This article was originally published in July of 2021 and updated in September 2023.

Mini skid steers, also known as mini skid loaders or compact utility loaders, have emerged as versatile powerhouses, capable of tackling a wide range of tasks with ease. From landscaping projects to snow removal, mini skid steers can assist with various projects. If you’re looking for a compact, yet robust solution for your projects, a mini skid steer may be right for you!

There are several manufacturers of mini skid steers, each offering a range of models with various features and capabilities. Below are some well-known manufacturers of mini skid steers:

Mini skid steers are versatile pieces of construction and landscaping equipment used for various tasks. With the necessary attachment, here are some common uses for mini skid steers:

Excavation: Mini skid steers can dig trenches, excavate small areas, and handle grading tasks.

Landscaping: Mini skid steers are often employed for landscaping projects, including grading, leveling, and creating smooth surfaces for lawns or gardens. They can also be used for tasks like digging holes for plants and trees.

Material Handling: Mini skid steers can be equipped with buckets, forks and grapples to transport materials such as soil, gravel, mulch, and debris within construction sites or landscaping projects.

Construction: They can assist in small-scale construction tasks like moving and placing building materials, as well as digging foundations and utility trenches.

Snow Removal: Attachments like snow blowers and plows turn mini skid steers into efficient snow removal machines, ideal for clearing driveways, sidewalks, and small parking lots.

DIY Projects: Homeowners and DIY enthusiasts often use mini skid steers for various tasks around the property, from excavation and landscaping to small construction and maintenance projects.

Accessing Tight Spaces: The compact size and maneuverability of mini skid steers make them suitable for working in confined spaces, urban areas, and locations with limited accessibility.

Mini skid steers are used on farms, nurseries, landscaping jobs, construction sites and more. The variety of attachments and configurations of mini skid steers mean that there are a lot of uses for these machines. Here are some of the most common uses:

• Mow thick grass and brush with a flail attachment
• Move logs with a grapple attachment
• Move and pile hay with a fork attachment
• Materials handling with a bucket or forklift attachment
• Digging holes with an augur attachment
• Plow snow with a plow attachment

As you can see, with the right attachments, a mini skid steer is a true little workhorse that save workers from a lot of heavy lifting, and carry out a huge variety of tasks on a worksite.

When choosing mini skid steer to purchase, it is important understand which tire type will help you get your job done most efficiently. A wheeled mini skid steer is ideal for work on level surfaces, such as hard-packed dirt, asphalt or concrete. Tracked mini skid steers, due to their border weight distribution, do not sink into soft surfaces. This makes tracked mini skid steers ideal for wet, muddy or snow ground, loose gravel and loose sand.

Along with tire type, here are some other factors to keep in mind when choosing the right mini skid steer for you:

• Size & Capacity
• Attachments & Compatibility
• Engine Power
• Operating Capacity & Lift Height
• Size & Maneuverability
• Brand Reputation
• Price
• Warranty & Support

Mini Skid Steers are versatile machines and they can be equipped with a wide range of attachments to perform various tasks. The availability of attachments may vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your mini skid steer, but here are some common attachments you can consider:

One manufacturer of mini skid steer attachments is Blue Diamond Attachments. To learn more about Blue Diamond Attachments, check out this blog post; Blue Diamond Attachments: Reviews, Models & Where To Buy. To see all of the attachments offered by Blue Diamond attachments, visit the Blue Diamond Attachments website. 

Prices for mini skid steers will vary based on year, hours of use, brand, model, condition and service history.

Here are some examples of used mini skid steers for sale through FleetNow:

At the original publication of this article, in July 2021, a used mini skid steer for sale was priced between $8,000 and $12,000, depending on age and condition. A brand-new mini skid steer ranged from $25,000 to $60,000, depending on the range of applications it could be used for, type of track, lift capacity and other features. We can see that the price of mini skid steers have increased significantly over a few short years from 2021 to 2023.

Whether a mini skid steer has tires or tracks, you’re not going to be driving it to your jobsite through traffic. The good news is that thanks to the small size of mini skid steers, they can be loaded on a flatbed trailer for transport to your jobsite as long as you have a heavy duty pickup truck or something similar to tow it. Here are some tips for moving your mini skid steer on a flatbed trailer.

