Which Bobcat Skid Steer or Track Loader Is Right for You? The Complete Buyer’s Guide

Introduction

Bobcat builds more compact loaders than almost anyone, and that range is a blessing and a problem. The lineup runs from a 36-inch sub-compact that fits through a barn door to a 100-horsepower large-frame machine that lifts loads twelve feet in the air — with a dozen models in between, split across wheeled and tracked undercarriages, radial and vertical lift, and a brand-new Classic-versus-Pro tier structure introduced at ConExpo 2026. For a Saskatchewan grain farmer, an Alberta acreage owner, or a prairie contractor, the hard part isn’t whether to buy a Bobcat. It’s figuring out which one.

This guide is built to answer that question the way an experienced operator would — by working through the decisions that actually narrow the field, not by reciting spec sheets. We’ll cover the five questions that determine the right machine (frame size, wheels versus tracks, lift geometry, new versus used, and hydraulic flow), point you to every current and used Bobcat model along the way, and finish with a full comparison table you can scan in one pass. We’ll also explain the single most important number on any skid steer spec sheet — rated operating capacity — and why the way Bobcat reports it trips up almost every buyer comparing brands.

If you want the quick version: most prairie operations end up on a mid-frame machine like the Bobcat S650 or its tracked twin the T650. But “most” isn’t “all,” and the right answer depends on your ground, your loads, and your budget. Let’s work through it.

First, the One Number Everyone Gets Wrong: Rated Operating Capacity

Before any model talk, you need to understand rated operating capacity (ROC), because it’s the number you’ll compare most — and the one most likely to mislead you.

ROC is the load a skid steer is rated to handle safely. It’s calculated as a fixed percentage of the machine’s tipping load(the weight that would start to lift the rear of the machine). The catch: manufacturers don’t all use the same percentage. Bobcat and Kubota rate at 50% of tipping load. John Deere rates at the more conservative 35%.

Here’s why that matters. Take the Bobcat S650: it has a tipping load of 5,380 lb. At 50%, Bobcat advertises a 2,690 lb ROC. But measured at the 35% standard John Deere uses, that exact same machine rates at 1,883 lb. Nothing about the loader changed — only the math.

So when you line up a Bobcat’s 2,690 lb against a John Deere’s published number, you’re not comparing apples to apples. The Bobcat will always look stronger than a Deere of genuinely equal capability, simply because of the rating convention. To compare honestly, convert both to the same basis. Every Bobcat model page on Aglist lists capacity at both the 50% and 35% standards for exactly this reason.

Keep this in mind for the rest of the guide: when we cite a Bobcat ROC, it’s the 50% figure Bobcat uses, unless noted. Now let’s find your machine.

Question 1: What Frame Size Do You Actually Need?

Frame size is the broadest cut, and it maps directly to capacity, weight, and price. Bobcat’s skid steers fall into rough tiers from sub-compact to large-frame. Be honest here — oversizing wastes money and maneuverability; undersizing means a machine that struggles and wears out early.

Sub-Compact: For Access, Not Volume

If your defining constraint is fitting through tight spaces — barn aisles, gates, doorways, between buildings — and not how much you can lift, you’re looking at the smallest machine Bobcat makes.

The Bobcat S70 is just 36 inches wide and weighs under 3,000 lb, with a 760 lb capacity and about 23 horsepower. It’s a specialist: it does loader work where nothing else fits, but it’s far too small to be a primary farm machine. For most prairie operations, the S70 is a niche second machine — invaluable if you genuinely need that access, irrelevant if you don’t.

Compact (400/500 Frame): Acreage and Chore Work

Step up to the compact and small-mid range and you reach the machines that suit acreage owners, hobby farms, and lighter mixed operations — enough capability for real chore work without the weight, cost, or trailer demands of a big loader.

The Bobcat S450 is the compact entry point: under 60 inches wide, 49 horsepower, 1,370 lb capacity, radial lift. It fits through standard gates and trailers behind a half-ton, which is its whole appeal. Move up within the 500 frame and you find the Bobcat S590 — the current Classic value machine and the smallest Bobcat with vertical lift, which is the dividing line for serious truck loading (more on that under Question 3). At 68 horsepower and 2,100 lb, the S590 is a genuine acreage workhorse.

The 500 frame is also where most of the used-market value lives. The S510, S530, S550, and S570 are all earlier-generation 500-frame machines that no longer appear in the current Classic lineup but remain common, affordable buys across Canada. We’ll come back to which of these makes sense under Question 4.

Mid-Frame (600 Frame): The Prairie Sweet Spot

For full-time farm and construction duty, the 600 frame is where most buyers land — and for good reason. These machines load high-sided grain trucks, handle round bales, run serious snow attachments, and still trailer behind a three-quarter-ton truck.

