What Is My Skid Steer Worth? 2026 Pricing Guide

Skid steers and compact track loaders are the most versatile machines on any jobsite — and they hold their value better than almost any other piece of equipment. But figuring out exactly what yours is worth isn't always straightforward.

Whether you're trading in at a dealer, selling privately, or trying to decide if it's time to upgrade, here's everything you need to know about skid steer and CTL values in 2026.

Skid Steer vs Compact Track Loader: Does It Matter for Value?

Yes, and it matters a lot. Compact track loaders (CTLs) consistently sell for 15-30% more than comparable wheeled skid steers. The market has shifted heavily toward CTLs over the past decade because of their superior traction, lower ground pressure, and ability to work in soft conditions.

A 2022 Bobcat T770 (CTL) in good condition will typically sell for $15,000-$20,000 more than a comparable 2022 Bobcat S770 (wheeled). Keep that in mind when comparing your machine to listings you see online.

What Drives Skid Steer Value?

Every skid steer valuation comes down to these factors, roughly in order of impact:

1. Hours — The single biggest factor. Under 1,500 hours is "low hours" for a skid steer. Most machines average 400-600 hours per year. A machine with 3,000+ hours will sell for significantly less than the same model with 800 hours.
2. Make and model — Bobcat, Cat, and John Deere hold value best. Kubota and Case are close behind. Lesser-known brands can lose 10-15% more in resale.
3. Year and emissions tier — Tier 4 Final machines (2014+) hold value much better. If your skid steer has a DPF and DEF system, the market actually prefers the older Tier 3 models for simplicity — but Tier 4 still commands higher prices due to being newer.
4. Configuration — High flow hydraulics adds $3,000-$5,000. Two-speed adds $1,500-$3,000. Enclosed cab with A/C and heat adds $5,000-$8,000. Ride control, self-leveling, and joystick controls all add value.
5. Tires or tracks — For wheeled skid steers, tire condition matters. New tires ($2,000-$4,000 installed) are a strong selling point. For CTLs, track condition is critical — new tracks can cost $3,000-$6,000 to replace.
6. Included attachments — A bucket is standard, but a grapple, auger, trencher, or pallet forks can add $2,000-$10,000 to the package value.

2026 Skid Steer & CTL Price Ranges

Here are typical fair market values for popular models in good condition with average hours for their age:

Compact Track Loaders (CTL)

Model	2-3 Years Old	5 Years Old	8+ Years Old
Bobcat T770/T76	$55,000-$68,000	$38,000-$48,000	$22,000-$32,000
Cat 299D3/289D3	$58,000-$72,000	$40,000-$52,000	$25,000-$35,000
John Deere 333G	$52,000-$65,000	$36,000-$46,000	$20,000-$30,000
Kubota SVL97-2	$48,000-$58,000	$32,000-$42,000	$18,000-$26,000
Case TV450B	$50,000-$62,000	$34,000-$44,000	$19,000-$28,000

Wheeled Skid Steers

Model	2-3 Years Old	5 Years Old	8+ Years Old
Bobcat S770/S76	$42,000-$52,000	$28,000-$36,000	$16,000-$24,000
Cat 272D3	$45,000-$55,000	$30,000-$40,000	$18,000-$26,000
John Deere 332G	$40,000-$50,000	$27,000-$35,000	$15,000-$22,000
Bobcat S650/S66	$35,000-$43,000	$24,000-$30,000	$14,000-$20,000

These ranges assume good condition with average hours. Machines with low hours, high flow, enclosed cab, and included attachments can easily be 15-25% above these ranges.

Options That Add the Most Value

Not all options are created equal. Here's what buyers actually pay a premium for:

Option	Value Added	Why Buyers Want It
High Flow Hydraulics	$3,000-$5,000	Required for mulchers, cold planers, and many attachments
Enclosed Cab w/ A/C	$5,000-$8,000	Year-round comfort, required for dust and cold weather work
Two-Speed	$1,500-$3,000	Essential for travel between work areas and road work
Ride Control	$1,000-$2,000	Reduces fatigue and material spillage when traveling
Joystick Controls	$1,000-$2,000	Preferred by most operators over hand/foot controls
Self-Leveling	$800-$1,500	Speeds up loading and grading work

How to Maximize Your Skid Steer's Resale Value

Before you list or trade in, these steps can add thousands to your sale price:

1. Clean it thoroughly — Pressure wash the entire machine, clean the cab, and wipe down the dash. First impressions matter more than you think. A clean machine suggests good maintenance.
2. Fix easy things — Replace cracked mirrors, fix broken lights, repair torn seats. These are cheap fixes that signal neglect if left undone.
3. Gather maintenance records — Buyers pay a premium for machines with documented service history. Even a handwritten log is better than nothing.
4. List attachments separately — If you have a grapple, auger, or other attachments, decide whether they're worth more sold separately or as a package. Packages sell faster but individual sales often yield more total.
5. Know your number before negotiating — Get a valuation from a tool like EquipBook so you walk into every conversation knowing what the machine is actually worth. Dealers count on sellers not knowing the real value.

Trade-In vs Private Sale for Skid Steers

Skid steers are one of the easiest equipment types to sell privately because there's always demand from landscapers, farmers, and small contractors. Here's the math:

• Trade-in — Expect 60-75% of fair market value. Fast and easy, but you're leaving $8,000-$15,000 on the table on most machines.
• Private sale — Expect 85-100% of fair market value. Takes 2-6 weeks for popular models. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and MachineryTrader are the main channels.
• Auction — Expect 70-90% of fair market value. Unpredictable, but fast. Best for machines you need gone quickly.

For most people, private sale is worth the extra effort on skid steers because the demand is there and the buyer pool is huge compared to larger equipment.

Get Your Skid Steer's Value in 10 Seconds

Want to know exactly what your machine is worth right now? EquipBook's free valuation tool gives you trade-in, private party, dealer retail, and cash offer values — no signup required. It pulls from real auction data, dealer listings, and AI analysis to give you a number you can trust.