Skid Steer vs. Mini Skid Steer: Which One Is Right for Your Job?
You already know you can’t fit a full-size excavator or bull dozer at the work site, but working by hand isn’t an option. Naturally, you settle on a skid steer. But should you pursue a mini skid steer rental or start looking for a skid steer for sale? At Harco, we’re here to lend a helping hand, whether that’s repairing your equipment or helping you find which skid steer is right for your next job.
What Is a Skid Steer?
If you haven’t had a chance to use this piece of compact equipment yet, allow us to introduce you to skid steer loaders. The name comes from how a skid steer turns—skidding along one side. The left and right sides have independent motors, allowing the operator to speed up one side or slow down the other to turn.
With ample attachments available, a skid steer can be outfitted to tackle innumerable tasks across industries. Plus, the unique turning mechanism makes skid steers one of the most maneuverable pieces of equipment available, regardless of size. Speaking of which, a skid steer rental may come in three distinct sizes: small, medium, and large frames. The frame size informs other features and which industry and uses best suit the size.
- Small-Frame Skid Steer
- Lift Capacity: less than 1,700 lbs
- Power: Under 50 horsepower
- Uses: Best for landscapers, developing construction sites, or interior work. Light warehouse work with the proper attachments.
- Medium-Frame Skid Steer
- Lift Capacity: Between 1,700 – 2,200 lbs
- Power: Between 50 – 75 hp
- Uses: Great for digging, carrying out tasks that need more power but not bigger equipment.
- Large-Frame Skid Steer
- Lift Capacity: over 2,200 lbs
- Power: over 70 horsepower
- Uses: Excavating work, land clearing, construction, and farm work.
What Is a Mini Skid Steer?
The mini skid steer is a capable addition to any arsenal looking for a power boost that doesn’t pack a punch to the budget and storage. A mini skid steer, sometimes called a compact or stand-on loader, is a narrow skid steer loader without a cab. Instead, the operator stands on a platform to control the motors and lift arm. But don’t be fooled by the size—some Wacker Neuson mini skid steers can still carry 1,000 lbs.
The compact size makes a mini skid steer rental the ideal choice for those who need the extra power but don’t have the budget or space for a full-size model. Landscapers working in tight yards don’t have to worry about how they’ll get their equipment to the site. Contractors just starting can get a leg up on competitors without sinking their budget thanks to a mini skid steer’s power, size, and affordability.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Skid Steer vs Mini Skid Steer
Will you be considering a skid steer rental for the next job or searching for a mini skid steer for sale for the next season? The answer depends on your needs. There are important differences between a skid steer and a mini skid steer that make one suit your work better than the other. Consider how a mini skid steer and skid steer stack up in these areas:
- Operating Weight: A mini skid steer can weigh between 2,600 lbs and 3,500 lbs, making them much easier to transport. A skid steer loader can weigh between 3,000 lbs and just over 10,000 lbs, depending on the frame size. Hauling these out to a worksite will require more logistical planning.
- Horsepower: A mini skid steer will have less horsepower, typically around 20-25 hp. Depending on the frame size, a skid steer for sale may have between 50 and 100 hp. The higher horsepower allows the skid steer to perform heavier or more intense tasks, but without as much maneuverability.
- Lift Capacity: The lift capacity of a mini skid steer is a respectable 1,000 lbs on some models. That puts it on par with many small-frame skid steers. But should you need more lift capacity, medium-frame and large-frame skid steers are the clear winners.
- Attachment Compatibility: Not every attachment will work on every skid steer, nor every mini skid steer. The auxiliary hydraulic flow determines the speed and performance of attachments, with a higher flow enabling better performance. If you have an attachment with higher hydraulic flow needs than your skid steer, it’s time to upgrade.
- Jobsite Demands: If the jobsite is particularly cramped, only a mini skid steer rental will do. But as the space and lifting needs increase, you can start to consider larger skid steer models. You may also want to consider a small-frame skid steer if there will be long hours and you don’t want someone standing up on a mini skid steer the entire time.
Which One Should You Choose? Use-Case Scenarios
The choice becomes clearer when you consider the differences in power, performance, and size between a mini skid steer and a skid steer. But if you’re still unsure, here’s what we recommend.
- Choose a skid steer if… your next job requires heavy lifting or material moving. Think construction, site clearing, and serious excavating. If there’s enough space and you can already tow equipment to the site, a full-size skid steer will get the job done efficiently.
- Choose a mini skid steer if… you’re engaged in landscaping or other work that involves tight spaces. Small home renovations, digging a few holes, and removing snow are all perfect for a mini skid steer. If you can’t easily tow or trailer equipment to the jobsite, a mini skid steer makes more sense.
Attachments: What Can Each Machine Do?
When it comes to skid steer loaders, the question really is, “What can’t they do?” With the right attachment, a skid steer can become a maneuverable version of more familiar, larger construction and landscaping equipment.
Many of these attachments are available for both mini and full-size skid steers, but speak with an expert or check the hydraulic power requirements before attaching.
- Landscaping: Augers, dirt buckets, trenchers, landscape rakes
- Construction: rock buckets, stump grinders, land levelers, log splitters, trenchers, backhoe
- Snow: buckets, snow blades, snow blowers
- Agriculture: tillers, balers, brush cutters, hay spears, mulchers
Why Buy Your Compact Equipment from Harco Equipment
Choosing between a mini skid steer for sale or a skid steer rental, or vice versa, is a choice that deserves real consideration. Either way, you’re investing in your business or backyard. At Harco, you find the answers to your questions and the assistance you need to make the best choice for you. You’ll also find top brands like Wacker Neuson and KIOTI attachments to customize your skid steer.
Plus, you can always count on us to provide the parts and service you need to keep your skid steer running season after season and job after job. And with three convenient locations, we’re never far from your worksite. Find the mini skid steer rental or skid steer purchase you need at a price and promise you can trust.
Our Recommendation
When space isn’t too much of a concern, a medium-frame skid steer makes for a great value. Plenty of power without sacrificing maneuverability. But should you need more power or less size, large-frame skid steer loaders or a mini skid steer make better options.
