How Many Hours Is Too Many on a Skid Steer?

You are looking at a used Bobcat S650 listed for $34,000 with 4,200 hours. Or maybe a Cat 262D3 with 6,800 hours for $28,000. The price looks right, but you are wondering: are those hours too many? Is the machine about to become a money pit, or does it have years of work left?

This is one of the most important questions you can ask before buying a used skid steer, and the answer is not as simple as a single number. Hours on a skid steer are different from hours on an excavator or a dozer, and understanding why will help you make a smarter buying decision.

Why Skid Steer Hours Are Different

Here is something most people do not realize: a skid steer works harder per hour than almost any other piece of equipment on a job site. Every hour on a skid steer involves constant stress on the machine.

Think about what a skid steer does all day. It pushes into a pile, lifts a full bucket, drives across rough ground, dumps the load, and turns back to do it again. The entire time, the drivetrain is under load, the hydraulics are working, and the machine is twisting and flexing. A skid steer turns by locking one side and spinning the other — that is brutal on tires, chains, drive motors, and the frame itself.

Compare that to an excavator, which sits in one spot and swings a boom. The undercarriage on an excavator is not fighting the ground every second. The frame is not flexing under load the same way.

This means 5,000 hours on a skid steer is not the same as 5,000 hours on an excavator. Those 5,000 skid steer hours represent significantly more wear and tear on the machine's core components. As a rough rule of thumb, many mechanics say that one skid steer hour equals roughly 1.5 to 2 excavator hours in terms of overall machine stress.

Key takeaway: Do not compare skid steer hours to excavator hours. A skid steer with 5,000 hours has been worked harder than an excavator with 5,000 hours. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

Hour Thresholds: What the Numbers Mean

Let us break down what different hour ranges mean for a used skid steer, what you should expect at each level, and what it means for your buying decision.

Hours	Condition Category	What to Expect	Financing Impact
0 - 1,500	Low Hours	Nearly new feel, minimal wear, all original components likely fine	Easiest to finance, best rates, longest terms
1,500 - 3,000	Moderate	Proven machine, normal wear items replaced, still plenty of life	Very financeable, standard terms
3,000 - 5,000	Working Machine	Visible wear, may need some hydraulic or drivetrain attention soon	Financeable with good lender, standard down payment
5,000 - 7,000	High Hours	Expect maintenance costs to increase, major components may need attention	Some lenders cautious, higher down payment possible
7,000 - 10,000	Very High	Approaching end of primary useful life, significant repairs likely	Harder to finance, shorter terms, more down
10,000+	Extreme	Major rebuilds likely needed or already done, frame fatigue possible	Most lenders pass, private lending or cash

These ranges are generalizations. A Bobcat S650 with 6,000 hours that was dealer-maintained, ran in clean sand for a landscaping company, and had its hydraulic oil changed on schedule can be in better shape than a 3,000-hour machine that was abused on a demolition site and never had the oil changed.

What 3,000 Hours Looks Like

At 3,000 hours, a skid steer is solidly into its working life but far from worn out. This is often the sweet spot for used buyers.

• Multiple engine oil and filter changes (every 250-500 hours)
• Hydraulic oil and filter changes (every 1,000-1,500 hours)
• Probably one or two sets of tires (or track replacements on a CTL)
• Drive belt replacement
• Air filter replacements
• Possibly a set of bucket teeth

• Hydraulic hoses for cracking, swelling, or weeping
• Lift arm pins and bushings for play (grab the bucket and try to wiggle the arms)
• Cab for cracks around the ROPS mount points
• Engine for blow-by (remove the oil fill cap with the engine running — excessive smoke means worn rings)
• All cylinders for leaks or scoring
• Drive chains or belts (depending on brand)

A well-maintained machine at 3,000 hours should have another 3,000 to 5,000 hours of solid service ahead of it. This is a good buy if the price is right and the maintenance records check out. Financing is straightforward — most lenders treat a 3,000-hour skid steer as a standard used equipment deal. For more on financing options, see our complete skid steer financing guide.

What 5,000 Hours Looks Like

At 5,000 hours, you are past the halfway mark on most skid steers. This is where maintenance history becomes critical, because a well-maintained machine can still have years of life, but a neglected one is about to get expensive.

• Everything on the 3,000-hour list, multiple times
• Hydraulic pump inspection or reseal
• At least one alternator replacement
• Several tire or track changes
• Possible drive motor reseal or replacement
• Coolant system flush and thermostat replacement
• Possibly a set of loader arm bushings

• Hydraulic system performance — slow cycle times mean the pump is wearing
• Unusual noises from the drive motors or final drives
• Frame cracks, especially around the loader arm pivots and rear axle mounts
• Engine oil consumption — if it is burning oil between changes, the engine is wearing
• Electrical gremlins — wiring harnesses fatigue after years of vibration

Key takeaway: At 5,000 hours, the machine's history matters more than the hour number itself. A 5,000-hour skid steer with full maintenance records from a reputable dealer is a far better buy than a 3,000-hour machine with no records and unknown history.

What 8,000 Hours Looks Like

At 8,000 hours, a skid steer is in the final third of its useful life. That does not mean it is junk — plenty of machines work past 8,000 hours — but you need to go in with open eyes about what you are buying.

