Should I buy a Skid Steer?

[jeremyclarkson]

Hi,

I live on a house with 1/4 acre land. It is not terrible large but I need lot landscaping done.

Many projects I do involve either moving tons of gravel as patio base or lifting heavy like setting 6x6 Post or digging holes/trenching.

I rented a mini-ex last year and had tons of fun. It ripped up 6x6 railrod tie like butter compare when I used sawall and ran through tons of blades just to cut one off. It is more fun than my sport cars. I have 3 cars and they're all collecting dusts due to pandemic shut down.


Now, I'm thinking about buying a skid steer for $30k so I can do my own work in less strenous manner. It is so satisfying to see a skid steer demolish a giant tree with shear like this:

This is more like a toy purchase as I'm not doing any commercial work or I have a large farm to tend to.


Anyone done something similar? Is it a stupid purcahse? Can someone give me some reasons why I should buy one vs just save the money/depreciation and just hire someone to do all the works? I probably spent more money on tools than money I saved by doing works myself lol.

 

[Rc_Guy]

I live on 6 acres of thick wood and I rent skid steers and chippers and tractors when I need it, allot cheaper in the long run.

 

[ZRX61]

The shear attachment alone is gonna be at least $6k.. & that's for a used one.

 

[The Cobbler]

The GJ answer, sure, you need more toys , go for it.
The Wife's answer. are you sure you really need it or do you just want it?
realistically, if you can afford it, and think you will get good use from it, go for it. do you need a new one, or just a well used old one? or something in between ?
keep the idea open that when you're done with your projects, you can sell it.

 

[ItsNemo]

Didn't read anything but title. Answer: YES!

 

[PelicanPines]

I live on 6 acres of thick wood and I rent skid steers and chippers and tractors when I need it, allot cheaper in the long run.

I'm on two acres... I've needed a back hoe a few times... I rent. Needed a skid steer to dig a path to my door, rented... splitter, rented...

Rent it as needed...

 

[nadogail]

If you can find the money to pay for it, then buy it for important things like taking out the trash and "one upping your neighbors"

 

[zkdiesel]

Always worth it, but if your handy I would buy a 12-15k used one if you are tighter on $$$. Budget no option buy a new one at 45k

Used my two today

 

[larry_g]

No you don't need to own one. Just like the 3 cars gathering dust once the landscaping is in then what? Joyrides down the street?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[mcbane]

I have 15 acres and bought a skid steer. 1000 hours on it in the last 13 years. Had I rented I would be bankrupt today.

It is always a tough call to buy vs rent. I almost bought a telehandler to build my garage but figured rent would be cheaper. Rent is now approaching $9k. Wishing I had bought.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[rockettgpw]

Yes, even though on 1/4 acre you'll be bumping fences. I have 1.5 ac with 0.5 ac accessible with the skid steer. It came with 4 in 1, trencher and post hole digger. Bought fork lift attachment and just fabbed a lift jib/trailer tow bar. Currently the forks are#1 tool for it.
Having my own, I can jump on and do the 5 min jobs no sweat. Having my own I have to pay for repairs, like last month when the oil tank cap jumped into the fan shroud and trashed the radiator and revealed a stuffed water pump, GRRR $1200 I didn't want to spend.
Older skid steers don't seem to devalue much, buy your own, do every thing you need with it and look after it. If you find in future it has sat unused for too long, sell it.

 

[Higgins]

We have 4 AC in the mountains of TN with some rough terrain and it isn't even close to being flat! Use of a wheelbarrow isn't even a consideration.

I'm 73 and love gardening.... I started looking at ATVs with dump cart, then 4WD side by sides. The a 443 Bobcat fell into our laps. It's a 80's BC, had 550 Hrs on it and looked brand new!!, It is narrow, 44", very maneuverable for our lot and only has a capacity of 900 Lbs. Paid $8K for it and have put almost 300 Hrs on it!