1. Chock the wheels on the trailer before loading the mini skid steer.
2. Back the machine onto the trailer in reverse, so the front arms and any attachments are pointed away from the towing vehicle.
3. Center the mini skid steer over the axles of the trailer. Lower the bucket or front arms of the skid steer as low as possible.
4. Many manufacturers of mini skid steers now make the machines with D-rings built in for chain attachments. Use those with chains and/or comealongs at the four corners, so the mini skid steer is fastened down front and back, and side to side.
5. Double check that everything is secure before heading to your jobsite.

The Facebook group, Mini Skid Steer Enthusiasts, is a place for those interested in mini skid steers to talk about their machines, jobs/projects, mini skid steer attachments and possible problems that may arise involving their mini skid steers.

One member of the group requested to see pictures of the set up other members had to transport their mini skid steers. Below are some of the images that members responded with, showing how they transport their mini skid steer:

A mini skid steer or compact utility loader is a go-to tool for many landscaping businesses these days. The machines are versatile enough to fit into tight spaces, and with the variety of attachments available, they can be used for everything from pushing dirt to seeding a lawn to auguring holes for trees or fence posts. If you’re looking for a mini skid steer for sale, or if you’re not sure whether one is the right addition for your business, we’ll try to answer some of the most common questions out there about these handy machines.

What to Look for When Buying a Used Mini Skid Steer?

If you are thinking about investing in a used mini skid steer, it’s a great idea to bring along your own mechanic. This will give you a professional second opinion on the condition of the machine. Plus, a second set of eyes might notice something that you missed in your own inspection of it. Here are some additional things to look for:

Review the Skid Steer’s Work History

The type of work that a mini skid steer is used for is obviously going to affect its lifespan and the amount of future maintenance it might need. A mini skid steer used to dig post holes in soft, manicured lawns has probably been abused less than one that’s been used to bust up concrete on construction sites, for example. Take the climate and the elements where the mini skid steer has been stored into consideration as well. A machine that’s been left out in rain, snow, sleet or a saltwater climate may require more maintenance in the long run, compared to one that has been stored in a garage bay.

Do a Nose-to-Tail Visual Inspection

Check out the overall appearance of the mini skid steer and look for damage or signs of wear and tear. If you see a lot of spot welds, cracks in the metal, dents in the frame and other signs of damage, the machine has probably seen quite a bit of abuse. Check the treads, the battery and cables, and so on.

Review the Used Mini Skid Steer’s Hour Log

The hours that a mini skid steer has been used over its lifespan can have an impact on how much utility it will have in years to come. Lower hours obviously mean that a mini skid steer has been lightly used. A full-time mini skid steer is often used for up to six hours per day. Knowing this, you can figure out an approximate average of the amount of use that the used mini has put in. Extremely high use of a mini skid steer is going to translate into added maintenance in the years to come.

Review the Maintenance Records

If the previous owner has kept good maintenance records, this will let you know that a mini skid steer has been well cared for. If the machine has needed any major unexpected repairs over the years, it can be a warning sign that you may want to pass on it. If a mini skid steer has had regular maintenance and inspections over the years, it is probably still in really good shape.

Choose the Right Skid Steer for Your Job

A major factor in buying or renting a used mini skid steer is the types of jobs you need it to handle. If you need the mini skid steer for materials handling and lift, one with a vertical lift is the best choice. If you plan to use it mainly for auguring, landscaping or construction jobs, a radial lift will work better.

The type of surface that the mini skid steer will be used on is also a factor. If your worksite is on pavement or concrete, a wheel loader mini skid steer is a better choice. If it’s a bumpy work surface, muddy, rocky or snowy, a track loader is the better choice.

Some attachments for mini skid steers also use extra hydraulics, such as augurs or brush flails. If you plan to use one for those tasks, make sure you choose one with the proper hydraulics.

What is the Best Mini Skid Steer?

That depends on who you ask. If you ask Ditch Witch, they’ll tell you that a Ditch Witch mini skid steer is the absolute best one. If you ask Toro, Vermeer or Bobcat, they will each tell you that their mini skid steers are the best. Honestly, the best mini skid steer for your business is the one that’s going to carry out all the tasks that you need it to.

