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Skid steer loaders are high-utility, revenue-generating machines that sit at the core of many UK construction, groundworks, utilities, landscaping, and plant hire operations. Because they are used intensively and often paired with multiple attachments, they represent a meaningful capital investment. Choosing the right finance structure is therefore just as important as choosing the right machine.
Gable Business Finance specialises in construction-sector asset finance and works with businesses to structure funding that reflects how skid steer loaders are actually used on site. Below is a detailed overview of the main finance options available, explaining how each works and when it is most suitable.
Asset-based lending allows construction businesses to raise finance against the value of existing assets, which may include skid steer loaders, excavators, telehandlers, vehicles, or other plant already owned by the business.
Rather than funding a specific new purchase, this form of finance unlocks working capital tied up in the existing fleet. For businesses that already own skid steers outright, asset-based lending can be used to release cash to fund additional machines, attachments, or wider business needs while continuing to use the existing equipment as normal.
This option is particularly effective for asset-rich, cash-sensitive businesses that need flexibility without selling equipment.
Asset finance is a broad term covering funding secured directly against the skid steer loader being purchased. The machine itself acts as collateral, which typically allows for more competitive rates and longer terms compared to unsecured borrowing.
This option is widely used for both new and used skid steer loaders, including tracked and wheeled machines, and can often include attachments within the same agreement. Payments are spread over an agreed term, helping preserve cashflow while the machine generates income.
Asset finance is ideal where the skid steer is a core operational asset expected to deliver long-term value.
Asset refinance allows businesses to raise funds against a skid steer loader they already own. The machine is revalued, and a loan is secured against its current market value, releasing equity as cash.
This approach is commonly used to:
Asset refinance is particularly popular in construction, where machines retain strong residual value and utilisation is high.
Traditional business loans can also be used to fund skid steer loaders. These may be secured or unsecured, depending on the lender and the business’s financial profile.
Business loans offer flexibility, as funds are not always tied to a specific asset. However, they may come with higher interest rates or shorter terms compared to asset-secured options. They are often used where a business prefers a simple borrowing structure or is funding multiple purchases at once.
While commercial mortgages are primarily used to fund property, some construction businesses leverage property equity to support plant investment, including skid steer loaders.
This approach can unlock larger sums over longer terms, but it ties borrowing to property assets rather than the machine itself. It is generally more suitable for larger businesses with property assets and long-term investment strategies rather than single-machine purchases.
A finance lease allows the business to use the skid steer loader for an agreed period while paying regular rentals. Ownership typically remains with the lender, although options may exist at the end of the term.
Finance lease is often chosen where:
This option is popular with plant hire companies and contractors running rotating fleets.
Hire purchase is one of the most common ways to fund skid steer loaders in the UK construction sector. The cost of the machine is spread over a fixed term, and ownership transfers to the business once the final payment is made.
Hire purchase suits skid steers that are expected to remain in the fleet long-term. It provides certainty, straightforward accounting, and the benefit of owning the asset outright at the end of the agreement.
Invoice finance does not fund the skid steer directly but supports cashflow by releasing funds tied up in unpaid invoices. This can be used alongside asset finance to ensure the business has sufficient working capital once the machine is operational.
In construction, where payment terms can be long, invoice finance is often combined with skid steer funding to support wages, fuel, and operating costs.
Stocking finance is typically used by plant hire companies or equipment dealers that hold multiple skid steer loaders as stock. It allows businesses to fund a fleet of machines without paying for them all upfront.
This form of finance is particularly useful where skid steers are purchased for hire or resale, helping businesses manage cashflow while maintaining availability.
Unsecured business loans provide funding without tying the borrowing to a specific asset. While they offer speed and flexibility, they usually come with higher interest rates and shorter repayment terms.
Unsecured loans are often used for smaller purchases, attachments, or where speed is critical and asset finance is not practical.