• Hydraulic pump (possibly twice)
• At least one drive motor
• Multiple sets of tires or tracks
• Loader arm pins and bushings (possibly multiple times)
• Several hydraulic cylinders resealed
• Alternator, starter, and various electrical components
• Cab suspension seat, joystick boots, and wear items

• Frame cracks that have been welded — this is a sign of structural fatigue and the crack will likely come back
• Hydraulic system that runs hot — the pump is struggling
• Excessive play in the loader arms — worn pins and bores that may need sleeving
• Engine blowing blue or white smoke — major engine work ahead
• Tracks or tires that were recently replaced on a machine being sold — the seller may be dressing it up for sale

Inspection Checklist by Hour Range

Use this checklist when inspecting a used skid steer. The items marked are what you need to pay special attention to at each hour range.

• Verify hours match maintenance records
• Check all fluids (engine oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant)
• Test all functions (lift, tilt, drive, auxiliary hydraulics)
• Look for leaks under the machine
• Check tire or track condition
• Start cold and listen for unusual noises
• Test the backup alarm, lights, and gauges

• Hydraulic cycle times (lift and tilt should be crisp, not sluggish)
• Loader arm pins (grab the bucket edge and push side-to-side)
• Frame weld points around loader pivots and axle mounts
• Drive performance (should not pull to one side)
• Engine blow-by test
• Check hydraulic oil for metal particles (take a sample if possible)

• Request an oil analysis if possible (tells you about internal engine wear)
• Check final drives for noise and leaks
• Look for any welded frame repairs
• Test auxiliary hydraulic flow with an attachment
• Check cab for cracks around ROPS
• Look at wiring harness condition
• Check undercarriage for roller and idler wear (CTL models)

• Having a dealer or independent mechanic do a full inspection ($300-$500)
• Getting a hydraulic flow test
• Budgeting $5,000 to $10,000 for near-term repairs
• Negotiating the price down to reflect expected maintenance

How Hours Affect Resale Value

Hours are the single biggest factor in a used skid steer's resale value, after brand and model. Here is how value typically drops as hours accumulate on a medium-frame skid steer like a Bobcat S650.

Hours	Approximate Value (% of New)	Example: $60,000 New
500	80-85%	$48,000 - $51,000
1,500	65-75%	$39,000 - $45,000
3,000	50-60%	$30,000 - $36,000
5,000	35-45%	$21,000 - $27,000
7,000	25-35%	$15,000 - $21,000
10,000	15-25%	$9,000 - $15,000

These are rough guidelines. Year, condition, location, and market demand all play into the actual price. But the trend is clear: value drops steeply in the first 2,000-3,000 hours, then the decline flattens out. Buying in the 2,000-4,000 hour range often gives you the best value because someone else has already absorbed the steepest depreciation.

How Hours Affect Financing

Lenders think about hours in terms of risk. More hours means more chance of breakdown, which means more chance the borrower stops paying because the machine is sitting in the shop instead of earning money.

Here is what most equipment lenders use as rough guidelines for skid steers:

Hours	Lender Comfort Level	Typical Terms Available
Under 2,000	Very comfortable	Up to 6-7 years, 10% down, competitive rates
2,000 - 4,000	Comfortable	Up to 5 years, 10-15% down
4,000 - 6,000	Moderate	3-4 years, 15-20% down
6,000 - 8,000	Cautious	2-3 years, 20%+ down, higher rates
Over 8,000	Reluctant	Private lenders, 25%+ down, short terms

The age of the machine matters alongside the hours. A 2022 Bobcat S650 with 4,000 hours was worked hard but it is still a recent-year machine. A 2014 Bobcat S650 with 4,000 hours was barely used but it is old. Lenders factor both into their decision.

Red Flags That Matter More Than Hours

Sometimes the hour number is less important than what you find when you inspect the machine. Here are red flags that should make you walk away regardless of the hours.

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Key takeaway: A machine with moderate hours and complete maintenance records is almost always a better buy than a low-hour machine with no history. The records tell the real story.

So How Many Hours Is Too Many?

There is no single number. But here is a practical framework.

If you are buying a skid steer to run it every day as a core piece of your operation, and you plan to keep it for 3 to 5 years, look for something under 4,000 hours. You will get solid performance, reasonable financing terms, and a machine that still has good resale value when you are ready to trade up.

If you are buying a backup machine, something for part-time use, or a unit for a specific project, a machine with 5,000 to 7,000 hours can be a great deal if the price is right and it has been maintained. Just budget for more maintenance and understand that financing options may be limited.

Over 8,000 hours, you are buying a machine that is in the last chapter of its life. That can still make financial sense if the price is low enough and you have a mechanic who can keep it running, but it is a different kind of purchase — more of a calculated risk than a straightforward investment.

Sources: TrackCheck.ca, MachineryTrader, manufacturer service guidelines. Information current as of March 2026.

Whatever the hours, always inspect the machine, check the records, and have a realistic maintenance budget. If you need help financing a used skid steer at any hour range, you can apply with IronFinance and we will match you with a lender who fits your situation. We have helped contractors finance machines at every hour range, and we will give you a straight answer about what is realistic for the machine you are looking at.