earthmoving · Equipment & asset finance
Skid steer loader finance
A skid steer is really an attachment carrier, and the attachments are where the money is made. We structure the finance so buckets, brooms, augers and trenchers are funded alongside the machine.
What is skid steer loader finance?
Skid steer loader finance is funding for a compact wheeled or tracked loader, secured against the machine. Australian buyers use skid steers across landscaping, concreting, farming and site clean-up, and the wide attachment range means lenders often fund the machine and its attachments on one contract.
Skid steer loaders sit in almost every Australian earthmoving fleet because one base machine does a dozen jobs. Fitted with a four-in-one bucket it moves material, with a broom it cleans a site, with an auger it drills footings, and with a trencher it runs services. That versatility is exactly why hire rates hold up and why the resale market is deep enough for lenders to be comfortable.
When financing, get every attachment onto the supplier invoice before settlement. Attachments bought later are hard to fund separately because their individual value is too low to interest a lender. A chattel mortgage is the usual structure for a business buying outright, while a finance lease or rental can suit a business that wants a lower monthly figure and expects to upgrade in three or four years.
Skid steer loader finance at a glance
| Typical price range | $35,000 – $160,000 |
|---|---|
| Finance term | Up to 60 months |
| Useful life | About 10 years |
| New or used | New machines dominate the tracked market; used wheeled skid steers under 3,000 hours are widely available and readily financed. |
| Indicative rates (Chattel mortgage) | 6.9% – 14.5% p.a. · rate history |
| Finance structures | Chattel mortgage (recommended), Equipment loan, Finance lease |
How lenders assess skid steer loader finance
Lenders treat skid steers as mainstream plant with a deep resale market, so terms are competitive. Tracked loaders hold value better than wheeled and can attract slightly longer terms. Attachments can usually be included on the same contract when they are listed on the invoice, but a lender will rarely fund attachments on their own. Ex-hire units are accepted with service records. Older machines beyond ten years generally need a deposit or a specialist lender, and private sales require PPSR clearance before settlement.
Before you buy
- Decide between tracks and wheels based on ground conditions — tracks cost more to run but keep you working on soft and sloping sites.
- Check the auxiliary hydraulic flow rating matches the attachments you plan to run; high-flow is needed for cold planers and mulchers.
- Inspect the lift-arm pins and bushes for play, and budget for tyres or rubber tracks if the machine is near the end of its wear.
Commonly financed
Bobcat S70, S650 and T650 · Caterpillar 236D and 259D · Kubota SVL75 · ASV RT-75 · New Holland L218
Estimate skid steer loader repayments
- Number of repayments
- 60
- Balloon at end of term
- $19,600
- Total interest (est.)
- $27,741
- Total repaid (est.)
- $125,741
This calculator provides an estimate only and does not account for fees, charges or the specific terms a lender may offer. It is not financial advice or an offer of finance.
Key terms
What is skid steer finance?
Skid steer finance is a secured loan or lease used to buy a skid steer loader and its attachments. The machine acts as security, terms typically run 36 to 60 months, and the lender pays the supplier directly on settlement.
Can attachments be included in skid steer finance?
Yes, when the attachments appear on the same purchase invoice as the machine. Buckets, augers, brooms, trenchers and grapples are routinely funded on the one contract. Attachments bought separately later usually fall below a lender’s minimum funding amount.