How Much Do Skid Steer Attachments Weigh? A Complete Reference
Weight tables by attachment category, why it matters for ROC calculations and machine stability, and how attachment weight affects your trailer loading and transport planning.
Attachment weight is one of the most consequential specs in skid steer operations, and also one of the hardest to find in one place. Manufacturer spec sheets bury it. Dealer listings often omit it. And the range within a single category — say, grapple buckets from 300 kg to 700 kg depending on size and build quality — is wide enough that "roughly 400 kg" isn't useful when you're planning a job.
This reference guide collects weight ranges for every major skid steer attachment category. The numbers here are typical ranges based on manufacturer specifications across multiple brands. Actual weights vary by model, width, and build spec — always verify against the specific attachment's documented spec sheet before doing safety-critical calculations.
Why Attachment Weight Matters
Three things depend on knowing your attachment weight accurately:
Rated Operating Capacity (ROC)
Every skid steer has a published ROC — the maximum load you can safely carry at rated conditions (usually defined as 35% of tipping load on a hard level surface). Attachment weight comes directly off that number. If your Bobcat S770 has an ROC of 1,474 kg and your grapple weighs 500 kg, your usable ROC with that attachment is 974 kg. That changes what you can safely pick up and carry.
Operators who don't know their attachment weight routinely exceed ROC without realizing it. The machine doesn't always tell you — it might lift the load while showing signs of instability (rear wheels lifting, frame rocking) before anything locks out. Understanding this calculation upfront prevents mistakes and damage.
Our guide to matching attachment weight to ROC covers the full calculation methodology.
Machine Stability and Tipping
Attachment weight also affects the machine's stability envelope even when not carrying a load. A very heavy attachment at the end of the boom arm moves the machine's centre of gravity forward. On sloped terrain, this changes your safe operating angle. The tipping load calculation changes when you have a 600 kg grapple on the front of a mid-size machine versus a 150 kg bucket.
Trailer Loading and Transport
When you're transporting machine and attachment together on a trailer, the combined weight determines what trailer class you need and whether you're compliant with provincial weight regulations. In Alberta, BC, and Saskatchewan, transport weight regulations are enforced and carry significant fines for non-compliance.
A typical mid-size skid steer (Bobcat S590, CAT 262) weighs 3,500–4,500 kg. Add a 400 kg attachment and you're at 3,900–4,900 kg before fuel and operator weight. Most commercial trailers used for skid steer transport are rated at 7,000–10,000 kg GVWR, which provides adequate margin, but you need to know the actual numbers.
Attachment Weight Reference Tables
Buckets
| Bucket Type | Width | Typical Weight (kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GP Bucket (standard duty) | 60" | 160–220 | Lighter steel, standard construction |
| GP Bucket (standard duty) | 72" | 200–280 | Most common size |
| GP Bucket (standard duty) | 84" | 250–350 | Large machine size |
| Rock Bucket | 60" | 280–380 | AR400 steel, heavier construction |
| Rock Bucket | 72" | 340–480 | With tooth bar and wear runners |
| 4-in-1 Combo Bucket | 66" | 380–520 | Includes clamshell mechanism |
| 4-in-1 Combo Bucket | 72" | 440–600 | Hydraulic clamshell adds 120–180 kg |
| Snow Bucket (high-capacity) | 84" | 280–400 | Light steel, larger volume |
| Snow Bucket (high-capacity) | 96" | 330–460 | |
| Light Material Bucket | 72" | 220–320 | Higher sides, lighter steel |
| Skeleton / Root Bucket | 72" | 300–440 | Varies by bar count and spacing |
Forks and Lifting Attachments
| Attachment Type | Configuration | Typical Weight (kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pallet Forks (frame + tines) | 1,500 kg capacity, 1.2m tines | 180–260 | Standard residential/light commercial |
| Pallet Forks (frame + tines) | 2,500 kg capacity, 1.5m tines | 250–360 | Commercial grade, longer tines |
| Pallet Forks (heavy duty) | 3,500+ kg capacity | 340–500 | Industrial / forestry grade |
| Fork Frame (carriage only) | Standard | 120–180 | Frame without tines |
| Bale Spear | Single tine, 1.2m | 60–100 | Round bale handling |
Grapples
| Grapple Type | Width | Typical Weight (kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Grapple (open bottom) | 60" | 300–420 | Land clearing, debris handling |
| Root Grapple (open bottom) | 72" | 380–520 | Most common commercial size |
| Root Grapple (open bottom) | 84" | 450–620 | Large machine use |
| Solid Bottom Grapple Bucket | 66" | 480–680 | Combined bucket and grapple |
| Demolition Grapple | 60" | 500–750 | Heavier build for structural demo |
| Clamshell / Orange Peel | — | 400–600 | Round opening for loose material |
Digging and Trenching Attachments
| Attachment Type | Configuration | Typical Weight (kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auger Drive Unit | Standard flow, medium torque | 120–200 | Without bit; bit adds 30–80 kg |
| Auger Drive Unit | High-torque planetary | 180–300 | Heavy-duty for rock/clay |
| Auger Bit (dirt) | 9"–18" diameter | 25–70 | Depends heavily on diameter and depth |
| Auger Bit (rock rated) | 9"–18" diameter | 40–110 | Carbide teeth add significant weight |
| Chain Trencher | 4–6" width, 18" depth | 350–550 | Chain, bar, and boom assembly |
| Chain Trencher | 6" width, 36" depth | 500–700 | Deeper trenching unit |
