Skid Steer Attachments for Concrete and Demolition Work

Where skid steers fit in concrete and demo

Skid steers and compact track loaders are the fast movers between saws, breakers, and dumpsters. They slip into alleys, garages, and courtyards, turn in a lane, shuttle debris, and run attachments that used to be excavator only. On a good crew the machine handles cut, break, lift, and clean without a second mobilization. The win is cycle time and control. You can cut a sidewalk square, break it clean, lift with forks or a grapple, load out, sweep, and be gone before traffic builds again.

Think of the machine as a platform. With the right hydraulic package, guarding, and attachments, it shifts from cutting to breaking to cleanup in minutes. The rest of this guide walks attachment by attachment so you can build a kit that matches your real work, not a catalog photo.

Hydraulic breakers and chisels

The hydraulic breaker is the demolition backbone for slabs, curbs, and small foundations. Size the hammer to the carrier, then match the tool steel to the job. Too small and you peck forever. Too big and you beat up the loader, pins, and plate without more production.

Breaker sizing and behavior

• Match impact energy to slab thickness and reinforcement. Residential driveways and sidewalks run light. Truck aprons, loading docks, and industrial pads need more hammer with steady blows rather than frantic BPM.
• Flow and pressure matter. Most skid steer breakers are happy on standard flow with healthy pressure. High flow variants exist but are less common. Undersized couplers choke performance and heat oil even when pump specs look fine on paper.
• Blank fire protection is not a luxury. A smart valve that cuts blows when the tool lifts off the surface saves bushings and lowers operator fatigue.

Tool steel choices

• Moil point for general concrete and spot breaking where you want a crack to start fast.
• Chisel for controlled lines across slab sections, especially after saw cuts create a weak plane.
• Blunt tool for boulder breaking and compacted base where you want to crush rather than cut.
• Asphalt wedge for clean break in pavement without deep subgrade disturbance.

Good technique beats brute force

• Seat the tool, apply steady downforce, and hold. Do not bounce. Let the energy work at the tip while the carrier stays quiet.
• Break to a pattern. Saw cut or score, then break inside the grid so pieces fit your bucket or dumpster rules.
• Keep the tool greased with the proper paste. Dry bushings cause heat, galling, and a short, expensive life.

Wheel saws and concrete cutting

A hydraulic wheel saw on a skid steer turns the loader into a trenching and control joint machine. It shines where you need straight, consistent depth cuts in pavement and cured concrete, or where a track saw would be slow to reposition. Many heads include water ports for dust suppression and use diamond segments on a steel blade.

When to use a wheel saw over a handheld or walk behind

• Long, straight utility trenches across streets where lane control and speed matter.
• Full depth cuts to free a slab panel before the breaker starts so the crack follows your plan.
• Cold weather or night work where a single operator can cut, then swap to a breaker without extra crew.

Specs and plumbing to watch

• High flow is common for wheel saws. Many require a case drain line back to tank to protect motor seals from backpressure.
• Depth ranges vary by model. Expect six to eighteen inches with guard and skid adjustments. Verify curb reveal and rebar depth before you promise a depth to a client.
• Water kits or vacuum shrouds reduce silica dust. Plan water source and slurry management so you do not track paste across driveways and walks.

Cut quality and blade life

• Set a shallow pilot pass to keep the blade from walking, then step to full depth. A patient first pass saves segments.
• Use correct segment spec for aggregate. Hard river rock needs a softer bond so segments expose fresh diamonds. Soft aggregate can use a harder bond without glazing.
• Avoid forcing the head on a cross slope. A twisted chassis binds the blade against the guard and eats segments for lunch.

Cold planers, scarifiers, and surface prep

Cold planers mill asphalt and concrete surfaces so patches bond and grades meet spec. Scarifier and grinder heads tackle coatings, high spots, and trip hazards. On a skid steer the head must balance width, side shift, and depth control so you can mill against a curb or match a joint cleanly.

Cold planer features that matter

• Hydraulic side shift and tilt to follow gutter lines and crown without lifting the plate off square.
• Depth control in small increments you can read from the cab. Match the grind to your overlay or patch plan.
• High flow plumbing with case drain and a reversing drum option to free jams.

