What makes John Deere products sought after by workers in agriculture, construction, and landscaping industries? Simple, the company has produced high-quality equipment for these industries for over 170 years. Furthermore, today the brand is renowned as one of the best manufacturers of heavy-duty equipment. Apart from this, people buy a John Deere simply because it’s an incredibly useful tool for many different scenarios.
If you want a mid-range Deere, a 320G skid steer with a capacity of 2,190lbs and a 69/66hp engine is ideal. This new John Deere Skid Steer costs around $58,500. Or, for a used model, between $19,900-$55,100.
But, why is it a good idea to buy a John Deere Skid Steer? You might have heard people call it a Skid Steer Loader or just a Skid Loader. But, whatever it’s called, the machine will be a major investment for your company. It’s versatile and, with the correct attachments, can cope with many different tasks that would take a team of men many days to complete.
However, for such a great company asset, you need to know what to expect. There are multiple John Deere Skid Steer models on the market, both new and pre-owned. Each model has specific specifications designed for various applications. With such a wide range of features and capabilities in each model, you would expect John Deere Skid Steer prices to differ greatly. Furthermore, if you choose to buy a used model, then the price variations will be even wider.
So, when your company decides it needs a skid steer, you must choose the correct John Deere Skid Loader for your type of business. And then, determine whether you need a new or pre-owned model.
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John Deere Skid Steers Price Comparison*
It’s very difficult to give an exact price for a John Deere Skid Steer. Not only have we to look at the model and the various features attributed to each model. But also, the skid loader you choose will vary in price depending on the vendor and the area in which you live. Different states have varying supply and demand curves which change the selling price.
Below is a quick comparison table outlining the typical estimated cost of the new John Deere Skid Steer models. We placed the models in ascending order of lifting capacity.
| Model | Capacity (lbs) | Gross/Net engine power (hp) | Estimated Cost |
| 312GR | 1,550 | 51/48 | $14,500 – $34,000 |
| 316GR | 1,750 | 65/61 | $19,000 – $54,500 |
| 314G | 1,760 | 51/48 | $13,000 – $36,000 |
| 318G | 1,945 | 65/61 | $17,500 – $40,000 |
| 320G | 2,190 | 69/66 | $32,000 – $58,500 |
| 324G | 2,690 | 74/70 | $32,000 – $69,000 |
| 330G | 3,000 | 91.2/88.5 | $19,000 – $96,000 |
| 332G | 3,600 | 100/96.6 | $30,000 – $81,000 |
*All prices shown in the above table for John Deere Skid Steers were accurate at the time of writing (May 2021). As purchase prices vary so much depending on features and model type, you should use this table to start your private research.
Used John Deere Skid Steer Costs
Even though the prices for new machines are worth every cent, the cost might be out of the reach of some companies. If that sounds like you, you might want to choose a used Skid Steer from John Deere or any of many online industrial vehicle dealers
A used Skid Steer is almost always cheaper to buy than a new one. However, if you decide to choose a pre-owned machine rather than a new one, you should consider how much you intend to use it. If you plan to use the machine every day or even every couple of days, you should understand that a used skid steer will have more chance of breaking down than a new one. You also have to take into account how hard the operator has worked the machine. For example, 50 hours of heavy earth or rock moving will cause more wear and tear than 50 hours of grading a slope. As a rough guide, the average lifespan of a skid steer is around 5,000 hours, but this value will vary depending on the type of work.
Used prices
The following table shows selling prices for various John Deere Skid Steers advertised on an online pre-owned industrial vehicle website. At the top of the list, we have compiled four entries for the model 320G from the same year with varying operating hours to show how the price varies. As you can see, in this case, the main factor for price variation is the number of operating hours present on the clock. The remainder of the table shows how prices vary with model and year.
