A skid steer, also called a skid loader or a compact track loader, is a piece of heavy equipment designed for digging and hauling. While those are its main functions, you can use a skid steer loader in many different construction and landscaping applications due to its versatile arm and variety of attachments.
Skid steers are typically measured by their operating weight, which refers to the total weight of the machine when it’s in use, including attachments. Every skid steer also has a rated operating capacity (ROC), which is the heaviest weight the loader arms can handle at any lifting height. Staying within this limit keeps the machine stable, preventing it from tipping.
While the operating weight of a skid steer is one factor, its rated operating capacity (ROC), or the weight it can safely bear, also factors into how the vehicle functions on a job site.
In this article, we go over how much a skid steer weighs, as well as what can affect both the operating weight and the lift capacity of a skid steer.
How Much Do Skid Steers Weigh?
The operating weight of a skid steer typically ranges from 3,000 to 10,000 pounds, depending on the model. Most common skid steers have an average weight of 7,500 pounds.
Skid steers are generally classified into three size categories, determined by their ROC and horsepower. Generally speaking, the larger the machine, the more powerful and heavy it is. Here’s an overview of the main types of skid steers.
Small-Frame Skid Steers
Small-frame skid steers typically have an operating weight in the range of 5,000 to 6,000 pounds and a rated operating capacity of less than 1,750 pounds. Some compact models, like the Bobcat S70, are as small as 2,892 pounds with an ROC of 760 pounds.
Small-frame skid steers are lightweight, maneuverable, and able to work in tight spaces. They’re most often used in small interior construction work or landscaping.
These CASE and Bobcat skid steer models are some of the most popular small-frame skid steers:
| Model | Operating weight (lb) | Rated operating capacity (lb) | Horsepower |
| Bobcat S70 | 2,892 | 760 | 24 |
| CASE SR130 | 5,000 | 1,300 | 49 |
| Bobcat S450 | 5,370 | 1,370 | 49 |
Medium-Frame Skid Steers
Medium-frame skid steers typically have an operating weight between 6,000 and 7,000 pounds and a rated operating capacity ranging from 1,750 to 2,200 pounds. More powerful than the previous class, these skid steers are often used for mid-sized construction projects involving earthmoving, site development, clearing snow, and roadside work.
Bobcat and CASE manufacture these few popular medium-frame skid steer models:
| Model | Operating weight (lb) | Rated operating capacity (lb) | Horsepower |
| Bobcat S510 | 6,208 | 1,876 | 55 |
| Bobcat S590 | 6,765 | 2,101 | 68 |
| CASE SR120B | 6,970 | 2,100 | 74 |
Large-Frame Skid Steers
Large-frame skid steers can range from about 7,000 to 10,000 pounds in operating weight, and have a rated operating capacity greater than 2,200 pounds. They’re often used in large-scale applications that require more power, like demolition work, excavation, or transporting heavy debris over long distances.
Caterpillar, CASE, and Bobcat manufacture some of these popular large-frame skid steer models:
| Model | Operating weight (lb) | Rated operating capacity (lb) | Horsepower |
| CAT 246D3 | 7,478 | 2,200 | 74 |
| CASE SV340B | 9,100 | 3,400 | 90 |
| Bobcat S770 | 9,314 | 3,350 | 92 |
Factors That Affect the Operating Weight of Skid Steers
In addition to what size skid steer you’re working with, some other factors can affect the operating weight of your machine. Here are other factors to consider and how they impact a skid steer’s total weight:
- Counterweight: Counterweights are necessary to counterbalance the load and keep the vehicle stable. The more weight you’re carrying, the heavier the counterweight you’ll need to help balance it out.
- Attachments: Attachments are factored into the operating weight of a skid steer. The versatility of the vehicle’s arm allows for a variety of attachments to work with it. From augers to pallet forks, different attachments come in at different weights.
- Size of skid steer: In addition to offering more power and capability, larger skid steers also have heavier operating weights than smaller ones.
How Much Skid Steer Attachments Can Weigh
Skid steers can use a variety of attachments depending on your need. But each attachment contributes its own weight to the total operating weight of the machine. Here are some common skid steer attachments and what they generally weigh. Be sure to check the specs of your attachment to see how it affects your skid steer’s rated operating capacity.
- Bucket—36”/185 pounds: Buckets can help in digging, grading, and leveling as well as lifting and moving materials to and from a job site.
- Grapple—62”/884 pounds: Grapples help you lift and transport bulky loads and difficult-to-manage materials.
- Hydraulic breaker—659 pounds: Hydraulic breakers help in demolition, providing the force to break through concrete, rock, and asphalt.
- Snow blade—72”/738 pounds: Snow blades plow through and push large piles of snow.
- Angle broom—48”/260 pounds: Angle brooms sweep debris, including snow, out of the way, clearing paths for safe travel and use.
- Trencher—613 pounds: Trenchers can cut into the ground and dig deep trenches, regardless of soil makeup or condition.
- Brush cutter—62”/1,950 pounds: Brush cutters help control brush and undergrowth, clearing job sites of vegetation to prepare for work.
How Much Can Skid Steers Lift?
The lift capacity of a skid steer depends on the size and model. Many large-frame skid steer models can lift up to 3,500 pounds. Small-frame vehicles, on the other hand, are designed to lift lighter loads in tight spaces, resulting in a lower total lift capacity.
If your job has you dealing with a lot of heavy loads, you’ll likely need a larger skid steer. If you need more maneuverability, a small-frame skid steer is probably a better option.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent A Skid Steer?
The cost to rent a skid steer can depend on multiple factors, including the rental duration, type of skid steer, skid steer size, your location, and equipment availability. For example, the monthly rate to rent a skid steer with wheels ranges from about $600 to $1,000, while the monthly rate to rent a tracked skid steer ranges from about $700 to $1,500.
Download our FREE skid steer rental guide e-book today!
Need to Rent Out a Skid Steer?
If you’re looking to rent a skid steer, you’ve come to the right place. BigRentz has a variety of skid steer options to choose from, ranging from 500 pounds to 3,999 pounds, so you can find the right construction equipment for your job.
