For professionals who demand precision and reliability, the best skid steer attachment for grading is a Skeer System Pro Plus or Pro Plus OS. We have some good reasons for saying this, which we will share with you in this blog.
Key Takeaways
- Skeer System graders are the best skid steer attachments for grading.
- Skeer System offers laser-assisted grading attachments, as well as 2D and 3D grading solutions.
Check Out The Skeer System Graders
Skeer System is the industry leader in skid steer graders. Their innovative grading attachments are used throughout the industry and are known for being the final grading leader.
Skeer has designed their graders to be able to handle any grading situation. Companies worldwide are switching to Skeer System. Their simplicity and effectiveness allow even the most inexperienced skid steer operator to produce expert results right away.
To begin with, each Skeer grader is set to ground traction level. This makes operating the grader in the field easier for the operator.
The hardened cutting edge can be used in the forward direction or in reverse. Because there is so much surface area on the ground with the Skeer graders, they have eliminated the need for wheels on the blade's front. This allows operators to get in tight spaces other blades can’t.
Some Skeer models, such as the “Pro Plus," come with extendable wings that can be used at any angle. This allows the operator to grade slopes with ease.
Tilt can be added to any Skeer grader allowing the blade to tilt 24 degrees in the 5th and 6th position, essentially turning the grader into a dozer blade. The blade can pivot laterally 60 degrees.
Overall, the construction industry is mainly turning to Skeer System grading blades. The higher upfront cost is easily offset by efficiency on the job site.
Weight Matters
When considering the weight of grading attachments that aren’t buckets, horsepower is often a better indicator than weight.
For example, Skeer grading blades are designed to push and pull material along the ground rather than carry it. Although the Skeer Pro Plus only weighs 1100lb. (About half of a bucket of dry earth), it still requires a good amount of horsepower to operate efficiently.
Manufacturers will set a minimum recommended horsepower of a skid steer to use pushing-type graders. Underpowered skid steers may not be able to utilize the full benefits of a pushing grader.
For example, the very popular Skeer Pro Plus grading blade has a minimum recommended 60 horsepower. This would make it the perfect fit for our 75HP Bobcat S250.
The Skeer Pro Plus OS (oversized), however, requires 90HP because it is almost 18” longer than (13.4 feet) than the Pro Plus. This extra length requires more horsepower to adequately use this grading blade.
Advantages of Skeer System Graders
Let’s have a look at what we like about Skeer Systems skid steer grading attachments.
Ground Traction Level
Each Skeer grader is set to ground traction level. This makes operating the grader in the field easier for the operator.
Once the blade is set to ground level, the operator can lower the loader arms all the way, and be confident that the grader is exactly at ground traction level. This greatly reduces the level of skill and experience needed by the skid steer operator.
Ground level is slightly different for each skid steer. Therefore, when you first receive your Skeer grading attachment, you will set the grader for ground level.
This adjustment is done with only basic hand tools and usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete.
No Need For Wheels
Many skid steer graders have wheels attached to the leading edge to ensure the grading blade remains stable through the grading process. The obvious problem with wheels is that they reduce your maneuverability while adding complexity and maintenance.
Skeer System graders avoid the need for wheels by having a wide and flat cutting edge. Depending on the model of Skeer grader and its configuration, the blade's cutting edge might have an approximate 9 square foot surface area on the ground.
When you compare having a 9 square foot surface area, combined with ground level traction for stability compared to only several inches with wheels, the Skeer blade is the obvious choice for stability and ease of use.
Without the need for clunky wheels on the front of the grading blade, you’ll be able to get into tight corners with ease.
Folding Wings
Some Skeer models, such as the “Pro Plus," come with extendable wings that can be used at any angle. This allows the operator to grade slopes with ease.
The folding wings operate hydraulically from inside the cab of the skid steer. This allows the skid steer operator to adjust the angle of the wings on the fly.
