Best Skid Steer for Farming & Agriculture in Canada (2025)
Compact track loaders have emerged as the preferred choice for Canadian farms, offering superior traction in muddy feedlots and wet fields while handling everything from hay bales to manure. For most farming operations, a vertical-lift machine with 75-100 HP, 2,500+ lb rated operating capacity, and high-flow hydraulics will handle the majority of tasks. The current soft market (used prices down ~20% from 2023 peaks) creates opportunities for buyers.
Based on 17,026 auction results tracked by TrackCheck.
Top Picks at a Glance
| Model | Best For | HP | Avg Price (CAD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kubota SVL97-2 | Best Overall | 96 | $64,345 | See Prices → |
| John Deere 333G | Large Operations | 100 | $66,155 | See Prices → |
| Bobcat T650 | Mid-Size Farms | 74 | $34,259 | See Prices → |
| New Holland L328 | Barn & Hard Surface | 74 | $30,000-$50,000 | See Prices → |
| Case SV280B | Operator Comfort | 74 | $58,900 | See Prices → |
| Cat 299D3 | Heavy Duty / Clearing | 110 | $75,000-$110,000 | See Prices → |
What to Look For
Recommended: Vertical-lift CTL with 75-100 HP, 2,500+ lb ROC, high-flow hydraulics, and enclosed cab with HVAC
Horsepower
50-65 HP for general tasks. 65-75 HP for hay and manure. 90-100+ HP for brush clearing and mulching.
Lift Type
Vertical lift preferred for truck loading, hay stacking, and elevated work. Radial only for ground-level dairy work.
Tracks vs Wheels
CTLs recommended for muddy feedlots and wet fields. Wheels better on barn concrete and gravel lanes.
Hydraulics
High-flow (25-40 GPM) essential for silage defacers, brush cutters, and augers. Standard flow for basic bucket work.
Cab
Enclosed cab with HVAC strongly recommended. Dust protection critical around grain/feed. Better resale value.
Capacity
2,500+ lb ROC minimum. Large square bales (4x4x8) weigh 1,500-2,000 lbs — need 3,000+ lb ROC for safe stacking.
Tracks vs Wheels for Farming & Agriculture
Compact track loaders are recommended for most Canadian farms due to wet conditions in feedlots and fields.
Wheeled Skid Steers
- ✓ Better on barn concrete floors — tracks damage concrete
- ✓ Superior on gravel lanes and hard surfaces
- ✓ 15-25% lower purchase cost
- ✓ Simpler and cheaper maintenance
- ✓ Tire replacement $100-$200/tire vs $2,000-$3,000/pair for tracks
Compact Track Loaders Recommended
- ✓ Superior flotation in muddy feedlots and wet fields
- ✓ Won't sink or rut in soft ground
- ✓ Better stability on uneven terrain
- ✓ Lighter ground pressure protects pastures
- ✓ Quieter operation around livestock
Choose tracks for feedlot/field work. Choose wheels if most work is on barn floors and hard surfaces, or if budget is constrained.
Best Models for Farming & Agriculture
Kubota SVL97-2 Best Overall
Best-selling CTL in North America. Highest ground clearance (11.5"). Stall guard prevents engine stalling. Tilt-up cab for easy maintenance.
John Deere 333G Large Operations
13,750 lb bucket breakout force. Tri-Cool design resists debris buildup. Over 100 attachments available. Excellent resale value.
Bobcat T650 Mid-Size Farms
Best parts availability across Canada. Pressurized cab keeps out dust/debris. Industry-standard quick-attach system.
New Holland L328 Barn & Hard Surface
Designed specifically for farm applications. Low center of gravity. Fits in barns and tight spaces. Fast cycle times.
Case SV280B Operator Comfort
Best-in-class torque and bucket breakout (8,620 lbs). EZ-EH joystick controls. Heated air-suspension seating. Powerful HVAC.