What is the Smallest Skid Steer You Can Buy?

As of this writing, the model RT-25 from ASV is considered one of the smallest, if not THE smallest, mini skid steers on the market. It’s a seated track loader aimed squarely at the landscaping market with a load capacity of 660 lbs. and a 65 horsepower engine. The amazing thing about the engineering of the nimble RT-25 is that it has a 3.1 psi ground rating, for minimal turf disturbance when working on lawns. All of its competitors are ground rated above 4 psi, giving the RT-25 a clear advantage over every other landscaping mini skid steer.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Skid Steer?

Renting a used mini skid steer can be a considerable cost savings, especially if you only need one short-term or for a seasonal application. The features and attachments can impact the rental price, but a mini skid steer rental should average around $175 to $200 per day. Rental costs are often lowered if you sign a contract for a longer period. For example, renting one for a week can average about $750 to $1000 (which lowers the cost per day).

Operate a Skid Steer Safely

It goes without saying that anyone operating a mini skid steer should be fully trained in how to safely operate the machine. Here are some pointers on safely operating a mini skid steer:

• Always wear the proper PPE for the job.
• Mini skid steers don’t have the same stability as mid-sized or full-sized skid steers. Attempting to lift heavy objects like logs or pallets on a slope will cause them to tip over. Compact skid steers should primarily be used on flat surfaces.
• Remember that mini skid steers are there to get a job done more efficiently — not necessarily faster! Maintain slow speeds on the job to avoid accidental rollovers.
• If you need to maintain a load at a certain angle, be sure to use the auto-leveling feature.
• Use the proper size attachments with a mini skid steer. Attachments that are too big can reduce the machine’s operating capacity. Attachments that are too small are likely to break.
• Don’t park your mini skid steer on a slope.
• Maintain the regular recommended maintenance schedule for your mini skid steer. This keeps the machine in tip-top shape, and regular inspections also allow for problems that could become safety hazards to be located early.

Mini Skid Steer For Sale

Click here for used Mini Skid Steers For Sale in the United States.

LAS VEGAS – Bobcat has unveiled the first ever all-electric skid steer loader — the Bobcat S7x at CONEXPO.

Similar to the T7X, released last year, the S7X is powered by a 60.5-kWh, lithium-ion battery which uses electric drive motors and screw actuators for tilt and lift it’s capabilities. The S7X is able to operate on a single charge for 8 hours. The total charge time is only 10 hours.

“As the inventor of the original skid-steer loader, we are excited to take the machine that created the industry and reinvent it all over again,” said Joel Honeyman, Doosan Bobcat Vice President of Global Innovation. “The S7X is an incredible product with real-world application that can support operators on environmentally sensitive sites, in noise-restricted areas and for indoor operation.”

In order to bring the S7x to life, Bobcat partnered with Moog Inc, an international developer of motion control components in defense, aerospace, construction and more. Along with Moog Inc, Bobcat will continue partnering with Viridi for their fail-safe, lithium-ion battery systems. Both Moog Inc and Viridi helped Bobcat create the T7X as well.

Along with the release of the S7X, Bobcat has also introduced the RogueX Autonomous Concept. The new RogueX machine analyzes autonomous operation, dual lift-arm geometry and electric power.

Wheeled skid steers can tread lighter than tracked skid steers (see what we did there?) and offer help on landscaping projects and more. Scroll down to see a list of Wheeled Skid Steer manufacturers and find units for sale near you.

Wheeled skid steers were the only skid steer option available until tracked skid steers came onto the market. Wheel skid steers have their limitations, but their foundation is what makes them useful for any construction or landscaping job site. If you’re looking for wheel skid steers for sale, this is the guide for you.

Wheeled skid steers are best used on level surfaces such as hard-packed dirt, asphalt, or concrete. They maneuver over smooth terrain quicker than tracked skid steers. 

Wheel skid steers are safer to use on landscapes that can be easily ripped up by tracked skid steers. Wheel skid steers are also less expensive than their tracked counterparts. 

Watch this video for a full view and explanation of how to use a Bobcat S510 Wheel skid steer.

Wheel skid steers do have a tendency to be heavy enough to sink into muddy surfaces. And, rough terrain has the potential to pop wheel skid steer tires. 

