Skid-Steer Loaders

A skid-steer loader is a compact, highly maneuverable machine designed for lifting, carrying, and powering a wide range of attachments. Its four-wheel design with a zero-turn radius delivers exceptional agility, making it ideal for working in confined spaces or busy jobsites where speed and precision matter. 

Unlike compact track loaders, skid-steer loaders run on durable tires rather than rubber tracks. This makes them especially effective in snow, paved surfaces and in conditions where higher travel speeds and tight turns are essential.

While skid-steer loaders are best known for material handling with buckets, the industry’s largest selection of attachments—including grapples, snow blowers, augers, angle brooms, and forks—transforms them into versatile, jobsite-ready machines. With the right attachment, skid-steer loaders can tackle tasks ranging from digging and grading to sweeping and snow removal. 

Thanks to their versatility and proven performance, skid-steer loaders are essential in industries such as construction, landscaping, agriculture, snow removal, and more. Available in a variety of frame sizes, rated operating capacities, and power options, it’s easy to find a model suited to your specific work. 

Start your search for the right skid-steer loader by looking at the size of your workload. Once you know how much or how high you want to lift, you can start to match machine capabilities to your job requirements.   

If you’d like to dig in further, Bobcat offers plenty of tips for choosing a skid-steer loader.  

Although Bobcat® skid-steer loaders are designed to be easy to use, receiving proper training is essential. With Bobcat operator training courses, you can quickly learn what you need to know to efficiently operate a Bobcat skid-steer.

• Safe and efficient operation 
• Understanding of key components and safety features 
• Detailed explanations of controls and functions 

Courses are available online so you can learn at your own pace. They feature interactive videos, graphics, quizzes and more to make learning easy. For detailed training questions, reach out to your local dealer. 

You can find Bobcat skid-steers at your authorized Bobcat dealer. Use our Bobcat dealer locator to find Bobcat-authorized sales, service and support near you.

At first glance, Bobcat skid-steer loaders and compact track loaders look very similar from the cab up. The main difference lies in the undercarriage: skid-steers run on wheels, while track loaders run on rubber tracks. Each design offers unique advantages depending on your jobsite conditions. 

Skid-Steer Loaders 
Skid-steer loaders use four wheels that can turn independently, allowing the machine to “skid” into a full 360-degree pivot. This gives skid-steers exceptional maneuverability, especially on paved or hard-packed surfaces. Their wheeled design generally means: 

• Faster travel speeds for moving quickly around jobsites 
• Lower upfront cost compared to track loaders 
• Less maintenance and lower long-term ownership costs, since tires are easier to replace than tracks 

Skid-steer loaders are a smart choice when agility, speed, and cost-efficiency are the priority. 

Compact Track Loaders 
Compact track loaders use wide rubber tracks that distribute machine weight more evenly across the ground. This lower ground pressure provides excellent flotation, making track loaders ideal for soft, muddy, or sensitive surfaces where minimizing turf damage is critical. The track design also delivers: 

• Enhanced digging and pushing power due to better traction and balanced weight distribution 
• Ability to work in wet, muddy conditions, often sooner after rain than skid-steers 
• A smoother ride on uneven terrain and improved grading performance 

Compact track loaders are the go-to option when jobsites demand maximum traction, flotation, and minimal surface disturbance.