

Backdrag edges help clean up along doors, loading docks, and garage aprons. On a pusher, a backdrag kit lets you pull away from a building without flipping the box around. On a blade, a shaped top edge that rides backward against the surface reduces chatter and leaves a cleaner stripe. Check backplates for snow shedding. Flat plates load up and block lights. Curved plates shed and keep sightlines clean.

Oscillation and shoes

Oscillating mounts let the blade or box follow uneven pavement without cutting ridges. Shoes set ride height and save cutting edges on rough lots. Set shoes higher for sealed lots in bitter cold so you do not scour the sealer off. Drop shoes for old asphalt with potholes so the edge does not dip and hook. On pavers, shoes are your insurance policy as the base heaves mid winter.

Sizing, productivity, and machine match

The best attachment will underperform on the wrong machine. A wide pusher on a light skid with bald tires turns into ballet with no audience. A giant blower on standard flow spends the night clearing the first half of the lot. Match width and weight to your rated operating capacity, traction package, and the surface you service most often.

Loader type and traction

Wheeled skid steers move faster on pavement and handle long pushes if you run winter tires or chains. CTLs put power down in cold but can float on ice. On polished lots, add studded winter tracks or chains rated for rubber tracks. Run low and slow on glare ice. Two speed helps when you must shuttle across big lots but brings braking distance up, so train operators to keep loads low and avoid fast direction changes while carrying.

Width and pass count

Narrow blades and boxes thread traffic but add passes on big lots. Wide tools crush square footage but struggle in tight islands. A practical rule is to pick the narrowest tool that lets you meet route time while still fitting your tightest site. For blowers, width also controls intake. A 96 inch head on a high flow machine with good throw distance keeps you ahead of accumulation on lot edges. A 60 inch head is perfect for sidewalks and alleys without dragging into turf.

Real world productivity ranges

These ranges assume trained operators, steady runs, and limited obstacles. Downtowns with parked cars and pedestrian traffic will cut them. Wide open distribution centers and schools will boost them. Plan for refills, traffic control, and shovel teams when you quote time.

Operating patterns that save time

Windrowing and lanes

On angle blades, build lanes first. Push with the wind and traffic flow. Move snow to collection zones along the long edge of the lot where you can stack or blow. Do not leave short windrows across lanes that a client will drive through at 6 a.m. On V plows, nose forward to open buried lanes, then switch to scoop and carry to the pile zone. On pushers, define your push lanes up front so trucks and cars know where to avoid parking.

Backdragging and doors

Use backdrag edges to pull away from overhead doors, dock plates, and garage aprons. Keep the bucket or box flat. Two short pulls beat one aggressive yank that tears seals or grabs a floor drain. Clean to the threshold and leave a narrow dry transition so pedestrians do not trip on thin melt ridges.

Stacking smart

Build piles with room to grow. Avoid burying fire hydrants and sight lines. Stack away from storm drains so melt water does not refreeze across lanes. If you know a second storm is inbound, blow the pile back deeper into the green space or haul off a portion before the freeze locks it in place.

Final cleanup

Edge work defines a finished site. Use a snow bucket to gather strays around islands and curbs. The bucket is for cleanup, not primary clearing. Shovel teams should follow vehicles and steps. Salt or treated sand finishes bonded glaze. Keep traffic off fresh salt for a few minutes so it can dissolve and start working instead of throwing it to the curb.

Compatibility, transport, and site prep

Most modern attachments mount to a universal quick attach plate. Check plate wear and latch pin slop before winter so the blade does not chatter. Verify coupler size and style. Flat face couplers seal better in cold and resist contamination. If your blower or hydraulic wing kit needs an electrical trigger, test the control harnesses and fuses before the first storm. Carry spare coupler O rings and an extra chute shear pin in the cab.

Transport matters because storms rarely stick to plan. Secure blades and boxes with short chains at the corners so the attachment does not hop on bumps. For blowers, cap the chute or rotate it backward to avoid salt spray into the mouth at highway speed. On site, flag hazards with tall markers before winter. Curbs, speed bumps, decorative rock, and raised utility lids disappear at night in a whiteout. Pre marking converts guesses into confidence when the blade edge meets something under the snow.

Maintenance and safety

Winter punishes lazy maintenance. Cold shrinks seals, hides leaks, and turns small mistakes into breakdowns in the worst weather. A short checklist pays back every route. It protects uptime and keeps attachment warranties valid.

Pre season

• Inspect cutting edges on plows and pushers. Replace worn segments and torque hardware. Set spare edge segments in the shop with bolts ready.
• Check trip edge springs and pivots for cracks and rusted coils. Replace in pairs. Lubricate pivot points with a grease that stays tacky in deep cold.
• On blowers, inspect auger flighting, impeller blades, and bearing play. Verify skid shoe wear and set them to protect your most fragile surfaces.
• Pressure test hydraulic circuits for chute and impeller functions. Replace any hose with cracking or bubble marks. Confirm case drains run free if equipped.
• Swap to the correct cold weather hydraulic oil. Label machines with oil type to avoid top off mistakes in the field.
• Test lights, beacons, heated wipers, and rear cameras. Replace cloudy lenses. Aim light bars to avoid glare and blinding plumes.

