With so many mini skid steer loaders available on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This guide will help you find the right one. We’ve gathered a comprehensive list of the leading mini skid steer models and brands, revealing the top 10 most popular mini skid steer models. Understanding popular choices and the reasons will help you make more confident and efficient decisions based on your project needs.
What Is A Mini Skid Steer?
Mini skid steer, compact utility loaders, are designed for off-road operations in tight spaces that larger equipment cannot access. They are also known as compact utility loaders. With its compact and flexible body, the mini skid steer can easily pass through backyard gates, operate efficiently in narrow corridors, and even inside buildings. It improves the efficiency of landscaping, construction, and property management. It can also be equipped with a variety of attachments. You can quickly switch between different tools, such as buckets, augers, and grapples, in minutes. These attachments allow a single loader to easily handle multiple tasks. With proper mini skid steer parts and crucial attachments, a single machine can quickly switch tools and tackle multiple tasks with ease.
Mini Skid Steer Models and Brands
The off-road machinery market is filled with excellent manufacturers. We’ve focused on brands known for their reliability, performance, and strong industry presence.
| Brand | Mini skid steer models |
|---|---|
| Bobcat | MT25, MT55, MT85, MT100, T25, T55, T66, T86 |
| Toro | Dingo TX 425, Dingo TX 525, Dingo TX 1000, Dingo 400 |
| Ditch Witch | SK500, SK600, SK800, SK1550, SK3000 |
| Vermeer | S400TX, S450TX, S600TX, S650TX, S800TX, S925TX |
| Kubota | SSV65, SSV75, SVL65-2, SVL75-2, SVL95-2 |
| Wacker Neuson | SW08, SW09, SW11, SW12, SW14, SW15, SW16, SW18, SW20, SW21, SW23, SW24, SW26, SW28 |
| Boxer | 322D, 322D Plus, 422D, 522D, 722D, 732D |
| Ramrod | R400, R600, R800, R1000, R1200, R1400, R1600 |
| Kanga | KM-400, KM-500, KM-600, KM-700, KM-900, KM-1000, KM-1300, KM-1400D, Loader 400 |
| KRT Equipment | CAT 239D, CAT 249D, CAT 259D, CAT 279D, CAT 289D, CAT 299D |
| Caterpillar | 317G, 318G, 324G, 325G, 331G |
| John Deere | 317G, 318G, 324G, 325G, 331G |
| Gehl | AL35, AL40, AL45, AL50, AL60, AL70, RT35, RT40, RT45, RT50, RT60, RT70, V35, V45, V55 |
| Mustang | ML35, ML40, ML45, ML50, ML60, ML70,MR35, MR40, MR45, MR50, MR60, MR70,MV35, MV45, MV55 |
| JCB | JCB 160, JCB 170, JCB 190, JCB 300, JCB 310, JCB 315, JCB 320 |
| ASV | VT60, VT70, VT80, VT90 |
| Takeuchi | CTL-4, CTL-5, CTL-6, CTL-7, CTL-8 |
| Allied Construction Products (Allied) | AL 400, AL 500, AL 600, AL 800, AL 1000, AL 1200 |
With so many brands and models on the market, choosing the right one may be a challenge for contractors, landscape designers, and other professionals. To simplify your decision-making, we gathered a list of the top 10 most popular brands and their representative models. This guide helps you quickly locate the suitable one for your project.
Top 10 Mini Skid Steer Models by Brand
Let’s take a closer look at the standout models from these major brands, known for their power, innovation, and reliability on the job site.
1. Bobcat MT100
Bobcat is arguably the most recognized name in skid steers. They are known for powerful performance, operator-friendly controls, and an extensive dealer network, which simplifies finding Skid Steer parts. The MT100 lifts a strong 1,000 lbs while staying narrow at just 36 inches, perfect for moving heavy materials in confined spaces. Its ride-on platform gives the operator better comfort and visibility than walk-behind models. This design helps reduce fatigue and makes work more efficient during long days.
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Rated Operating Capacity: 1,000 lbs
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Width: 35.6 inches
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Weight: 3,390 lbs
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Hydraulic Flow Rate: 12 GPM
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Horsepower: 24.8 HP
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Type: Track Loader
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Hinge Pin Height: 80.9 inches
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Bucket Capacity: ~3.9 cu. ft.
