Skid Steer Attachment Rental in Northern Indiana: Matching the Tool to the Job
On its own, a skid steer is a loader. Put a different attachment on the front and it becomes a power rake, a brush cutter, a trencher, a post hole digger or a broom. That is why so many landscapers and homeowners around Goshen, Elkhart and South Bend rely on skid steer attachment rental: one machine, the right tool for each step, and you only pay for that tool on the days you need it. Fall is a busy stretch for this work in northern Indiana, with seeding, grading, brush clearing and drainage fixes all racing the first hard freeze. This guide walks through the skid steer and mini skid steer attachments we rent at Wakarusa Heavy Equipment and the jobs each one is built for.
Start With the Machine: Skid Steer, Track Loader or Mini Skid Steer
Before you pick an attachment, pick the machine that will carry it. A wheeled skid steer is quick and nimble on hard surfaces like driveways, gravel pads and parking areas. A compact track loader spreads its weight over rubber tracks, which helps on soft lawns, wet clay and freshly graded soil, a common situation in our area after a few days of fall rain. A stand-on mini skid steer fits through backyard gates and works around existing landscaping with less damage to the turf.
Full-size attachments and mini skid steer attachments are not interchangeable, so rent the tool that matches your machine. If you are bringing your own loader, tell us the make and model and we will help confirm the attachment fits and that your machine can run it. You can browse our skid steer rentals and compact track loader rentals online, and our guide to the Takeuchi compact track loader lineup explains the differences between models.
Skid Steer Attachments for Landscaping Jobs
Soil Prep and Seeding: Power Rake, Tiller, Leveler and Seeder
A power rake, often called a Harley rake, breaks up the top layer of soil, pulls out rocks and roots, and leaves a smooth, level seedbed. It is the go-to tool for prepping ground for new lawns and sod. A rotary tiller works up compacted or weedy ground before you rake, and a land leveler helps with finish grading over larger areas. Once the ground is ready, a broadcast seeder attachment spreads seed evenly, and a roller attachment firms the surface for good seed-to-soil contact. Fall is a popular time to seed and lay sod in northern Indiana.
Rocks and Debris: Stone Rake, Rock Bucket and Rock Hound
New lots and old fields around here can turn up a lot of stone. A rock bucket or stone rake sifts rocks, roots and debris out of the soil while letting dirt fall through. For bigger areas, we also rent a 72-inch rock hound attachment that gathers stone and debris as you work across the ground.
Brush and Overgrowth: Brush Mower, Flail Mower and Grapple Bucket
Fence lines, ditches and overgrown lots are much easier with a brush mower attachment, which cuts heavy weeds and saplings that a lawn mower cannot handle. A flail mower gives a finer, cleaner cut and works well along ditches and banks. To haul brush, logs and storm debris, a grapple bucket clamps down on loose, bulky material so it stays put on the way to the pile or trailer. If stumps are left behind, our stump grinder rental guide covers the next step.
Holes and Trenches: Auger, Trencher, Vibratory Plow and Post Driver
An auger attachment drills holes for fence posts, deck footings and tree planting far faster than digging by hand. A trencher attachment cuts narrow trenches for drainage pipe, irrigation lines and landscape lighting. For mini skid steers, a vibratory plow pulls cable or small line into the ground with less disturbance to an existing lawn. Building a fence line? A post driver attachment drives posts into the ground without pre-digging. Whatever you are digging, contact 811 a few working days ahead so underground utilities can be marked before you break ground.
Materials and Cleanup: Buckets, Pallet Forks, Brooms and Snow Pusher
A standard or flat-lip bucket handles mulch, gravel and topsoil, while a tooth bucket bites into hard or compacted ground. Pallet forks move pallets of block, pavers and sod right where you need them. An angle broom or pickup broom clears gravel, dirt and leaves off driveways and paved areas at the end of the job. When the season turns, an 8-foot snow pusher turns the same machine into a snow removal tool for lots and long drives.
See the full list on our skid steer attachment rental page, or browse our lawn and landscape equipment for walk-behind tools.
How to Choose the Right Attachment
Describe the job, not the tool
Tell us what you are trying to accomplish, such as "level a backyard and seed it" or "clear a quarter mile of fence row," and we can point you to the attachments that fit. Many projects need two or three tools in sequence, like a grapple to clear brush, a power rake to prep soil and a seeder to finish, so renting them for the same days keeps the job moving.
Check access and ground conditions
Measure gates, side yards and any tight spots before you rent. Narrow access points toward a mini skid steer. Soft or wet ground points toward a compact track loader, which is less likely to rut a lawn than a wheeled machine.
Plan for hauling
Full-size machines and larger attachments need a properly rated truck and trailer. If you do not have one, ask us about delivery to your site.
Safety Tips for Skid Steer Attachments
Read the operator's manual for both the machine and the attachment before you start. Make sure the attachment is fully locked to the quick-attach plate before lifting, keep bystanders well clear of mowers, augers and rakes, and never walk or work under a raised attachment. Wear eye and hearing protection, check the area for hidden stumps and stakes, and work across slopes carefully with the heavy end of the machine uphill.
Skid Steer Attachment Rental Near You
We serve landscapers, contractors and homeowners from our locations in Wakarusa and Waterloo, Indiana, with customers across Goshen, Elkhart, South Bend, Mishawaka, Nappanee, Warsaw and Fort Wayne, as well as southern Michigan towns like Niles and Sturgis and western Ohio around Defiance. Find hours and directions on our Wakarusa and Waterloo locations page. If you use a skid steer often enough to own one, take a look at our used skid steers for sale, and our rent vs. buy guide can help you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent just the attachment if I have my own skid steer?
Yes. Our attachments are available to rent on their own. Tell us the make and model of your machine so we can help confirm the attachment fits and works with your loader's hydraulics.
What is a power rake used for?
A power rake breaks up and levels the top layer of soil while pulling out rocks and roots. It is the most common tool for preparing a seedbed or sod base on a new lawn.
Do mini skid steer attachments fit a full-size skid steer?
No. Mini skid steers use a smaller mounting system, so their attachments are made for those machines only. Rent attachments that match the machine you will be using.
Which attachment is best for clearing brush?
A brush mower handles thick weeds and small saplings, and a grapple bucket moves the cut brush, logs and debris to a pile or trailer.
How do I reserve a skid steer attachment?
Browse our attachments online and rent the dates you need, or call us at +1 (574) 862-7914, Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. You can also contact our rental team with questions about your project.
Ready to Rent?
Tell us what you are working on and we will help you match the machine and attachment to the job. Browse our skid steer attachments or contact Wakarusa Heavy Equipment today.