Do you want to know what type of skid steer is best for the money? If YES, here are 5 best skid steers with low maintenance and their prices.
Skid steer loaders are powerful machines that are a great combination of lifting force, versatility, and compact size, which makes them ideal and strong enough to handle the toughest of jobs. With innumerable attachment options, skid steer loaders can perform a wide range of tasks on different kinds of job sites.
From excavation, earthmoving, landscaping, demolition, lifting jobs, to the removal of debris, a skid steer loader is indeed a “jack of all trades.” And, the compact size of the machine makes it extremely useful for indoor use and for applications in several applications where the use of large-sized equipment is extremely difficult.
However, careful study of wear items and service intervals will show that a high-quality, low-maintenance machine can save its owner in excess of $10,000 in service costs in the first two years alone. Regular maintenance activities such as oil changes, daily and weekly greasing and changing fuel and hydraulic filters, are an often underestimated factor in total cost of ownership.
Even planned maintenance takes time, and in a contractor’s world, time is money — especially during busy season. Designs incorporating easy access to drain and fill plugs provide a key difference in reducing maintenance time. Regardless of how you get your hands on a skid steer loader, you are expected to also consider operating costs.
On average, contractors operate skid steer loaders for about 750 hours per year. Rubber tracks on a skid steer loader may last from 12,000 to 16,000 hours. If you typically use your equipment on concrete, however, you can cut that time down to 700 to 900 hours.
Alternatively, you may own a landscaping company. If this is the case, you most likely use your skid steer loader on soft terrain. In this case, the tracks may last longer or about 1,600 to 2,000 hours. The work environment will affect the life of your tracks significantly.
Your work environment can also affect your skid steer loader in different ways. For instance, if you typically use it in the sand, the tracks may last longer. However, the sprockets and other moving metal parts may wear out sooner because sand acts as an abrasive on those parts.
Imagine that you purchase or rent a Bobcat T190 skid steer loader. In that case, new narrow width tracks may cost around $2,800, while wide tracks may cost closer to $3,600. Meanwhile, it may cost you $800 every time you need to replace a sprocket.
A skid steer loader bucket typically lasts for the entire lifetime of the machine. However, you’ll most likely need a new cutting edge each season, which costs around $300.
However, size and lifting ability are essential features when considering this versatile piece of heavy equipment. But it can be relatively easy to tell which skid steer loaders are up to the task. The best skid steer loaders are the top-selling brands that offer very affordable maintenance in the long run, and you’ll find out about them below.
Best Skid Steer for the Money
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Bobcat S650
Bobcat Company is renowned as one of the leaders in the compact equipment industry. The company was established over 55 years ago when the founders, who were blacksmiths designed and developed a small-sized loader with 3 wheels to clean turkey barns.
Today, Bobcat has expanded its portfolio to include 12 skid steer loader models. The S650 is Bobcat’s most popular skid steer loader model. Weighing around 8,300 lbs, the S650 is a vertical-lift loader. The S650 boost of a higher lift and dump height and the biggest plus of this model is its 74 HP diesel-powered engine.
And, although the S650 is quite compact in terms of the size, it has a very powerful performance without the need for additional emission mechanisms like diesel particle filters or exhaust fluid.
The S650 is also quite popular owing to its compact build, which lets it to manoeuvre in extremely tight spaces and be used in several compact machinery applications and settings including industries such as construction, utility, agriculture, grounds and buildings work, etc.
It also has enhanced features such as automatic ride control that helps to reduce bouncing and material spills and the Advanced Control System that makes use of a hydraulic pump and reduces the effort of the operator in moving the levers of the loader.
Also note that the loader has a hydraulic assist, which helps to reduce the operators’ fatigue, especially during long work shifts. The white and orange coloured skid steer falls midway in the Bobcat line up, thereby appealing to the buyers looking for a mid-sized skid steer loader.