2. Toro Dingo TX 1000
Toro essentially created the mini skid steer market with its Dingo line. They are famous for their user-friendly, patented controls and a focus on operator comfort and productivity. The Dingo TX 1000 is ideal for landscaping with an impressive 81-inch lift height and a narrow profile. This lets you easily clear fences and high-sided dumpsters. Its well-known patented controls are very intuitive, making it easy to operate with precision in tight residential areas.
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Rated Operating Capacity: 1,000 lbs
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Width: 33.7 inches (Narrow Track model)
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Weight: 2,610 lbs
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Hydraulic Flow Rate: 15.2 GPM
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Horsepower: 24.9 HP
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Type: Track Loader
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Hinge Pin Height: 81 inches
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Bucket Capacity: ~4.0 cu. ft.
3. Ditch Witch SK800
Ditch Witch comes from a background in underground construction (trenching), so their machines are built exceptionally tough with a focus on stability and a low center of gravity. The SK800’s main advantage is its best-in-class 83-inch hinge pin height, making it the champion for loading high-sided trucks. Its wide, stable operator platform is one of the most stable and comfortable available. This gives the operator more confidence when lifting heavy materials to their maximum height.
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Rated Operating Capacity: 860 lbs
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Width: 42 inches
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Weight: 2,920 lbs
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Hydraulic Flow Rate: 15.1 GPM
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Horsepower: 24.8 HP
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Type: Track Loader
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Hinge Pin Height: 83 inches
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Bucket Capacity: ~4.3 cu. ft.
4. Vermeer CTX100
Vermeer is a heavyweight in heavy equipment, known for robust engineering and powerful hydraulics. Their mini loaders are designed for demanding commercial use. The Vermeer CTX100 is designed to run powerful attachments. It features a robust 40 HP engine and a high hydraulic flow rate of 15.5 GPM. This provides the power needed for demanding tools like stump grinders and mulchers to work at their best. If your job relies on high-performance attachments, this is the machine to consider.
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Rated Operating Capacity: 1,035 lbs
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Width: 42 inches
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Weight: 3,750 lbs
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Hydraulic Flow Rate: 15.5 GPM
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Horsepower: 40 HP
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Type: Track Loader
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Hinge Pin Height: 81.5 inches
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Bucket Capacity: ~4.1 cu. ft.
5. Kubota SCL1000
Kubota is renowned for its incredibly reliable engines and smooth hydraulics. Their machines are engineered for durability and ease of maintenance, with a strong reputation for long-term value. The Kubota SCL1000 focuses on a smooth and stable ride for the operator. It uses cushioned loader boom cylinders and has a wide track design. These features work together to reduce shaking and bouncing during operation. This results in less operator fatigue and helps prevent material spillage, making it great for long days.
- Rated Operating Capacity: 1,000 lbs
- Width: 35.9 inches
- Weight: 3,043 lbs
- Hydraulic Flow Rate: 15 GPM
- Horsepower: 24.8 HP
- Type: Track Loader
- Hinge Pin Height: 80.7 inches
- Bucket Capacity: ~3.9 cu. ft.
6. Boxer 700HDX
Boxer (a Morbark brand) focuses on creating powerful, hydraulic-driven machines. They offer a great balance of power and a slightly larger platform for enhanced stability. The Boxer 700HDX features a unique and highly useful design: a hydraulically expandable undercarriage. You can make the tracks narrow (35 inches) to fit through gates, then widen them (43.5 inches) for improved stability while working. This gives you both access and stability in one machine.
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Rated Operating Capacity: 735 lbs
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Width: 43.5 inches
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Weight: 3,020 lbs
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Hydraulic Flow Rate: 14.5 GPM
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Horsepower: 24.8 HP
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Type: Track Loader
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Hinge Pin Height: 78 inches
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Bucket Capacity: ~3.5 cu. ft.
7. Ramrod 1350
Ramrod is a Canadian manufacturer known for building simple, rugged, and purely functional machines. They focus on strength and reliability over complex electronics. This machine is all about lifting strength. The Ramrod 1350 has a massive 1,350 lb Rated Operating Capacity, making it one of the strongest lifters for its size. As a wheeled loader, it is fast on hard surfaces and perfect for moving heavy pallets of stone or sod at a job site or nursery.
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Rated Operating Capacity: 1,350 lbs
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Width: 44 inches
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Weight: 2,640 lbs
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Hydraulic Flow Rate: 11 GPM
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Horsepower: 27 HP
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Type: Wheel Loader
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Hinge Pin Height: 78 inches
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Bucket Capacity: ~4.5 cu. ft.
