The skid steer is small business in machine form: one operator, one versatile loader, and a stack of attachments that turns it into a grader, auger, brush cutter or forklift by lunchtime. At $30-90K it's also one of the most financed machines in America - and one of the most forgiving deals to get approved.
The pricing landscape
Yes, attachments finance too - and bundling the grapple, auger and trailer into the machine's deal at equipment rates beats putting $15K of attachments on a credit card at 24%.
| Machine | Price | Monthly (60 mo approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Used skid steer (1,500-3,000 hrs) | $22K - $38K | $470 - $800 |
| New mid-size skid steer | $45K - $65K | $950 - $1,350 |
| New compact track loader (CTL) | $55K - $90K | $1,150 - $1,900 |
| Attachment package | $5K - $25K | Bundled into the deal |
Getting approved: what actually moves the needle
- Personal credit: 650+ gets prime pricing; 600-650 stays fundable with modest rate adjustment; sub-600 is workable with 15-25% down
- Time in business: skid steers are the rare machine startups get approved for fast, since resale value is deep and liquid
- The down payment: 10% on strong credit, 20-25% on thin files - it's the single lever that unsticks a marginal application
- Attachments bundled in: lenders treat a grapple or auger as part of the machine's value, not a separate risky add-on
New vs. used: which one funds your first year
A 2026 new mid-size skid steer runs $45-65K with a 12-24 month manufacturer warranty and zero deferred maintenance risk. A 3-4 year old used unit with 1,500-3,000 hours runs $22-38K - roughly half - with most of its working life still ahead of it. For an unproven route or a first machine, the used unit is the lower-risk approval and the lower-risk business bet: less capital at stake if the contract pipeline is thinner than hoped. Once utilization is proven at 15+ billed days a month, moving to new on the next deal is a much easier approval with a stronger asset backing it.
The utilization math that justifies the payment
A CTL at $1,400/month needs roughly 3-4 billed days to cover its note at typical $85-120/hr operated rates. Everything past day four is margin. If your pipeline supports 12+ working days a month, financing isn't a risk - waiting is.
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Attachments: the real multiplier on one machine
A skid steer with one bucket is a loader. The same machine with a grapple, auger, brush cutter and pallet forks is four pieces of equipment on one chassis - and four revenue lines from one financed payment. Most operators underbuy attachments on day one and regret it by month three, once the calls for stump grinding or brush clearing start coming in and the machine can't do the job. Financing $10-20K of attachments alongside the machine, in the same deal, keeps the blended rate at equipment-loan levels instead of scattering purchases across credit cards and rent-to-own counters at 2-3x the cost.
Small iron, real service
Sub-$100K equipment deals get automated brush-offs at big banks. Dealerun partners fund skid steers and CTLs all day - app-only approvals, attachments included, often within 24 hours.
Price your machine + attachments
One deal, one payment, everything on the trailer.
FAQ
What credit score do I need to finance a skid steer?+
Around 600 opens real options; 650+ gets competitive rates on new machines. Sub-600 deals happen with 15-25% down, especially on used machines with strong resale value.
Should I finance new or used for my first machine?+
First machine, unproven pipeline: a clean 2,000-hour used unit at 60% of new price is the smart risk. Proven demand and 25+ working days a month: new, with warranty and no downtime surprises, pays for itself.
Can I add attachments to an existing skid steer loan later?+
Yes - a secondary attachment loan or a refinance that rolls the new gear into your existing balance both work. Bundling at purchase is cheaper, but adding later beats putting a $12K auger on a credit card at 24%+.
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