Looking to rent a skid steer but not sure which one to pick?
This guide breaks down the most common types of skid steers — including compact track loaders, wheeled models, and large frame skid steers — and helps you decide which machine fits your project best. We’ll walk you through what to consider, which frame size matters, and why “rated operating capacity” should guide your decision.
Types of Skid Steer Loaders Available for Rent at Big Horn Machinery
As a preface, we usually use the term “skid steer” for 4-wheeled or tracked machines with a loader and hydraulics on the front. You might call them skid loaders, compact track loaders, or just a bobcat, but it all means the same thing.
We rent out three main types of skid steer loaders: compact walk-behind (ride-on), wheeled, and tracked.
Our compact walk-behind units are actually ride-on machines — you stand on a small back platform and control it from there. They’re a popular option when working in tight spaces like fenced yards or narrow landscaping paths. They’re easy to handle, light on turf, and built with fewer internal parts, which keeps maintenance simple. A lot of folks are surprised to find out you don’t walk behind it at all — you’re riding, just on a smaller machine that fits where others won’t.
Wheeled skid steers are the traditional workhorse. They’re fast, nimble, and best suited for hard surfaces like asphalt or dry ground. If you’re grading gravel in a driveway or hauling material across a clean, level job site, a wheeled model is a solid, fuel-efficient option.
Tracked skid steers give you more grip, more flotation, and better weight distribution on soft or unstable ground. The rubber tracks help minimize surface damage, which makes them a great choice for muddy job sites, snow-covered ground, or anywhere you’d normally get stuck with a wheeled machine. These tracked models are often the go-to for heavier-duty tasks on uneven terrain.
Skid Steer Sizes and Frame Options
Small frame skid steers are great for light residential work, like regrading a backyard or prepping a garden bed.
Medium frame machines step it up for mid-sized jobs with moderate lift and reach requirements.
And if you’re working on a larger construction site or need to handle heavier materials like rock or debris, large frame skid steers give you the extra muscle and bucket capacity.
Tracked vs Wheeled: Which Type of Skid Steer Is Right for You?
We usually recommend tracked skid steers when the soil is soft, the terrain is uneven, or you’re working on a slope. That extra traction and flotation helps avoid downtime. But if your site is dry, flat, and firm — or if you’re looking to get in and out quickly — wheeled skid steers are faster, more maneuverable, and cheaper to rent.
If your lift requirements exceed 3,000 lbs, we may recommend bumping up to a telehandler rental (or excavator rental depending on the type of work) instead. That’s a common tipping point where even our most powerful skid loaders can’t quite get the job done safely, especially if you’re lifting at full height.
Understanding Lift Types: Vertical vs Radial
Skid steers come with two primary lift types: vertical and radial.
Vertical lift skid steers are designed to keep the load close to the machine as it rises, which gives you more reach at full lift height. These are ideal for loading trucks or lifting pallets.
Radial lift machines, on the other hand, offer more forward reach at lower heights, making them a better fit for digging, grading, and ground-level work.
Rated Operating Capacity: What It Means
The rated operating capacity (ROC) tells you how much weight the machine can safely lift without tipping!
Yes, it’s important!
Most of our skid steers fall between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds of ROC, which is plenty for things like buckets of gravel, stacks of lumber, or fencing materials.
If you need to lift more than that, you’re likely better off with a larger machine or telehandler. Knowing your required lift capacity up front saves time and keeps the job site safer.
If you’re not sure? Just call! We can help you decide which skid steer size is right for you.
Popular Skid Steer Attachments We Offer
Our lineup of skid steer attachments is built around real-world jobs.
- If you’re moving pallets or materials, we’ve got pallet forks.
- Ranchers love our post drivers, hay forks, and wire winders — they’re go-to tools for fence building and livestock handling. One of our regular ranch customers uses our hay forks and post driver every season to run new fencing on his property.
- For site prep and clean-up, we rent out trenchers, post hole augers, and angle brooms.
- And when you need to break up concrete or dig deep, we offer hydraulic hammers and breakers.
- We also carry snow blades in the winter.
If you need something specific, just ask — we’re always adding more to the fleet.
Who Rents These Machines?
We rent to just about everyone. Homeowners tackling backyard grading, tree removal, or gravel driveways come to us for compact or small frame units. Contractors count on us for foundation prep, material handling, and mid-size construction work. Ranchers use our equipment for everything from hauling hay to digging post holes. We even support crews on large construction sites who need heavy lifting power with reliable uptime.
Why Rent From Big Horn Machinery? Trusted Equipment Rentals “Near Me”!
We’re an equipment rental company in Rawlins, WY serving folks across southern Wyoming and northern Colorado. Most of our rentals are around a 40-mile radius of Carbon County, but we’ll travel up to 100 miles if the job calls for it. We stock machine rentals from trusted names like Bobcat, CAT, and John Deere, so you’re not locked into one manufacturer.
We know this gear because we’ve used it — we’re not just renting equipment, we’re offering real advice based on hands-on experience. A lot of other places only stock one brand. Not us. We’ve got a variety so you can get the machine that actually fits the job, not just the one someone’s trying to push.
If you’re looking for a skid steer rental near you, give us a call. We’ll help you choose the right skid steer, the right attachments, and the right delivery plan for your job site. Whether it’s a compact ride-on for your backyard or a large frame machine for a major construction job, we’ve got the equipment and experience to help you get it done.
