A used skid steer can be a great buy or an expensive lesson. Most problems are visible if you know where to look and give yourself an unhurried hour with the machine. Bring a flashlight, a rag, gloves and, if you can, someone who wrenches on these machines.
Ask the seller not to warm the machine up before you arrive. A cold start tells you a lot.
Paperwork first
- Serial number on the plate matches the title, bill of sale or ownership documents
- Hour meter reading, and whether it has ever been replaced
- Service records: oil, filters, hydraulic fluid, major repairs
- Reason for selling, asked plainly
Engine
- Cold start: should start without long cranking; note any heavy smoke that does not clear
- Blow-by: with the engine running, remove the oil fill cap and watch for heavy vapor puffing out
- Leaks around the head gasket, oil pan and turbo
- Coolant: clean, no oil film; check for milky oil on the dipstick
- Air filter condition and the intake for signs of dust ingestion
Hydraulics
- Raise the arms fully and let them sit: noticeable drift down suggests worn cylinder seals or valves
- Curl and dump the bucket under load and listen for the pump straining
- Look for wet fittings, weeping cylinder seals and chafed hoses
- Check the auxiliary hydraulics with an attachment if possible
- Hydraulic fluid should be clean, not dark or foamy
Pins, bushings and the frame
- With the bucket on the ground, rock the arms and watch the pivot points for play
- Look for cracked or re-welded areas on the loader arms, the quick-attach plate and the frame
- Grease fittings should show recent grease, a sign of regular maintenance
Drive system
- Wheeled: drive in straight lines both ways; pulling to one side can mean worn chains or a drive motor issue
- Listen at the chain case for clunking during direction changes; ask when the chain case oil was last changed
- Tracked: check track tension, cracked lugs, worn sprockets and rollers that do not turn
- Turn in place on both sides and feel for jerky or weak response
Cab and controls
- Safety bar and seat switch interlocks work as designed
- Door, glass and seat condition
- Heat, air conditioning and lights if equipped
- All gauges and warning lights come on at key-on and go out after start
- Controls respond smoothly without lag
Before you pay
Run the machine with a load for at least 20 to 30 minutes so it reaches operating temperature, then re-check for leaks and smells. Many problems only show up hot.
If the price is significant, an independent mechanic or a dealer inspection is cheap insurance. For a private sale, use traceable payment, get a signed bill of sale with the serial number, and confirm funds through your bank before the machine leaves the yard.