It is possible with some models to add over-the-tire tracks onto each tire of a wheel skid steer.

Wheeled Skid Steer Uses

Wheel skid steers are used primarily for landscaping projects, particularly for digging tasks. They can also be used to compact loose soil.

They have two arms that can connect to a number of attachments including buckets, snowblowers, pallet forks, and more.

With tires that wear out slower than tracks, wheel skid steers are often used for roadwork, demolition, scrap, and recycling.

How do wheeled skid steers work?

The wheels on a wheel skid steer are fixed in a straight line in relation to the body of the equipment. 

Turning the left and right Wheels at different speeds shifts the machine by skidding, or dragging, its wheels across the ground. This allows the machine to perform tighter turn circles within small spaces.

Wheel skid steers are typically operated with joystick controls.

How many hours will a wheeled skid steer work?

Wheel skid steers are known to last up to 5,000, or longer with proper maintenance intervals. 

A wheel skid steer’s longevity depends on several factors aside from maintenance including purchase condition (i.e. new or used), wear and tear, and usage frequency.

Who makes wheeled skid steers?

The top manufacturers of wheel skid steers are Bobcat, Case, Caterpillar (CAT), Gehl, JCB, John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, and Wacker Neuson. 

Other brands include Asv, Ford, Mustang, Sunward, Takeuchi, Terex, and Volvo.

Wheeled Skid Steer Makes & Models

Asv: ASV RS-75, ASV VS-75

Bobcat: Bobcat 310, Bobcat 743, Bobcat S62, Bobcat S64, Bobcat S66, Bobcat S70, Bobcat S76, Bobcat S100, Bobcat S130, Bobcat S205, Bobcat S250, Bobcat S450, Bobcat S510, Bobcat S530, Bobcat S570, Bobcat S590, Bobcat S595, Bobcat S650, Bobcat S740, Bobcat S750, Bobcat S770, Bobcat S850

Case: Case 450, Case 1845C, Case 445, Case SR130, Case SR160B, Case SR175B, Case SV185B, Case SR200, Case SR210B, Case SR240B, Case SV250, Case SR270B, Case SR280B, Case SR340B, Case SV300, Case SR210, Case 1816, Case 1825, Case 1825B, Case 1835B, Case 1835C, Case 1840, Case 250, Case 40C, Case 40XT, Case 410, Case 430, Case 440, Case 60XP, Case 60XT, Case 75XT, Case 85XT, Case 90XT, Case SR160, Case SR220, Case TV370B, Case W11B

Caterpillar (CAT): CAT 246D, CAT 262D, CAT 262D3, CAT 246B, CAT 246D3, CAT 216B, CAT 216B2, CAT 226, CAT 226B, CAT 226B III, CAT 226B3, CAT 226D, CAT 226D3, CAT 228, CAT 232, CAT 232D, CAT 232D3, CAT 236B, CAT 236B III, CAT 236B3, CAT 236D, CAT 236D3, CAT 239D3, CAT 242B, CAT 242B II, CAT 242D, CAT 242D3, CAT 246, CAT 246C, CAT 248, CAT 248B, CAT 249D, CAT 252B, CAT 252B III, CAT 257D, CAT 259D, CAT 259D3, CAT 259DHF, CAT 262B , CAT 262C, CAT 262C2 , CAT 268B, CAT 272C, CAT 272D, CAT 272D2, CAT 272D2 XHP, CAT272D3, CAT272D3 XE, CAT 277, CAT 279D, CAT 289D, CAT 289D3, CAT 299C, CAT 299D2, CAT 299D2XHP, CAT 299D2XHP2C, CAT 299D3, CAT 299D3 XEL2, CAT 299DXHP2CA, CAT 301.7D CR

Gehl: Gehl 5640, Gehl 3640E, Gehl 4510, Gehl 4640, Gehl 5240, Gehl 5640, Gehl 5640E, Gehl 6640, Gehl R105, Gehl R165, Gehl R165 SKID LOADER, Gehl R260, Gehl R260 SKID LOADER, Gehl RT185, Gehl RT255 TRACK LOADER, Gehl V270, Gehl V270 GEN:2, Gehl V420, Gehl V420 LOADER ARMS, Gehl VT320 TRACK LOADER