There is no single “best” finance option for buying a skid steer loader. The right solution depends on how the machine will be used, how long it will remain in the fleet, and the wider financial position of the business.
Gable Business Finance works with construction businesses to assess these factors and structure funding that aligns with real-world operations. By matching the finance solution to the asset and the business, Gable helps ensure skid steer loaders deliver maximum value with minimal financial strain.
The use of skid steer loaders across the UK is experiencing sustained and accelerating growth, driven by fundamental changes in how construction, infrastructure, utilities, and urban development projects are delivered. As sites become more congested, programmes more compressed, and sustainability requirements more demanding, contractors are increasingly turning to compact, highly adaptable machines that can perform multiple roles efficiently. Skid steer loaders sit squarely at the centre of this shift.
The UK is widely recognised as one of the fastest-growing markets for skid steer loaders in Europe. This growth is not driven by novelty, but by necessity. Urban regeneration schemes, large-scale infrastructure investment, utilities upgrades, and housing development programmes all require machinery that can operate in tight spaces, move quickly between tasks, and adapt to constantly changing site conditions. Skid steer loaders meet these demands more effectively than many traditional single-purpose machines.
At Gable Business Finance, we see this growth first-hand. Increasing numbers of construction businesses are using asset finance to add skid steer loaders to their fleets, upgrade older machines, or invest in additional attachments that allow one loader to cover multiple site functions. Having worked within the construction sector for many years, Gable understands why skid steers are becoming a core asset rather than a secondary support machine.
Major urban regeneration projects across UK cities are a key driver of skid steer demand. Brownfield redevelopment, mixed-use schemes, road upgrades, and utilities renewals all take place in constrained environments where access is limited and disruption must be minimised. Larger plant can be impractical or uneconomical in these settings.
Skid steer loaders excel in these conditions. Their compact footprint and zero-turn steering allow them to operate within narrow corridors, between existing structures, and alongside live services. This makes them particularly valuable on city-centre projects, rail and highway works, and densely populated residential developments.
One of the strongest drivers behind the growth of skid steer usage is their unmatched versatility. A single machine, equipped with the right attachments, can replace several specialist pieces of equipment. Buckets, pallet forks, trenchers, breakers, sweepers, augers, and grading attachments allow skid steers to move seamlessly between excavation, loading, trenching, demolition, and site cleanup tasks.
For construction businesses under pressure to control costs and maximise asset utilisation, this versatility is critical. Rather than investing in multiple machines that may sit idle for long periods, contractors can finance one skid steer loader and a suite of attachments, spreading cost while maintaining operational flexibility.
The continued demand for housing and infrastructure across the UK has directly increased the need for compact, productive site plant. Housing developments, in particular, rely heavily on skid steer loaders for ground preparation, material movement, landscaping, and general site housekeeping. Their ability to work alongside multiple trades without disrupting workflow makes them a preferred choice for housebuilders and groundworks contractors alike.
As construction programmes become tighter and labour costs rise, machines that can complete tasks quickly and reliably are increasingly prioritised. Skid steer loaders deliver high productivity relative to their size, making them a sound investment for growing construction businesses.
While construction remains the largest market, skid steer loaders are now widely used beyond traditional building sites. Utilities contractors use them extensively for trenching, backfilling, reinstatement, and material handling on water, power, and telecoms projects. Their compact size allows work to be carried out with minimal disruption to roads, pavements, and public spaces.
In agriculture and landscaping, skid steers are used for tasks such as bale handling, barn cleaning, ground preparation, and site maintenance. This cross-sector adoption strengthens the used equipment market and underpins strong residual values — an important consideration when structuring asset finance.
Technological improvements are also accelerating adoption. Modern skid steer loaders benefit from advances in hydraulics, control systems, operator comfort, and fuel efficiency. Manufacturers are increasingly offering machines that meet stringent UK and European emissions standards, including Stage V compliance.
