Equipment Loans
Typically 0-20% down, terms 24-72 months. Interest rates 6-15% depending on credit. See typical rates.
Financing program
Skid steers cost $25,000-$75,000+. Spread the cost with equipment financing. Decisions in 24-48 hours for qualified applications. New or used. Construction, landscaping, and agriculture businesses nationwide.
Yes. Skid steers and compact track loaders finance over 24–72 months at 600+ credit with 0–20% down. New machines run $25,000–$40,000 for smaller units up to $60,000–$75,000+ fully specified. A $50,000 skid steer at 9% over 48 months is roughly $1,245/month. Attachments are financeable at the same rate and term when they appear on the original invoice.
Skid steers are essential for construction, landscaping, agriculture, snow removal, and material handling. They're compact, versatile loaders with interchangeable attachments-buckets, forks, augers, trenchers, and more. But with prices from $25,000 for compact models to $75,000+ for large machines with attachments, paying cash ties up capital you need for payroll, materials, and growth.
Construction and landscaping businesses operate differently from other industries. Revenue is project-based-you incur costs upfront for labor, materials, and equipment, then get paid on draw schedules or after milestones. Seasonal demand, weather delays, and the lag between bid and first progress payment create cash flow gaps. Paying $50,000 or more in cash for a skid steer can strain reserves and limit your ability to bid on new work or cover payroll during slow periods.
Equipment financing spreads the cost over the skid steer's useful life. Lenders like skid steers because Bobcat, Caterpillar, and John Deere models hold value well-50-70% after 5 years. Skid steers are among the most versatile and widely used compact equipment. Tax benefits-Section 179 and bonus depreciation for purchases, lease payments as operating expenses-further reduce the true cost. Apply now to get matched with lenders who specialize in compact equipment. Landscaping equipment financing and construction equipment financing often cover skid steers.
A skid steer (or skid steer loader) is a compact, rigid-frame loader with lift arms that can attach to a wide variety of tools-buckets, pallet forks, augers, trenchers, snow blades, and more. It turns by skidding (slowing one side of wheels or tracks), making it highly maneuverable in tight spaces. Skid steers are used in construction, landscaping, agriculture, snow removal, and material handling for loading, digging, grading, and a range of tasks depending on the attachment.
Skid steers range from compact models (under 1,500 lbs rated operating capacity) to large machines (3,000+ lbs). Brands like Bobcat, Caterpillar, John Deere, Kubota, and Case dominate the market. Understanding what skid steers are and how they're used helps lenders assess your financing application-they want to see that the equipment supports revenue-generating work. Landscapers, general contractors, and farmers rely on skid steers as versatile workhorses. Construction equipment financing often covers skid steers alongside mini excavators and compact loaders.
Lenders view skid steer financing favorably because skid steers hold value well and have strong demand. Bobcat, Caterpillar, and John Deere models retain 50-70% of value after 5 years. Lower ticket size ($25K-$75K) means smaller loans and often faster approval. The versatility of skid steers-multiple attachments, broad industry use-creates a strong secondary market. If a borrower defaults, the lender can recover through resale to contractors, landscapers, or farmers.
Landscapers, general contractors, and agricultural operations are primary skid steer buyers. Lenders who specialize in construction equipment financing and landscaping equipment financing understand seasonal revenue and project-based cash flow. Skid steers often finance more easily than larger equipment due to lower ticket size and broad appeal. Equipment financing approval timelines are typically 1-5 days for qualified applications.
Working capital loans are flexible but generally carry higher rates and shorter terms. They're better suited for payroll and materials than equipment purchases. Use working capital for operating expenses; use equipment financing for the skid steer itself to secure better rates and terms tied to the asset. Compare equipment loan vs lease in detail.
Typically 0-20% down, terms 24-72 months. Interest rates 6-15% depending on credit. See typical rates.
At lease end, return the equipment, purchase at fair market value, or upgrade. Loan vs lease.
SBA 7(a) and 504 loans offer longer terms (7-10+ years) and lower down payments. Approval typically 30-60+ days. Best for established businesses planning larger purchases or combining equipment with real estate. View SBA loans.
Skid steer prices vary by size (rated operating capacity), type (wheel vs track), brand, and whether you buy new or used. New skid steers range from roughly $25,000-$40,000 for compact models to $40,000-$60,000 for mid-size machines, and $60,000-$75,000+ for large units with cab and attachments. Top brands like Bobcat, Caterpillar, John Deere, and Kubota typically command premium prices. Track loaders cost more than wheel models. Attachments (buckets, forks, augers) add cost. Factor in delivery and setup when budgeting.
Used skid steers typically cost 30-50% less than new equivalents. A 5-year-old mid-size skid steer might run $25,000-$45,000. Older machines or those with high hours sell for less but may require more maintenance. Many lenders finance used skid steers up to 5-7 years old; older machines may face shorter terms or require larger down payments. Always get an equipment inspection before purchasing used. Rated operating capacity, track vs wheel, brand, cab type, attachments, and regional demand all affect pricing. Obtain a written quote from your dealer or seller-lenders use this to structure your financing. Financing used equipment guide.
Rates for skid steer financing typically run 6–15% and terms 24-72 months, depending on credit, down payment and lender; SBA loans extend further. Typical equipment financing rates.
Monthly payments depend on loan amount, rate, and term. A $50,000 skid steer financed at 9% over 48 months would result in roughly $1,245/month. A $35,000 compact unit at 10% over 36 months would run approximately $1,130/month. Strong credit, larger down payment, and shorter terms typically lower your rate. Use our financing calculator to model different scenarios before you apply. Down payment requirements vary by lender and credit profile.
| Requirement | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Credit score | 600+ (680+ for best rates) |
| Down payment | 0-20% |
| Time in business | 1-2+ years |
| Revenue | Proof of business income |
| Equipment quote | Written quote from dealer/seller |
Credit: most lenders look for 600+, and because skid steer financing is asset-backed some programs go lower when revenue and down payment are strong. Down payment: 0–20%, depending on credit. Time in business: 1–2+ years for standard programs. See credit score requirements and what lenders look at.