It came with a bucket and a 5 point stabber attachment. That's a steel plate with moveable steel spikes on the end of it. I end up using it more than the bucket, as it can be used as a mini fork. It can also be used a a large fork and dig up large bushes and small trees to relocate and plant. Also good for off loading stuff out of the PU bed.

Our biggest use was to dig up and relocate heavy 8X8x10' RR ties. Was a breeze. Not to mention moving 60-80 tons of gravel and dirt without breaking out in a sweat!

If I were to do it again, I'd purchase another skid-steer. My advice is talk to dealers in your area and see what is available used. Low hours is key!!!. From a maintenance standpoint i'd stay away from track SS as they are $$$$ to repair and replace. Scan the internet and see what people are saying about particular brands. Back in IL BC was BIG. Down here in TN it's CAT, Kubota, John Deere. If purchasing it from a dealer, you might be able to see what the maintenance records were on it !!

AL

 

[finn]

I bought one for use at my lake house, where i eventually moved full time and for redeveloping another property of about an acre we bought out of a foreclosure, just down the street. It cost $10 k, and I sold it for the same amount ten years later when I decided I needed a compact tractor with a cab and front snowblower.

A year later I bought a mini excavator, and another year after that, a new tracked skid steer (CTL).

The downside is that I don’t work much on my hot rods anymore, largely because I would rather find projects that involve the equipment.

Strictly from a financial standpoint, renting may sometimes be cheaper, but where is the fun in that? In my case, the original.skid steer was a smart investment

 

[karoc]

Sounds like something that will make you happy so go for it. I don't have funds to may me happy but only smile some so if your funds allows you HECK YEA!!! If you run out of the need you can also put the word out that your open for business. After that then its up for sale. Have fun

 

[jake28]

Yes. You should buy one.


Unless you’re paid to use one every day, I challenge you to find a vehicle that will produce a greater return as measured by:

smiles / (dollar spent X foot of floor space occupied)*

*the floor space part of the equation is important because it constrains the realistic number of vehicles you could have assuming space is finite and money is not. Because otherwise you should get a tank.

But if you can’t get a tank to drive over things with, get a skidsteer.

Send photos when it arrives.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I have a Toro Dingo, TX-413. A walk behind mini skid steer. It's great on a couple acres. It's got a bucket, teeth, log forks, stump grinder, brush hog, a 4' and 6' snow or dirt plow, and a sort of leveling rake that I made. It makes physical jobs much less painful. And, if I have to move dirt across the property, I really get my steps in. It's great in the winter pushing snow.

 

[Pen & Wrench]

I bought a 2011 S 650 Bobcat in 2013, it was 2 years old and had less than 600 hours on it, it was almost like new, and a couple years before the Tier 4 diesel requirements kicked in. We do have a tree shear, and are in the process of cutting cedar trees on about 100 acres of pasture ground. We also are in the process of replacing pasture fence and I auger post holes with it. We also have 2 rental properties, plus the house we live in and an empty lot in the town we live in. I can justify it because of the cedar trees, fence replacement, and snow removal in the winter, plus so many other things I end up doing with it. I'd think it might be hard to justify on a quarter acre, but if you get used to it, you will love it, just may not use it very much, but you'll use it more than you think. I work full time and I would never be able to be make any progress on the cedar tree removal and fence replacement without it. But I also have a gooseneck trailer to haul it with, a "quick claw grapple", pallet forks, and of course the post auger. Buying the skid steer is about half the cost when I factor in everything else I ended up buying to go with it. I was going to get a "cheap" one, and ended up getting a practically new one, and I can tell you that I have never regretted spending the extra money to get one with lots of options, but more importantly, it wasn't beat up like so many used ones are from construction. You might be able to get a smaller more practical one for what you have in mind than what I did, but is a good size for what I do with it.

 

[Bent Handle]

Skid steers or mini skids are the only tool for a lot of jobs I do. The attachments are endless. If you have a good rental place they may rent just the attachments.

 

[930dreamer]

X2 on renting, i rent on Friday and return Monday morning for a one day rental for about $340. I can haul it so it makes it easy.