Drum and pick choices

• Standard spacing picks for asphalt removal and general milling.
• Fine pattern for concrete and finish cuts where texture matters for bond.
• Hardened blocks and easy change systems save time when you dull a quadrant on a curb line.

Scarifiers and grinders

• Scarifiers use flails or cutter drums to remove thin toppings and profile surfaces without full depth milling.
• Diamond grinder heads flatten trip hazards and polish curb ramps where spec calls for a smooth transition.

Planers and grinders throw dust and chips. Water spray, skirts, and a pickup broom behind the cut keep neighbors and inspectors happy.

Pulverizers, crusher buckets, and screening

Breaking creates chunks. Handling and recycling those chunks can be a second profit center if you choose the right tools. Pulverizers crack concrete away from rebar. Crusher buckets turn rubble into reusable base. Screening buckets separate fines from overs to reduce haul off or create backfill on the spot.

Pulverizer jaws for skid steers

• Dedicated skid steer concrete processors use jaw faces with replaceable teeth to crush and separate. They weigh more than a bucket and want a stout frame and a careful operator.
• Use where you need to downsize for a small crusher, clean rebar, or reduce dumpster weight. The tradeoff is speed compared to a breaker plus grapple sequence.

Crusher buckets

• Jaw style or crusher drum buckets mount on the plate and run on high flow. They produce 3 inch minus down to near one inch depending on grate and jaw setting.
• Mind weight and cycle time. Feed slowly with consistent sized pieces. A breaker that creates book sized chunks makes the crusher happy and your base product cleaner.

Screening buckets

• Star, shaker, and rotary screeners let fines fall while overs stay in the basket. Useful after a breaker day when you want usable fill instead of paying to dump everything.
• Keep bearings clean. Cement paste is abrasive and finds seals. Wash at breaks before paste sets.

Demolition grapples, forks, and handling tools

Once material is free you still need to move it safely. A good demolition grapple, heavy duty fork set, and a tough bucket save backs and time. Pick geometry that grips odd shapes without losing smalls across the lot.

Demolition grapples

• Open skeleton grapples excel at irregular slabs and chunks. Look for cylinder guards, cross tubes, and high strength tines that do not spread under prying loads.
• Grapple buckets with a solid or partial floor keep small fragments contained when you load dumpsters that frown on rock rain.
• Dual cylinder lids track uneven loads better than single center lids on mixed debris.

Concrete and demolition forks

• Thick, tapered forks with a low carriage let you spear and lift slabs after a clean saw cut. A tall backrest keeps the slab pinned when you back over bumps.
• Use chains through rebar or lifting eyes rather than prying with the carriage. Forks are for carry, not for bulldozing a slab free.

Buckets and pans

• Reinforced demolition buckets take abuse during cleanup. Bolt on edges with segment plates protect the base edge from rebar rash.
• Debris pans and baskets help shuttle scrap to dumpsters in tight alleys where trucks cannot stage close.

Site cleanup, brooms, and dust control

Cleanup is where jobs win neighbors or lose them. It is also where inspectors write notes about silica dust and track out. Plan cleanup like it is part of the work, not an afterthought five minutes before you leave.

Broom families

• Pickup brooms sweep and collect fines in a hopper. They keep dust down with water spray and let you dump into a bucket or dumpster.
• Angle brooms push debris to a windrow fast. Pair with a bucket for pickup. Add a water kit when you run across dry lots or curbs.
• Magnetic sweepers pick nails and tie wire from staging areas so tires and shoes stay happy.

Dust suppression and silica

• Use water at saws and planers. Control slurry so it does not enter storm drains or stain decorative concrete.
• Vac shrouds help on grinders and small saws. On open heads, wet cutting and downwind planning matter more.
• Clean track out at exits with a broom before traffic spreads fines down the street.

Concrete placement and finishing helpers

Demolition is half the story. Plenty of crews pour replacements a day later. The same machine can shift into placement mode with a few well chosen attachments.