Price
- $20,000 to $60,000
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John Deere 332G
One of the most popular models in the John Deere skid steer line-up is the 332G. It is the biggest skid steer in the product portfolio and has an operating capacity of over 3,150 lbs. The 332G has become very popular with contractors who find that larger-sized machines are helping to transform the productivity on construction sites.
Note that the 332G is equipped with a diesel engine which produces around 100 HP, and therefore ample power, yet can comfortably fit into tight spaces, enabling operators to achieve a lot more. This big-sized heavy machine can be paired with heavy-duty attachments like hydraulic hammers too.
With the 332G, contractors are discovering that they can get plenty of work done at a comparatively lower price. So, if you’re looking for a skid steer loader that offers greater performance and productivity with simplified service, then the 332G is probably the right machine to consider.
Price
- $70,000 and $80,000
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Case Construction Equipment SV280
Case skid steer loaders are manufactured in Wichita, Kansas. The most popular loader in the Case portfolio is the SV280, which is rated as among the strongest, medium-sized skid steers. Note that although the size of the machine is compact, its performance is surprisingly big.
With a rated operating capacity of 2,800 lbs, the SV 280 offers the best-in-class bucket breakout, torque and hydraulic flow and offers the strength that you require.
The optional high-flow hydraulics of the SV280 can force out 38 GPM at 3,000 PSI at 100% efficiency and the loader features a 74 HP diesel engine. The SV280 offers user-friendly features and offers 360o visibility, which makes it very easy to see.
Note that at full height, the loader’s vertical lifting offers maximum reach and the Tier 4 Final solution ensures that it meets all the regulations. The Ride Control, EZ-EH controls and other features make the SV280 ideal for all types of jobs.
The compact size of the skid steer loader makes it easy to transport. The SV280 is quite versatile and is popularly used in several applications and industries such as landscaping, snow removal, material handling, residential construction, agriculture, etc.
Price
- $40,000 or more,
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Caterpillar 262D
The Cat 262D is Caterpillar’s top-selling and most popular skid steer model. The Cat 262D boost of a 74 HP engine and the rated operating capacity of the Cat 262D are 2,700 lbs, which lets it to lift most pallet loads. The skid steer loader has a vertical lift design which provides extended reach and the lift height for easy and quick truck loading. The lifting performance and the stability of the Cat 262D offer great material handling capability.
Have it in mind that the Cat 262D also offers high hydraulic power, which is the primary factor to measure performance and this makes the machine an excellent choice for contractors who are looking for high-productivity hydro-mechanical tools.
The Cat 262D features an XPS hydraulic system that delivers high pressure as well as high flow, making it ideal to run a cold planer or a wheel saw or use it to mill concrete or asphalt.
Cost
- $30,000 to $50,000
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Kubota SSV75
Agreeably, the Kubota has been around for over 45 years, but it made its entry into the skid steer market around 3 years back. The SSV75 from Kubota is among the most popular skid steers. The large-sized machine has a higher lifting capacity, around 2,690 lbs and it features a 74 HP engine, which keeps it below the emissions threshold.
The SSV75 comes with a vertical lift design that delivers an exceptional reach of around 930mm and a high hinge pin height that allows easy lifting and dumping.
The SSV75 is equipped with the slide-up, front-entry door, which rises upwards, instead of swinging outwards, which allows the operator to open the door of the loader irrespective of its position. And, this allows the operator to exit or enter the loader even if it is in a narrow space.
The SSV75 also boost of a pressurized cabin which is dust-resistant, spacious and has a climate control system. The loader is equipped with side lights that offer better visibility at dusk. The superior comfort, excellent performance, superior durability and easy-to-maintain features of the SSV 75 makes it an excellent skid steer loader perfect for its job.
Price
- $55,000 and $65,000
If you’re in the market for a skid steer for sale, it’s imperative to make the most of your investment, whether you rent, buy, or lease. By knowing the prices for different skid steer loaders, you can make sure that you’re getting the most value for your money.