1.9-2.7t · dry day rates · verified 2026

Skid Steer (Bobcat) Hire Rates — What It Really Costs

The published dry day rate for a skid steer is $336 in the one city live so far — every figure aggregated from independent sources and shown with its source count. Verified 13 Oct 2026.

Rates by City

Melbourne $336 /day dry 3 sources · verified 13 Oct 2026

What a Job Actually Costs

Machine hire only, at the Melbourne typical dry rate of $336/day shown above — each row states the days it assumes, so adjust for your site.

Site clean-up and load-out 1 day $336

Backfilling and spreading 1–2 days $336–$672

Driveway boxing and gravel spreading 1–2 days $336–$672

Bulk landscaping material moves 1–2 days $336–$672

Totals cover the machine at the day rate only — delivery/float, an operator, fuel, attachments and materials are extra, and week-plus hires usually negotiate below the day rate. Ground conditions and access change everything; treat these as a starting budget, not a quote.

Thinking about buying instead?

A buy-versus-hire comparison needs a verified purchase price as well as a published hire rate. We do not yet have the verified price evidence for this class, so a breakeven is not available here. This class covers machines like the ASV RT-50 , the Bobcat S450 , the Bobcat S70 , the Bobcat T590 , the Cat 262D3 , the Kubota SVL75-2 , the Takeuchi TL10V-2 and the Toyota Huski 5SDK8 — check each guide for specs, buying checks and the available price evidence.

About the buy vs hire calculator →

Skid Steer (Bobcat) Hire FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a skid steer (bobcat) in Australia?

The published dry day rate is $336 in the one city live so far, verified 13 Oct 2026. Its rate card below shows the sources behind it — more cities publish as they clear the three-source gate.

What is the difference between dry hire and wet hire?

Dry hire is the machine only — you operate it yourself. Wet hire includes an operator, so it costs more but covers licensing, skill and liability. Where hirers publish wet rates for a skid steer (bobcat), we show them alongside the dry rate.

Where do these hire rates come from?

Independent hire operators' published rates and direct quotes, aggregated per city. A city only publishes once we hold at least three independent sources for it — the source count is shown on every rate.

How do I pay less to hire a skid steer (bobcat)?

Weekly hire beats day-by-day if the job runs long, independents often undercut the national chains, and delivery fees change the real total — always compare the delivered price. If your usage is regular, run the buy-vs-hire numbers before signing another hire docket.

Compare & Related

How we rate. Hire figures are aggregated (median) from independent operators' published rates and direct quotes. A class and city publishes only with three or more independent sources, and every rate shows its source count. Rates are indicative — confirm the delivered price with the hirer. Full methodology →

1 City

13 OCT 2026 Verified