 

[Farmall450]

Didn't read anything but title. Answer: YES!

Seconded.

 

[Monza Harry]

X2 on renting, i rent on Friday and return Monday morning for a one day rental for about $340. I can haul it so it makes it easy.

Around here they [rental places] check the hour meter so the long weekend rental may get expensive. Even a one day can cost 2X if you ride it hard and long ie:12 hours is two days no 1/2 days on many items. Harry

 

[dcs13]

Rental may be a better financial decision. I need one, but not willing to spend the money on one. I have a large JD tractor with loader I would gladly trade for a good skid steer

 

[930dreamer]

Around here they [rental places] check the hour meter so the long weekend rental may get expensive. Even a one day can cost 2X if you ride it hard and long ie:12 hours is two days no 1/2 days on many items. Harry

Yes, they record the hours here also but it doesn't factor into the price.

 

[PCustoms]

I say no.

1/4 acre, minus house, is about 10,000 SQ ft or 100x100 lot. Doesn't make sense to me long term.

Rent one, get the big project down and move on..with a lot that small there can't be too many "big projects"

 

[Flat Thunder Channel]

I didn't make it through all the long posts, but I will add my two cents. I live in town and recently acquired a new addition to my property. It still isn't large enough to warranty any equipment other than a lawnmower. I needed to cut a driveway in approximately 20'x100' and do some heavy grading on the new side lawn. I had the opportunity to purchase a broken unit with my Dad. The plan was he buys it and I can use it once I repair it. I honestly do not know what I would without this skidsteer. It is a beast and I find more and more uses for it. Most recently I used it to remove a large concrete pad from my front porch /entrance. I also used it to move a replacement truck cab around my property. The possibilities are endless!

It is always cheaper and makes more sense to rent units. Renting allows you to forgo all the maintenance fees and worries of personal ownership. I knew a friend of a friend who operated a business. His operating procedure was to purchase all the special attachments, but rent the skidloader. His logic made sense. The skid loader was delivered to site and he only needed to bring the attachments. If the power unit brakes call the rental office and order a replacement.

On the other hand...If you are handy at repairing broken equipment try a used model. It will make the initial purchase less painful. I have used my 843 Bobcat over the last couple months regularly. I love having the unit ready and willing to do all the heavy lifting. Honestly after experiencing how handy a unit is I may never be without one. If you have the money go for it! Just note a broken skidloader is virtually impossible to move and everyone will be asking for favors when you own one.

Check out my YouTube channel to see the Bobcat in action. I also have an Instagram page with a short clip moving the truck cab. Good luck!

 

[Farrier]

YES!

And get a backhoe attachment so that you can find your utilities, sprinklers and water supply

 

[jonshonda]

I am in a similar situation and have a property the needs to be degraded, lots of dirt moved, and dry stack stone retaining walls that need work as well. I also need to dig out for expanded gravel parking pads, and eventually want to tear up my driveway and go with concrete. I really just want a sub compact utility tractor with loader, tiller, that should be enough to get the job done.

 

[Higgins]

One BIG consideration in purchase vs rental ,do you have a trailer capable of moving the skid steer. If you don't the delivery costs $$$ will be very expensive. The second part of the equation is, should the skid steer become inoperative. Would you be able to get it loaded onto your trailer ???

AL

 

[rmack898]

I've had a skid steer for the last 15 years. I work alone and the skid steer is like having another worker.

I replaced my 2004 S185 with a new T590 last year and couldn't imagine not having it at my disposal whenever I need it.

 

[472scout]

Buy used, complete projects, sell.

 

[Kevin54]

Buying one for only a 1/4 acre....NO. But buying one with a truck and a trailer to move it around and you can make some good coin. I have a CUT with a loader and had to move a lot of dirt yesterday. Took me about 4 hours. With a skid steer, I would have been done in 45 minutes. And this was loose dirt. I'm pretty sure in a couple of years I'll have myself a skid steer for sure.