With the wings folded in, even the largest model of Skeer Grader (Pro Plus OS) will still fit perfectly widthwise on a flatbed trailer. This makes the Skeer blades easier to transport than any other similar grading blade.
Optional Tilt Functionality
Tilt can be added to any Skeer grader, allowing the blade to tilt 24 degrees in the 5th and 6th position, essentially turning the grader into a dozer blade. The blade can pivot laterally 60 degrees.
Tilt operates from the cab of the skid steer and is electrically activated and hydraulically operated, allowing you to adjust the tilt on the fly.
Attachment Edges
After using the attachment for quite a while, you will have to deal with dull cutting edges. For this, your options are replaceable edges or permanent edges. Before purchasing your grading attachment, find out if the cutting edge is welded on or bolted on.
Welded on edges can sometimes end up being a headache to replace. They often have to be torched off before a new edge can be fitted. Bolt-on edges have the apparent advantage that they can be removed easier.
Cutting edges are sometimes reversible, giving the edge twice the life of a standard cutting edge.
Rake tooth edges can be purchased to help give your bucket added versatility when breaking up and leveling soil. The teeth on rake tooth edges are spaced closer together to make leveling and grading easier.
You also have the option of adding a bolt-on tooth bar edge. Compared to the rake tooth edge, the bolt-on tooth bar has a broader tooth spacing and is designed to break up and dig through compact soil.
Poly bucket edges are a good option when you are using your bucket for snow removal on concrete. The poly edge on the bucket prevents gouging and damaging the concrete.
Be sure to check the dimensions of whatever edge you are purchasing. Not only is the proper length significant, but the thickness and width are also good indicators of the strength and durability of an edge.
Laser Assisted Grading
Skeer blades can easily be set up with laser-assisted grading. With laser assist, you set the grade using a laser transmitter outside the skid steer.
On the front of your Skeer grading blade, you’ll mount a laser receiver mast. The laser receiver sits on the mast at the operator's eye level and displays high and low spots as the operator is grading. This allows the operator to manually fine-tune the grade without guesswork.
2D and 3D Grading Solutions
Professional graders are always looking for ways to be more precise with less effort; “more efficiency”.
A Skeer “Machine Control Ready” or “MCR” for short accomplishes this by doing the grading work for you.
A 2D Skeer MCR grading blade takes inputs from an outside dual slope laser transmitter and adjusts the grading blade as the operator moves along the work area to create the perfect grade and slope.
A 3D Skeer MCR grading blade removes the need for an outside laser transmitter. Instead, a detailed engineering map is uploaded to the grading blade's computer. The grading blade then uses the map, as well as GNSS receivers to monitor its own position and know precisely what the grade should be everywhere in the work area. Now the operator only has to drive the skid steer through the work area while the blade controls itself.
You can imagine how useful this could be at large complex job sites such as golf courses.
How To Choose The Best Skid Steer Grading Attachment
By reading this blog, you're already on the right path. However, here are a few final pointers on your journey to selecting the best grader:
Rough Grade or Final Grade
Are you looking to make a rough grade or final grade? Possibly, you are looking for an attachment that can do both? Bucket-style attachments are better for rough grading, while Skeer System-type attachments are far better at final grading.
Read The Reviews
Read the reviews and talk to your dealer (call us!). Be sure to purchase attachments that have been proven to get the job done safely and efficiently.
Simplicity
Consider the experience level of your skid steer operators. You may decide that a 4-in-1 bucket is actually more difficult and less efficient to use for final grading. In many circumstances, a laser-assisted grader will pay for itself when considering the amount of time and labor it saves on a job site.
Compatibility
Check to ensure your skid steer has the required horsepower and/or operating capacity for the attachment you are considering. Be sure that it can mount correctly as well.
Lead Time
If you need an attachment quickly, always call your dealer before ordering. Many attachments are built to order and may require several weeks to produce before delivery.
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