How Much Does a Bobcat Rental Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Purchasing a Bobcat can be an expensive investment, and if you only need it for a limited time or purchasing one doesn’t make financial sense, then renting one may be the best option.  Renting a Bobcat is ideal for those who need it for one or two projects and only need it for a few days.

A Bobcat will be great for grading, leveling and digging, with a variety of attachments available such as different tire treads or tracks to maneuver on virtually any surface.  Weather you’re creating a new path or transferring heavy objects, a skid steer can fit your needs.

Bobcat S650 skid steer loader by Asylumkid, on Flickr
Bobcat S650 skid steer loader” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by  Asylumkid

How much does a bobcat rental cost?

The cost of a bobcat rental will depend on the type of Bobcat rented (mini excavator, track loaders, mini tractors, backhoes, scrapers), the time rented, rental company and the size of the Bobcat.  The average rental costs, from our research, will be around $150 to $400+ for a day.  This won’t include the attachments if you were to need them.  Refer to our table below to see what popular Bobcats could cost to rent in your area.

At Home Depot, for example, we had its Bobcat rental prices, depending on your geographical location, would be in the $250 to $350 range; however, if you were to rent it by the week, the costs would drop in half.

Bobcat Rental Direct created a handy table, explaining the daily rates can range as little as $165 for a 700-pound capacity Bobcat to as much as $700 per day for a 2,000-pound capacity Bobcat.

Types of Bobcats

Compact Excavator

An excavator will be designed for those who are looking at major digging projects.  Whether it’s prepping a foundation or removing soil from a pool, there are more than 10 Bobcat excavator models on the market.

Compact Track Loader

A compact track loader will have tracks instead of wheels, making it very easy to maneuver in tough situations.  A track loader will work well on soft soil without disrupting the ground beneath.

Mini Track Loader

A mini track loader will be self-propelled as you walk behind it, making it easy to work in a farm scenario or when laying sod.  Its larger rubber tracks make it easy to work in almost any situation.

Skid-Steer Loader

Turning by skidding across the ground, a skid-steer loader can turn and maneuver in the tightest of spaces.  Used for many applications, a skid-steer can push dirt, carry around rocks or scrape debris from the ground.

What are the extra costs?

Fuel, while it will be included in the beginning, will need to be considered because, like a moving truck, you will need to return it with a full tank.  On average, Bobcats will use up to two gallons for every hour it’s running.  This will depend on how hard you’re using the machine and how much throttle you’re using it.  As said, plan on spending at least two gallons worth of gas every hour you plan on using it.

Popular attachments, such as a pallet fork, snow pusher, hydraulic breaker, angle broom, auger and/or backhoe can all be commonly available at a local rental company fir addtional fee.  Depending on the attachment, this can often add $40 to $80 to the daily fee.

A delivery and/or pickup fee can apply if you can’t pick it up at the rental location.  Depending on how far the company has to drive, plan on spending at least $100 to $200 for a round-trip delivery fee.

Like a rental car, most rental companies will offer a damage protection plan in case the Bobcat were to incur accidental damage, theft and/or vandalism.  All coverage, of course, will have its own limitations, but if you were to add this type of coverage, it could be about 10 to 15 percent more than the purchase price.

A cleaning fee can apply if you bring back the equipment with excessive mud or dirt.  While the companies know you’re going to get it dirty, they will still expect it to be returned in a decent condition.  A simple rinse off will usually be enough to get the job done.  The average cleaning fee, if it were charged, would be about $100.

Tips to know:

Before renting, read over the contract, especially the fine print to know your limitations.

How can I save money?

The longer you rent a Bobcat, the more you can save.  For example, if you pay close attention to our table above, a daily rental for the Skid Steer S150 is close to $200 per day, but if you were to rent it for the week, the weekly fee can drop down to as little as $700, saving you more than 50 percent.


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