Buyer's guide
Standard-flow vs. high-flow hydraulics
Flow is where buyers get burned, either paying for high flow they never use or buying an attachment their machine cannot run. Here is the plain-language version of what standard and high flow mean and exactly what to confirm before you buy.
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What flow actually means
Auxiliary hydraulic flow is how much oil per minute the machine can send to a powered attachment, measured in gallons per minute. Standard flow covers the range most machines ship with. High flow is an upgraded system that delivers more oil for attachments that need it. Flow works alongside pressure; more flow generally means an attachment can do more work faster, but only if that attachment is designed to use it.
Attachments that run fine on standard flow
Most common attachments do not need high flow. Buckets, pallet forks, hay spears, most grapples, augers and many snow buckets and blades operate on standard flow. If your work is material handling, snow pushing, loading and general property maintenance, a standard-flow machine likely does everything you need. Do not pay a premium for high flow you will never use.
Attachments that usually require high flow
Powered, work-intensive attachments are the ones to watch. Forestry mulchers, cold planers, large snow blowers, stump grinders, some brush cutters and high-output rotary tools often specify a high-flow system to perform as designed. Running a high-flow attachment on a standard-flow machine can leave it underpowered or overheating. Always check the attachment manufacturer's stated flow requirement against the machine's actual auxiliary output.
How to confirm compatibility before buying
Two numbers must line up: the attachment's required gallons per minute and the machine's rated auxiliary flow. Ask the seller whether the machine is standard or high flow and what its auxiliary output is. Then check the attachment's spec sheet. Also confirm the coupler and the electrical connection for attachments that need in-cab controls. A quick call to match these avoids buying a pairing that disappoints on the first job.
The buyer's bottom line
Decide based on the attachments you actually plan to run, now and in the near future. If none of them need high flow, a standard-flow machine saves you money. If a mulcher or planer is in your plans, buy the flow to match. Current attachments are shown above with their details, and Chris will tell you the flow requirement and whether a specific machine can run it.
Common questions
Before you buy
Do I need high-flow hydraulics?
Only if you plan to run attachments that require it, like mulchers, cold planers or large snow blowers. Most buckets, forks and grapples run on standard flow.
Can I run a high-flow attachment on a standard-flow machine?
It usually will not perform as designed and can overheat or lack power. Match the attachment's required flow to the machine's rated output.
Is high flow always better?
No. If your attachments do not need it, high flow is an extra cost with no benefit. Buy the flow your work requires.
How do I find a machine's flow rating?
Ask the seller for the auxiliary gallons-per-minute rating and whether it is standard or high flow. Chris will confirm it for any machine here.
Does flow affect the coupler?
Flow and the coupler are separate. Confirm both the hydraulic flow and the physical attachment interface before buying.
One owner, direct answers
Ask Chris about the machine.
Talk with the person who selected and inspected the inventory.