Classifieds spotlight: 5 skid steer loaders under $50K

Most contractors and tradies will agree that the skid steer loader (SSL) is one of the most versatile machines in the industry.

While loading is its main task, skid steers can be used to grade, mix cement and even offer workers a lift via a working platform, as we highlighted in our piece on the plethora of uses a SSL offers.

There are basically two different types of skid steers: ones with wheels, known simply as skid steer loaders; or ones with tracks, commonly referred to as compact tracked loaders (CTL).

Which one you choose depends on the work you will mainly be doing, the terrain you will be working on, and of course, your budget. For example, wheeled machines are more suitable for work on harder surfaces while tracked machines are ideal for muddy, wet grounds.

Here, we picked six machines listed on constructionsales.com.au that won’t blow the budget and are in excellent condition ready to get straight to work. Don’t forget too that you can write them off on your next tax return, thanks to the Government’s generous $150,000 limit Instant asset write-off incentive.

2012 Caterpillar 259B3

Location: WA

Undercarriage: Track

Condition: Used

Hours: 2568

Price: $40,000 (excluding government charges)

A Cat loader for this price range is pretty hard to come by, and this one certainly caught our eye.

This compact tracked loader recently had its engine and hydraulic cooler replaced and air conditioning serviced.

2019 Hercules RAPTOR RSS65

Location: QLD

Undercarriage: Wheel

Condition: New

Hours: 0

Price: $44,950 (excluding government charges)

A brand new skid steer for under $50,000? Yes it exists!

Epic name aside, this new 3.1-tonne skid steer loader has a 65hp Japanese Yanmar engine, a spacious air-conditioned cabin with joystick controls, 4-in-1 bucket, multi-fit quick hitch and Rexroth hydraulics.

2015 Bobcat S590

Location: Vic

Undercarriage: Wheel

Condition: Used

Hours: 3381

Price: $35,000 (excluding government charges)

Perhaps the most prominent name that is synonymous with skid steers is Bobcat, so it wouldn’t be right to feature a list of skid steers without including this iconic brand.

This 2015 Bobcat S590 skid steer for sale looks to be in great condition and comes with high flow hydraulics to work with the most demanding of attachments.

Some other notable features include an adjustable suspension seat, deluxe air-conditioned operator cab, vertical lift configuration, and ROPS/FOPS.

2015 Toyota Huski 5SDK8

Location: Vic

Undercarriage: Wheel

Condition: Used

Hours: 1138

Price: $34,000 (excluding government charges)

Toyota is not just well known for its reliable range of automobiles and off-road utility vehicles, but it is also known for its range of industrial equipment which include forklifts, skid steers and recently launched mini excavators.

Its Huski range of skid steers are one of the more prominent names in the market, and is often the brand of choice of corporations needing to purchase a fleet of loaders for material handling purposes.

This 5SDK8 can carry loads of up to 650kg and features a spacious cabin loaded with safety features. Some of that include a two-point seatbelt, multiple safety interlock systems, back up buzzer and more. It also comes with a 4-in-1 GP bucket, ready for work.

2016 JCB 300w

Location: Qld

Undercarriage: Wheel

Condition: Used

Hours: 2587

Price: $39,000 (excluding government charges)

JCB is another household name in the construction industry, and is perhaps best known for its backhoe loaders which was the company’s core product in its earlier years back in the 1950s.

From excavators to tractors, and from telescopic handlers to skid steer loaders, JCB has left no stone unturned in the heavy machinery sector.

This 2016 JCB 300w for sale has done low hours and looks to be in near new condition. It comes with a 4-in-1 bucket, high flow hydraulics, and a comfortable cab the seller said is quiet enough to have a phone conversation in even at full RPM. The seller also added this JCB 300w has the best visibility out of all skid steers, with the single arm boom allowing operators to exit the cab even with the boom half up to adjust load on the forks, for example.

It has a 90hp output, 2700kg lift capacity with bucket and was recently serviced.