8. Kanga PW628
Kanga, an Australian pioneer, designs some of the most compact and lightweight loaders available. They are masters of creating machines for extremely tight access. The Kanga PW628 is the expert for extremely tight spaces. With its narrow 32-inch width and light weight, it can fit through a standard house doorway, which most other machines cannot do. This makes it the perfect choice for indoor renovation jobs or accessing small backyards with minimal ground disturbance.
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Rated Operating Capacity: 550 lbs
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Width: 32 inches (with narrow wheels)
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Weight: 1,856 lbs
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Hydraulic Flow Rate: 9.8 GPM
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Horsepower: 28 HP
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Type: Wheel Loader
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Hinge Pin Height: 71 inches
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Bucket Capacity: ~2.5 cu. ft.
9. Wacker Neuson SM100
This German-engineered brand is known for its high-quality construction and innovative, operator-focused design features that enhance safety and usability. The SM100 is designed to be very easy to maintain. It has a special forward-tilting operator platform that opens up to give direct, easy access to the engine and all hydraulic parts. This smart design saves a lot of time and effort on daily checks and repairs, helping keep the machine running smoothly.
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Rated Operating Capacity: 1,000 lbs
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Width: 35.5 inches
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Weight: 3,300 lbs
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Hydraulic Flow Rate: 13.6 GPM
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Horsepower: 24.7 HP
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Type: Track Loader
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Hinge Pin Height: 80.7 inches
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Bucket Capacity: ~3.9 cu. ft.
10. KRT Equipment ST900
Based in Miami, FL, KRT Equipment focuses on offering straightforward, powerful machines. Their key advantage is providing customers with a clear choice: the same powerful lifting platform is available as either a tracked (ST900) or wheeled (S900) model, catering directly to user preference for terrain and application. The ST900 stands out with its very high 1,102 lb ROC and a tall 83-inch hinge pin height, rivaling top competitors. It uses high-quality Italian and Danish hydraulic components and offers a choice between reliable Perkins or Kubota engines, signaling a focus on performance and durability. It’s a powerful and durable choice for buyers who want high specs.
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Rated Operating Capacity: 1,102 lbs
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Width: 41 inches
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Weight: 3,527 lbs
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Hydraulic Flow Rate: 16.5 GPM
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Horsepower: 24.8 HP
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Type: Track Loader (S900 wheeled version available)
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Hinge Pin Height: 83 inches
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Bucket Capacity: ~4.5 cu. ft.
How To Choose The Right Mini Skid Loader
Before you dive into specific brands and models, it’s crucial to define what you need. A machine that’s perfect for a landscaper might be wrong for a demolition contractor. Here are the key factors we believe you should consider:
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Rated Operating Capacity (ROC): This is the most important spec. It tells you how much weight the machine can safely lift and carry. A common mistake is buying a loader with a lower ROC to save money, only to find it can’t handle your daily tasks. Always match the ROC to the heaviest materials you plan to move.
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Width and Weight: Will the machine fit through gates or on narrow paths? Is it light enough to be transported on your current trailer? Measure the tightest access points on your typical job sites.
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Tracks vs. Wheels: Track loaders offer superior traction and stability on soft, muddy, or uneven ground and cause less turf damage. Wheel loaders are faster on hard surfaces like pavement and concrete, and are often more affordable.
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Hydraulic Flow Rate (GPM): If you plan to run power-hungry attachments like mulchers, stump grinders, or augers, a high hydraulic flow rate (measured in Gallons Per Minute) is non-negotiable. A machine with low GPM will underperform with these tools.
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Lift Height (Hinge Pin Height): How high do you need to lift? If you’re loading materials into high-sided dump trucks or trailers, you need a machine with a sufficient hinge pin height to clear the sides easily.
Don’t just buy horsepower; buy the right specs for your job. A loader with a high ROC and the right hydraulic flow will outperform a more powerful machine that’s mismatched for the task.
Wrapping Up
When picking a mini skid steer, start by figuring out your usage, then select models that match. There’s no single “best” skid steer brand—but there’s always one that’s perfect for your work. Whether you prioritize raw power, cab comfort, or budget, the 10 brands listed above are all top choices. We hope this guide proves helpful for you! Once you have your machine, keeping it running efficiently should be your top priority. That’s where FridayParts comes in as your long-term partner. We offer a large range of high-quality, affordable aftermarket parts for skid steer, helping you minimize downtime. Our parts experts are here to support you whenever you need them!