• Concrete mixer bowls mount on a 2 inch hex drive or a direct plate and let you mix small batches near tight forms.
• Concrete hoppers and chute buckets place mix over forms and walls where a truck cannot reach. A gate valve helps meter flow cleanly.
• Vibratory screed beams and laser grader boxes are niche, but when you need flat within tight tolerances, a laser box on a smooth base saves hand work.

Hydraulics, flow, case drains, and cooling

Attachments for concrete and demo load hydraulics continuously. Heat and backpressure kill motors, hoses, and seals. Plan plumbing like it decides your day because it does.

Flow and pressure ranges

• Breakers typically run well on standard flow in the mid teens to low twenties GPM at common skid steer pressures. Some larger hammers are okay on the same machine if you accept slower cycle rates.
• Wheel saws and cold planers often need high flow in the upper twenties to forties GPM with pressure in the 3000 to 4000 PSI range. Many require case drains with dedicated low backpressure returns.
• Crusher and screening buckets vary. Assume high flow helps throughput and keeps temps in range. Check return line specs before you hook up.

Couplers and hoses

• Flat face couplers sized to flow reduce pressure drop and heat. A small coupler on a big head feels like a weak pump even when the spec sheet says otherwise.
• Case drain couplers are smaller and must route direct to tank. Never tee them into returns unless the manufacturer says so.
• Sleeve and clamp hoses away from the breaker arc and saw guards. One pinch ruins the day and sprays a site you now have to clean.

Cooling and filtration

• Plan for continuous load heat. Reverse fans, clean screens, and clean cores at breaks. A leaf blower and a water jug solve many temp problems before they start.
• Run the right filter element for high debris load. Watch differential indicators. Fresh hose assemblies shed fines for a few hours and fill filters faster than old hoses.

Guarding, visibility, and jobsite protection

Concrete chips, rebar ends, and flying aggregate demand better guarding than yard work. Treat the carrier like it is going into a blast zone because sometimes it is.

Cab protection

• Use a polycarbonate door rated for impact. Wire mesh alone is not enough when chisels spit chips.
• Guard side windows or install screens if you cut near walls. Side strikes happen when a slab pops.
• Protect lights and cameras. A small hood or grill saves lenses and keeps backup cameras useful after dust.

Attachment guards

• Breaker cradle and dampers keep the tool under control during travel. Cylinder and hose guards on grapples and buckets save downtime.
• Skirts, doors, and splash guards on saws and planers keep chips and slurry in the box. Replace worn rubber before it tears away.

Surface protection and neighbors

• Ground protection mats prevent rutting and save finished lawns. Plywood works once. Real mats work all season.
• Noise plans matter. Breakers during early morning hours upset neighbors. Cut first, break later when noise windows open.

Proven workflows for slabs, curbs, and patches

Sidewalk or driveway panel removal

• Layout and mark utilities. Saw cut the perimeter and any control joints to full depth.
• Break inside the cut grid with a chisel tool. Keep chunks sized for your grapple or forks and the dumpster weight limit.
• Lift with forks or grapple. If rebar binds, cut with a shear or saw and keep tails safe. Load, then sweep, then rinse slurry if used.

Curb and gutter replacement

• Wheel saw parallel to the gutter line to release the curb. Break the throat carefully to avoid tearing the subgrade.
• Lift sections with forks and a chain through a lifting hole instead of prying against the street edge.
• Cold plane edges for clean bond if you patch asphalt to the gutter afterward.

Asphalt patch

• Mill the patch area with square corners. Sweep and tack per spec.
• Place mix, compact in lifts, and trim. A low profile bucket feathers edges well before a plate tamp finish.

Interior slab in a warehouse

• Use a compact track loader with non marking tracks and a sealed cab. Control silica with water and vacs on saws.
• Cut, break, lift, and shuttle to a dumpster staged at a dock. Protect door edges and columns with bumpers.

Attachment pairing by job profile

Care, inspection, and transport

Daily checks

• Inspect breaker tool, bushings, retainers, and nitrogen charge per maker. Re grease tool with the right paste, not chassis grease.
• Check saw blade segments, arbor nut torque, guard condition, and water flow. Replace missing segments before they rip out neighbors.
• Verify planer picks and blocks. Replace damaged holders in pairs to keep balance.
• Look over hose sleeves and couplers. Swap nicked O rings before they leak under load.

