The Prime Attachments Skid Steer Backhoe turns your skid steer into a compact excavator without adding another machine to your fleet. Whether you’re trenching, digging footings, installing utilities, or handling general excavation, this attachment gives you the reach and digging power to get real work done.

Available in both 6.5 ft and 8.5 ft digging depths, this backhoe lets you match the job instead of overworking your machine. With heavy-duty construction, protected cylinders, and replaceable digging teeth, it’s built for contractors who need reliability day after day.

If you’ve got digging to do but don’t want to bring a mini excavator to every job, this is where your skid earns its keep.

Features

• 6.5 ft and 8.5 ft digging depth options let you match the attachment to your job and machine
• Multiple bucket sizes (12", 18", 24") handle trenching, footings, and general excavation
• Optional manual thumb attachment allows you to grab rocks, debris, and materials instead of just digging
• Replaceable digging teeth improve penetration and extend bucket life
• Reinforced boom and dipper arm construction built for repeated digging under load
• Protected hydraulic cylinders reduce exposure to jobsite damage
• High breakout force design helps dig through compacted soil and tougher ground
• Universal skid steer quick attach for fast hookup to most machines

Improves Safety

Stay in the cab and avoid manual digging or unstable trench work

Saves Time

Dig trenches, footings, and holes faster without switching machines

Reduces Equipment Costs

Eliminates the need for a dedicated mini excavator on many jobs

Expands Machine Capability

Turns your skid steer into a true digging and excavation tool

• Trenching for utilities and drainage
• Digging footings and foundations
• Fence post and pole installation
• Septic and water line work
• Landscaping and property projects
• Contractors needing digging capability without another machine

• Digging Depth: 6.5 ft, 8.5 ft
• Bucket Sizes: 12", 18", 24"
• Bucket Type: Replaceable tooth bucket
• Mount: Skid steer quick attach
• Construction: Heavy-duty steel boom and frame
• Cylinder Protection: Shielded design
• Thumb Option: Manual thumb available for material handling
• Thumb Function: Grabbing rocks, debris, logs, and loose material
• Bucket Compatibility: Works with all bucket sizes

Designed for  skid steers and compact track loaders

Recommended Machine Specs:

• Hydraulic Flow: 15–25 GPM

Common Compatible Machines

Bobcat

• S510, S550, S570, S590, S650,T590, T650

Caterpillar

• 242D3, 246D3, 259D3, 262D3

John Deere

• 318G, 320G, 324G

Kubota

• SSV65, SSV75, SVL75-2

Case / New Holland

• SR175, SR210
• L220, L228

Is this a replacement for a mini excavator?

For many jobs, yes. It won’t replace one on large commercial projects, but for trenching, footings, and general digging, it covers a huge range of work.

How deep can this actually dig?

Up to 8.5 feet depending on the model, which is enough for most utility, drainage, and foundation work.

What size bucket should I choose?

Smaller buckets (12") are better for trenching, while larger buckets (18"–24") are ideal for general excavation and moving more material.

Can this handle hard or compacted ground?

Yes, especially with the replaceable teeth and proper machine size. It’s built for real digging, not just

soft soil.

Do I need a large skid steer to run this?

Mid-size to large machines work best, especially for the deeper 8.5 ft model.

Is this hard to operate compared to a mini excavator?

It takes some adjustment, but most operators pick it up quickly, especially for straight trenching and basic digging.

What’s the biggest limitation?

You don’t get full swing like an excavator, so positioning the machine matters more.

What is the manual thumb and do I need it?

The manual thumb lets you grab and hold material like rocks, logs, and debris. If you’re doing anything beyond straight trenching, it’s a huge upgrade.

Is the thumb worth it?

In our opinion, yes. It turns the backhoe from a digging tool into a handling tool, which makes it far more useful on real jobsites.

Prime Attachments products are backed by a   limited manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship for the original purchaser.

• Structural components and welds are typically covered for   2 years   under normal use
• Wear items such as blades, hardware, and normal maintenance components are not covered
• Warranty applies to properly operated equipment within rated hydraulic and usage specifications

This warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse, improper installation, or normal wear and tear.

All warranty claims are handled through Echo Equipment, where you’ll work directly with our team to get issues resolved quickly without the runaround.