Skid-steer files are usually the simplest in the earthmoving category, and at this ticket size many lenders will approve on an application and bank statements alone.
· Standard versus high flow determines which attachments the machine can run, and it belongs on the quote for that reason.
· Skid-steers cycle constantly, so hours accumulate fast. A five-year-old machine with low hours is genuinely unusual and worth verifying.
· Often the only financial documentation required below common program thresholds.
· The entity on the application must match the entity on the quote.
· This matters more on a skid-steer than on any other machine, because the attachments are frequently worth as much as the carrier.
· Compact track loaders and wheeled skid-steers finance similarly but appraise differently. Be explicit about which one the deal is for.
If you are trading in an existing machine, get the trade value in writing before applying. It changes the amount financed and therefore the structure. Credit score requirements for equipment financing.
Apply as soon as you know the configuration you want, because configuration is what takes time to source. A high-flow machine with the right coupler and a specific attachment package is not something most dealers have in stock, and the wait for the right unit is usually longer than the wait for an approval.
For landscaping, snow and small site contractors, the timing question is seasonal in the other direction. Buying a skid-steer in late summer for fall and winter work means paying for it before the season that justifies it, so match the structure to the cash flow — some lenders will arrange a deferred first payment where the seasonality is documented.
A mulcher or a cold planer on a standard-flow machine will disappoint. Deciding this before the quote avoids financing a carrier that cannot run the tool.
Buckets, forks, augers, grapples and breakers are financeable with the machine. Bought later, they usually are not, at least not on the same terms.
These take the abuse on a skid-steer. Play in the pins is normal wear; cracks around the mounting points are not.
Application-only approvals at this size are frequently same-day. That speed is worth using when a well-specified machine appears.
If your work stops for three months, say so. Structures exist for it, but only if the lender knows before the deal is documented.
The mistakes here are less about the finance and more about the specification:
Lift height, reach and hydraulic flow decide what the machine is useful for. Capacity is only one of the three.
Compact track loaders are superb in soft ground and expensive on concrete, where the tracks wear quickly. Match the machine to the surface.
A full attachment package can approach the price of the carrier. Plan the whole purchase, then finance it once.
Skid-steer programs differ sharply between dealers, captives and independents, and the spread on identical machines is real.
Skid-steers are traded more often than they are kept. Know the early payoff position before you sign.
Read the collateral description before signing and make sure every attachment you paid for is listed on it.
Cash spent on equipment is cash not available for payroll, materials or the next opportunity. Financing spreads the cost over the working life of the skid steer and keeps reserves intact, and Section 179 and bonus depreciation reduce the after-tax cost further. Contractors paid on draw schedules feel it most sharply: mobilization, materials and payroll all fall due before the first progress payment arrives.
Standard equipment financing approval takes 1-5 business days from application to funding. Day 1: submit application and documents. Days 2-3: lender review, possible follow-up questions. Day 4-5: approval, documentation, and funding. Funds typically go directly to the seller; you take possession once the deal closes. SBA loans add 30-60+ days. Having everything ready upfront can compress the timeline.
01
Obtain a written quote from your dealer. Complete one application-we submit to multiple equipment lenders. Share business financials, equipment details, and your goals.
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Our team identifies lenders whose programs fit your skid steer purchase. Equipment-only, new or used, with or without attachments. We connect you with the right programs.
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Equipment financing often requires minimal docs-application, bank statements, equipment quote. Decisions in 24-48 hours for many applications. SBA adds 30-60+ days.
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Once approved, sign documents. Funds typically go directly to the seller. You take possession of the skid steer. Ready to work.
Browse financing for similar compact and construction equipment. One application, we match you with lenders for your equipment type.
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Yes. Many lenders finance used skid steers, typically those 5-7 years old or newer. Used equipment may require a larger down payment and shorter terms. Resale value and condition affect approval.
Most lenders look for 600 or higher. Scores of 680+ qualify for the best rates. Asset-backed financing sometimes works with 580+ when revenue and down payment are strong.
1-5 business days for equipment loans and leases. SBA loans add 30-60+ days. Having documents ready-financials, equipment quote, business info-speeds the process.
It depends. Leasing offers lower monthly payments, potential tax benefits, and easier upgrades when the lease ends. Buying builds equity and works if you plan to use the skid steer long-term. Compare both based on your cash flow, tax situation, and ownership goals. Equipment loan vs lease comparison.
Startups face tighter requirements. Most equipment lenders prefer 1-2+ years in business. New businesses may need larger down payments, shorter terms, or a co-signer with strong credit. SBA loans and some specialized programs can help newer businesses. Apply and we'll match you with lenders that fit your profile.
Typical requirements: 3-6 months of business bank statements, tax returns (business and personal if required), a recent profit and loss statement, equipment quote from your dealer, and business formation documents. Having these ready speeds approval. What lenders look at.
Yes. Many lenders include attachments (buckets, forks, augers, etc.) in the same financing package as the skid steer. Get a combined quote from your dealer and include it in your application. Bundling can simplify the process and sometimes improve terms.
Use our financing calculator to model different scenarios. A $50,000 skid steer at 9% over 48 months is roughly $1,245/month. A $35,000 compact unit at 10% over 36 months is about $1,130/month. Rates typically range 6-15% depending on credit and lender.
Explore our articles on equipment financing requirements, approval timelines, and best practices.
Applications are reviewed the same day. We match construction and landscaping businesses with lenders who specialize in compact equipment financing.