When hiring plant equipment, selecting the right attachments is as important as the main machine itself.
This blog provides a guide to the array of construction equipment accessories and attachments that exists, and how to attach and use these tools effectively to accomplish tasks in demolition, forestry, landscaping, construction, site preparation and more.
Matching construction equipment and accessories to specific jobs
Augers
Application and job type: Drilling holes for posts, trees, foundations during construction, agriculture, landscaping and fencing.
Attach to: Excavators, skid steers and tractors.
Attachment method: Quick coupler systems or mounting brackets.
Training: Necessary, particularly for safe operation and underground utility avoidance.
Permits: May be required for certain drilling activities.
Backhoes
Application and job type: Digging, trenching, loading, excavating in construction, utility installation, roadwork and landscaping jobs.
Attach to: Backhoe loaders and tractors.
Attachment method: Typically integral to backhoe loaders but can also be attached via mounting kits.
Training: Essential for safe operation.
Permits: May be required for excavation and trenching work.
Blades
Application and job type: Grading, levelling, pushing material in jobs involving road construction, site preparation, landscaping and agriculture.
Attach to: Bulldozers, graders and skid steers.
Attachment method: Pin-on or quick attach systems.
Training: Advisable for safe operation.
Permits: May be necessary for grading and construction activities.
Boom trusses
Application and job type: Extending reach for lifting and placing materials in jobs involving construction, material handling, high-reach tasks.
Attach to: Cranes and telehandlers.
Attachment method: Pin-on or bolt-on systems.
Training: Essential for safe operation.
Permits: May be necessary for crane operation in certain counties.
Box Blades
Application and job type: Grading, levelling, spreading materials whilst working in agriculture, landscaping, road construction and site preparation.
Attach to: Tractors and skid steers.
Attachment method: Three-point hitch or quick attach systems.
Training: Advisable for safe operation.
Permits: May be necessary for grading and construction activities.
Boxing safety rings
Application and job type: Ensuring safety around boxing and trenching operations involving utility installation, trenching and excavation safety.
Attach to: Excavators and backhoes.
Attachment method: Secured around the excavation area.
Training: Necessary for safe use.
Permits: May be required for excavation and trenching work.
Brooms
Application and job type: Sweeping and cleaning streets, construction sites, warehouses for jobs in road maintenance, site cleanup and industrial cleaning.
Attach to: Skid steers and loaders.
Attachment method: Quick coupler systems.
Training: Advisable for safe use.
Permits: May be necessary for street sweeping and construction site clean-up.
Brushcutters
Application and job type: Clearing brush, undergrowth, small trees during landscaping, forestry and land clearing jobs.
Attach to: Skid steers, tractors and excavators.
Attachment method: Hydraulic quick coupler systems.
Training: Essential for safe use.
Permits: May be necessary for forestry and land clearing activities.
Bucket crushers
Application and job type: Crushing demolition waste into reusable material for demolition, recycling and construction waste management.
Attach to: Excavators.
Attachment method: Quick coupler systems.
Training: Essential.
Permits: May be required for demolition and waste management activities.
Buckets
Application and job type: Digging, excavating, grading and loading materials during construction, landscaping, trenching, roadwork and site preparation.
Attach to: Excavators, loaders and backhoes.
Attachment method: Typically quick couplers or pin-on systems for easy switching between different buckets and tools.
Training: Usually required for safe operation, especially for larger machinery.
Permits: May be needed for specific job sites or activities.
| Read more about selecting the right excavator for your next project here. |
Cab guards
Application and job type: Protecting machinery cabs from falling debris and impacts in jobs involving demolition, forestry, construction and mining.
Attach to: Excavators and loaders.
Attachment method: Bolted or welded to the cab frame.
Training: Not typically required. However, proper installation is essential for safety.
Permits: None required.
Concrete breakers
Application and job type: Breaking up concrete, asphalt, other hard materials during jobs involving demolition, road repair, construction and renovation.
Attach to: Excavators and skid steers.
Attachment method: Quick coupler systems.
Training: Essential for safe operation.
Permits: May be required for demolition activities.
Grabs
Application and job type: Handling irregularly shaped materials like logs, scrap metal and demolition debris to complete tasks in forestry, demolition, recycling and scrap handling.
Attach to: Excavators and loaders.
Attachment method: Connected via quick coupler systems or pin-on mounts.
Training: Necessary for safe operation.
Permits: May be required for certain materials handling activities.
Grapple buckets
Application and job type: Grabbing, lifting, moving large, irregular objects for jobs involving demolition, forestry, recycling and waste handling.
Attach to: Skid steers and loaders.
Attachment method: Quick coupler systems.
Training: Crucial for safe use.
Permits: May be required for materials handling and demolition activities.
