Posted: 12/3/2025 8:43:19 PM EDT
| Thinking about looking into getting skid steer next year. I’ve used a couple before Bobcat/case. What I am after is something to use on my 10 acres. Spreading gravel, snow removal, leveling dirt, make it a berm for shooting and clearing up around my pond. What brands and models should I be looking at. Can $10k get me something usable? I will probably only use it once or twice a month. I am not against a gas machine. Anyway looking for some incite from knowledge people on skid steers |
Joined:
Jan 2025
Posts:
2228
EE: 100% (2)
OH, USA
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When I moved to my current residence, 5 acres, I bought a used John Deere 317, probably like a 2005 year it had 2000 hrs. I bought it sight unseen, on ebay of all places 12 years ago I think I paid $14k Its been a work horse for me, sits mostly now, but first 5 years I planted a ton of trees and moved a lot of dirt and gravel. You aren't really going to dig with it , but it works great with attachments and just the bucket. Mine has the 'low speed' hydraulic which means it can run an auger or other attachments, but not as well as the 'higher speed / newer hydraulic remote connector thingy'. Ive actual considered getting rid of it, but not sure where to sell it as I just don't use it much anymore. |
| You can find one for 10k but be prepared for it to have a ton of hours and ready to turn a few wrenches. Wheeled machines usually go for less but try to find a tracked machine if possible. Tracks and tires will cost you a couple grand so take that into consideration when looking at used machines. Also, whatever you get, find out what engine it has in it and check on parts availability. My first skid has Deutz oil cooled engine. Great engines but parts arent cheap and not many mechanics that know how to work on them. If you're just moving dirt and running a few attachments then dont worry about high flow hydraulics. High flow is mainly for running brush cutters, hammers and mulchers. |
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I have an old Bobcat T200. I love that machine. It has tracks, which I needed for the work that I did. They will say that tracks are more expensive, but nothing's cheap when it comes to fixing skid steers. Tracks are not the best on snow, but unless you are tackling big hills, they will get by. I guess the best are the wheeled machines, with Over the Tires Tracks (OTT). Disconnect the front drive chains if you run OTT, so that the drive chains are not pulling against the tracks. Look at the attachments you are likely to buy. Do they require High Flow? Although HF is just another pump, the cost to convert standard flow to HF is north of $50k. If your attachments require HF, that dictates what sort of machine you need. |
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Be VERY VERY careful about online purchases. There are a LOT of online scammers targeting heavy equipment buyers. It is run by organized crime out of Eastern Europe. Do NOT buy anything that you cannot go look at in person. If you ask to come look at something and they can’t show it to you….run away fast. Facebook marketplace and various online web sites are the source for scammers. For example, this is a fake site: https://www.facebook.com/61566266424349/ |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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You don't need high flow. Tracks are better than tires for 90% of usages, and all of yours. Over the tire tracks are better than tires, but they still suck. I've had all three. You'll stay stuck constantly in mud with tires. Unless you get super lucky, a $10k machine is going to be a piece of junk. Our first machine was a Case 1840 with a Cummins motor. It's tiny and crude, but simple and durable. The problem is, they're all 25+ years old and slap worn out. Is it possible you could spend more money, then sell it and recoup? Working on skid steers is almost impossible, and having it done is stupid expensive. You're basically talking about a 60HP tractor packed into half the size, and completely surrounded by steel. |
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Great advice given so far. $25,000 more realistic budget though. My Deere has a Yanmar engine. I bought it used with 1,000 hours and seller put on new tracks. It’s been a great machine I haven’t had any trouble with it. Bobcat since Daedong purchase I would shy away from anything out of warranty. Takeuchi makes an excellent machine that is a great value in a used one. Kubota makes a great unit as well. I splurged for a new mini ex. Between these two machines I’ve been able to make so many improvements to my land I don’t regret a second of ownership.   
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Good advice above. Get top name brand: Cat, Case, Deere, Kubota, Bobcat. Avoid off-brands. I especially like Cat because of the interactive wiring diagrams for them you can get from Cat. Consider what dealers are nearest you and their reputation. Get tracks. I got wheels, and it does OK, but if things start getting muddy, it doesn't do well. I use it for snow removal (on paved) with bucket and it does OK in snow in NH. Tracks will rut your lawn less. I'd like to sell it and get one with tracks. I understand tracks are tippier (fore/aft) than wheeled, though. I haven't used one. Get an older one so you don't have to deal with emissions crap. If you're only using it sporadically, diesel ages a lot better than gas. At $10K, it's going to be well worn. If you can get up into the teens, more toward 20, you'll do better. Most decent stuff I see listed around here starts in the 20s. I got a great deal on mine at 17 & under 2000 hours, new tires & battery. Poor guy I got it from was trying to use it to clear a wooded house lot. He'd have been far better served with an excavator. You don't need a very big one - 5000#, 50HP class will do you fine. Perhaps even less. I was initially looking for 50/5000 class when I got mine, but I found a good deal and it was close by, so I got it. I don't regret going bigger. Mine is 7500#, 75HP class. If I replaced it, I'd go even bigger, mainly because one of the attachments I got for it is an articulating arm side/front mower, and that would really like a heavier machine. If you're ever going to move it somewhere, consider the weight capacity of whatever trailer you have access to. Look on FB Marketplace, Craigslist, and heavy equipment places like Machinery Trader and others. Consider what radius you're willing to travel to get one. Almost no one lists HP or weight in their ads, but you can google (make) (model) "specs" to quickly see the specs on it. Oh, and for damn sure, get a backup camera. It's the first thing I did when I got mine. I can't imagine operating a skid steer without a backup camera. Due to skid steer design, rear vision is poor and mirrors aren't going to do much. Even with camera, I have backed over a rake and a chainsaw, ruining both. This one has been great for me. Easy install - I used the existing rooftop beacon circuit and it was super easy.  