 

[JamesW84]

One BIG consideration in purchase vs rental ,do you have a trailer capable of moving the skid steer. If you don't the delivery costs $$$ will be very expensive. The second part of the equation is, should the skid steer become inoperative. Would you be able to get it loaded onto your trailer ???

AL

Depends how far you are from the rental place. It's $50 for me because I'm 4 miles away.

I would look at new vs gently used value ratios. Select the best value.

Do you have a place to store it out of the weather?

 

[zkdiesel]

One BIG consideration in purchase vs rental ,do you have a trailer capable of moving the skid steer. If you don't the delivery costs $$$ will be very expensive. The second part of the equation is, should the skid steer become inoperative. Would you be able to get it loaded onto your trailer ???

AL

Almost nobody but us guys with tons of equipment will be able to load it on your own trailer, so just get that out of the equation as it’s no big deal.
You either fix it where it’s at or call a rollback tow truck to move it to where it needs to go.

 

[PelicanPines]

My rental place won't let you use your own trailer... You haul their trailer... or they deliver it. I don't know the requirements for letting you haul it yourself... they see me and know I drive a subaru... it ain't hauling a 4 tire trailer...

 

[ratdoggy]

1/4 acre...Nope
I'm on 1 acre and nope
I have full access to ones from work anytime I need one
Needed one twice
Moving rocks around and pulling smallish trees down

 

[crewchief888]

1/4 acre...Nope
I'm on 1 acre and nope
I have full access to ones from work anytime I need one
Needed one twice
Moving rocks around and pulling smallish trees down

i also have access to skid steers, mini-ex's and attachments.

weve been here almost 15 years, and have only needed to have one a couple times.

i used a T650 to move a 40K load of sand from the driveway to the back yard to fill in an old septic tank. most recently i borrowed an MT85 and a trencher to cut an 6"W X 36" deep trench about 40 feet through rock hard clay.

 

[NUTTSGT]

In the grand scheme of things, yes, yes yes.

But in reality, are you capable of hauling elsewhere ? Is even close to a good financial decision to drop $30K on one, no. If you had 14 acres and not a 1/4 acre lot, it'd be a different ballgame.

 

[Showkey]

1/4 acre, 30k plus and where to store a skid steer ?

That sheer is cool, but DIY 1/4 acre a chain saw would be Capable. After 20 minutes on 1/4 acre you better be starting a business......cuz every tree and bush would be gone.

I am on 4 acres, ample garage and storage shop. I was not able to justify a compact tractor or skid steer....plus I don’t want to walk around either in the shop or store them outside. Yes, they would be fun and handy.

It’s a fraction of the cost and very very small fraction of the capability.......but......beats a wheel barrow and shovel. Moved 40 yards of material a 1000 feet have a total cost all in for $2k. It plows snow in the winter and take it hunting and fishing. $1000 for used ATV and $1000 in attachments.

 

[pelletman]

Bobcat 743's are plentiful around here in the 6 to 8K range and are very reliable with their Kubota diesels. If it were me, I would keep my eyes open for the right deal to pop up, move quickly to buy, do what I need to do and sell it at what I paid or for more if I could. I probably wouldn't spend 30K on a toy but I don't know your financial situation. They are convenient to have, and don't need too much maintenance

 

[Rc_Guy]

I have 15 acres and bought a skid steer. 1000 hours on it in the last 13 years. Had I rented I would be bankrupt today.

It is always a tough call to buy vs rent. I almost bought a telehandler to build my garage but figured rent would be cheaper. Rent is now approaching $9k. Wishing I had bought.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

You have 15 acres the op had 1/4 acre

One BIG consideration in purchase vs rental ,do you have a trailer capable of moving the skid steer. If you don't the delivery costs $$$ will be very expensive. The second part of the equation is, should the skid steer become inoperative. Would you be able to get it loaded onto your trailer ???

AL

Both of the rentals places near me give you the trailer to use for free to haul it.