Wheel Loader Pricing Guide: What They Cost in 2026

Wheel loaders are the backbone of material handling on construction sites, quarries, and aggregate operations. They also hold their value remarkably well — better than almost any other equipment category. Here's what you need to know about wheel loader pricing in 2026.

Why Wheel Loaders Hold Value So Well

Wheel loaders depreciate at just 10-13% per year — one of the lowest rates in heavy equipment. Several factors drive this:

• Long service lives — A well-maintained wheel loader can run 15,000-20,000+ hours. Compare that to a CTL that's often done at 5,000-6,000 hours.
• Essential versatility — They load trucks, move aggregate, feed crushers, clear snow, handle pallets, and more. Every jobsite needs one.
• Lower maintenance costs — No undercarriage to replace. Tires are expensive ($2,000-$6,000 each) but last 3,000-5,000 hours.
• Strong export demand — Used wheel loaders from the U.S. are in high demand overseas, which supports domestic pricing.

2026 Compact Wheel Loader Prices (1.0-2.5 yd³)

Compact wheel loaders have exploded in popularity as an alternative to skid steers for material handling. They're faster, more comfortable, and gentler on surfaces.

Model	Bucket Size	2-3 Years Old	5 Years Old	8+ Years Old
Cat 910/914	1.5-2.0 yd³	$95,000-$115,000	$70,000-$85,000	$45,000-$60,000
John Deere 324G/344G	1.2-1.75 yd³	$85,000-$105,000	$62,000-$78,000	$38,000-$52,000
Volvo L25/L30	1.0-1.3 yd³	$65,000-$80,000	$48,000-$60,000	$30,000-$42,000
Case 321F/521G	1.25-1.75 yd³	$78,000-$95,000	$55,000-$70,000	$35,000-$48,000

2026 Mid-Size Wheel Loader Prices (2.5-5.0 yd³)

The sweet spot for most construction and aggregate operations. These are the machines loading 10-wheelers and feeding batch plants.

Model	Bucket Size	3 Years Old	5 Years Old	8+ Years Old
Cat 950GC/962	3.5-4.5 yd³	$185,000-$225,000	$140,000-$175,000	$90,000-$125,000
John Deere 644/744	4.0-5.0 yd³	$175,000-$215,000	$130,000-$165,000	$85,000-$120,000
Volvo L120/L150	3.5-5.0 yd³	$165,000-$200,000	$125,000-$155,000	$80,000-$110,000
Komatsu WA320/WA380	3.2-4.5 yd³	$155,000-$190,000	$115,000-$145,000	$72,000-$100,000
Case 821G/921G	3.5-4.5 yd³	$150,000-$185,000	$110,000-$140,000	$70,000-$95,000

2026 Large Wheel Loader Prices (5.0-8.0+ yd³)

Production machines for quarries, mining, and large-scale earthmoving. These hold value extremely well due to high replacement costs and long service lives.

Model	Bucket Size	3 Years Old	5 Years Old	8+ Years Old
Cat 972/980	5.5-7.0 yd³	$275,000-$350,000	$210,000-$270,000	$140,000-$195,000
John Deere 844/944	6.0-8.0 yd³	$260,000-$330,000	$200,000-$255,000	$130,000-$180,000
Volvo L220/L260	5.5-7.5 yd³	$250,000-$320,000	$190,000-$250,000	$125,000-$175,000
Komatsu WA470/WA500	5.5-7.5 yd³	$240,000-$310,000	$185,000-$240,000	$120,000-$170,000

All prices assume good condition with average hours for age (800-1,200 hours/year). Regional pricing varies — machines in the Midwest and Southeast typically command higher prices.

Brand Premium: How Much More Does Cat or Deere Cost?

In the wheel loader market, brand matters more than in most other categories:

• Cat — Commands a 10-15% premium. Best parts availability, largest dealer network, strongest resale.
• John Deere — 5-12% premium. Excellent dealer network, especially strong in rural/agricultural areas.
• Volvo — Priced competitively, known for operator comfort and fuel efficiency. Strong in the European and export markets.
• Komatsu — Typically 5-10% below Cat/Deere for the same size class. Excellent machines, slightly smaller dealer network.
• Case — Most affordable among major brands. Good machines but lower resale value, which makes them an excellent buy for value-focused buyers.

What Affects Wheel Loader Value Most

1. Hours — Still the biggest factor, but the curve is gentler than for tracked machines. A loader with 10,000 hours is still mid-life.
2. Tire condition — Four new tires can cost $10,000-$25,000 depending on size. Check tread depth and sidewall condition.
3. Transmission type — Powershift vs. hydrostatic. Most buyers prefer powershift for production work, but hydrostatic is gaining ground in compact loaders.
4. Bucket and coupler — Quick-coupler-ready machines are worth more. A good general-purpose bucket in decent shape adds to the package value.
5. Scale system — An integrated payload scale adds $3,000-$8,000 to the value and is increasingly expected on production machines.

Need an instant value for a specific wheel loader? Try EquipBook's free valuation tool — it covers every major brand and model, from compact to production class.