The Bobcat S650 is the definitive mid-frame machine: 74 horsepower, 2,690 lb capacity, vertical lift, and a Kubota V3307 engine that’s well regarded for reliability. It’s the single most common size on the prairies, and for a reason — it’s enough machine for nearly everything a mixed operation throws at it. In the same 600 frame, the Bobcat S630 is the radial-lift alternative (a used-market machine now), better suited to digging and mid-height work than high truck loading.

Large-Frame (700/800 Frame): Heavy and High

When the S650 runs out of capacity, you move into large-frame territory — machines for heavy truck loading, big bales, large mulchers, and commercial snow.

The Bobcat S770 is the flagship of the current Classic line: 92 horsepower, 3,350 lb capacity, and up to 36.6 gpm of high-flow hydraulics — meaningfully more attachment muscle than the S650. Above it sits the Bobcat S850, the biggest skid steer Bobcat builds: 100 horsepower, a 3,950 lb capacity, and an industry-leading 12-foot lift height that clears the sides of high tandem trucks nothing else in the line can reach. The S850 is more machine than most farms need — but when maximum capacity and reach genuinely matter, nothing smaller will do.

Question 2: Wheels or Tracks? (This Matters More Than the Model Number)

Here’s the decision that trips up more buyers than frame size: should you get a wheeled skid steer (S-series) or a compact track loader (T-series)? On the prairies, with our spring mud, wet yards, and snow, this is often the most important choice — and it’s worth more thought than which exact model number you land on.

Wheeled skid steers are cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, faster on hard surfaces, and simpler to maintain. On firm yard, gravel, and packed ground, a wheeled machine is the smarter, more economical choice.

Compact track loaders spread their weight across rubber tracks, dropping ground pressure dramatically. The Bobcat T650 exerts about 5.7 psi; the big T870 just 4.7 psi — a fraction of what a wheeled machine puts down. That flotation lets a track loader work on soft spring fields, muddy yards, lawns, and snow where a wheeled machine would sink, rut, or tear up the surface. The trade-off is cost: tracks and undercarriage components are expensive to buy and maintain, and track wear is a real ongoing expense, especially on abrasive ground.

The clean way to think about it: pick your frame size first, then pick the undercarriage that matches your ground.Bobcat builds tracked counterparts across the range, so you rarely have to compromise on size to get the undercarriage you need:

• Compact track work: Bobcat T450 — the compact, radial-lift track loader for tight, soft-ground jobs
• 500-frame flotation: Bobcat T595 — the value vertical-lift track loader, highest output in its frame
• Mid-frame, the prairie default: Bobcat T650 — the tracked twin of the S650, same Kubota engine
• Large-frame: Bobcat T770 — 92 horsepower, the tracked counterpart to the S770
• Maximum capability: Bobcat T870 — the biggest, most powerful Bobcat track loader, 100 horsepower with a 5-link torsion-suspension undercarriage for ride comfort

If your ground is consistently firm, save the money and go wheeled. If you fight mud and soft conditions — as much of the prairie does in spring — the flotation of a track loader often pays for itself in machines that keep working when wheeled units are parked.

Question 3: Radial or Vertical Lift?

Within a frame size, Bobcat often offers two boom geometries, and they’re built for different work. This is a real difference, not marketing — and matching it to your jobs matters.

Radial lift swings the load outward in an arc as it rises. That gives you more forward reach at mid-range heights — ideal for digging, backfilling, grading, dumping over a wall, and unloading flatbed trucks. Radial-lift Bobcats include the S450, the used S550, the used S630, and the compact T450.

Vertical lift raises the load straight up, keeping it close to the machine and delivering maximum reach and height at the top of the cycle. That’s what you want for loading over the side of a high grain truck and stacking pallets. Vertical-lift machines include the S590, S650, S770, and S850, plus the used S530 and S570.

The clearest illustration is within a single frame. In the 600 frame, the radial S630 and vertical S650 share a size class but do different jobs best — the S630 for digging-heavy work, the S650 for truck loading. If most of your work is loading trucks and stacking, prioritize vertical lift. If you spend more time digging, grading, and dumping at mid-height, radial lift serves you better and often costs less.

Question 4: New (Classic) or Used? And What About Pro?

Bobcat’s 2026 ConExpo restructure reshaped the lineup, and it directly affects your new-versus-used decision.

The Classic Line (Current, New)

Bobcat replaced its old M-Series and R-Series naming with two tiers: Classic and Pro. Classic machines are the current, new, proven loaders at competitive pricing — the S70, S450, S590, S650, and S770 skid steers, plus the T450, T595, T650, and T770 track loaders, with the large-frame S850 and T870 at the top. If you’re buying new and want current dealer support and the latest cab, this is your list.

