Skid Steer Depreciation Guide: Which Brands Hold Their Value in Canada
The average skid steer loses 40-50% of its value in the first 5 years. Bobcat and Caterpillar hold value best, retaining 52-60% at 5 years. Budget brands like Wacker, ASV, and Gehl drop to 35-42%. These rates are based on 16,800+ verified Canadian auction results tracked by TrackCheck.
Understanding depreciation by brand, hours, size class, and season can save you $10,000-$20,000 over your ownership period. This guide breaks down exactly how much each brand loses and when to buy and sell for maximum value.
Data last updated March 2026
Value Retention by Brand
Based on 16,800+ Canadian auction results, here's how each brand retains value as a percentage of original purchase price:
| Rank | Brand | 3 Years | 5 Years | 7 Years | 10 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1Bobcat | 65-72% | 52-60% | 40-48% | 28-35% | |
| #2Caterpillar | 63-70% | 50-58% | 38-46% | 26-33% | |
| #3John Deere | 60-68% | 48-55% | 35-43% | 24-30% | |
| #4Kubota | 58-65% | 45-52% | 33-40% | 22-28% | |
| #5Case | 55-62% | 42-50% | 30-38% | 20-26% | |
| #6New Holland | 54-60% | 40-48% | 28-36% | 18-24% | |
| #7Takeuchi | 52-58% | 38-46% | 27-34% | 17-23% | |
| #8Wacker/ASV/Gehl | 48-55% | 35-42% | 22-30% | 14-20% |
Bobcat and Cat retain 10-15% more value than budget brands at every age bracket. On a $50,000 machine, that's $5,000-$7,500 more in your pocket at resale. The premium you pay upfront is largely recovered at sale time.
Want to check current prices for a specific brand? See our price guides: Bobcat · Caterpillar · John Deere · Kubota · Case · All Brands
By Type: CTL vs Wheeled
Compact track loaders consistently hold 5-10% more value than their wheeled equivalents across all brands and age brackets.
| Type | 5-Year Retention | Why |
|---|---|---|
| CTL | 55-65% | Higher demand (70%+ of Canadian sales), more versatile |
| Wheeled SSL | 48-58% | Lower demand, limited in soft/winter conditions |
However, remember that CTLs cost more to maintain (higher undercarriage costs), so the net cost of ownership may still favor wheeled depending on your terrain. See our full wheeled vs CTL comparison →
By Size Class
| Size Class | ROC Range | 5-Year Retention | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Frame | 2,500+ lbs | 58-68% | Highest demand, commercial use |
| Mid Frame | 1,750-2,500 lbs | 52-62% | Most common, good liquidity |
| Compact | Under 1,750 lbs | 48-56% | Smaller market, niche buyers |
Large-frame machines hold value best because commercial operators always need them and will pay a premium for well-maintained units.
Popular large-frame models: Bobcat S770, Cat 272D3. Popular mid-frame: Bobcat S650, Cat 259D.
Hours vs Age: Which Matters More for Value?
A well-maintained 2018 machine with 1,500 hours will generally sell for more than a 2021 machine with 4,000 hours. Buyers care most about remaining useful life, which correlates more with hours than calendar age.
| Hours | Market Perception | Price Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,000 | Low hours — premium | ↑+10-15% |
| 1,000 - 2,500 | Average — standard pricing | Baseline |
| 2,500 - 4,000 | Getting high — discount expected | ↓-10-20% |
| 4,000 - 6,000 | High — significant discount | ↓-25-35% |
| 6,000+ | Very high — budget buyer territory | ↓-40-50% |
See how we calculate market values using hours, age, and condition.
Factors That Affect Resale Value
| Factor | Value Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Complete service records | ↑+7-10% | Single biggest controllable factor |
| Enclosed cab | ↑+$4,000-$8,000 | Essential for Canadian use |
| High-flow hydraulics | ↑+$5,000-$8,000 | Critical for attachments |
| Two-speed | ↑+$1,000-$2,000 | Standard on most newer models |
| Heated cab | ↑+$300-$500 | Essential in Canada, low added cost |
| AC cab | ↑+$1,500-$3,000 | Important for summer construction |
| Ride control | ↑+$800-$1,500 | Valued by operators working long hours |
| No service records | ↓-10-15% | Buyers assume the worst |
| Open ROPS (no cab) | ↓-$3,000-$6,000 | Hard sell in Canadian market |
| Non-standard controls | ↓-$1,000-$2,000 | ISO pattern strongly preferred |
Seasonal Pricing Patterns
Equipment prices follow predictable seasonal patterns in Canada. The difference between buying at the right and wrong time can be 10-15%.
| Season | Market Conditions | Price Impact | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late Fall (Nov-Dec) | Contractors winding down, dealers clearing inventory | ↓Best prices | BUY |
| Winter (Jan-Feb) | Low activity, some deals remain | Good prices | Buy if available |
| Early Spring (Mar-Apr) | Contractors gearing up, competition for good machines | ↑Peak prices | SELL |
| Summer (May-Aug) | Active season, steady demand | Moderate-high | Sell if needed |
If you're planning to buy in spring, start searching in November. The best deals happen when contractors are wrapping up for the year and motivated sellers want machines off their lot before winter storage costs kick in.
Check current inventory and pricing in your province: Alberta · Ontario · Saskatchewan · All Provinces
The Depreciation Sweet Spot
The optimal buy for most first-time Canadian buyers
The math: Buy at 50-55% of new price. Sell at 35-40%. Your total depreciation cost: ~$2,500-$4,000/year.
Looking for a machine in the sweet spot? Check current prices for the most popular models.
Three Smart Buying Strategies
Buy and Flip
3-4 Year HoldBest for: operators running 400-600 hrs/year
Buy a 2-3 year old premium machine, operate 3-4 years, sell before major service intervals (undercarriage, DPF). You ride the flattest part of the depreciation curve and avoid expensive repairs.
The Sweet Spot
3-4 Year HoldBest for: 500-700 hrs/year, first-time owners
Buy a 3-5 year old premium machine with 1,200-2,000 hours. Operate 3-4 years. Sell before major undercarriage work. Lowest risk, best balance of cost vs reliability.
Buy Premium, Hold Long
7-10 Year HoldBest for: heavy users running 800+ hrs/year
Buy a premium brand (Bobcat/Cat) and run it until end of useful life. Higher total depreciation but lowest per-hour cost. Budget for major repairs at 4,000-6,000 hours.
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