When your skid steer attachment suddenly loses power, productivity grinds to a halt. The problem usually isn’t the attachment itself – it’s the hydraulics. Hydraulic systems are the lifeblood of every skid steer, and when something goes wrong, it doesn’t take long for performance to drop, heat to build, and components to wear prematurely.
Most hydraulic issues can be diagnosed and fixed in less than 10 minutes if you know what to look for. Here are the five most common hydraulic issues that kill your attachment’s power and how to fix each one fast.
1. Low Hydraulic Fluid Levels
The problem:
Low hydraulic oil is the #1 reason attachments lose power. Without enough fluid, pressure drops and your attachment can’t generate the force it’s built for. You’ll notice sluggish movement, jerky operation, or attachments that simply won’t spin, lift, or cut like they used to.
Quick fix:
Check your skid steer’s hydraulic reservoir. If it’s below the recommended level, top it off with the manufacturer-approved hydraulic fluid. Don’t just grab any oil, viscosity and additive differences matter. Using the wrong fluid can damage seals and pumps.
Pro tip:
If you find yourself refilling often, you’ve got a leak somewhere. Check hose fittings, cylinder seals, and couplers for oil residue or dirt buildup that sticks to wet spots. A quick tightening or seal replacement can prevent major downtime later.
2. Contaminated Hydraulic Fluid
The problem:
Dirty or contaminated hydraulic oil is like running sand through your machine’s veins. Even small particles can damage valves, clog filters, and wear down pump components all leading to power loss.
Warning signs:
- Attachment power fades gradually.
- Hydraulic oil looks milky (water contamination) or dark (burnt oil).
- Filters clog faster than normal.
Quick fix:
Pull a small sample of hydraulic oil from your machine. If it’s cloudy or smells burnt, it’s time for a flush. Replace both the oil and filters. Make sure to clean the breather cap and inspect the reservoir for sludge before refilling.
Pro tip:
Keep your couplers clean before connecting attachments. A single piece of grit can travel through the system and wreak havoc on your valves.
3. Worn or Faulty Quick Couplers
The problem:
Quick couplers make switching attachments easy but they’re also one of the most common failure points. Over time, they can clog, wear out, or fail to seat properly, restricting flow and choking your attachment’s performance.
How to tell:
- Attachment works fine on one machine but not another.
- Hoses vibrate or “jump” when flow starts.
- You hear a faint hiss or squeal under load.
Quick fix:
Disconnect and inspect your couplers. Look for dirt, burrs, or bent O-rings. Clean them with a lint-free cloth and a touch of hydraulic oil. Reconnect firmly until you hear a solid click. If your couplers still leak or don’t fully engage, replace them – they’re inexpensive and can make a night-and-day difference in power.
Pro tip:
Always release system pressure before connecting or disconnecting attachments. Couplers under pressure won’t seat correctly, which leads to partial flow and sluggish performance.
4. Air in the Hydraulic System
The problem:
Air pockets in your hydraulic lines can cause spongy, weak, or inconsistent attachment movement. This usually happens when fluid runs too low or when attachments are swapped without bleeding pressure properly.
Symptoms:
- Jerky or delayed attachment response.
- Foamy hydraulic oil in the sight glass.
- Strange “whining” sound when operating attachments.
Quick fix:
Cycle your attachment through its full range of motion several times – extend, retract, spin, or tilt fully. This helps purge trapped air back to the reservoir. If bubbles persist, let the machine idle for a few minutes to allow air to rise and vent.
Pro tip:
Never crack open fittings to “bleed” air like you would on brakes – that only introduces more contamination. Let the system self-bleed through use.
5. Incorrect Hydraulic Flow or Pressure Settings
The problem:
Not every attachment is built for the same flow or pressure. Running a high-flow attachment on a standard-flow machine (or vice versa) is one of the fastest ways to kill performance or damage components. Even a minor mismatch can starve your attachment of power.
How to check:
Consult your attachment’s spec plate or manual. For example, a high-flow brush cutter might require 25-60 GPM, while your skid steer only produces 20-25 GPM. That mismatch means the cutter won’t reach its rated speed, no matter what you do.
Quick fix:
Verify your machine’s hydraulic output in GPM and PSI, and match it with the attachment’s requirements. If your attachment needs more than your skid steer can deliver, you’ll need a high-flow model or a compatible hydraulic kit. Conversely, if you’re overpowering a low-flow attachment, dial back the flow using your machine’s control settings (if available).
Pro tip:
Many new skid steers have electronic controls for auxiliary flow. Don’t assume the default setting is correct – double-check before every job.
How to Keep Your Hydraulics Running Like New
You can prevent 90% of hydraulic problems with routine care. Here’s how:
- Warm up before hard work: Cold hydraulic oil is thicker and moves slower. Let the system run for a few minutes before pushing it hard.
- Change filters on schedule: Clogged filters starve the pump of oil and reduce power. Stick to the manufacturer’s maintenance interval.
- Inspect hoses and fittings regularly: Small leaks become big problems fast.
- Store attachments properly: Keep couplers capped and attachments covered when not in use.
At Skid Pro, we build attachments designed to handle real-world abuse but even the best equipment can’t perform without proper hydraulic care. A few minutes of attention before and after each job can mean years of extra life for your attachments.
Final Thoughts
Hydraulic issues don’t have to be a mystery. In most cases, a loss of power comes down to one of these five culprits:
- Low fluid
- Contamination
- Faulty couplers
- Air in the system
- Flow mismatch
Each can be identified and fixed in minutes with the right know-how.
If your attachment still feels underpowered after these checks, it might be time for a professional inspection or an upgrade. At Skid Pro Attachments, we engineer every attachment for maximum hydraulic efficiency, so you get every ounce of power your skid steer can deliver. Explore our full range of skid steer attachments to find the perfect fit for your skid steer.