The Used Market (Value)

Several earlier-generation machines are no longer sold new but remain common, sensible used buys across Canada — and they can deliver a lot of proven capability for the money. The standouts:

• Bobcat S510 — a balanced 500-frame vertical-lift machine; closest current equivalent is the S590
• Bobcat S570 — the higher-output 500-frame machine, notable for its well-regarded Kubota V2607 engine
• Bobcat S630 — the radial-lift 600-frame option for digging-focused work
• Bobcat S550 and S530 — compact 500-frame machines for lighter duty

When buying used, hours, condition, and maintenance history matter more than the spec sheet. One reassuring Bobcat detail: the sealed chaincase uses a pre-stressed roller chain with no master link, in an oil bath — it doesn’t require the periodic drive-chain tensioning some competitors need, which removes one common wear-and-adjustment point. Still, inspect the hydraulics, boom and pins, tires (or tracks), and engine as you would any used loader, and confirm the exact engine package on models like the S530 that saw international spec variations.

The Pro Line (New Generation, Specs Pending)

The Pro tier is Bobcat’s next generation — the S64-2, S66-2, S76-2, and S86-2 skid steers and their T-series track loader equivalents, replacing the old R-Series. Pro machines add advanced cab technology, selectable drive modes, higher super-flow hydraulic options, and an optional in-cab voice-command system. They’re reaching dealers through 2026, but full official specifications are still being released. If you’re shopping new and want the latest technology, ask your dealer about Pro availability — but treat any Pro specs you find online as preliminary until Bobcat publishes final numbers. As verified specs become available, Aglist will add full Pro model pages.

Question 5: Hydraulic Flow — Will It Run Your Attachments?

The last decision is easy to overlook and expensive to get wrong: auxiliary hydraulic flow. It determines which attachments a machine can actually run at full performance.

Standard flow (roughly 17–23 gpm across the lineup) handles the everyday attachment list — buckets, forks, augers, grapples, snow buckets. For most basic material handling, standard flow is fine.

High-flow (reaching 30 gpm on the S650 and up to 36.6 gpm on the S770 and S850) is what you need for demanding attachments: snow blowers, forestry mulchers, cold planers, large brooms. An undersized circuit will starve these — a snow blower on too little flow spins its auger too slowly and throws snow short.

The prairie-specific takeaway: if a snow blower or mulcher is in your future, specify high-flow, and match the attachment to the machine’s actual gpm rating, not just to a width number. This is one of the most common mismatches we see, and it’s entirely avoidable. The newest Pro models add even higher super-flow options for the most demanding work.

Putting It Together: Quick Recommendations

Working through the five questions, here’s where most buyers land:

• Acreage owner, mixed chores, firm ground, buying new: Bobcat S590 (wheeled) — vertical lift, sensible capacity, trailerable.
• Full-time mixed farm, the prairie default: Bobcat S650 (wheeled) or T650 (tracked, if you fight mud) — the most versatile size.
• Heavy loading, big attachments, commercial snow: Bobcat S770 or T770.
• Maximum capacity and reach: Bobcat S850 or T870.
• Tight access above all: Bobcat S70.
• Best value, willing to buy used: Bobcat S510 or S570 (for the Kubota engine).

Full Bobcat Model Comparison Chart

Here’s the entire current and used Bobcat skid steer and compact track loader lineup in one view. ROC figures are at Bobcat’s 50% tipping-load standard; remember to convert to 35% when comparing against a John Deere machine.

Model	Type	Frame	Status	Lift	HP	ROC (50%)	Notes
S70	Wheel	Sub-compact	Classic	Radial	~23.5	760 lb	36″ wide, tight access
S450	Wheel	Compact	Classic	Radial	49	1,370 lb	Under 60″ wide
S510	Wheel	500	Used	Vertical	50	1,950 lb	Balanced value buy
S530	Wheel	500	Used	Vertical	~61	~2,000 lb	Smallest vertical-lift
S550	Wheel	500	Used	Radial	61	1,750 lb	“Big brother” to S450
S570	Wheel	500	Used	Vertical	61	1,950 lb	Kubota V2607 engine
S590	Wheel	500	Classic	Vertical	68	2,100 lb	Value vertical-lift, new
S630	Wheel	600	Used	Radial	74	2,180 lb	Radial 600-frame
S650	Wheel	600	Classic	Vertical	74	2,690 lb	Prairie default, Kubota V3307
S770	Wheel	700	Classic	Vertical	92	3,350 lb	Classic flagship
S850	Wheel	800	Classic	Vertical	100	3,950 lb	Biggest, 12-ft lift
T450	Track	Compact	Classic	Radial	~49	1,490 lb (ISO)	Compact track flotation
T595	Track	500	Classic	Vertical	70	2,200 lb (ISO)	5.1 psi, value track
T650	Track	600	Classic	Vertical	74	2,570 lb (ISO)	Tracked S650, Kubota V3307
T770	Track	700	Classic	Vertical	92	3,475 lb (ISO)	Tracked S770, Bobcat D34
T870	Track	800	Classic	Vertical	100	3,650 lb (ISO)	Biggest CTL, 4.7 psi