| Hydraulic Breaker (small) | 150–250 kg class | 150–250 | Light demo, thin concrete |
| Hydraulic Breaker (mid) | 250–450 kg class | 250–450 | Most common for skid steers |
| Hydraulic Breaker (large) | 450–700 kg class | 450–700 | Large CTL / high-ROC machines |
| Rock Saw | 16"–24" blade | 400–650 | Disc and drive assembly |
Vegetation and Land Management
| Attachment Type | Width / Config | Typical Weight (kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brush Cutter / Flail Mower | 60" | 350–500 | Heavy-duty flail assembly |
| Brush Cutter / Flail Mower | 72" | 420–580 | |
| Drum Mulcher | 48"–60" | 800–1,400 | Heaviest common attachment category |
| Drum Mulcher | 60"–72" | 1,000–1,800 | Requires high-flow, large machine |
| Rotary Tiller | 60" | 350–500 | Standard flow models |
| Rotary Tiller | 72" | 420–600 | |
| Soil Conditioner | 60"–72" | 300–480 | Power rake / soil prep |
| Stump Grinder | Standard | 350–550 | Cutting wheel + mount |
| Tree Spade | 26"–36" diameter | 500–900 | Spade assembly |
Snow and Seasonal Attachments
| Attachment Type | Width / Config | Typical Weight (kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Pusher (fixed) | 84" | 200–320 | Non-hydraulic, lighter build |
| Snow Pusher (fixed) | 96"–120" | 260–420 | |
| Snow Pusher (hydraulic trip) | 84"–96" | 300–480 | Trip blade adds weight |
| Snow Blade (angle) | 84" | 320–480 | Hydraulic angle |
| Snow Blower | 72" | 600–900 | Impeller + chute assembly, heavy |
| Snow Blower | 84" | 750–1,100 | High-flow required |
Compaction, Road Work, and Paving
| Attachment Type | Width / Config | Typical Weight (kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vibratory Plate Compactor | Standard | 300–500 | Plate + hydraulic drive |
| Drum Roller (smooth) | 48"–60" | 700–1,200 | Water-ballasted for compaction weight |
| Cold Planer | 18"–24" | 600–950 | High-flow required |
| Broom (angle) | 60"–72" | 200–320 | Hydraulic rotation |
| Broom (pickup/sweeper) | 72"–84" | 400–700 | Includes hopper, heavier |
| Box Blade / Land Plane | 72"–84" | 280–450 | Grading blade |
Using These Numbers for ROC Calculations
The calculation you need:
Usable payload = Machine ROC − Attachment weightThis is the maximum weight of material (dirt, rock, logs, whatever) you can safely carry in or on the attachment without exceeding the machine's rated operating capacity.
Example: A Bobcat S650 has an ROC of 1,050 kg. If you're running a 72-inch rock bucket that weighs 400 kg, your usable payload is 650 kg. That's about 0.4 cubic metres of granite (at 2,700 kg/m³) — which is a partial fill on a 72-inch bucket. Operating at full bucket capacity with rock would exceed ROC significantly. This is why knowing the numbers matters.
For safety-critical operations, always use the manufacturer's published weight for your specific attachment — not a range from a reference guide. The numbers here are starting points for planning. The spec sheet is what you rely on when it matters.
Trailer Loading Implications
When you're hauling machine and attachment together, the attachment weight adds to the trailer load. For a 3,800 kg skid steer with a 600 kg grapple attached, you're loading 4,400 kg onto the trailer. Most single-axle tilt decks used for compact equipment are rated at 7,000–9,000 kg GVWR — that combination fits comfortably. But stack the numbers up: heavier machine, heavy attachment, plus some material in the bucket because you forgot to dump it before loading, and you can exceed trailer capacity.
The conservative practice: weigh the combination before hauling. Public scales are available at most aggregate yards and truck stops. If you're making this move regularly, knowing the actual combined weight takes the guesswork out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does attachment weight affect my skid steer's rated operating capacity?
Attachment weight comes directly off your usable payload. The formula is: Usable payload = Machine ROC − Attachment weight. For example, a machine with a 1,474 kg ROC running a 500 kg grapple has only 974 kg of usable payload for material — not the full rated capacity.
How much does a typical drum mulcher weigh on a skid steer?
Drum mulchers are the heaviest common skid steer attachment category. A 48–60 inch drum mulcher typically weighs 800–1,400 kg, and a 60–72 inch model weighs 1,000–1,800 kg. These weights require a high-flow machine and significantly reduce the effective payload capacity.
What is the typical weight range for a skid steer root grapple?
A 60-inch root grapple typically weighs 300–420 kg, a 72-inch model 380–520 kg, and a 84-inch model 450–620 kg. A solid bottom grapple bucket at 66 inches weighs 480–680 kg. Always subtract the attachment weight from ROC to determine your actual safe material lift capacity.
Why does attachment weight matter for trailer loading and transport?
When transporting machine and attachment together, the combined weight determines what trailer class you need and whether you comply with provincial weight regulations. A mid-size skid steer weighing 3,500–4,500 kg plus a 400 kg attachment reaches 3,900–4,900 kg before fuel and operator weight, which most commercial trailers can handle, but heavier combinations require careful verification.
What is the typical weight of a skid steer hydraulic breaker?
A small hydraulic breaker in the 150–250 kg class weighs 150–250 kg, a mid-size breaker weighs 250–450 kg, and a large breaker suitable for CTLs and high-ROC machines weighs 450–700 kg. Always verify the specific manufacturer's published weight before ROC calculations.
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