by Matt Gertken
Labor has always been a challenge on the farm. In recent years, it has become an even greater hurdle to keep daily work moving. The solution isn’t always to add more people; often, it’s to find better ways to maximize the equipment you already own.
Skid steers, compact track loaders and compact wheel loaders have become go-to machines for many farms, thanks to their small footprint, maneuverability and reliability. On their own, they’re valuable tools, but it’s the attachments that unlock what these machines can truly do. With the right attachment, jobs that once required several people can be performed safely by one person.
Turn loader into workhorse
Buckets are the most common attachments on the farm and typically remain on the machine. General-purpose and light-material buckets handle everything from dirt to feed to snow, making them practical everyday tools across all types of farms. Material-handling buckets add even more versatility by making it easier to move loosely packed materials like bedding or silage.
Pallet forks are another attachment most producers rely on year-round. From seed pallets to chemical totes and bagged feed to fencing supplies, forks simplify loading, unloading, and restacking of almost anything that arrives on a pallet. Many operators say forks become their go-to attachment during the busiest times of the year.
Livestock operations especially benefit from bale spears and bale grabs. These tools make feeding cleaner and safer, while helping farmers place and stack round or square bales with precision. Even with heavy or frozen bales, the right attachment reduces strain and improves control.
Make tough jobs faster
Fencing offers a great example of how attachments can streamline demanding work. Instead of digging postholes by hand or hauling a tow-behind auger, compact loader augers quickly and safely drill uniform holes. Heavy-duty bits cut through packed soil or clay, and extensions make it easy to set deeper posts where needed.
Land management also becomes more efficient with the right tools. Brush cutters and mowers turn clearing fencerows, field edges or overgrown patches into a fast one-person job. Industrial brush cutters can take down dense vegetation and small trees while reaching areas that larger equipment can’t safely access.
Winter brings its own challenges, and compact equipment attachments help keep chores moving. Snowplows, V-plows and snow pushers designed for smaller machines are ideal for barn lots, feed alleys and other tight spaces where larger equipment may struggle. They allow operators to maintain speed and precision even during heavy storms.
Get most value from equipment
Many farms already have a compact machine in the shed. Adding the right attachments can unlock greater value from that investment without requiring the purchase of additional standalone equipment. Most modern attachments work across brands, thanks to standardized couplers like the skid-steer loader or ISO-style interfaces. This flexibility makes it easier to build out your attachment lineup over time.
It’s also important to start with equipment you can rely on and partner with a dealer who will support your farm long term. A lower upfront price doesn’t always equal better long-term value, especially when every hour of uptime matters. Equipment wears over time, and lower-cost machines may require more repairs or wear out faster, reducing productivity.
Dependable dealer support is critical to keeping essential tools running. Ziegler Cat offers a full range of service capabilities and specialized support to help minimize downtime and get your equipment back to work quickly.
Every farm has its own list of jobs that compact equipment can simplify: cleaning yards, digging postholes, feeding cattle, loading trucks, preparing seedbeds, moving materials or clearing debris. No matter the task, the theme is the same: The right attachment reduces labor and turns your compact equipment into a more capable partner.
When labor is tight and time is limited, the efficiency of compact equipment and attachments becomes essential. Pairing the right machine with the right tools helps you do more with what you already have. For more information on compact equipment and attachment options, contact your local Ziegler Cat dealer or visit zieglercat.com.
Gertken is a territory manager with Ziegler Cat.