What to Know About Snow Pushers for Full Size vs Mini Skid Steers

When it comes to clearing snow efficiently, snow pushers for both full-size and mini skid steers offer their own advantages. The choice between a full-size skid steer with a snow pusher and a mini skid steer with a snow pusher ultimately depends on factors such as job size and machine capabilities. Let’s compare these two setups, including attachment plate types, when a snow pusher is appropriate for each machine, and which snow pushers are the best fit for each.

Snow Pushers for Full-Size Skid Steers

A full-size skid steer or compact track loader is a powerful and versatile machine commonly used in commercial snow removal applications. When paired with a snow pusher, it becomes a highly effective tool for clearing snow quickly and precisely.

 

Advantages:

1. Increased Power and Capacity: Full-size skid steers have higher horsepower and greater hydraulic capabilities, allowing them to push heavy, wet snow with ease.
2. Wider Snow Pushers: These machines can handle wider snow pushers, typically ranging from 6 to 12 feet, maximizing efficiency in parking lots, loading docks or ramps, residential and commercial driveways and cul de sacs.
3. Greater Traction and Stability: Due to their size and weight, full-size skid steers offer superior traction and stability, even on uneven or icy surfaces. For wheeled skid steers, it’s important to use high quality skid steer snow tires, such as KAGE Klawz, to maximize traction and road speed.

Attachment Plate:

No matter the brand, full-size skid steers use a standardized universal skid steer quick-attach plate. This allows for quick swapping between attachments without requiring modifications. KAGE Innovation’s SnowFire, SnowFire Xtreme, and SnowFire Blast are all designed to attach seamlessly to these plates, making them ideal for professional snow removal operations.

Snow Pushers For Mini Skid Steers

Mini skid steers, mini track loaders and compact utility loaders, are significantly smaller than their full-size counterparts. While they may not match the power and capacity of full-size skid steers, they excel in specific applications where maneuverability is key. Another thing to consider if choosing to use a snow pusher for mini skid steers is counter weight. Heavy duty snow pushers generally also feature significant weight to match. While mini skid steers often have plenty of power to lift a snow pusher, they don’t all have the same counter weight capabilities to prevent the machine from tipping forward when the pusher is lifted for stacking snow.

Advantages:

1. Tight Space Navigation: Mini skid steers are ideal for clearing sidewalks, alleys, small drive-thrus, narrow driveways, and small commercial properties where larger machines cannot operate effectively.
2. Lower Ground Impact: The lighter weight of mini skid steers reduces the risk of damaging pavement, or decorative surfaces, making them suitable for more delicate snow removal spaces.
3. Increased Operator Visibility: Due to their compact design, mini skid steers offer better visibility for precision snow clearing in confined spaces.

Attachment Plate Differences:

Mini skid steers often use a different attachment system compared to full-size models. Many mini skid steers feature a proprietary attachment plate design specific to makes and models like Toro Dingo or Ditch Witch while others, such as Bobcat MT can still attach to a universal attachment plate in addition to its mini mount plate This means that snow pushers designed for full-size skid steers may not be directly compatible with mini skid steers unless an adapter plate is used.

KAGE Innovation offers solutions for various skid steer sizes. Just keep in mind they these attachments all use a universal skid steer plate and may need adapter plates for mini skid loaders or mini track loaders.

KAGE Innovation’s Skid Steer Snow Pushers

KAGE Innovation is known for its high-quality snow pushers designed for professional snow removal operations. Their three skid steer snow pusher models include:

1. SnowFire Skid Steer Snow Blade and Pusher

• Designed for both standard full-size skid steers and mini skid steers.
• Available in widths ranging from 4.5 to 12 feet.
• Features an innovative containment box that converts to an angle plow within seconds and features 35 degrees of power angling.
• For Mini Skid Steers, the recommended size is 4.5- or 6-feet, depending on the counter weight of the machine. For lighter weight machines with higher risk of tipping, KAGE recommends using its “shorty” pivot frame, which brings the plow 6 inches closer to the machine. To further reduce the weight of the plow, the containment box can also be removed.
• For full-size skid steers weighing 5,000 to 15,000 pounds, the recommended size is 6, 8, 9 or 10 feet.

 

2. SnowFire Xtreme Snow Blade & Pusher For Skid Steers

• An upgraded version of the original SnowFire system, the SnowFire Xtreme designed for extra contouring capabilities through the use of a sectional cutting edge and floating box skids.
• Available in 4.5- to 12-feet widths
• Quickly converts from snow blade to snow pusher and back without leaving the cab
• This 2-in-1 system is generally recommended for full-size skid steers only, due to the increased weight of the sectional cutting edge and floating box.

 

3. SnowFire BLAST Skid Steer Snow Pusher

• The simplest snow pusher in KAGE Innovation’s lineup, the SnowFire BLAST removes the need for hydraulics as it does not angle and the side panels are not designed to be removed while plowing.
• Available in 6- to 12-feet widths
• For Mini Skid Steers, the recommended size is or 6-feet, depending on the counter weight of the machine. This snow pusher does not have a pivot frame bringing it even tighter to the machine (by about 2 feet) with its floating attachment plate. By decreasing the radial distance, between the plow and machine, it also lessens the leverage and risk of tipping forward.
• All sizes are suitable for full-size skid steers.
• Back Drag Kit Also Available

 

Both full-size and mini skid steers have their place in snow removal operations, and choosing the right equipment depends on the specific needs of your job site. KAGE Innovation’s snow pushers are built to handle a variety of conditions, ensuring that operators can tackle winter weather with confidence and efficiency.