Skid steer rental cost is the total you pay to put a loader on your site, not just the rate for the machine. Your total can reflect the rental term, delivery and pickup arrangements, attachments, fuel terms and required insurance. Ask whether any optional protection applies to your contract. Machine size and the choice between wheels and tracks affect the quote too. That is why two quotes for "a skid steer" can look very different.
We rent through Western Rentals, with daily, weekly and monthly terms. Below we walk through each cost driver so you know what to ask before you call. You can see the machines on our skid steer rental page and call for current price and availability. We do not publish skid steer rates online, so a quote is the only honest number we can give you.
What Affects the Price of a Skid Steer Rental?
Discuss the rental term, machine size, wheels or tracks, attachments, delivery arrangements, fuel terms and insurance when you request a quote. Each one can change what you pay.
Think of the quote in two parts. The base rate covers the machine for a set period. The rest covers getting it to you, equipping it for the task, and returning it in the agreed condition.
- Rental term: day, week or month.
- Machine class and size.
- Undercarriage: wheels or rubber tracks.
- Attachments for the task.
- Transport to and from your job site.
- Fuel, insurance and any protection on the contract.
Machine Size and Track vs Wheel
Our rental listings include wheeled New Holland models such as the L321 and L328, plus compact track loaders such as the C327, C332 and C362. A compact track loader runs on rubber tracks instead of tires. Ground conditions usually decide which one fits, so describe the surface you will work on and we can confirm which machines suit the job.
Is a Weekly Rental Cheaper Than Renting by the Day?
It depends on the machine and your schedule, so compare the quoted totals. Western Rentals offers daily, weekly and monthly terms. Ask us to compare the terms that fit your schedule.
Tell us your expected start and end dates so we can quote the term that fits your schedule.
| Term | Best for | Ask us about |
|---|---|---|
| Day | One-day cleanup or a single punch list task | How delivery and pickup are handled |
| Week | Short-term grading, backfill and demolition work | Which term fits your start and end dates |
| Month | Site prep phases and multi-week builds | How the total compares with buying |
If you keep renting month after month, run the numbers against ownership. Our comparison of renting versus buying heavy equipment covers the trade-offs.
Do Attachments and Delivery Cost Extra?
Attachments and delivery can both affect the total quote, so confirm them before you book. Ask which attachments fit the machine, whether they are included or quoted separately, and how delivery and pickup are handled for your site.
Tell us the task, job address, access details and the delivery window you want. We can then confirm suitable machine, attachment, delivery and pickup options for that job.
What Insurance Do You Need to Rent a Skid Steer?
For our rentals, you need $1,000,000 general liability, auto liability and an equipment floater that covers the rented machine. Confirm the required insurance documentation with us before the rental begins. Full details are on our rental insurance requirements page.
Insurance is a real cost and a real delay risk, so handle the paperwork early. Ask us whether any optional protection applies to your contract, and read its terms before you sign.
Fuel and Return Condition
You pay for fuel either way, so plan for it in your budget. Confirm the fuel level, cleaning and return-condition expectations in your rental contract before the machine reaches your site. This helps you understand the return expectations before the rental begins.
How Do You Get an Exact Rental Quote?
Call us or send a request with your job details, and we will price the machine, the term and the extras together. Complete job details help us prepare a quote that covers the machine, term and requested extras.
Here is the order that works best:
- Define the task and the ground conditions.
- Pick a size and undercarriage, or ask us to compare a wheeled unit against a compact track loader.
- Set the term. Give us your start date and a realistic end date.
- Name the task so we can match the attachment to the machine.
- Give the site address and describe any access constraints so we can confirm delivery arrangements.
- Line up insurance and confirm the required documentation early.
- Review the full quote: base rate, delivery and pickup, attachments, fuel terms and any protection.
Doing this once saves rework later. It also lets you compare skid steer rentals fairly, because you are comparing complete quotes instead of base rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Budget Your Skid Steer Rental Cost, Not Just the Rate
Your skid steer rental cost depends on the pieces in the quote. Term length, machine size, wheels or tracks, attachments, delivery, fuel terms and insurance all move the final number. Once you know those pieces, you can compare offers honestly and plan a job that does not lose hours waiting on a machine. Bring your task, ground conditions, dates and site access to the call, and you will get a quote you can build a bid around.
We have been a family owned dealer in Southern California since 1972, selling, renting, servicing and supplying parts from our Fontana, Santa Fe Springs and Temecula yards. Request a quote at Scott Equipment.
