Best Skid Steer for Snow Removal in Canada (2025)

For snow removal in Canada, wheeled skid steers with 70-85 HP, vertical lift, and enclosed heated cabs consistently outperform compact track loaders on paved surfaces. Tracks act like ice skates on frozen pavement, while properly-tired wheels dig through to grip. Whether you're a small contractor, property manager, or municipal operator, the right machine paired with appropriate attachments can transform snow removal efficiency.

Based on 17,026 auction results tracked by TrackCheck.

Top Picks at a Glance

Model Best For HP Avg Price (CAD)
Bobcat S650 Best Overall 74 $30,170 See Prices →
Bobcat S770 Heavy Commercial 92 $31,713 See Prices →
John Deere 332G Maximum Capacity 100 $32,320 See Prices →
Cat 262D Premium Reliability 74 $35,000-$55,000 See Prices →
Case SV280B Best Torque-to-Size 74 $58,900 See Prices →
Kubota SVL95-2S Best CTL Option 96 $34,000-$55,000 See Prices →

What to Look For

Recommended: Wheeled skid steers with 70-85 HP, vertical lift, enclosed heated cab, and two-speed transmission

Horsepower

70-85 HP for commercial parking lots. 85-100+ HP for municipal/large commercial with snow blowers.

Lift Type

Vertical lift strongly preferred for stacking snow and loading trucks.

Hydraulics

Standard flow (16-26 GPM) for pushers and plows. High-flow (27-45 GPM) only needed for snow blowers.

Cab

Enclosed heated cab is non-negotiable. Factory coolant heater (24,000-36,000 BTU) for -30°C operation.

Transmission

Two-speed highly recommended. 30-50% productivity increase from high-gear repositioning (10-12+ mph).

Capacity

1,800-2,500+ lb ROC. Remember attachment weight (1,000 lb pusher) counts against capacity.

Tracks vs Wheels for Snow Removal

Wheeled skid steers with dedicated snow tires consistently outperform CTLs on paved surfaces.

Wheeled Skid Steers Recommended

  • ✓ Better traction on ice/pavement — tires grip through snow
  • ✓ Travel speed 7-12 mph vs 5-7 mph for CTLs
  • ✓ Tire replacement $3,000-$5,000 vs $18,000+ for track undercarriage
  • ✓ Higher ground pressure means better scraping force
  • ✓ Lower salt corrosion vulnerability

Compact Track Loaders

  • ✓ Better flotation on deep unpacked snow
  • ✓ Superior on unpaved surfaces
  • ✓ Less risk of surface damage from tire spin
  • ✓ Better stability for heavy stacking operations

Choose wheels for paved parking lots and roads. Only choose CTLs if year-round landscaping work justifies the investment.

Best Models for Snow Removal

Bobcat S650 Best Overall

Non-DPF engine eliminates cold-weather regen issues. Vertical lift for excellent stacking. Huge aftermarket support.

74 HP · 2,690 lb ROC · Vertical Lift · 33 GPM high-flow available

$30,170

avg from 150 sales

View Prices →

Bobcat S770 Heavy Commercial

92 HP and 36 GPM high-flow handles demanding snow blowers. Superior pushing power for heavy wet snow.

92 HP · 3,450 lb ROC · Vertical Lift · 36 GPM high-flow

$31,713

avg from 46 sales

View Prices →

John Deere 332G Maximum Capacity

Highest ROC in class at 3,600 lbs. Best-in-class visibility. Standard heated seat and Bluetooth.

100 HP · 3,600 lb ROC · Vertical Lift · 35 GPM high-flow

$32,320

avg from 16 sales

View Prices →

Cat 262D Premium Reliability

Proven cold-climate reliability. EquipCoat corrosion-resistant coating protects against salt. Superior cab comfort.

74 HP · 2,700 lb ROC · Vertical Lift · 30 GPM high-flow

$35,000-$55,000

used price range

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Case SV280B Best Torque-to-Size

Best-in-class torque and bucket breakout force. Quick maintenance access minimizes downtime. Compact dimensions.

