One Badass Guide to Trenching and Excavation With Skid Steers

Table of Contents
August 21, 2025 / Kody Thompson /

Skid steers are fast, maneuverable machines for most digs. They’ll carve clean lines for fence posts, water lines, or drain tile. They’ll cut trenches for laying pipe through rocky soil or conduit across a jobsite. It’s true — they’re not made to dig foundations for skyscrapers. Still, trenching and excavation tasks don’t necessarily require heavy equipment and overkill. Sometimes all you need is the right gear bolted on the front of your loader.

Here’s a quick, no-BS guide to making fast work of shallow digs with skid steer attachments.

What Can a Skid Steer Actually Do?

Stay within your equipment’s wheelhouse for best results when trenching with a skid steer. Loaders work best with projects that need shallow, controlled cuts (typically in the 3' to 8' range, depending on the attachment). 

Now…if you’re doing deep water lines, full foundations, or massive utility trenches, go ahead — call in the big boys. But for most of what you’ll need on-site, a skid steer does just fine:

  • Fence prep & post holes
  • Drain tile or irrigation installs
  • Electrical conduit or fiber runs
  • Landscaping trenching or grading
  • Light demolition & material removal

It also helps if you’ve got the right tools, like an earth auger or backhoe. A heavy-duty attachment is all it takes to make your skid steer dangerous (in a good way).

Earth Auger vs. Backhoe: Know Your Weapon

Both the auger and the backhoe get grouped into the trenching and excavation category, but they serve different purposes. Think of it like this:

Use an Earth Auger When:

Use a Backhoe When:
  • You’re digging post holes
  • You need clean vertical cuts with minimal surface disruption
  • You’re working in tighter spaces or rough terrain
  • You’re okay with a narrower cut and don’t need continuous trenching
  • You need longer trench runs
  • You want more reach and versatility
  • You’re doing actual trench shaping (i.e., digging to depth and scooping out material)
  • You want optional thumbs for gripping and removing debris

Narrow earth auger bits from 4.5” to 12” are great for posts or conduit, while larger diameters (up to 30”) give you options for footings and wide holes. Meanwhile, the Prime Backhoe gives you digging depths of 6.5' or 8.5'. Since you can pick from our 12", 18", or 24" bucket options, you can dial in your trench size without beating the hell out of your machine.

Still unsure if your skid steer can handle it? We’ve also got some tips on when a skid steer backhoe makes sense vs. firing up a full-on excavator.

Real-World Uses for Skid Steer Trenching

Let’s talk real jobs for a second. Contractors use augers and backhoes on skid steers every day for all kinds of construction and excavation tasks, like:

  • Electrical work: Burying conduit from a building to a new light pole
  • Water management: Installing French drains or shallow tile
  • Property development: Running lines for irrigation or low-voltage systems
  • Fence line setup: Auger your holes, drop your posts, move on

These kinds of jobs aren’t exclusively for brand-new installs. Skid steer trenching attachments also come in clutch for repairs, tear-outs, and retrofits. That agile loader chassis is awesome in tight or uneven spots where a full-size excavator can’t squeeze in.

Safety Still Matters, Even for Shallow Digs

We get it, you’re digging shallow…it’s probably fine, right? No sir. Don’t throw safety out the window for skid steer-sized tasks — even 4' trenches can collapse if you don’t plan ahead. Here’s what to watch for:

  • Trench wall stability: Loose or wet soil can cave in… Know your soil type!
  • Machine visibility: Backhoes extend beyond your loader’s normal footprint. Watch for structures, lines, or other workers.
  • Underground hazards: Always call 811 or use a private locator service.

OSHA trenching rules apply even if you’re using compact equipment. If your crew is getting in the hole, make sure it’s shored, benched, or otherwise protected.

Match Attachment Width to the Job

A clean cut is very dependent on the width of your bucket or bit choice compared to the job at hand. If you’ve got a great bucket, but it’s too wide, you waste time moving extra material. Too narrow and you’re jamming tools into a trench you can’t finish. Narrow-profile backhoe buckets and properly sized auger bits will cut down on drag, material volume, and cleanup time.

Let’s Dig In!

Our backhoe and earth auger are big on build quality. They’re field-tested and designed to make the most out of your skid steer so you don’t have to baby your machine or rent out bigger equipment every time you need to move dirt.

Need help figuring out the right setup for your next job? Reach out to us or your local Prime dealer. We’ll help you find the
perfect match!
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