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Feb 2025 It’s 48 to 0 and we’re only 2 minutes into the first quarter
trobertson5-0 I wasn't put in jail for what I did. I was put in it for what I think. There were FBI agents posting in my threads. I've seen the discovery showing this.
trobertson5-0 I wasn't put in jail for what I did. I was put in it for what I think. There were FBI agents posting in my threads. I've seen the discovery showing this.
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Wear your seatbelt. Local guy got bounced against his roof and spent a year recovering. Be prepared to be your own mechanic. Diesel for the win. |
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
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I can’t repeat this enough….please don’t get scammed. There are LOTS of heavy equipment scams online at the moment. Also, be careful about buying from big cities especially…..although it can happen at any time and place. There is a LOT of stolen equipment being stolen from big cities and then sold outside of the cities. It sucks to buy a piece of equipment, pay $30k or whatever, use it for awhile, and then have it taken from you with no recourse because it’s a stolen piece of equipment. There are far more ways to get scammed or ripped off on heavy equipment than any other motorized vehicle. BE CAREFUL!!!! |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Plenty of good advice above. A few of the highlights: $10K don't go very far. It can probably get you something useable as long as you know how to turn wrenches and realize the $10K will likely grow while fixing worn out stuff. If you need high flow hydraulics (it doesn't sound like you do), I don't think $10K is doable. My ideal used skidsteer buy is 15 - 20 years old from some old farmer that puts < 200 hours a year on it and properly maintains it himself. $10K probably doesn't buy that machine. ETA: I know a fair amount of folks that still use old Bobcat 743 (36 HP & 5K #'s)/753/763 (46 HP & 5.4K #'s)'s from the 80's and 90's. They're in a different ballpark of the huge skidsteers of today, but they are still usable, and are pretty good machines (though their aren't many left that aren't clapped out). |
"When you need it and ain't got it, you're singin' a different tune..."
| My first skid was an old Gehl machine with the Deutz oil cooled engine. I bought it for 8k and sunk a bunch of money into it trying to fix various issues. I eventually sold it to a guy sending it to Mexico for 5500 and was glad to see it go. I went and bought a new Kubota 65-2 and dont regret it a bit. Its not cheap but its made me some money and I get a lot of use out of it. I'm very happy with Kubota. |
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Attached File |
Feb 2025 It’s 48 to 0 and we’re only 2 minutes into the first quarter
trobertson5-0 I wasn't put in jail for what I did. I was put in it for what I think. There were FBI agents posting in my threads. I've seen the discovery showing this.
trobertson5-0 I wasn't put in jail for what I did. I was put in it for what I think. There were FBI agents posting in my threads. I've seen the discovery showing this.
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I'm an excavating contractor im not going to read everyone's reply's but the jist I got is all good more than staying w brand you like, go with the a close dealership. Getting a bobcat because it's a good a deal is a pain in the ass if parts are four hours away. tracks are better than wheels. New tracks are around 2500 bucks and under normal wear and tear will last 2500 hours or so. If snow removal is on your radar, jet the right zig zag type tracks. Cat has sales once and again on tracks for all machines. stay away from the 7 series caterpillars:257, 277, 287( 25(7), 27(7), 28(7) ). The undercarriage on those are absolutely awesome for fine grading but not necessary for everyday use and super expensive to replace. Refered to as ASV Undercarriage. The bulldozer type bottom. Is just fine for homestead, farm use. unless you plan to run a high flow attachment, you don't need high flow. HF attachments are flails, brush hogs, planers etc. avoid anything with emissions. Pre 2006 or post 2015 or so once they figured it out. change all the filters when you get it, pop the cab and clean all the dirt out of the transmission well and make sure the drain holes are clear read the manual and make sure your tracks are adjusted properly remember it isn't a bulldozer and don't treat it like one, you'll wind up with me stomping over and sending you home for the day cat, kubota, case, bobcat, Takeuchi. All good brands. |
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I'm also in the excavating business. Your best bet is to buy the brand that has good dealer support locally. We have cat closeby, and their people I've known since kindergarten. So I buy cat. Attached File |
The OP either shut it down for the night or is in the bathroom covered in shoe polish from belt to knees trying to get the lighting right -Sierra5