Skid steer prices are fairly consistent across brands and vendors, and is mainly determined by the operating capacity. The overall range, from the smallest 650 lb machines to the 3,000 lb monsters, is around $12,000 to $50,000. See what other BuyerZone users paid for Skid Steer Loaders.

• <1350 lb. capacity = $17,000 to $20,000
• 1600 lb. capacity = $18,000 to $22,000
• 2000 lb. capacity = $22,000 to $28,000

Heavy-lift skid steers - up over 2,200 lb capacities - get considerably more expensive, usually over $30,000 and up to $50,000.

As with most types of heavy machinery, there is a definite correlation between cost and quality in skid steers: proven, reliable brands tend to cost a little extra. Most dealers carry multiple brands, so it's worth comparing, but paying a little extra for more reliability is often worthwhile.

In many cases, renting for a month is the best way to evaluate a skid steer loader before you buy it. As a point of reference, monthly rental costs for a 1,600 lb capacity skid steer are around $1,000 to $1,300. Some dealers will even let you deduct some or all of the rental cost from the purchase price.

Skid steer attachment prices
In addition to the skid steer, you'll need at least one attachment to do the actual work. Attachments vary widely in price. A basic bucket usually only costs $700 to $1,000, while other low-end attachments - pallet forks, augers, and 4 in 1 buckets - are typically under $3,000. Trenchers, rotary mowers, power rakes, and sweepers usually fall into a $3,000 to $8,000 range.

Complex powered attachments such as hydraulic hammers, flail mowers, backhoes, and cold planers can cost almost as much as the skid steers they connect to. Expect to pay $10,000 to $20,000, depending on their size. A small percentage of these high-end attachments require high-flow hydraulics, which add another $1,500 or $2,000 to the price.

Adding a cab enclosure and heating is usually around $1,500 to $2,000. Adding rubber tracks can cost $4,000 to $6,000.

Warranties
You can expect at least a one-year parts and labor warranty on new skid steers. As with cars, you may get longer warranties on some subsystems: two or three years on the powertrain, for example. Often you'll be able to extend the warranty at additional cost. If you have equipment maintenance facilities and personnel already, skip it - otherwise it's worth considering.

New v. used
Most skid steer dealers sell both new and used equipment. While you can save quite a bit of money buying used, it's not worth the risk if you're going to be using the machine full time. This goes back to the use of the machine: it's always in the thick of things, working hard, and will be subjected to significant wear.

If you'll only be using it part-time, you can find some great deals. A mid-sized skid steer that sells for $20,000 new will probably sell for around $14,000 used. A good benchmark to look for is a machine that has 1,000 to 2,000 hours of use - that's enough to drop the price while still getting you a machine with a long lifespan ahead of it.