Mid storm and post storm

• Clear snow buildup from backplates and light housings at breaks. Snow blocking lights is a safety hazard and slows work.
• Blow salt and slush off couplers before connecting or disconnecting. Contamination here ruins valves and seals.
• Watch oil temperature. If auxiliary oil runs hot while impeller speed sags, slow feed and let the head clear. Consider a cooler upgrade for continuous duty routes.
• Walk the lot after piles are built. Knock down overhangs that face traffic or pedestrians. Ice falls are avoidable incidents.

Safety habits

• Keep loads low during travel. Sudden stops with tall stacks push a skid steer sideways on glaze.
• Post a spotter near busy drive lanes and store entrances. Snow plumes blind both the operator and drivers approaching from the side.
• Slow at blind corners. Treat snowbanks like walls. Sound a horn before emerging into a lane.
• Never throw across public sidewalks or into roads without a lane closure plan. A blown plume that blinds a driver is your liability.

Lighting, visibility, pavement and property protection

Visibility is production and safety. LED light bars with a lower cutoff help you see the edge without washing the foreground into white glare. Heated wipers, heated mirrors, and clean glass keep you from outrunning your visibility. A roof beacon gives drivers a chance to recognize a working machine through a plume and slow down. Rear work lights help during backing into docks and around dumpsters where pedestrians hide from view.

Protecting pavement and property is a contract saver. Use rubber edges on decorative pavers and stamped concrete. Raise shoes at transitions so the cutting edge does not hook a lip. Stay off turf until you prove the base. Turf rips under frozen crusts that look solid from the cab. On gravel, run shoes high and accept a thin base of packed snow that locks the surface together. On new asphalt or chip seal, avoid aggressive steel edges during deep cold snaps that can peel binder and create raveling.

Selection cheat sheet

FAQ

What are the best skid steer attachments for snow blowing?

For true snow blowing, a hydraulic skid steer snow blower attachment sized to your machine’s flow is the top choice, since it throws snow well clear of driveways, lots, and walkways. Many operators pair it with a snow pusher or snow bucket for cleanup and stacking, but the blower itself does the heavy lifting when you need to move deep or windrowed snow off-site.

How to plow snow with a skid steer?

To plow snow with a skid steer, start with a proper snow pusher or angle blade that matches your machine’s width and hydraulic capacity, then work in straight, overlapping passes, pushing snow to a designated stacking area. Keep travel speed moderate, lift the blade slightly to avoid digging into gravel, watch for hidden obstacles like curbs or manholes, and plan your pattern so you are not boxing yourself in as snow piles up.

What size skid steer for snow removal?

For snow work, most contractors like a mid-size skid steer in roughly the 60–75 hp range with enough weight to stay planted but still maneuver in tight lots. Pair it with a 7–8 ft snow pusher or blade sized just under the machine’s width, and if you are doing big commercial lots or running a snow blower all night, stepping up into the larger frame/high flow class makes life easier.

When should I choose a snow blower over a pusher?

Pick a blower when you lack stacking space, when windrows are not allowed, or when you must place snow behind obstacles. Pick a pusher on open lots where the goal is fast square footage and you have room to pile.

What should I look for in skid steer snow tires, and what size should they be?

For snow work, choose dedicated skid steer snow tires with an aggressive, open tread pattern, a softer winter rubber compound, and sidewall protection so they bite into packed snow and ice instead of skating on top. Match the size to your machine’s wheel and fender clearance, then fine-tune with your dealer on width and load rating so the tire supports your attachment weight without rubbing when the loader is fully articulated.

Do I need high flow for a blower?

Not always. Standard flow heads clear sidewalks and light lot work. A high flow snow blower keeps impeller speed up in deep runs, heavy windrows, and wet snow where throw distance matters. If you depend on long throws or deal with municipal windrows, high flow pays back.

What edge is best on decorative pavers?

Run rubber edges on blades and pushers and set shoes to keep the cutting edge off the high points. Use a lighter pass first to prove the base, then drop for a cleanup pass. Avoid aggressive steel scraping on sealed surfaces in deep cold.

Will a V plow really replace an angle blade and a pusher?

Sometimes. A V opens lanes and scoops like a box in a pinch, but it will not outpace a full width pusher on big lots. Many fleets carry a V for versatility and keep a pusher staged where volume matters.

Where does a snow bucket fit?

Use a snow bucket for cleanup, stacking loose piles, and moving refreeze chunks. It is not a primary production tool. It complements a blade or pusher at the end of a route.

Why do my chute controls lag on cold starts?

Cold hydraulic oil moves slowly and valves can stick. Warm the machine, use the correct oil viscosity, and shield exposed lines from wind. Check connectors and use dielectric grease to keep ice and salt out.

How do I protect curbs and turf I cannot see?

Pre mark edges before winter with tall reflective stakes. Run shoes higher on first passes. Swap to rubber edges where claims are likely. Slow down near hidden transitions and use a spotter in tight lots.

Can I run a blower on a mini skid steer?

Yes, if the head matches the flow and pressure and the job is narrow sidewalks or tight alleys. Do not expect long throw distance with very low flow. A narrow blower or a small pusher is realistic on a mini.

Is an angle plow still useful if I buy wings?

Yes. Wings turn an angle blade into a containment tool for part of the pass, but you will still use angle mode to windrow long runs and to reach tight corners. Wings do not replace a full pusher on giant lots.