Rounding up the best: 7 skid steer models

Case’s B Series of skid steers includes the SR210B model, which has 74 horsepower

Skid steers have been around for about six decades, yet the machines are still integral contributors on job sites all around North America.

As part of our new equipment roundup series, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 365 takes you on a tour of the biggest manufacturers’ most recent offerings in the skid steer market.

ASV’s VS-75 and RS-75

Released earlier this month, the new vertical-lift VS-75 and radial-lift RS-75 from ASC Holdings Inc., the U.S. division of Yanmar Compact Equipment that specializes in skid steers and compact track loaders, have joined the manufacturer’s MAX-Series.

Although both have 74.2 horsepower, the VS-75 owns the series’ highest operating capacity at 3,500 lbs – the RS-75 has an operating capacity of 2,600 lbs.

Bobcat’s S510 and S590

As part of the new M3-Series of compact loaders, Bobcat introduced the S510 and S590 skid steer models in March 2021.

The radial-lift S510 (55 hp, 1,790-lb capacity) and vertical-lift S590 (68 hp, 2,000-lb capacity) are both powered by 2.4-liter Tier 4 Bobcat engines.

Case’s B Series

The lineup, launched in February 2020, includes nine skid steer models with varying lifting capacities and sizes, ranging from 49 hp (the SR130B model) to 90 hp (the SR270B and SV340B machines).

Case also installed the new “Creep Speed” function, which allows operators to set the skid steers’ speeds at a consistently low setting while independently setting attachment speed.

Caterpillar’s 242D3 skid steer is one of eight models in the D3 Series

Cat’s D3 Series

Caterpillar aimed to improve operator experience and stability when the company released its eight new D3 skid steers in August 2019 by widening the cab door and upgrading the undercarriage frame and torsion axles.

The two largest models in the series, the 272D3 (98 hp) and 272D3 XE (110 hp), can lift 3,450 lbs and 3,700 lbs, respectively.

John Deere’s G Series

Since 2016, the G-Series has been a staple in the skid steer space, and in November 2019, John Deere worked with customers to update five of its small-frame models that range from 37.8 to 45.6 hp and from 1,550-lb to 1,945-lb lifting capacity.

Most recently, at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020, John Deere unveiled a restored version of its JD24 skid steer for the model’s 50th anniversary.

Kubota’s SSV65 and SSV75

Both of Kubota’s skid steer offerings offer high horsepower (64 hp for the SSV65 and 74.3 hp for the SSV75) and lifting capacity (1,950 lbs for the SSV65 and 2,690 lbs for the SSV75).

The machines boast a 36-inch cab entrance and a roll-up door, and their longer vertical arm design is inspired by Kubota’s compact track loaders.

Wacker Neuson’s SW line of skid steers have optional high flow hydraulics that increase the range of usable attachments, which can improve efficiency and productivity

Wacker Neuson’s SW line

Of the manufacturer’s seven skid steer models, the 100-hp SW32 is the largest (8,629-lb operating weight) and the strongest (3,200 operating capacity).

According to Wacker Neuson, the company’s skid steers have optional high flow hydraulics that increase the range of usable attachments, which can improve efficiency and productivity.