A skid steer earns its keep by fitting where nothing else fits and doing more than one thing. The tight turning radius, wide attachment compatibility, and relatively low cost make skid steers one of the most popular machines in the entire construction and landscaping market. From demo cleanup to concrete flatwork prep, from farm chores to urban infill work, the skid steer shows up everywhere. Financing one through our program is equally accessible: same-day quotes, application-only approval up to approximately $400,000, and funding in about one week on clean deals.
Our most frequently financed skid steer models include the Bobcat S650, various Caterpillar and John Deere frame sizes, and CASE SR Series machines. Brand-specific financing is available through our Bobcat financing and Caterpillar financing pages. If you are choosing between a skid steer and a compact track loader, our compact track loader financing page gives you the comparison context on the tracked side of that decision.
Skid Steer Market and Collateral Value
Skid steer loaders are among the most liquid pieces of used equipment in the construction market. The broad buyer base, covering landscaping, construction, agriculture, municipalities, and rental fleets, means machines sell quickly and resale values are well-supported. This liquidity is good news for financing: lenders are comfortable with skid steer collateral and often willing to offer favorable terms on clean machines from established brands.
Key resale factors:
- Brand reputation matters here more than in some other categories. Bobcat, Caterpillar, John Deere, and CASE have the deepest resale markets. Gehl, Mustang, and Kubota also trade actively.
- Tires are a significant wear item and affect resale value. Solid foam-filled tires extend tire life on rough terrain but may affect the machine's ride characteristics.
- Loader arm and boom condition: check for pin wear, bushing play, and structural cracks around high-stress weld points.
- Auxiliary hydraulics: machines with high-flow auxiliary hydraulics for running demanding attachments command a premium over standard-flow units.
Skid steers in the 50-to-74-horsepower class, the heart of the market, typically finance running about $50k to $90k new. Used machines from two to five years old generally trade running about $25k to $55k, which means bundling with attachments is often needed to reach the $50,000 program minimum on a standalone used skid steer deal.
Skid Steer Financing Application to Funding
Skid steer deals move quickly because the machines and values are well-understood by equipment lenders. Application to approval typically takes less than 48 hours for straightforward transactions. Full funding closes in about one week on clean dealer or private-party purchases.
Structures for skid steer financing:
- Equipment loan: Standard fixed-rate loan with clear ownership at payoff. The most common structure for operators who plan to run the machine for several years.
- Dollar-buyout lease: Practically functions like a loan but with lease document structure. Some operators prefer this for accounting or tax treatment reasons. Our dollar-buyout lease page covers the mechanics.
- FMV lease: Lower monthly payment with return or buyout options at term end. Works well for operators who replace their fleet on a regular cycle.
For operators adding a skid steer to an existing machine fleet, we also offer application-only financing that can often handle this deal size without income documentation. Given that most skid steer purchases fall under $150,000, this is the most common path for established businesses with solid credit.
Skid Steer vs. Compact Track Loader: Financing Perspective
The decision between a skid steer and a compact track loader often comes down to the terrain where the machine will work. Skid steers are better on hard, dry surfaces where rubber tires grip well and you want minimal ground disturbance on finished surfaces. Compact track loaders are better on soft, wet, or muddy ground where rubber tires sink and spin.
From a financing standpoint, compact track loaders typically cost 15 to 25 percent more than a comparable skid steer because of the undercarriage system. Track maintenance adds to the operating cost over time. The financing terms are comparable between the two classes because the resale market depth is similar.
If you are outfitting for all-season use across varied terrain, many contractors own one of each. Our compact track loader financing program handles the tracked option, and we can bundle both machines in a single transaction if you are purchasing them at the same time.
Get Skid Steer Financing Terms
One of the faster deals in our program. Tell us the make, model, and price, and we will have a quote ready the same day. Most skid steer deals fund within a week from application. Call or apply online, no obligation until you sign.