74 HP · 2,800 lb ROC · Vertical Lift · 38 GPM high-flow

$58,900

avg from 14 sales

View Prices →

Kubota SVL95-2S Best CTL Option

If you need a CTL for year-round use, the SVL95 delivers 40.7 GPM high-flow for large blowers. Superior rear visibility.

96 HP · 3,200 lb ROC · Vertical Lift · 40.7 GPM high-flow

$34,000-$55,000

used price range

View Prices →

Attachments You'll Need

Attachment Use Price Range Flow Required
Snow Pushers/Box Plows Primary clearing — contain and move snow with sidewalls $2,000-$16,900 CAD Standard
Snow Blowers Throw snow 25-35+ feet when stacking space is limited $5,500-$20,000 CAD High-flow required
Angle/V-Plows Windrow snow for roads and long driveways $2,000-$20,000 CAD Standard
Angle Brooms Clear light snow (1-3") and residual after plowing $3,400-$11,000 CAD Standard
Salt/Sand Spreaders Ice management — self-loading tilt-and-scoop designs $2,000-$10,000+ CAD Standard
Snow Buckets Scooping and relocating snow to dump sites $1,100-$5,500 CAD Standard

What to Expect at Each Budget

Under $25,000

Machines 10-20 years old (2005-2015), 3,000-7,000+ hours. Older models like Bobcat 773/763, Case XT Series, or early Cat...

See options →

$25,000 – $40,000

7-12 year old machines (2013-2018), 2,000-5,000 hours. Bobcat S550/S570/S590, Cat 226D/236D, John Deere 317/318. Enclose...

See options →

$40,000 – $60,000

3-7 year old machines (2018-2022), 1,000-3,500 hours. Bobcat S650/S740, Cat 259D3/262D, Kubota SSV65/75. Full cab, two-s...

See options →

Over $60,000

1-5 year old or new machines. Premium models: Bobcat S76/S770, Cat 262D3/272D3, John Deere 332G. Air ride seats, ride co...

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 tracks when wheels are better

Rubber tracks become ice skates on pavement. Track rebuilds cost $18,000+ vs $3,000-$5,000 for tires.

2. Insufficient hydraulic flow

Buying standard-flow then discovering you can't run snow blowers. Plan attachments before machine selection.

3. Undersizing the machine

Under 65 HP struggles with 8'+ pushers. Sweet spot: 60-82 HP and 6,000-8,000 lb operating weight.

4. Skipping snow tires

Factory tires perform poorly in snow. Budget $3,000-$5,000 for aftermarket snow tires (Pro Cleats or Wolf Paws).

5. No block heater

Mandatory for reliable cold starts in Canadian winters. Don't even consider a machine without one.

6. Ignoring two-speed

Single-speed machines waste 30-50% of potential productivity on repositioning between areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What HP skid steer do I need for snow removal?
For commercial parking lots, 70-85 HP is the sweet spot. Small residential lots can work with 50-60 HP. Large commercial operations with 72"+ snow blowers need 85-100+ HP.
Are tracks or wheels better for snow removal?
Wheels are better for snow removal on paved surfaces. Wheeled skid steers with snow tires provide better traction, travel faster (7-12 mph vs 5-7), and cost far less to maintain. CTLs only make sense if you also need the machine for summer landscaping work.
Do I need high-flow hydraulics for snow removal?
Only if you plan to use snow blowers. Snow pushers, angle plows, and brooms all run on standard flow (16-26 GPM). Snow blowers need 27-45 GPM high-flow.
What's the best skid steer attachment for parking lot snow removal?
Snow pushers (box plows) are the primary workhorse for parking lots. They contain and move snow with sidewalls, making them significantly more efficient than angle plows for large flat areas.
How much does a used skid steer for snow removal cost in Canada?
Expect to pay $25,000-$40,000 for solid working machines (2013-2018, 2,000-5,000 hours). The $40,000-$60,000 range gets you professional-grade equipment (2018-2022) with modern features.
Can I use a skid steer for snow removal year-round?
Yes — skid steers are versatile year-round machines. Summer uses include landscaping, construction, material handling, and property maintenance. Well-maintained Bobcat and Cat models hold resale value well.

Looking specifically for a compact track loader?

See our dedicated guide for CTLs:

Best Compact Track Loader for Snow Removal →

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