Electric and hybrid skid steer models are beginning to emerge, particularly for indoor, urban, and environmentally sensitive projects. As sustainability requirements tighten and low-emission zones expand, demand for cleaner, quieter compact plant is expected to grow further.
The UK rental market plays a significant role in skid steer adoption, allowing contractors to trial machines before purchase or supplement fleets during peak demand. However, many businesses quickly recognise that ownership — supported by structured asset finance — delivers better long-term value where utilisation is high.
Gable Business Finance supports both ownership and fleet expansion strategies, helping construction businesses move from short-term hire to long-term, cost-effective investment. By aligning finance terms with real-world usage, Gable enables contractors to benefit from the continued growth and relevance of skid steer loaders in the UK market.
In summary, the expanding urban landscape, sustained infrastructure investment, technological evolution, and the inherent efficiency of skid steer loaders are driving strong, long-term growth in their use across the UK. For construction businesses, these machines are no longer optional extras — they are becoming essential, revenue-generating assets that justify strategic investment and expert asset finance support.
Skid steer loaders are among the most versatile and widely used compact machines in the UK construction industry. Often described as true “all-rounders”, skid steers are valued for their compact size, exceptional manoeuvrability, and ability to perform a wide range of tasks using interchangeable attachments. From busy urban construction sites to groundworks projects, demolition works, utilities installations, and plant hire fleets, skid steer loaders play a critical role in keeping projects productive and cost-effective.
At Gable Business Finance, we understand how diverse the construction sector is and the unique challenges it faces when investing in plant and equipment. Skid steer loaders are a prime example of an asset that delivers strong operational value but still represents a significant capital cost, particularly when purchased with multiple attachments. Having worked within the construction sector for many years, Gable are experts in construction asset finance and provide flexible, competitive funding solutions that allow businesses to invest in skid steers confidently while protecting cashflow.
This in-depth article explores how skid steer loaders are used in the construction industry, the benefits they offer, the most commonly purchased new and used machines in the UK, common applications across different sectors, detailed finance FAQs, and real-world case studies.
Skid steer loaders are essential, highly versatile machines that support a wide range of construction activities. Their compact footprint, zero-turn steering, and impressive power-to-size ratio make them ideal for working in confined spaces where larger plant simply cannot operate. Despite their size, skid steers are capable of handling demanding tasks that would otherwise require multiple specialist machines.
In construction environments, skid steer loaders are frequently used for digging, grading, lifting, hauling, demolition, roadworks, and general site cleanup. Their real strength lies in their ability to switch between tasks quickly by changing attachments. Buckets, forks, grapples, trenchers, breakers, augers, and sweepers can all be fitted to a single machine, allowing one skid steer to replace several pieces of plant.
This versatility translates directly into efficiency and cost savings. Contractors can reduce the number of machines on site, lower fuel and maintenance costs, and complete tasks faster. For many small to medium-sized construction businesses, a skid steer loader becomes one of the hardest-working machines in the fleet.
Gable Business Finance understands the operational importance of skid steer loaders and structures finance solutions that reflect their high utilisation and revenue-generating potential on construction sites.
Skid steer loaders are widely used for shallow excavation and trenching works. With the right bucket or trencher attachment, they are ideal for digging foundations, service trenches for utilities, drainage runs, and small portholes. Their compact size allows them to operate close to buildings, fences, and existing infrastructure without excessive disruption.
Material handling is one of the most common uses for skid steer loaders. They are regularly used to load spoil into dumpers or trucks, move aggregates, soil, mulch, and debris, and transport heavy materials around site using buckets, pallet forks, or grapples.
Skid steers are highly effective for grading and levelling tasks. They are used to prepare ground for paving, backfill trenches, level sub-bases, and create smooth surfaces prior to construction or landscaping works.
With breaker or grapple attachments, skid steer loaders are frequently used in light demolition. They can break up concrete slabs, remove internal walls, strip out finishes, and clear demolition debris, particularly in confined or indoor environments where larger machines are impractical.
