How Much Does a Skid Steer Cost? New vs Used Buyer's Guide

A new skid steer typically costs $35,000 to $75,000, while used models range from about $15,000 to $40,000 depending on hours, brand, and condition. Attachments are sold separately and can add $1,000 to $15,000 or more each, so budgeting for the tools you will actually use is essential when pricing a purchase.

That range is wide for a reason. A skid steer's price depends on size class, horsepower, hydraulic flow, whether it rides on wheels or tracks, and the brand badge on the side. And the sticker price is only half the story: the attachments you bolt on the front are what turn the machine into a post-hole digger, a grapple, a mulcher, or a snow pusher. Here is how to think about the full spend before you buy.

What a New Skid Steer Costs

New skid steer pricing tracks closely with size, measured by rated operating capacity (ROC):

• Small frame (ROC under 1,500 lbs): roughly $30,000 to $45,000. Best for tight sites, landscaping, and light material handling.
• Mid frame (1,500 to 2,200 lbs ROC): roughly $45,000 to $60,000. The most popular class for general construction and farm work.
• Large frame (2,200 lbs ROC and up): roughly $60,000 to $75,000 or more. Built for heavy grading, demolition, and high-flow attachments.

High-flow hydraulics, enclosed heated cabs, and two-speed travel each add several thousand dollars, but they are worth it if you plan to run demanding attachments like mulchers or cold planers.

What a Used Skid Steer Costs

A used skid steer usually runs $15,000 to $40,000, and the biggest price lever is hours on the machine. As a rough guide:

• Under 1,000 hours: expect to pay 70 to 85% of new. These machines have plenty of life left.
• 1,000 to 3,000 hours: the sweet spot for value, often 50 to 70% of new.
• Over 3,000 hours: cheapest up front, but budget for wear items and a closer inspection.

Before you buy used, check the hour meter against service records, inspect the tires or tracks and undercarriage, cycle every hydraulic function, look for frame cracks and welds near the lift arms, and watch for leaks around the couplers. A machine that is a few thousand dollars cheaper but needs a hydraulic pump is not a deal.

Which Brand Should You Buy?

There is no single best skid steer, only the best fit for your work and your local dealer support. That last part matters more than most buyers expect, because parts availability and service turnaround can cost you more in downtime than the price difference between brands.

• Bobcat: the category leader, strong resale, and a huge dealer and attachment network.
• Caterpillar: premium build and hydraulics, a higher price, and excellent dealer support.
• John Deere and Case: well-rounded performers popular on farms and mixed fleets.
• Kubota and New Holland: competitive mid-market value.
• Takeuchi: known for strong compact track loaders and hydraulics.

If you are cross-shopping, weigh resale value, attachment compatibility, and how close the nearest service center is, not just the quoted price.

Wheeled vs Tracked: The Cost Difference

A compact track loader (CTL) typically costs 10 to 20% more than a comparable wheeled skid steer, and the tracks themselves are a recurring expense to replace. In exchange you get flotation on soft ground, better traction on slopes, and less surface damage. If you work mostly on pavement and hard-packed sites, a wheeled machine is cheaper to buy and maintain. If you are on mud, sand, or turf, the CTL premium usually pays for itself.

Don't Forget the Attachments

A bare skid steer is a power source waiting for a tool. Attachments are sold separately, and this is where budgets quietly balloon. Typical purchase prices:

• Buckets: $500 to $2,500
• Pallet forks: $700 to $2,000
• Augers: $1,800 to $3,500
• Grapples: $2,000 to $6,000
• Mulching heads: $8,000 to $18,000

The smart move is to price the machine and the two or three attachments you will actually use as a single package. Browse skid steer attachments by job type and start with the anchor tools for your work, whether that is a general-purpose bucket, an auger for fencing and footings, or a grapple for cleanup and land work.

Financing a Skid Steer Purchase

Most buyers do not pay cash. Between dealer financing, equipment loans, and lease-to-own programs, monthly payments on a skid steer often land in the range of a few rental days per month, which is what makes ownership pencil out for anyone using a machine regularly. Attachments can usually be rolled into the same package, so you are not left with a capable loader and no tools to run it. If you are weighing the numbers, see the overview of skid steer and attachment financing to understand your options before you sign.

Depreciation and Resale Value

Skid steers hold their value better than most heavy equipment because demand for used machines stays high. Expect the steepest drop in the first year, then a gentler slide after that. Low hours, complete service records, and a popular brand all protect resale. Attachments hold value too, and a well-kept set can be sold or carried over to your next machine, which softens the true cost of ownership.

The Real Total Cost of Ownership

Purchase price is just the entry fee. Over a machine's life you will also pay for fuel, routine maintenance and filters, tires or tracks, insurance, and the occasional repair. A reasonable planning figure is a few thousand dollars a year in running costs for a machine in steady use, more if you are logging heavy hours. Factoring this in is what separates a budget that holds up from one that surprises you in year two.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to rent a skid steer instead?

Renting runs roughly $200 to $400 a day, $700 to $1,200 a week, or $1,800 to $3,500 a month, plus delivery and a damage waiver. Renting makes sense for one-off jobs, but if you are renting the same machine or attachment more than a couple of weeks a year, buying usually wins.

Who makes the best skid steer?

There is no universal winner. Bobcat leads on resale and dealer coverage, Caterpillar on premium hydraulics, and John Deere, Case, Kubota, New Holland, and Takeuchi all field strong machines. The best choice is the brand with the best local service and the attachment lineup that fits your work.

How much does a Bobcat skid steer weigh?

Depending on the model and frame size, a Bobcat skid steer generally weighs between about 4,900 and 8,600 pounds. Heavier machines usually carry higher rated operating capacities and higher price tags, which is why weight, capacity, and cost tend to move together.

New vs Used: Which Is Right for You?

Buy new if you will run the machine hard, want the latest hydraulics and full warranty coverage, and value predictable uptime. New machines also give you first pick of configuration, from high-flow hydraulics to cab comfort options, and the tax treatment of a new purchase works in some buyers' favor.

Buy used if you want the most capability per dollar and you are comfortable inspecting a machine or paying a mechanic to do it. A well-maintained used skid steer in the 1,000 to 3,000 hour range often delivers the best value in the whole market, leaving room in the budget for the attachments that actually do the work. For many buyers, a used machine plus a strong attachment set beats a bare new loader on both price and productivity.

The Bottom Line

Budget for the machine and the tools together. A used mid-frame skid steer with a bucket, an auger, and a grapple can cost less than a bare new machine and do far more work. Decide how many hours you will run each year, match the size class and hydraulic flow to your attachments, and price ownership against what you are currently spending on rentals. When you are ready to build out the working end of your machine, browse the full lineup of skid steer attachments and explore financing to spread the cost.