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.
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.
Designed for skid steers and compact track loaders
Recommended Machine Specs:
Bobcat
Caterpillar
John Deere
Kubota
Case / New Holland
Prime Attachments products are backed by a limited manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship for the original purchaser.
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.
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
At ECHO Equipment, we actually use and support the equipment we sell. You’re not getting generic answers - you’re talking to people who understand how this equipment works in the field. That means faster answers, better recommendations, and no wasted time trying to figure things out on your own.
We’re easy to work with. If something breaks, tell us what actually happened and be honest with us (a good sense of humor doesn’t hurt either). We’re often known to help out even outside of standard warranty terms. And if it’s on us, we’ll own it and make it right. No excuses, no finger pointing - just real support when it matters.
Shipping & Freight Delivery | Returns, Refunds & Cancellations | Terms & Conditions of Sale | Privacy Policy
Iowa eCommerce Website by Wapiti Digital