Maintaining a clean, organised site is critical for safety and productivity. Skid steers fitted with grapples, sweepers, or buckets are ideal for clearing rubble, rocks, timber, and waste materials quickly and efficiently.
In road construction and maintenance, skid steers are used for grading, patching, paving support, kerb work, and general repair tasks. Their agility makes them well suited to working in live traffic environments and tight roadside spaces.
With specialist attachments, skid steer loaders can perform a wide range of additional tasks, including drilling post holes with augers, breaking concrete with hydraulic breakers, operating snow blowers in winter, or handling bulk materials in yards.
Few machines offer the same level of versatility as a skid steer loader. A single machine can perform excavation, lifting, loading, grading, demolition, and cleanup tasks simply by changing attachments. This reduces the need for multiple specialist machines.
Skid steers are designed for tight, confined spaces. Their compact dimensions and zero-turn steering allow them to work in areas where access is limited, such as urban construction sites or between existing structures.
By replacing multiple machines, skid steers help lower operating costs, reduce fuel consumption, and simplify maintenance. Faster task completion also helps projects stay on schedule.
Different lift paths suit different applications. Radial lift machines are ideal for digging and low-level work, while vertical lift models provide greater reach and stability when loading trucks or placing materials at height.
The UK construction market has a well-established preference for certain skid steer brands based on reliability, dealer support, and attachment compatibility. While several manufacturers compete strongly, one brand consistently leads in both new and used sales.
Bobcat is the dominant brand in the UK skid steer market. As the inventor of the skid steer loader, Bobcat offers the widest range of machines and attachments. Popular models include compact machines such as the S70 and S450, mid-range models like the S510 and S530, and tracked machines such as the T66.
Bobcat machines are known for reliability, ease of use, and strong residual values, making them particularly attractive for both purchase and finance.
JCB is a major UK brand with a strong presence across construction and agriculture. JCB skid steers are valued for robust build quality and UK-based dealer support.
These skid steers, such as the popular 299D3 XE, are known for power, durability, and operator comfort. They are often chosen for demanding applications and fleet use.
Kubota skid steers are recognised for compact design, efficiency, and operator-friendly controls, making them popular alternatives to Bobcat machines.
Case and Manitou and Gehl and Mustang also have strong followings in the UK, offering both wheeled and tracked options suitable for construction and hire fleets.
Yes. New and used skid steer loaders are commonly financed through Hire Purchase or Finance Lease.
Yes. Buckets, forks, breakers, augers, and other attachments can usually be included in a single finance agreement.
Yes. Tracked skid steer loaders are regularly financed, particularly for construction and demolition applications.
Used skid steers are frequently financed, subject to age, condition, and remaining service life.
Yes. Refinancing can release equity from owned machines to support cashflow or fleet expansion.
A general builder financed a compact skid steer to handle site preparation, loading spoil, and daily housekeeping on residential builds.
A groundworks firm added a tracked skid steer to work alongside excavators on tight-access sites.
A landscaping contractor financed a skid steer with multiple attachments to replace several smaller machines.
A utilities business used asset finance to acquire a skid steer for trenching and backfilling operations.
A hire company financed multiple Bobcat skid steers to expand rental capacity.
A council contractor financed skid steers for highways and public works maintenance.
A demolition firm invested in a compact tracked skid steer for internal strip-out projects.
An agricultural contractor financed a skid steer to support diversification into construction works.
A recycling business financed a skid steer to handle bulk material movement in a processing yard.
A construction company refinanced an owned skid steer to release funds for additional attachments.
Skid steer loaders are indispensable machines in the UK construction industry, offering unmatched versatility, efficiency, and adaptability. When financed correctly, they become high-performing assets that support productivity and profitability across a wide range of applications.
Gable Business Finance understands the construction sector, the equipment it relies on, and the financial pressures contractors face. By providing flexible, competitive asset finance solutions, Gable helps construction businesses invest in skid steer loaders with confidence and grow sustainably.