Bobcat S510 Skid Steer

Introduction

The Bobcat S510 is a 500-frame vertical-lift skid steer that built a strong reputation as a balanced, dependable mid-size machine — and remains a common, sensible buy on the Canadian used market. With 50 horsepower, a vertical-lift boom, and a 1,950 lb rated operating capacity, it handles the core jobs that define skid-steer work on an acreage or smaller farm: loading trailers, moving gravel and feed, pallet handling, and running common attachments.

On Aglist, the value is in understanding where the S510 sits relative to current machines and what to look for when buying used, with real owner and operator feedback beside the spec sheet. The numbers tell you what it lifts; the reviews tell you how it has held up over years of work — comfort, visibility, reliability, and the maintenance notes that matter most on a used purchase.

One point to set expectations: the S510 is part of Bobcat’s previous M-Series generation, not the current Classic lineup that Bobcat introduced at ConExpo 2026. You will find the S510 on the used market rather than as a new machine. That does not diminish it — it is a proven loader with a deep used supply — but it shapes how and where you buy. More on capacity standards below.

Used-Market Context

The S510 is no longer in current production under Bobcat’s Classic designation. When Bobcat restructured its loader line in 2026, the new Classic skid steers (S70, S450, S590, S650, S770) replaced the M-Series, and the 500-frame S510 was consolidated out of the new-machine lineup.

For buyers, this means the S510 is a used-market machine — and a common one, with broad supply across Canadian dealers and auction channels. That makes it a value option for operators who want proven Bobcat capability without paying for a new machine. The trade-off is the usual used-equipment calculus: hours, condition, and maintenance history matter more than the spec sheet, and dealer support for a current model may be stronger.

Because Dmytro has direct knowledge of Saskatchewan dealer and used pricing, we defer to local market figures over generic listing data. Used pricing on a machine like the S510 varies widely with hours and condition.

Key Specifications

Specification	Bobcat S510
Lift path	Vertical
Rated operating capacity (50% tipping)	1,950 lb (885 kg)
Tipping load	~3,900 lb (1,769 kg)
Gross horsepower	50.2 hp
Emissions	Tier 4
Operating weight	~6,210 lb (2,816 kg)
Travel speed	~7.5 mph (12.1 km/h)
Frame size	500 series

Specifications are verified against Bobcat specification data and independent spec databases. Because the S510 is a used-market machine that saw production across several years, confirm exact figures for the specific machine and year you are considering.

Understanding the ROC Standard (Read This Before You Compare)

Rated operating capacity is a fixed percentage of a machine’s tipping load — and the percentage differs by manufacturer. Bobcat and Kubota use 50%; John Deere uses 35%.

The S510’s 1,950 lb rating is on the 50% basis. On the 35% basis that John Deere uses, the same machine would rate lower. When cross-shopping a used S510 against a John Deere skid steer, convert both to a common standard before drawing a conclusion — otherwise you will overstate the Bobcat. This is the most common comparison error in this class, and it applies just as much to used machines.

Build & Engineering Detail

The S510 runs a 50-horsepower Tier 4 diesel. Within the 500-frame range, it was positioned as a balanced, mid-capacity machine — enough power and lift for genuine daily work without the size or cost of a larger frame.

Its vertical-lift boom is the key feature for material handling. Vertical lift keeps the load close to the machine and delivers more reach and height at the top of the cycle, which is what you want loading over the side of a trailer or truck. For an acreage or smaller-farm machine, that vertical geometry covers the most common loading tasks well.

When buying a used S510, the engineering details that matter most are condition-related: hydraulic system health, boom and pin wear, tire condition, and overall maintenance history. The chaincase design — like all Bobcat skid steers — uses welded axle tubes that eliminate periodic drive-chain tensioning, which is one less wear point to worry about, but the rest of the machine should be inspected as you would any used loader.

Best Applications

The S510 is a sensible used buy for:

• Acreage owners and smaller mixed farms — loading trailers, moving feed and gravel, pallet handling, and seasonal chores.
• Value-focused buyers — operators who want proven Bobcat capability and a deep used supply rather than a new-machine price.
• Light-to-moderate material handling — the vertical-lift boom covers trailer and truck loading at a sensible capacity.
• Second-machine or backup roles — a dependable used loader to supplement a primary machine.

It is not the choice if you need current-model dealer support, the latest cab and technology, or maximum capacity — for that, look at the current Classic S590 or S650. As a used value machine, though, the S510 is a reasonable option.

How the S510 Fits the Bobcat Lineup

In Bobcat’s previous M-Series generation, the S510 sat in the 500 frame size as a balanced mid-capacity machine, between smaller and larger M-Series loaders. In today’s terms, its closest current equivalents are the Classic S590 (similar 500-frame vertical-lift positioning, as a new machine) and, a step up, the S650. Buyers choosing between a used S510 and a new S590 are essentially weighing used value against current-model support and features.

Bobcat S510 Reviews & Ratings

On Aglist, open the Reviews & Ratings section on this page to see how the S510 has performed over years of ownership: reliability and uptime, cab comfort and visibility, attachment performance, and the maintenance notes that matter most when buying used. If you own or have owned an S510, your review helps the next prairie buyer judge a used purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bobcat S510 still in production? No. The S510 is part of Bobcat’s previous M-Series generation. When Bobcat restructured its loader line at ConExpo 2026, the new Classic skid steers replaced the M-Series, and the S510 is now a used-market machine. Its closest current equivalent is the Classic S590.

What is the rated operating capacity of the Bobcat S510? 1,950 lb at the 50% tipping-load standard, with a tipping load of roughly 3,900 lb. On the 35% standard John Deere uses, the same machine rates lower — convert to a common basis before comparing across brands.

How much horsepower does the Bobcat S510 have? About 50 horsepower from a Tier 4 diesel. It was positioned as a balanced mid-capacity machine in the 500 frame size.

Is the S510 a vertical-lift or radial-lift skid steer? Vertical lift. The boom delivers more reach and height at the top of the cycle, well suited to loading trailers and trucks.

Is the Bobcat S510 a good used buy? For value-focused buyers, yes. It is a proven loader with deep used supply across Canada. As with any used machine, hours, condition, and maintenance history matter more than the spec sheet — inspect carefully and confirm the specific machine’s figures.

How much does the Bobcat S510 weigh? Operating weight is approximately 6,210 lb, keeping it easily trailerable behind a three-quarter-ton truck.

What current machine is most like the S510? The Classic S590 occupies similar 500-frame vertical-lift territory as a current new machine. Choosing between a used S510 and a new S590 comes down to used value versus current-model support and features.

What should I check when buying a used S510? Hydraulic system health, boom and pin wear, tire condition, hours, and overall maintenance history. The welded-axle chaincase eliminates drive-chain tensioning as a wear point, but inspect the rest as you would any used loader.

Does the Bobcat S510 take attachments? Yes — it uses Bobcat’s standard Bob-Tach system and runs the common skid-steer attachment list, including buckets, forks, augers, and grapples scaled to its capacity.

Is the Bobcat S510 good for snow removal? For light-to-moderate residential and small-commercial snow work, yes, with an appropriately sized attachment. For heavy commercial snow, a larger machine has more power and weight.

Related Models

• Bobcat S590 — the closest current-production equivalent; a new 500-frame vertical-lift Bobcat skid steer.
• Bobcat S570 — another 500-frame used-market Bobcat skid steer, for cross-shopping used options.
• Bobcat S650 — the current mid-frame Bobcat workhorse, one capacity step up.