Best Skid Steer for Landscaping in Canada (2025)

Compact track loaders have become the dominant choice for Canadian landscaping operations, outselling wheeled skid steers 3:1 due to their superior turf protection and year-round versatility. For most landscaping businesses, a medium-frame CTL with 50-75 HP, 1,750-2,500 lb operating capacity, and radial lift offers the optimal balance of capability and maneuverability.

Based on 17,026 auction results tracked by TrackCheck.

Top Picks at a Glance

Model Best For HP Avg Price (CAD)
Kubota SVL75-2 Best Overall 74 $46,103 See Prices →
Bobcat T650 Best Attachment Selection 74 $34,259 See Prices →
Cat 259D3 Best for Grading 73 $35,000-$55,000 See Prices →
John Deere 333G Premium Heavy Duty 100 $66,155 See Prices →
ASV RT-65 Best Turf Protection 67 $47,798 See Prices →

What to Look For

Recommended: Medium-frame CTL with 50-75 HP, radial lift, enclosed cab with HVAC, and standard-flow hydraulics

Horsepower

50-75 HP for most daily landscaping. 75-90+ HP only for forestry mulchers and stump grinders.

Lift Type

Radial lift preferred for grading and ground-level work. Vertical lift only needed for frequent truck loading.

Tracks vs Wheels

CTLs strongly recommended. 4-6 PSI ground pressure vs 30-35 PSI for wheels. Less lawn damage.

Hydraulics

Standard flow (17-25 GPM) powers most landscaping attachments. High-flow only for mulchers and stump grinders.

Cab

Enclosed cab with HVAC recommended. Protects from dust, debris, insects. $2,500-$4,000 premium recovered in resale.

Capacity

1,750-2,500 lb ROC. Pallets of pavers weigh 2,000-3,000 lbs — size accordingly.

Tracks vs Wheels for Landscaping

Compact track loaders are strongly recommended for landscaping due to dramatically lower ground pressure.

Wheeled Skid Steers

  • ✓ Faster travel on hard surfaces (11-12 mph vs 7-9)
  • ✓ 15-25% lower purchase price
  • ✓ Tire replacement $400-$1,600 vs $6,000-$10,000 for tracks
  • ✓ Better for snow removal on pavement
  • ✓ Better when 50%+ of work is on hard surfaces

Compact Track Loaders Recommended

  • ✓ Only 4-6 PSI ground pressure vs 30-35 PSI for wheels
  • ✓ Less lawn damage, fewer ruts, reduced soil compaction
  • ✓ 30-50% better traction in wet conditions
  • ✓ More stable platform for precision grading
  • ✓ Work sooner after rain — extended working season

Choose CTLs for residential landscaping and turf work. Wheels only if most work is on hard surfaces or snow removal is the primary revenue.

Best Models for Landscaping

Kubota SVL75-2 Best Overall

Advanced Multifunction Valve allows simultaneous auxiliary/bucket/loader operation. Sealed one-piece cab prevents debris entry.

74 HP · 2,490 lb ROC · Radial Lift · Simultaneous multi-function

$46,103

avg from 136 sales

View Prices →

Bobcat T650 Best Attachment Selection

Industry-standard attachment compatibility. Widest selection of landscape attachments. 40% market share ensures parts anywhere.

74 HP · 2,690 lb ROC · Vertical Lift · Universal attachment standard

$34,259

avg from 143 sales

View Prices →

Cat 259D3 Best for Grading

Under 6 feet wide — fits through most gates. Smart Attachments auto-adjusts controls. Radial lift ideal for grading.

73 HP · 2,150 lb ROC · Radial Lift · Smart Attachments technology

$35,000-$55,000

used price range

View Prices →

John Deere 333G Premium Heavy Duty

100 HP and 41 GPM high-flow standard. SmartGrade for precise grading. Powers demanding attachments like mulchers.

100 HP · 3,700 lb ROC · Vertical Lift · 41 GPM high-flow standard

$66,155

avg from 135 sales

View Prices →

ASV RT-65 Best Turf Protection

Patented Posi-Track delivers lowest ground pressure in class. Industry-leading ride quality. 2-year/2,000-hour warranty.

