Bobcat S70 Skid Steer

Introduction

The Bobcat S70 is the smallest skid steer Bobcat builds — a true sub-compact machine just 36 inches wide, designed to go where no other skid steer can fit. Through a standard interior doorway, between fence posts, inside a barn aisle, or down a narrow side yard, the S70 does loader work in spaces that would stop even a compact machine like the S450. It is a specialist tool, and for the jobs it suits, nothing else in the Bobcat line comes close.

On Aglist, the value is in understanding exactly where the S70 fits — and where it does not — with real owner and operator feedback beside the spec sheet. For most prairie grain and mixed operations, the S70 is too small to be a primary machine. But for acreage owners with tight-access chores, livestock barns with narrow aisles, or contractors doing interior and confined-space work, it solves problems bigger machines cannot.

A note on capacity standards, consistent with the rest of the Bobcat line: the S70’s 760 lb rated operating capacity is measured at the 50% tipping-load standard, the same basis Kubota uses. John Deere rates at 35%. Cross-brand number comparisons should always be put on a common basis first — though at this size, the S70 is in a class of its own and has few direct skid-steer competitors.

Configurations & Pricing Context

The S70 carries forward under Bobcat’s Classic designation following the 2026 ConExpo restructure. It remains the dedicated sub-compact in the Classic skid-steer range.

For Canadian buyers, the S70 is usually specified simply — its value is in its size, not in feature packages. An enclosed cab option exists, though many are run as open machines given the confined, often-interior nature of the work.

Pricing varies with configuration and condition. Because Dmytro has direct knowledge of Saskatchewan dealer and used pricing, we defer to local market figures over manufacturer-advertised numbers.

Key Specifications

Specification	Bobcat S70
Lift path	Radial
Rated operating capacity (50% tipping)	760 lb (344 kg)
Tipping load	1,520 lb (689 kg)
Gross horsepower	~23.5 hp
Emissions	Tier 4
Operating weight	~2,892 lb (1,312 kg)
Width	36 in (914 mm)
Height to hinge pin	94.5 in (2,400 mm)
Travel speed	~4.3 mph (7 km/h)
Drive	Single-speed

The S70’s defining specifications are its 36-inch width and sub-3,000 lb weight — everything else follows from its sub-compact mission. Specifications are verified against Bobcat specification data and independent spec databases. Confirm exact figures for a specific machine and year with your dealer.

Where the S70 Fits (Read This Before Buying)

The S70 is not a smaller version of a normal skid steer — it is a different tool for a different job. Its 760 lb capacity and 23.5 horsepower are modest by design; the entire point is the 36-inch width and the access it provides.

That makes the buying decision unusually clear. If your work involves loading trucks, moving volume, handling bales, or any general farm or construction material handling, the S70 is the wrong machine — you want at least an S450, and more likely an S590 or S650. But if you have a specific, recurring need to do loader work in spaces under four feet wide — interior demolition, barn-aisle cleaning, tight landscaping, confined-site work — the S70 does what no larger machine can.

For most aglist.ca visitors running prairie grain or mixed operations, the S70 is a niche second machine at most. We include it for completeness and for the operators whose work genuinely calls for it.

Build & Engineering Detail

The S70 runs a compact Tier 4 diesel of roughly 23.5 horsepower. Power and hydraulic flow are sized to the machine’s light-duty, confined-space mission rather than to heavy attachment work.

The radial-lift boom suits the ground-level material handling and digging that dominate sub-compact work. At 36 inches wide and under 3,000 lb, the S70 trailers behind almost any vehicle and can be moved between sites with minimal effort — part of its practical appeal for contractors who need it occasionally.

The standard Bob-Tach attachment system means the S70 can run a range of appropriately sized attachments — buckets, forks, augers, and grapples scaled to its capacity — extending its usefulness within its size class.

Best Applications

The S70 is a strong fit for:

• Ultra-tight-access work — anywhere a machine needs to fit through a standard doorway or gate, or work in spaces under four feet wide.
• Livestock barns with narrow aisles — cleaning and bedding where larger machines cannot maneuver.
• Interior and confined-site jobs — demolition cleanup, material moving inside structures.
• Tight landscaping — backyard and side-yard work with restricted access.

It is not a general-purpose farm or construction machine. For volume material handling, truck loading, or bale work, every other machine in the Bobcat line is a better choice.

How the S70 Fits the Bobcat Lineup

The S70 sits at the very bottom of Bobcat’s Classic skid-steer range by size and capacity — but it is better understood as a standalone specialist than as the smallest rung of a ladder. Above it, the S450 begins the range of genuinely general-purpose compact skid steers, followed by the S590, S650, and S770. The S70 exists for one reason: access. When 36 inches of width is the deciding factor, it is the only Bobcat skid steer that fits.

Bobcat S70 Reviews & Ratings

On Aglist, open the Reviews & Ratings section on this page to see how the S70 performs in the confined work it is built for: maneuverability in tight access, attachment performance at its size class, and ownership notes. If you own an S70, your review helps the next buyer understand whether this specialist machine fits their work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How wide is the Bobcat S70? Just 36 inches — three feet. That width is the machine’s entire reason for existing, letting it fit through standard doorways and gates and work in spaces no other skid steer can reach.

What is the rated operating capacity of the Bobcat S70? 760 lb at the 50% tipping-load standard. Tipping load is 1,520 lb. It is a light-duty, sub-compact machine by design.

How much horsepower does the Bobcat S70 have? Approximately 23.5 horsepower from a compact Tier 4 diesel — sized to the machine’s confined-space mission rather than to heavy attachment work.

Is the Bobcat S70 a good farm machine? For most prairie grain and mixed operations, no — it is too small to be a primary machine. It excels only where ultra-tight access is the deciding factor, such as barn aisles or interior work. For general farm duty, an S450 or larger is the right choice.

How much does the Bobcat S70 weigh? About 2,892 lb — under 3,000 lb — so it trailers behind almost any vehicle with minimal effort.

Is the S70 vertical or radial lift? Radial lift, which suits the ground-level material handling and digging typical of sub-compact work.

What can the Bobcat S70 be used for? Tight-access loader work: barn-aisle cleaning, interior demolition cleanup, confined-site material handling, and restricted-access landscaping. Its specialty is fitting where larger machines cannot.

Should I buy an S70 or an S450? Unless you have a specific, recurring need for sub-four-foot access, buy the S450 or larger. The S450 is far more capable as a general machine; the S70 only makes sense when width is the deciding constraint.

Does the Bobcat S70 take attachments? Yes — it uses the standard Bob-Tach system and runs a range of attachments scaled to its size, including buckets, forks, augers, and grapples.

What’s the difference between the S70 Classic and the new Pro models? At ConExpo 2026, Bobcat split its line into Classic and Pro. The S70 remains a Classic machine. The new Pro lineup focuses on larger skid steers with advanced cab technology; the sub-compact S70 serves a distinct, access-driven role.

Related Models

• Bobcat S450 — the next size up and the entry point to genuinely general-purpose Bobcat skid steers.
• Bobcat S590 — vertical-lift mid-frame machine for trailer and truck loading.
• Bobcat S650 — the mid-frame Bobcat workhorse for full farm and construction duty.