Cat 299D3 Heavy Duty / Clearing
Extreme durability. Superior hydraulic power (40 GPM @ 4,061 PSI) for demanding attachments like mulchers. Smart Attachments compatible.
Best Skid Steer by Farm Task
Hay Operations
Moving, stacking, and loading round and square bales.
3,000+ lb ROC, vertical lift, 10'+ lift height, 65-75 HP
Single/double bale spear ($800-$2,000), bale grapple ($2,500-$4,500)
Vertical lift path is essential for reaching 10-12' heights in hay barns. Hinge pin height of 128"+ provides clearance for second-tier stacking.
Feed Handling
Feed bunk work, silage facing, and TMR mixer loading.
High-flow hydraulics (18-22+ GPM), 3,000+ lb ROC, good forward visibility
Feed pusher ($2,000-$4,500), silage defacer ($12,000-$25,000)
Feed pushers need 96" width to extend past machine tires. Rubber cutting edges prevent feed contamination.
Manure Handling
Barn cleanout, pen cleaning, and compost management.
2,500+ lb ROC, durable powder-coated attachments, easy-cleanout design
Manure fork with grapple ($2,800-$4,500), manure scraper ($2,500-$4,000)
Manure and urea are highly corrosive. Choose 304 stainless steel scrapers and wash equipment after every use.
Livestock Operations
Bedding distribution, pen cleaning, working around cattle.
Quiet operation, excellent visibility, maneuverability, enclosed cab
Manure fork ($1,800-$2,800), pallet forks for supplies
Quiet hydraulic systems reduce animal stress. Rubber-edged pushers prevent feed contamination.
General Maintenance
Fencing, brush clearing, snow removal, lane grading.
Varies by task — 75-100+ HP for brush clearing, 50+ HP for general work
Auger ($2,100-$7,000), grapple ($2,500-$6,000), snow blade ($1,300-$3,900)
Standard flow handles most fence work. High-flow only for large auger bits (18"+) and brush cutters.
Skid Steer vs Tractor for Farm Work
Skid Steer Wins
- ✓ Barn cleaning and manure removal — zero-turn radius in tight spaces
- ✓ Loading trucks and mixers — better visibility to front bucket
- ✓ Material handling in confined areas — quick attachment changes
- ✓ Hay stacking in barns — better height with vertical lift
- ✓ Ground preparation and grading — excellent with attachments
- ✓ Land clearing — compatible with mulchers and brush cutters
- ✓ Post hole drilling — auger attachments very effective
Tractor Wins
- ✓ Mowing large areas — PTO-driven mowers more efficient
- ✓ Pulling implements — plows, harrows, hay equipment
- ✓ Field cultivation — tillage requires PTO
- ✓ Hauling trailers — better towing capacity
- ✓ Hay production — baling, raking, tedding requires PTO
- ✓ Traveling longer distances — faster road travel
Skid steers excel at loader work and tight spaces. Tractors excel at PTO work and open fields. They complement each other — 90% of skid steer purchasers make a living with them, while hobby farmers often prefer tractors.
Attachments You'll Need
| Attachment | Use | Price Range | Flow Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bale Spear (Single/Double) | Lifting and moving round and square hay bales | $800-$2,500 CAD | None (mechanical) |
| Bale Grapple | Securing bales with grappling arms — handles damaged bales | $2,500-$6,000 CAD | Standard |
| Manure Fork with Grapple | Barn cleanout, manure handling, bedding distribution | $1,800-$4,500 CAD | Standard (grapple) |
| Silage Defacer | Removing silage from bunkers with smooth face for reduced spoilage | $12,000-$25,000 CAD | High-flow required (18-22+ GPM) |
| Pallet Forks | Feed bags, lumber, supplies, palletized materials | $1,000-$4,000 CAD | None (mechanical) |
| Grapple Bucket | Brush clearing, log handling, land cleanup | $2,500-$6,000 CAD | Standard |
| Auger | Fence posts, tree planting, utility poles | $2,100-$7,000 CAD | Standard or high-flow |
| Feed Pusher | Pushing feed back to cattle in free-stall barns | $2,000-$5,000 CAD | None (standard) |
What to Expect at Each Budget
Under $25,000
Machines 10-15+ years old with 3,000-5,000+ hours. Older Bobcat 773/S185, Case 400-series, John Deere 320D/318D. Often "...
