The Complete Guide to Buying a Skid Steer in Northern Kentucky

Step 1: Determine Your Size Class

Skid steers are categorized by rated operating capacity (ROC) — the maximum load the machine can safely carry at 50% of tipping load. The three main size classes are:

Small frame (1,050–1,600 lb ROC): Ideal for residential landscaping, light farm work, and tight spaces. Examples include the GEHL R105 and R165.

Mid frame (1,750–2,750 lb ROC): The sweet spot for most contractors. Handles grading, backfill, material handling, and most construction tasks. Examples include the GEHL R165, V270, and V275.

Large frame (3,000–3,600+ lb ROC): For heavy construction, demolition, forestry, and high-volume material handling. Examples include the GEHL V335 and V360.

The right size depends on your primary application. Buying too small means you’ll struggle with heavy loads. Buying too large means you’re paying for capacity you don’t use and may not fit in tight spaces.

Step 2: Radial Lift vs Vertical Lift

This is one of the most important decisions and one that many buyers overlook.

Radial lift skid steers (like the GEHL R-Series) excel at ground-level work: grading, backfilling, pushing material, and digging. The boom arc provides more reach at mid-height, making them ideal for loading trucks and working in trenches.

Vertical lift skid steers (like the GEHL V-Series) excel at lifting and placing loads at height. The boom travels in a more vertical path, providing greater lift height and better reach at full extension. They’re the right choice for stacking pallets, loading hoppers, and any work where you need to place material above the machine’s height.

If you do a mix of both, vertical lift is generally the more versatile choice. But if 80% of your work is at ground level, radial lift will feel more natural and responsive.

Step 3: Evaluate Your Dealer Options

In the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati market, you have several dealer options within a short drive. Most carry well-known brands and focus primarily on equipment sales and basic warranty service. Some are primarily agriculture and turf dealers that also carry compact equipment. Others are large multi-state dealer groups.

Bluegrass Diesel Specialists (Burlington, KY) is different. We carry GEHL skid steers and CTLs, but we’re also a full-service diesel engine repair facility with an on-site machine shop — a combination no other local dealer offers.

When evaluating dealers, look beyond the sale. Ask: What happens when my machine needs engine work? Do you have mobile service? Can you handle fleet PM programs? The answers will vary significantly.

Step 4: Calculate Total Cost of Ownership

Sticker price is just the beginning. The true cost of owning a skid steer over 5–10 years includes:

Purchase price (or lease payments). Fuel consumption — more horsepower doesn’t always mean more fuel if the hydraulic system is efficient. Maintenance costs — oil changes, filters, fluids, and scheduled PM. Wear items — tires or tracks (tracks are significantly more expensive), cutting edges, and bucket teeth. Repair costs — engine work, hydraulic repairs, electrical issues. Downtime cost — what does it cost your business when the machine is in the shop?

A machine that costs $5,000 less upfront but spends an extra week in the shop each year may cost you far more in lost productivity. This is where dealer capability becomes a financial factor, not just a convenience.

Step 5: Test Before You Buy

Never buy a skid steer without operating it first. A demo lets you evaluate:

Visibility from the cab — can you see your bucket edge and your work area clearly? Control responsiveness — do the joysticks feel natural for your operating style? Noise and vibration — you’ll spend 8–10 hours a day in this cab. Entry and exit — how easy is it to get in and out? This matters more than you think after a long day. Maintenance access — can you check fluids and clean filters without removing panels?

At Bluegrass Diesel Specialists, we offer free demos at our Burlington, KY location. We’ll put you in the seat of a GEHL and let you form your own opinion. No pressure, no obligation.