Ford: Ford CL30

JCB: JCB 110 ROBOT, JCB 1110T, JCB 135, JCB 160, JCB 170, JCB 190, JCB 205, JCB 215, JCB 260, JCB 270, JCB 270W, JCB 280, JCB 300, JCB 3TS-8W, JCB 407, JCB 409, JCB 411, JCB 427, JCB 437, JCB 457

John Deere: John Deere 324G, John Deere 328D, John Deere 320, John Deere 320G, John Deere 318G, John Deere 240, John Deere 240 II, John Deere 250, John Deere 260, John Deere 270, John Deere 312GR, John Deere 313, John Deere 318E, John Deere 320D, John Deere 322, John Deere 323E, John Deere 325, John Deere 325G, John Deere 326E, John Deere 328, John Deere 328E, John Deere 330G, John Deere 332, John Deere 332D, John Deere 332E, John Deere 332G, John Deere 7775, John Deere SB72, John Deere 316GR, John Deere 318D, John Deere 326D, John Deere 320E, John Deere 324E, John Deere 3375, John Deere 4475, John Deere 6675, John Deere 8875, John Deere 14, John Deere 24, John Deere 24A, John Deere 60, John Deere 90, John Deere 125, John Deere 280, John Deere 315, John Deere 317

Kubota: Kubota SSV75, Kubota SSV65, Kubota SVL97-2, Kubota SVL75-2, Kubota SVL65-2, Kubota SVL 95-2S, Kubota SVL90-2HFC, Kubota SVL95-25HFC

Mustang: Mustang 1650R, Mustang 1350R, Mustang 1350RT, Mustang 920, Mustang 2026, Mustang 2060, Mustang 2064, Mustang 2076 

New Holland: New Holland L218, New Holland L225, New Holland L125, New Holland L140, New Holland L170, New Holland L175, New Holland L180, New Holland L190, New Holland L220, New Holland L221, New Holland L223, New Holland L228, New Holland L230, New Holland L234, New Holland L316, New Holland L318, New Holland L320, New Holland L321, New Holland L328, New Holland L334, New Holland L553, New Holland L783, New Holland LS125, New Holland LS140, New Holland LS170, New Holland LS180, New Holland LS185B, New Holland LT190B, New Holland LX565, New Holland LX665, New Holland LX885, New Holland LX985

Sunward: Sunward SWL3230, Sunward SWL2830 

Takeuchi: Takeuchi TS70RC50, Takeuchi TS80V2, Takeuchi RL12V2, Takeuchi TS60V

Terex: Terex R200S, Terex TSR70, Terex TSV80, Terex TSV90, Terex V200S

Volvo: Volvo MC135C, Volvo MCT125C, Volvo 1700XHP, Volvo MC110D, Volvo MC115D, Volvo MC135D, Volvo MCT110D, Volvo MCT125D, Volvo MCT135D, Volvo MC60C, Volvo MC70C, Volvo MC85C, Volvo MC95C, Volvo MC100C, Volvo MC105C, Volvo MC110C, Volvo MC115C, Volvo MC125C, Volvo MC135C, Volvo MC155C, Volvo MCT70C, Volvo MCT85C, Volvo MCT95C, Volvo MCT110C, Volvo MCT125C, Volvo mct135c t4f, Volvo MCT135C, Volvo MCT145C, Volvo MC60B, Volvo MC70, Volvo MC70B, Volvo MC80B, Volvo MC90B, Volvo MC110B, Volvo MC60, Volvo MC80, Volvo MC90, Volvo MC110

Wacker Neuson: Wacker SW24, Wacker SW28, Wacker SM100, Wacker SW16, Wacker SW16 RADIAL LIFT, Wacker SW20, Wacker SW21, Wacker SW32

Wheeled Skid Steer For Sale

Click here to find wheeled skid steers for sale in your area on FleetNow!

Bobcat skid steer loaders are indispensable tools for constructors, farmers, or landscapers. The good news is there are Bobcats for sale that you can purchase near you. We’ve put together this article to help gain more understanding of the Bobcat skid steers.

Different names are used for Bobcat Skid steers. Some call them skid loaders or “Bobcats” after the major brand. Almost every construction site will have a Bobcat. They are excellent for moving, reaching tight corners, and loading materials.