How Bobcat Compares to Other Brands

This guide focuses on choosing within the Bobcat lineup, but most prairie buyers also cross-shop John Deere and Kubota. The key thing to carry into that comparison is the ROC standard we covered up top: Bobcat and Kubota rate at 50% of tipping load, John Deere at 35%, so always convert to a common basis before concluding one machine out-lifts another.

For the cross-brand picture, see our John Deere vs Kubota Skid Steers buyer’s guide, which explains the rating differences in detail, and the Kubota SVL Lineup Compared guide for the competing compact track loaders. To see the full Bobcat lineup organized by frame size and undercarriage, visit the Bobcat brand hub on Aglist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Bobcat skid steer is the most popular?

For prairie farms and acreages, the mid-frame Bobcat S650 is the most common choice. At 74 horsepower with 2,690 lb of capacity, vertical lift, and a reliable Kubota engine, it handles nearly everything a mixed operation needs while still trailering behind a three-quarter-ton truck. Its tracked twin, the T650, is equally popular where ground conditions are soft.

What is the biggest Bobcat skid steer?

The Bobcat S850 is the largest wheeled skid steer, at 100 horsepower with a 3,950 lb capacity and an industry-leading 12-foot lift height. Among track loaders, the Bobcat T870 is the biggest and most powerful, also at 100 horsepower — it was the first compact track loader to reach that output.

Should I buy a wheeled or tracked Bobcat?

It depends on your ground. Wheeled skid steers are cheaper to buy and run and faster on firm surfaces. Compact track loaders cost more but float on soft, wet, or finished ground thanks to much lower ground pressure. On the prairies, where spring mud and snow are facts of life, many operators find the flotation of a track loader worth the premium — but for firm yard and gravel work, wheels are the smarter buy.

What’s the difference between Bobcat Classic and Pro?

Classic machines are the current, proven loaders at competitive pricing — models like the S650 and T770. Pro machines are Bobcat’s new generation (S64-2 through S86-2 and their track loader equivalents), adding advanced cab technology, selectable drive modes, higher super-flow hydraulics, and an optional voice-command system. Pro machines are arriving through 2026, but full specifications are still being released.

Why does a Bobcat’s lifting capacity look higher than a John Deere’s?

Because the two brands measure it differently. Bobcat and Kubota rate operating capacity at 50% of tipping load; John Deere rates at the more conservative 35%. The same physical machine produces a higher number under Bobcat’s convention, so a Bobcat will always appear stronger than a John Deere of equal real-world capability unless you convert both to the same standard first.

What’s the difference between radial and vertical lift?

Radial lift arcs the load outward as it rises, giving more reach at mid-range heights — better for digging, backfilling, and dumping over walls. Vertical lift raises the load straight up with more reach and height at the top of the cycle — better for loading high trucks and stacking pallets. Bobcat often offers both within a frame size, like the radial S630 and vertical S650 in the 600 frame.

Is a used Bobcat a good buy?

Yes, for value-focused buyers. Earlier-generation machines like the S510, S570, and S630 are no longer sold new but remain common and capable on the used market. Bobcat’s sealed, no-adjustment chaincase removes one common wear point, but always check hours, hydraulics, boom and pin wear, tires or tracks, and engine condition — and confirm the exact specs for the specific year, as some models had variations.

What size Bobcat do I need for snow removal?

For residential and light work, a 500-frame machine handles it. For serious or commercial snow, step up to a 600-frame S650 or large-frame S770, and — critically — specify high-flow hydraulics so the machine can run a properly sized snow blower at full performance. Tracked machines add traction and flotation in snow. Always match the blower or pusher to the machine’s actual gpm rating.

Note: We try our best to keep specs and information accurate, but some details can be missing or different depending on the source. Before you buy, service, or repair equipment, please double-check key specs with the manufacturer, the owner’s manual, or your dealer.

About reviews: Reviews on Aglist are written by real users. We moderate them for spam and abuse, but opinions and claims are still personal—so use them as guidance, not as a guarantee.