67 HP · 2,050 lb ROC · Radial Lift · Lowest ground pressure

$47,798

avg from 4 sales

View Prices →

Attachments You'll Need

Attachment Use Price Range Flow Required
Buckets (GP + Grading) Moving dirt, gravel, mulch; finish grading $1,200-$5,500 CAD Standard
Pallet Forks Sod, pavers, stone, mulch bags $585-$2,000 CAD None (mechanical)
Landscape Rake (Harley Rake) Seedbed prep, rock removal, smooth surfaces $4,000-$12,000 CAD Standard
Trencher Irrigation, drainage, electrical lines $3,500-$8,000 CAD Standard
Auger Fence posts, tree planting, footings $2,000-$4,500 CAD Standard
Grapple (Root/Rock/Brush) Lot clearing, storm cleanup, logs and debris $2,900-$5,500 CAD Standard

What to Expect at Each Budget

Under $25,000

Older equipment (10-15+ years), 3,000-5,000+ hours. Bobcat 753, S185, Case SR200, John Deere 250 series. Smaller frame s...

See options →

$25,000 – $40,000

5-10 year old machines, 1,500-3,000 hours. Bobcat S650/T650, Case SV280, Cat 262D, Kubota SSV-65. Better overall conditi...

See options →

$40,000 – $60,000

Low-hour used (500-1,500 hrs), 3-5 years old. Bobcat S64/S76, Cat 242D3/262D3, Kubota SSV-75, Deere 324G. Modern control...

See options →

Over $60,000

New medium-to-large frame machines. Bobcat S770/T870, Cat 272D3 XE, John Deere 333G. Full warranty, latest technology, e...

See options →

Shop by Province

Alberta British Columbia Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec New Brunswick Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island Newfoundland And Labrador

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Buying the wrong size

Too large wastes money and damages turf. Too small kills productivity. Medium-frame (1,750-2,200 lb ROC, 50-70 HP) suits most operations.

2. Ignoring attachment hydraulic requirements

Standard-flow machine + high-flow attachment = poor performance. Verify GPM requirements before purchasing any attachment.

3. Wrong lift type for the work

Radial lift excels at grading and ground-level work (most landscaping). Vertical only needed for frequent truck loading.

4. Choosing wheels for turf work

Wheeled skid steers at 30-35 PSI tear up lawns. CTLs at 4-6 PSI are the clear choice for residential landscaping.

5. Focusing only on purchase price

A $20,000 deal with unknown history can cost $30,000+ in repairs. Factor in maintenance, attachments, and trailer costs.

6. Not budgeting for attachments

Plan $15,000-$25,000 for essential attachments beyond the machine: bucket, forks, landscape rake, and trencher minimum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size skid steer do I need for landscaping?
A medium-frame machine with 50-75 HP and 1,750-2,500 lb ROC handles most professional landscaping. Match the size to your typical workload, not occasional heavy jobs.
Should I get a CTL or wheeled skid steer for landscaping?
CTLs are strongly recommended for landscaping. Their 4-6 PSI ground pressure (vs 30-35 PSI for wheels) means dramatically less lawn damage, fewer ruts, and the ability to work in wet conditions.
Is radial or vertical lift better for landscaping?
Radial lift is preferred for most landscaping — better reach at ground level, superior visibility to bucket edge, and ideal for precision grading. Vertical lift is only better when frequently loading high-sided dump trucks.
What attachments do I need to start a landscaping business?
The essential starter kit: general-purpose bucket, pallet forks, landscape rake (Harley rake), and trencher. Budget $15,000-$25,000 for these attachments.
How much does a used landscaping skid steer cost in Canada?
The practical sweet spot is $25,000-$40,000 for 5-10 year old machines with 1,500-3,000 hours. The $40,000-$60,000 range gets low-hour used machines with modern features.
Can I use a landscaping skid steer for snow removal?
Yes — snow removal is the primary off-season revenue for Canadian landscapers. Wheeled skid steers actually perform better for snow on pavement. CTLs can do snow work but wear faster on hard surfaces.

Looking specifically for a compact track loader?

See our dedicated guide for CTLs:

Best Compact Track Loader for Landscaping →

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