Bobcats come with a remarkable bucket on the front end. They can also use attachments such as augers, grapplers, breakers, forks, saws, and trenchers.

Skid steers get their name from how you steer them, which is reminiscent of how the tracks work on a military tank. You don’t have to turn the front wheels to one side or the other as they only point straight ahead. You must apply power to the right side wheels or tracks through one hydraulic circuit and control the left side wheels/tracks through a separate course.

It would help if you gave the right side more power than the left. Then the machine will turn to the left, skidding its wheels or tracks as it goes.

Bobcat Skid Steer Models

Bobcat Mini Skid Steer

Bobcat Track Skid Steer

Bobcat Wheel Skid Steer

Frequently Asked Questions about Bobcat Skid Steers

How much does a Bobcat cost to buy?

Size, specs, and features determine the price. Expect a new Bobcat to pay anything from $64,000 to $65,000. For example, a new Bobcat E35 R2 has an MSRP of $64,900. If you are looking for a second-hand Bobcat, you are likely to pay anything from $5,000 and $30,000. Whereas if you rent a Bobcat, you will pay anything from $450 per week to $1,300.

How long do Bobcat Skid Steers Last

Bobcat Skid Steers have an average lifespan of 5,000 hours. If you take good care of your Bobcat Skid steers, you may easily pass 5,000 hours. Although, that will largely depend on how you maintain and use them.

Is a Bobcat a good investment?

Yes! A Bobcat is an excellent investment, mainly if you are a constructor looking for an invaluable tool for construction and landscaping. A Bobcat is a versatile tool that you can use to maneuver and lift heavy materials in sight. You will know you don’t have to rent it when you purchase it.

What’s the most powerful Bobcat Skid Steer?

The most powerful Bobcat Skid Steer is the Bobcat S850, the largest skid-steer loader in the lineup. Its 100-hp Tier 4 Bobcat engine and powerful hydraulics allow it to generate unmatched power and speed. When you purchase it, you will have the potent ability to maneuver just anything on your site.

What is a skid steer vs. Bobcat?

It’s easy for most people to confuse a skid steer and Bobcat. So it’s crucial to differentiate the two tools: First, a skid steer is a machine, and the Bobcat is the brand. Secondly, you may be given a Bobcat skid steer when you need a skid steer. However, you may also likely get another entirely different brand. But it is also possible that you will get another brand. In most cases, most people refer to Bobcats as a skid loader, which is an entirely different tool.

What is the cheapest Bobcat?

The cheapest Bobcat is the S450, which is also the smallest Bobcat. It is a perfect tool that you can use to reach tight corners. The S450 is also an agile machine with a flexible spine.  Most constructors use it to backfill, unload, and for dumping. It starts at $37,000.

How much does a Bobcat skid steer cost?

The average price for a new Bobcat skid steer is around $64,900, depending on size, specs, and features.

How much does a Bobcat S70 cost?

The Bobcat of a second-hand S70 costs between $20,000 and $25,000, which is affordable considering all the features you will get from it. It comes with a 23.5 HP Diesel engine that is Tier IV, 700 pounds of ROC.

Which skid steer is better, Kubota or Bobcat?

Both Kubota and Bobcat are excellent tools. The two machines differ in their tipping load and operating load capabilities. First, the Kubota offers an impressive 4,300 lbs operating load, while the Bobcat offers only 3,525 lbs. The Bobcat takes the lead with 10,072 lbs for tipping load, whereas the Kubota offers only 8,600 lbs.

Where are Bobcat skid steers made?

All Bobcat skid machines are made in Wahpeton, North Dakota, which produces hydraulic components for Bobcat loaders, compact excavators, and attachments.

What engine is in a Bobcat Skid Steer?

The Bobcat S750, S770, and S850 skid-steer loaders; T750, T770, and T870 compact track loaders, and A770 all-wheel steer loaders come with a Tier 4-compliant, Bobcat 3.4-liter diesel engine. It is a 75-horsepower engine

In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency expect all 75 horsepower engines to be Tier 4 compliant, which means the engine for a Bobcat Skid is environmentally friendly.

Bobcat Skid Steer For Sale

Are you looking for a Bobcat Skid Steer For Sale? Click here now!