Skid Steer Loader Cost – Skid steer loaders are one of the most versatile heavy vehicles available today that are used widely in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, landscaping, and many others.
These offer great advantages to businesses because of their cost-effectiveness, maneuverability, and compact size. The functionality and productivity of skid steer loaders can be further increased by installation of various attachments such as augers, backhoes, mowers, grapples, pallet forks, and many others.
This type of loader has an engine on the rear end, just behind the operator’s cab. It is a four-wheel vehicle with two arms on the either side that can perform various functions with the help of the attachment. For example, it can be used for moving pallets with the help of forks, or to renovate the backyard with the help of drills.
The vehicle is known as ‘skid steer’ because of its movement patterns. The machine turns by moving the wheels on one side of the vehicle while stopping the ones on the other side. The machine skids on the stagnant wheels and spins around them. Therefore, it is known as a skid steer loader.
Types of Skid Steer Loaders
Unlike many other construction vehicles, skid steer loaders have not undergone any remarkable modifications. However, the machine can be modified according to the requirements of the user by installation of various attachments.
On the basis of size, skid steer loaders can be divided into three types.
- Small Frame – Used for less demanding, light weight tasks such as snow removal, indoor demolition, and landscaping, these loaders have a loading capacity of up to 1,700 pounds.
- Medium Frame – Medium frame skid steer loaders are more powerful than small frame loaders. They have a loading capacity of 1,700 to 2,000 pounds, and they are used to perform heavy tasks such as loading and transporting heavy construction materials. The loader can be fitted with a variety of attachments for increased functionality.
- Large Frame – These are also known as heavy duty skid steer loaders. They are used to perform the jobs that require extreme power and strength such as road building, dozing, and excavating. They have a loading capacity of more than 2,200 pounds.
Comparison of Skid Steer Loader Cost
When purchasing this type of a loader for your company, there are several factors that you should consider in addition to the cost. With so many different brands and attachments available, you should first compare different types of loaders and choose the one that fulfills your requirements and suits your budget.
There are three major considerations that influence the selection of the loader and ultimately its cost.
- Height and Width of the Loader – The height and width of the skid steer loader is the primary consideration when selecting a loader for your business. Make sure the physical size of the loader does not exceed the height and width of your garage other and other spaces that the loader will need to fit through. Generally speaking, skid steer loaders are 6 to 7 feet high and 3 to 6 feet wide.
- Dumping Height of the Loader – This is another important consideration. Skid steer loaders may have a dumping height ranging from 8 feet to 12 feet. Choose the one that fits your working requirements.
- Lifting Capacity of the Loader – This feature greatly influences the productivity and cost of the loader. A loader with a high operating capacity will be larger in size. Therefore, carefully consider the accessibility of the loader to the work site and its lifting capacity. The most commonly purchased skid steer loaders have an operating capacity of 1,700 to 2,200 pounds. Anything above this limit is considered as a heavy duty skid steer loader.
Tires of the Loader
Three types of tires are available for skid steer loaders, including air filled tires, solid rubber tires, and foam filled tires. Air filled tires are the least expensive of the three types and give a smooth ride on rough, bumpy surfaces but they go flat frequently. Foam filled pneumatic tires are an expensive but useful alternate for air filled tires. Rubber tires don’t go flat but they offer you a bumpy, inconvenient ride.
Cost of Buying a New Skid Steer Loader
The major determinant of the Skid Steer Loader Cost of this type of loader is its operating capacity. The following table presents the average cost of various skid steer loaders with different operating capacities.
| Operating Capacity | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 650 to 750 pounds | $10,000 to $15,000 |
| 1,000 to 1,500 pounds | $15,000 to $20,000 |
| 1,500 to 2,000 pounds | $20,000 to $30,000 |
| 2,200 to 3,000+ pounds | $30,000 to $50,000 |
Used Skid Steer Loader Cost
Skid steer loaders are used to perform very demanding jobs therefore they may undergo extensive wear and tear very quickly. Therefore, it is important to consider the number of usage hours, mileage, and general condition of the machine.
The following table presents the estimated cost of used skid steer loaders.
| Model | Brand | No. of Hours Used | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Thomas | 2,500 | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| 2003 | Thomas | 200 | $12,000 – $18,000 |
| 1998 | Bobcat | 2200 | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| 2007 | Bobcat | 900 | $25,000 – $35,000 |
| 2003 | Cat | 1,400 | $8,000 to $12,000 |
| 2006 | Cat | 900 | $25,000 to $30,000 |
| 2006 | John Deere | 980 | $10,000 to $15,000 |
| 2005 | John Deere | 1,500 | $15,000 to $25,000 |
Renting Skid Steer Loader Cost
If you require it for a short-term project and you believe that it will of no use to you after project completion then renting it is a better option for you. You may rent a loader on an hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly basis, depending on the duration of your project.
| Renting Duration | Rent Rate |
|---|---|
| Hour | $50 – $100 |
| Day | $150 – $500 |
| Week | $600 – $1,200 |
| Month | $1,000 – $3,000 |
This is a general guide about Skid Steer Loader Cost. The exact price of a loader depends on various factors, which should be carefully considered by a buyer.
