Buy used and new compact loaders – Bobcat, Weidemann, Kaweco, Eurotrac, Multione – directly from specialist dealers. The term ‘compact loader’ covers two types of machine that differ significantly in everyday use: the skid steer (Bobcat & Co.) with on-the-spot wheel steering, and the yard or articulated loader (Weidemann, Kaweco, Eurotrac) with articulated or four-wheel steering. Both can fit through narrow gates, lift pallets and change attachments in seconds. Dealers such as Kraus Baumaschinen, GSK Baumaschinen and Mecklenburger Landtechnik advertise their machines on our site, specifying the year of manufacture, operating hours, weight and engine power.
Which compact loader is right for your application?
Wheeled skid steer loaders: Bobcat S130/S450/773, Gehl, Mustang, Case. Turn on the spot, extremely manoeuvrable, ideal for paved surfaces, demolition work in existing buildings, indoor use and winter maintenance. Hundreds of attachments available via the Bob-Tach coupler. Tyres wear out quickly on tarmac.
Compact track loaders: Bobcat T450/T590/T770, Takeuchi, Cat 259. Same design on rubber tracks – for soft ground, landscaping, gradients and high tractive effort. Greater ground protection, more maintenance required on the undercarriage.
Farm loaders / articulated loaders 1.3 to 2.5 t: Weidemann 1390/1280, Kaweco KW 25-27, Eurotrac W13, Schäffer, Kramer 5035. Articulated or four-wheel steering, centrally positioned driver’s seat, comfortable for long journeys. The standard in agriculture, horse farms, landscaping and local authorities – lifts pallets up to around 1.5 t.
Multifunctional loaders: Multione 2.3/6.3, Avant – articulated loaders with telescopic boom and a vast range of attachments for grounds maintenance, local authority work and horticulture.
What we look for in a used skid-steer loader
Operating hours and history: Compact loaders from the hire sector often clock up in two years the same number of hours as a machine that has been in storage on a farm for ten years. Maintenance records and a check of the lift frame bearings, cylinders and attachment mountings reveal the true condition.
Lifting frame, attachment point, locking mechanism: play in bolts and bushings, worn-out mounting plate, function of the hydraulic locking mechanism. On skid-steer loaders, check the safety lock (seat contact, safety bar) – it must work.
Drive system: On skid steer loaders, check the track drive within the frame (play, noises); on track loaders, check the rubber tracks, track rollers and idler wheel; on farm loaders, check the articulation joint, axles and hydrostatic drive. Cold start and smoke pattern as with any diesel engine.
Tyres and tracks: Skid-steer tyres are the number one wear part; a set of tracks for a crawler loader costs a four-figure sum. Both are a key factor in the price.
Documentation: CE marking, declaration of conformity, annual inspection by a qualified person; for road use, a roadworthiness certificate (farm loaders are often approved for 20 km/h).
| Design | Steering | Strengths | Typical applications | Models in stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skid steer (wheels) | Wheel steering on the spot | manoeuvrable, attachments, demolition | Indoor use, tarmac, demolition | Bobcat 773, S130 |
| Track loader | Track steering | Traction, soft ground | Landscaping, earthworks | Bobcat T450, T770 |
| Farm loader / articulated loader | Articulated / four-wheel drive | Comfort, pallet handling, road use | Agriculture, farm, local authority | Weidemann 1390, Kaweco KW 25-27, Eurotrac W13 |
| Multifunctional loader | Articulated + telescopic | Reach, attachments | Landscaping, horticulture | Multione 2.3 EFI |
Greater load capacity and bucket volume: wheel loaders. Greater lift height: telescopic handlers.
Brands and dealers
Bobcat invented the skid steer loader and leads the market in this category; Weidemann, Schäffer and Kramer dominate the farm loader market in Germany, whilst Kaweco and Eurotrac offer attractively priced alternatives. Our dealers: Kraus Baumaschinen in Frankenthal (new and used Bobcat), GSK Baumaschinen in Hanhofen and Mecklenburger Landtechnik (Weidemann, Kaweco, Eurotrac, Multione from the agricultural sector). Filter by manufacturer, weight, engine power, year of manufacture and operating hours.
Frequently asked questions about used skid-steer loaders
How much does a used skid steer loader cost?
Older skid-steer loaders start in the low five-figure range; newer farm loaders with few operating hours are significantly more expensive, whilst track loaders are even more expensive due to their undercarriage. Factors affecting the price include year of manufacture, operating hours, lifting capacity, attachments and the condition of the tyres or tracks.
Skid steer or farm loader – which is better?
A skid steer loader if you need to manoeuvre in very tight spaces, do a lot of breaking up, or want to use attachments such as a rotary tiller and a hammer. A farm loader if pallets, feed, manure and long distances are part of your daily routine – the central seat, the steering and road legality are then worth their weight in gold.
How many operating hours are still acceptable?
With good maintenance, farm loaders can run for 8,000 hours or more; skid steers from hire companies are often more worn out after 3,000 hours of heavy use than a farm loader is after 6,000. Maintenance records and the condition of the lift frame, attachment points and drive system are the deciding factors.
Which attachments are compatible?
Bucket, pallet fork, sweeper, grapple, snow plough, tiller, hammer – for Bobcat via Bob-Tach, for farm loaders usually Euro-mount or manufacturer-specific plates. Check the mounting system and auxiliary hydraulics before purchasing attachments.
Is a compact loader allowed to be driven on the road?
Farm loaders are often approved for road use at 20 km/h and with lighting fitted; skid-steer loaders generally are not. For journeys between the farmyard and the field or a building site, check the roadworthiness certificate in the advert.
Can I lease a compact loader or finance it via hire purchase?
For many listings, you can submit a no-obligation leasing or hire-purchase enquiry directly. You’ll need to clarify the terms with the dealer or their finance partner; the purchase and payment are handled directly between you and the seller.
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