Buyer's guide
Used skid steer buying checklist
A used skid steer can be a great value or an expensive lesson, and the difference usually shows up in fifteen minutes of careful looking. This checklist walks through what to inspect and what to ask before you put money down or drive across the state to see a machine.
Available now in Billings
Current inventory
Start with hours in context, not in isolation
Hours matter, but a well-maintained machine at 3,000 hours can be a better buy than a neglected one at 1,200. Ask how the machine was used: steady work for one owner is easier on a skid steer than short bursts of hard rental abuse. Look at whether the hour reading matches the overall wear on the seat, controls, pedals and tires. A machine that looks beat but shows low hours deserves a harder look.
Walk the hydraulics and auxiliary circuit
Hydraulics are where expensive problems hide. With the machine warm, work the loader arms and bucket through full range and listen for chatter, watch for drift when you hold a load, and check that the auxiliary couplers engage cleanly. If you plan to run powered attachments, confirm whether the machine is standard or high flow. Look for weeping hoses, wet cylinders and fresh paint near fittings, which can hide a recent leak repair.
Tires, pins, bushings and the undercarriage of wear
On a wheeled skid steer, tires are a real cost, so factor uneven or worn tread into your offer. Grab the bucket and loader arms and check for slop in the pins and bushings, which wear with hours and load. Sloppy pins are normal wear but should be reflected in price. Check the chaincase area and final drives for leaks, and look under the belly for impact damage from working over rough ground.
Cold start, controls and the small stuff
Ask to start the machine cold if you can. A hard cold start, heavy smoke that does not clear, or a rough idle are worth investigating. Once running, test every control, the two-speed if equipped, heat and air conditioning, lights, the backup camera and the parking brake. Small broken items add up and also tell you how the previous owner treated the machine overall.
Questions to ask before you travel
Before making a trip, ask for the current hour reading, any known issues, service records, whether a bucket or attachment is included, and why the machine is being sold. Ask for photos of the undercarriage, the coupler and the hour meter. A straight seller will answer directly. At Billings Equipment, Chris will tell you what he knows about the specific unit and welcomes you bringing your own mechanic to inspect it.
Common questions
Before you buy
How many hours is a lot on a used skid steer?
There is no single cutoff. Maintenance and application matter more than the number. A cared-for machine at 3,000 hours can outlast a neglected one at 1,500.
Should I bring a mechanic to inspect a used skid steer?
Yes, if you can. A second set of trained eyes is cheap insurance on a machine this expensive, and any honest seller will welcome it.
Does a used skid steer come with a bucket?
Only if the listing says so. Always confirm which attachments are included before agreeing on a price.
What is the most important thing to check?
The hydraulics and undercarriage, because those repairs are the most expensive. Cosmetics are the least important.
Are prices negotiable?
Our machines are openly priced. Bring documented condition issues into the conversation and Chris will give you a straight answer.
One owner, direct answers
Ask Chris about the machine.
Talk with the person who selected and inspected the inventory.