Hammers
Application and job type: Breaking rock and concrete whilst carrying out jobs in demolition, quarrying, construction and mining.
Attach to: Excavators and skid steers.
Attachment method: Quick coupler systems.
Training: Crucial for safe operation.
Permits: May be required for demolition and excavation activities.
Heavy duty screen guards
Application and job type: Protecting machinery from damage and debris during demolition, quarrying, forestry and construction jobs.
Attach to: Excavators and loaders.
Attachment method: Bolted or welded to the machinery.
Training: Not typically required. However, proper installation is essential for safety.
Permits: None required.
Pallet Forks and Forks
Application and job type: Lifting and moving pallets, materials handling for warehousing, construction, agricultural tasks and industrial operations jobs.
Attach to: Forklifts, telehandlers and skid steers.
Attachment method: Slide onto the fork carriage and lock in place with a securing pin or hydraulic clamp.
Training: Typically required for safe operation.
Permits: No specific permits are usually needed unless working in restricted areas.
Plant trailers
Application and job type: Transporting machinery and equipment to job sites for construction, agriculture, machinery rental and transportation.
Attach to: Trucks and towing vehicles.
Attachment method: Hitch systems (e.g., ball hitch, pintle hitch).
Training: Not typically required for towing. However, proper loading and securing of equipment are essential for safety.
Permits: May be required for oversized loads or certain transport routes.
Plate compactors and compactors
Application and job type: Compacting soil, gravel, asphalt for road construction, foundation work, landscaping and trenching.
Attach to: Excavators and backhoes.
Attachment method: Quick coupler systems or mounting brackets.
Training: Necessary for safe operation.
Permits: May be required for compaction work on public roads or construction sites.
Pulverisers
Application and job type: Crushing and pulverising concrete and debris for jobs such as demolition, recycling and construction waste management.
Attach to: Excavators.
Attachment method: Quick coupler systems.
Training: Necessary for safe use.
Permits: May be required for demolition and waste management activities.
Rakes
Application and job type: Clearing land, removing roots and debris, levelling soil for jobs involving landscaping, site preparation and agricultural fields.
Attach to: Excavators and skid steers.
Attachment method: Quick couplers or pin-on systems.
Training: Advisable, especially for proper operation and safety.
Permits: May be required for land clearing activities.
Rippers
Application and job type: Breaking up hard ground, rock, asphalt for construction, mining, road building and site preparation.
Attach to: Bulldozers and excavators.
Attachment method: Pin-on or quick coupler systems.
Training: Necessary for safe operation.
Permits: May be required for certain excavation and demolition activities.
Shears
Application and job type: Cutting through metal, rebar, structural steel whilst carrying out demolition, scrap metal processing and recycling work.
Attach to: Excavators.
Attachment type: Quick coupler systems.
Training: Crucial for safe operation.
Permits: May be required for demolition and scrap metal processing activities.
Spark arrestors
Application and job type: Preventing sparks from machinery exhaust from igniting fires whilst working in forestry, construction and operations near flammable materials.
Attach to: Exhaust systems of excavators, loaders, etc.
Attachment method: Clamped or bolted on to the exhaust.
Training: Not typically required. However, compliance with regulations regarding spark arrestors may be necessary in some areas.
Permits: None required.
Stump grinders
Application and job type: Grinding down tree stumps for landscaping, forestry, land clearing and tree removal.
Attach to: Skid steers and tractors.
Attachment method: Quick coupler systems.
Training: Necessary for safe use.
Permits: May be required for forestry and land clearing activities.
Trenchers
Application and job type: Digging trenches for utilities, pipelines, drainage for utility installation, irrigation, drainage systems and cable laying.
Attach to: Mini excavators.
Attachment method: Direct mount or quick coupler systems.
Training: Essential for safe operation.
Permits: May be required for trenching work, especially near utilities.
A range of construction equipment accessories at your fingertips
Each construction equipment accessory enhances the functionality of the machinery it is attached to, making specific tasks more efficient and safer. Choosing the right attachment for the job is crucial for achieving the best results and maintaining safety standards.
Rabbit Plant Hire has a broad range of construction equipment attachments for hire, which, like all our plant for hire, undergoes a rigorous maintenance programme to ensure it is in tip-top condition.
| Seeking more information on how to hire construction equipment for your next domestic or commercial project? Find out more here. |
Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire is an established and expert supplier of plant hire for commercial and domestic building projects throughout Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.
To find out more about Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire’s plant hire services contact our expert and friendly team on 01903 851957 or info@rabbitanddowling.co.uk.
Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire is part of The Rabbit Group of companies, which includes Rabbit Demolition, Rabbit Skip Hire and Rabbit Toilet Hire.
