Hire a wheeled skid steer for hard, dry surfaces such as demolition clean-up and spreading on slabs, and a tracked loader (posi-track) for soft ground, turf, slopes and landscaping. Dry hire is typically $300–$500 per day. Common attachments are a 4-in-1 bucket, pallet forks, auger, trencher and sweeper; book them with the machine.
Wheels or tracks?
A wheeled skid steer is fast, cheap to run and ideal on hard, level, dry surfaces—demolition sites, slabs, car parks and gravel yards. Skid steering scuffs soft surfaces and it can bog in wet clay.
A compact track loader (often called a posi-track after the ASV brand) spreads its weight over rubber tracks. It works on turf, sand and moderate slopes, keeps going after light rain and leaves far less damage. It costs more to hire and track wear is charged on some agreements, so read the terms.
Size to the access and the material
Compact loaders range from narrow units around 0.9–1.2 m wide that fit a side passage to full-size machines around 1.8–2 m wide. Bigger machines carry more per trip and handle heavier attachments, but need wider access and a larger truck to deliver.
Give the supplier the volume in cubic metres and what the material is. Moving 20 m³ of mulch is very different from moving 20 m³ of wet clay or road base.
Attachments
The attachment usually decides whether a skid steer can do the whole job.
- 4-in-1 bucket — dig, grab, level and back-blade
- Pallet forks — pavers, retaining-wall blocks and bagged product
- Auger — fence posts, piers and tree holes
- Trencher — narrow service trenches in soft ground
- Rotary hoe or soil conditioner — turf and garden preparation
- Sweeper and grading or levelling bar — finishing and clean-up
Skid steer or excavator?
Skid steers push, carry, spread and load; excavators dig. On a typical house site the two work together: the excavator digs footings and loads trucks while the skid steer moves spoil, spreads fill and cleans up.
If the job is mostly spreading and levelling imported material, a skid steer alone is often enough. If it is mostly digging below ground level, start with an excavator.
Delivery and operation
Most skid steers arrive on a tilt tray or tag trailer, with delivery charged each way. There is no High Risk Work Licence for skid steers, but operators must be competent and commercial sites commonly require a verification of competency and a White Card.
Loaders tip easily with a raised load on a slope. Travel with the bucket low, go straight up and down slopes rather than across them, and keep people clear of the loader arms.
| Type | Best on | Watch out for | Indicative dry hire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeled skid steer | Slabs, demolition, gravel, dry ground | Bogging, turf damage | $300 – $450 / day |
| Tracked loader (posi-track) | Turf, sand, soft ground, slopes | Track wear charges, higher rate | $350 – $550 / day |
| Mini loader (walk-behind or stand-on) | Backyards, very narrow access | Small payload, slower | $200 – $350 / day |
Indicative 2026 metro ranges ex GST, excluding delivery, fuel, damage waiver and attachments. Wet hire with an operator is usually charged hourly with a minimum.
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Common questions
How much does it cost to hire a Bobcat?
A skid steer or posi-track typically dry hires for about $300–$500 per day in metropolitan areas, excluding GST, delivery and attachments. With an operator, expect an hourly rate with a minimum, often 4 hours.
What is the difference between a Bobcat and a posi-track?
"Bobcat" is a brand name used for any skid steer loader. A posi-track is a compact track loader—a skid steer on rubber tracks—that works better on soft ground, turf and slopes.
Do I need a licence to drive a skid steer?
No High Risk Work Licence is required, but you must be competent. Most commercial sites ask for a verification of competency and a White Card.
Can a skid steer dig footings?
Only shallow ones. A skid steer can dig with a bucket or trencher, but an excavator is far more accurate and efficient for footings and trenches.