Look, I’m not going to pretend there’s a single “best” Bobcat machine. If someone tells you the answer is a mini excavator or a skid steer without asking what you’re actually doing on site, they’re selling you something — not helping you.
Here’s the thing: I’ve been a fleet manager for 8 years, handling equipment orders for a mid-sized contractor in the Midwest. In that time I’ve personally made (and documented) 12 significant mistakes, totaling roughly $45,000 in wasted budget. One of those was a $9,200 mistake because I bought the wrong plate compactor for a job that needed deep lifts. Ugh.
Now I maintain our team’s equipment selection checklist. This isn’t theory — it’s what I wish someone had told me before my first Bobcat order.
(Pricing as of January 2025 based on quotes from three authorized Bobcat dealers; verify current rates.)
There’s No Universal Answer — It Depends on Your Situation
The biggest mistake I see new buyers make: they think in terms of “what machine is best” instead of “what problem am I solving.” A Bobcat mini excavator for sale might be exactly right — or it could be overkill. A plate compactor might seem like a cheap accessory, but if you’re doing flatwork, it’s literally half your day.
I’ll break this down by three common job scenarios. If you tell me which one describes your work, I can point you to the right direction. No fluff.
Scenario A: You’re Mostly Digging — Trenches, Foundations, Utility Lines
If the primary task is digging earth, moving dirt from the ground to somewhere else, you want a mini excavator. Specifically, a Bobcat mini excavator with a zero-tail-swing model if you’re working in tight spaces.
In 2021 I specified a skid steer with a backhoe attachment for a project that was 90% trenching. That worked — sort of. The skid steer could do it, but it took four times as long because the machine had to be repositioned constantly. The bucket control wasn’t as precise. On a $18,000 contract, the inefficiency cost us about $2,800 in extra labor. (I still kick myself for that one.)
What I’d do differently: For digging-heavy work, get a mini excavator. Budget $30,000–$65,000 for a used late-model Bobcat E35 or E50 (prices vary by hours and condition, as of January 2025). Look for a Bobcat tractor dealer with good parts availability — I learned the hard way that dealer network matters more than the sticker price.
Watch out for: Do you also need to backfill and grade? A mini excavator can do that, but it’s less efficient than a skid steer. If you’re 60% digging + 40% grading, consider renting a mini excavator for the dig phase and using a skid steer for the rest.
Scenario B: You’re Handling Material — Hauling, Grading, Snow Removal
If your site involves moving piles of material (gravel, topsoil, debris), grading driveways, or clearing snow, a Bobcat skid steer loader is your workhorse. The versatility of attachments makes it the Swiss Army knife of compact equipment.
But here’s the nuance: not all skid steers are equal. In 2023 I recommended a radial-lift model for a customer who did a lot of truck loading. Turns out they needed a vertical-lift because their trucks had high sideboards. The operator struggled, and we had to swap machines after 2 months. Costly lesson.
What I’d recommend: If your primary lifting height is above 8 feet, go vertical-lift. If you’re mostly ground-level grading or pushing, radial-lift is cheaper and more stable. A good used Bobcat S650 or T770 (tracked) runs $35,000–$70,000 depending on hours (prices verified via dealer quotes, January 2025).
Also consider: A plate compactor attachment is a cheap add-on (~$1,200–$2,500) that turns your skid steer into a compaction machine. If you do any asphalt patching or base prep, don’t skip it. I once ordered a skid steer without a plate compactor and ended up renting one for $300/day — wasted money.
Oh, and someone will inevitably ask about Lamborghini tractors. Look, they make beautiful machines, but for construction work you want something built for abuse with a dealer within a day’s drive. Bobcat’s support network is why I stick with them.
Scenario C: You’re Doing Flatwork or Small-Scale Compaction
If your project is mostly walkways, patios, retaining wall bases, or utility trench backfill — the plate compactor itself might be the machine you need, not a whole excavator or loader. A dedicated walk-behind plate compactor (like Bobcat’s AP3650 or other brands) is cheap and effective.
But here’s the surprise: many buyers think a skid steer with a vibratory plate is the same. It’s not. A dedicated plate compactor delivers more consistent force on smaller areas, and it’s lighter. For $1,500–$3,000 you get a tool that lasts years if you maintain it.
My mistake: In 2022, I bought a used plate compactor without checking the eccentric weight system. The plate had been abused and the vibration was weak. We spent $580 on repairs in the first season. Now I always test-run compaction on a flat surface before buying used.
Pro tip: If your compaction depth exceeds 6 inches, you might need a larger roller. A plate compactor is for surface-level work (up to 12 inches, depending on soil type).
How to Decide Which Scenario You’re In
This sounds simple, but I still see customers get it wrong. Here’s a quick checklist I use:
- Primary task: Write down the #1 material handling you do. Is it moving dirt out of the ground? Scenario A. Moving dirt across the site? Scenario B. Compacting a thin layer? Scenario C.
- Frequency: If you do the same task >70% of the time, get a machine purpose-built for it. If you mix tasks daily, consider a skid steer with attachments.
- Future jobs: Don’t buy for the job you have — buy for the next 3 years. I made that mistake ordering a mini excavator for one-time trenching, then needing a skid steer six months later.
Still unsure? A good Bobcat tractor dealer will let you demo equipment. Don’t skip that. I wasted $45,000 learning that lesson — you don’t have to.
(Prices and data are as of January 2025. Equipment markets shift, so verify current pricing with your local dealer before committing.)