See options →$25,000 – $40,000
Well-maintained used machines with 1,500-3,000 hours, 5-8 years old. Bobcat S650, Kubota SVL75-2, Cat 262D, John Deere 3...
See options →$40,000 – $60,000
Low-hour (500-2,000) recent used machines OR new base models. Kubota SVL75-3 (new ~$55-60K), Bobcat S650/T650, Cat 262D3...
See options →Over $60,000
Fully loaded new CTLs: Kubota SVL97-3, John Deere 333G, Cat 272D3. Full factory warranty (2 years/2,000 hours), latest t...
See options →Shop by Province
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Buying the wrong size
Oversized machines damage turf and waste fuel. Undersized struggle with loads. Mid-size (1,750-2,200 lb ROC, 50-70 HP) suits most mixed farms. Large frame (2,200+, 70+ HP) for commercial operations.
2. Ignoring lift type for farm tasks
Vertical lift is essential for hay stacking (10-12' heights) and truck loading. Radial lift limits elevated work. Most farm tasks favor vertical.
3. Skimping on hydraulics
Many powered farm attachments require high-flow (25-40 GPM). Augers, brush cutters, and silage defacers won't function properly without it. Verify before purchase.
4. Not budgeting for attachments
Farm-essential attachments add $3,000-$15,000+: pallet forks ($1,500-$2,700), grapple bucket ($2,500-$4,500), bale spear ($500-$1,200), manure bucket ($2,000-$4,000).
5. Buying construction-spec for farm use
Construction machines have harder use histories. Concrete demolition vs hay handling makes a huge difference in remaining life. Ask about previous use.
6. Ignoring dealer/parts support
Choose brands with nearby dealers. Parts availability is critical on the farm. A cheap machine 150+ miles from the nearest dealer is no bargain.
Farm-Specific Maintenance
Manure & Urea Corrosion
Manure, fertilizer, and urea are highly corrosive, attacking metal surfaces, electrical connections, and hydraulic seals.
- ✓Wash after every use involving corrosive materials
- ✓Consider Cat EquipCoat™ or similar corrosion-inhibiting coatings
- ✓Use attachments with 304 stainless steel components
- ✓Choose powder-coated attachments for acid resistance
Chaff & Debris Buildup
Airborne chaff, silage, and grain dust clog radiators, cooler screens, and air filters faster than manufacturer schedules.
- ✓Clean radiator/cooler screens daily during harvest
- ✓Check/change air filters more frequently than recommended
- ✓Use compressed air (not water) on electrical connections
- ✓Install debris screens/guards on radiators
| Interval | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Daily | Check oil, inspect hydraulic hoses, check coolant, inspect tires/tracks, clean radiator debris, grease fittings |
| 250 hours | Change engine oil and filter, replace hydraulic filter, check chain tension |
| 500 hours | Replace hydraulic fluid, inspect/replace air filter, check brake adjustment |
| 1,000 hours | Full service by qualified technician, thorough undercarriage inspection, check all pivot points |
Frequently Asked Questions
What size skid steer do I need for my farm?
Are tracks or wheels better for farm work?
What HP do I need for handling hay bales?
Can a skid steer replace a tractor on my farm?
What are the best attachments for cattle operations?
How do I protect against manure corrosion?
Looking specifically for a compact track loader?
See our dedicated guide for CTLs:
Best Compact Track Loader for Farming & Agriculture →Need Help Choosing a Skid Steer for Farming & Agriculture?
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