During the day

• Manage temperature. If hydraulic temps climb, clear screens, lower duty on the head, and pause to cool. Heat creates downtime later.
• Keep the cab glass and cameras clean enough to see tips and traffic. Wipe when you fuel.

Transport and storage

• Pin or strap attachments at labeled lugs. Do not cinch over hoses or guards.
• Cap all couplers before travel. Dirt in flat face couplers is the start of laggy controls and heat complaints.
• Store blades dry. Store breaker vertical in a cradle. Hang brooms off the ground so bristles do not set.

Buy versus rent and cost drivers

Some attachments run every week. Some run five days a year. Buy the dailies and rent the specials until the calendar tells you it is time to own. Keep the math simple and honest.

Attachments to own early

• Breaker sized to your main loader, with spare tools and a cradle.
• Demolition grapple or grapple bucket with cylinder guards.
• Pickup broom with water kit for cleanup and track out control.
• Heavy duty pallet forks with a tall backrest.

Attachments to rent until volume is real

• Wheel saws and cold planers, especially high flow heads with specialty controls.
• Crusher and screening buckets unless you are bidding recycling on purpose.
• Specialty scarifiers and grinder heads for coating removal.

Operating costs to track

• Tool steel and wear parts like picks, blades, and edges.
• Hydraulic filters and oil on continuous load jobs.
• Downtime avoidance like spare couplers, hoses, and O ring kits in the truck.

FAQ

Do I need high flow to be productive on concrete and demo?

You do not need high flow for a breaker or a grapple. You often need high flow for a wheel saw or cold planer. If your work is mostly slabs and sidewalks, a strong standard flow machine with the right breaker is enough. If you promise trench cuts and milling, budget for a high flow package with case drain and the controls those heads demand.

Should I saw cut everything before breaking?

Saw cutting perimeter and grid lines gives you clean edges, shorter break time, and smaller chunks that load fast. It is not always required on thin, cracked panels, but it is the professional approach whenever edges and subgrade matter. Clean saw cuts also keep break energy off nearby curbs, stoops, and slabs you plan to keep.

Wheel saw or breaker first for a utility trench?

Saw first for straight edges and consistent depth, then break the center for removal. On short patches a breaker is fine, but on long runs a wheel saw sets the patch line you will mill back to later.

Why does my breaker feel weak after twenty minutes?

Heat and backpressure are common culprits. Check coupler sizes, clean screens, and make sure you are not blank firing. Verify nitrogen charge and tool grease. If the machine labors and the tool still glances off, your slab may be pre tensioned or thicker than expected. Change technique and grid tighter.

Is a crusher bucket worth it on small jobs?

It depends on haul distance and dump fees. If you can turn rubble into usable base on site and you already have a breaker sizing pieces, a crusher bucket pays back. If dump is cheap and close, a grapple and dumpster may be faster for small volumes.

What is the best way to handle rebar in slabs?

Cut cleanly with a rebar cutter or saw after you break the concrete around it. Do not pry with forks against tied bar. Use chains through loops, keep bystanders clear, and stage rebar in a rack for haul off or recycle.

Will a pickup broom handle silica dust control?

A broom collects fines and reduces dust when paired with water spray, but it does not replace water at the cut. Use water on saws and planers, then broom the site while keeping the hopper damp so fines do not go airborne again.

Do I need a case drain on my attachment?

Some heads do and some do not. Breakers usually do not. Wheel saws, planers, and some crusher buckets often do. Always follow the plumbing diagram and route case drain direct to tank with the called out coupler size. Backpressure on a case line ruins motor seals fast.

Tracks or tires for demolition work

Tracks feel planted and climb debris better, which helps control a breaker. Tires move faster on clean concrete and leave fewer scuffs indoors. If you run inside a warehouse use non marking tracks or tires and watch turning to protect coated floors.

How big should I make chunks for a dumpster?

Ask the hauler for weight and size guidance. A common rule is two to three foot pieces that a grapple can control without rolling, with rebar ends cut flush. Overweight tickets hurt margins. Breaking smaller and loading once beats loading twice after a refusal.