Note that these John Deere models and prices might not be available where you are, and when you decide to buy.
| Model | Year | Operating Hours | Approximate Cost |
| 320G | 2018 | 3 | $49,900 |
| 320G | 2018 | 321 | $45,995 |
| 320G | 2018 | 2000 | $38,841 |
| 320G | 2018 | 6331 | $19,900 |
| 316GR | 2017 | 3148 | £20,000 |
| 250 | 2003 | 590 | $29,000 |
| 318G | 2019 | 76 | $40,100 |
| 318G | 2017 | 256 | $39,250 |
| 324E | 2017 | 3130 | $29,900 |
| 320D | 2011 | 7403 | $21,500 |
There are a few reasons why it’s better to purchase a pre-owned skid steer over a new one. Let’s concentrate on a couple of the most important.
Lower cost
Buying new heavy equipment will always make a big hole in your company’s cash flow. In comparison, good quality used machines will cost much less and improve your cash flow. Purchasing a pre-owned machine such as these can save you thousands of dollars if you spend time choosing wisely. Although everyone prefers a brand new machine, it’s possible to find skid steers that have been maintained properly and with many good years left in its life.
Furthermore, you won’t only spend less money on the machine. You will also spend out less on sales tax.
Depreciation
Just like a new car, industrial equipment starts to depreciate as soon as you buy it from the dealer. Usually, most depreciation occurs in the first twelve months after purchase, after which the rate reduces in consecutive years. Choosing a pre-owned skid steer avoids the problem with the initial depreciation. Instead, you can concentrate on using your equipment on the projects you’ve got lined up.
Cost Factors & Considerations
You will have noticed in the new and used lists shown previously that prices vary with the model. Moreover, many other factors influence the cost of your John Deere equipment. Here are some of the considerations you might want to look at.
Machinery Power Output
A John Deere Skid Steer with a more powerful engine will always attract higher prices than a less powerful engine. You will also find that a powerful engine needs a sturdier chassis to contain it and to withstand the shock of its heavier workload.
Extra Attachments
Attachments are what makes a skid steer so versatile. You can invest anything from $1000 to $10,000 on the many attachments available when you buy a John Deere Skid Steer. But, there’s no need always to choose new attachments. Instead, look on the pre-owned sites for bargains.
Typical attachment choices include the following:
- Buckets.
- Forks.
- Backhoes.
- Cold planers.
- Roller levels.
- Bale spears.
- Dozer blades.
- Pallet forks.
- Toller levels.
- Scrapers.
- Trenchers.
- Augers.
- Power rakes.
- Brooms.
As you can see, there is an attachment for just about any industry.
Features & Technology
Usually, skid steers with features and with modern technology increase their value. Typically, one such feature could be a turbocharged diesel engine. A John Deere Skid Steer with one of these will likely be more expensive than one without. Modern technology might include:
- Rearview camera.
- Bluetooth 2-way radio.
- Custom tires.
- Air-conditioning.
- Self-leveling cab
Maintenance Costs
Owning a John Deere Skid Steer isn’t about buying the machine and then forgetting about it. That would be a complete waste of your company’s money and the abuse of a versatile and useful company asset. To make sure your new acquisition stays in the best possible condition for its age, you must maintain it at regular intervals. Find out whether the dealer who sold the machine offers a maintenance plan. If not, ask if they can recommend someone locally to carry out the necessary inspections and work. The John Deere company website lists a network of dealers who can offer services of this kind. Furthermore, the website also provides a portal where you can buy spare parts.
Insurance
It might be difficult to get a good insurance coverage policy for your skid steer. Many non-specialist insurance companies don’t understand the limitations and requirements of specialist machinery such as the John Deere Skid Steer. Fortunately, John Deere provides affordable UltraGard Physical Damage Insurance when you purchase your equipment through John Deere Finance. The policy covers your vehicle for damage caused by:
- Theft.
- Collision.
- Overturning.
- Extreme weather.
- Vandalism.
Warranty
A good way to maintain the value of your purchase is to ensure the dealer supplies a warranty. All brand new John Deere Skid Steers come with a warranty lasting for 2,200 hours or two years, whichever comes sooner. If you buy a pre-owned machine, you might have the remains of a warranty left on it. Remember to ask the dealer how much time remains on the original warranty. Additionally, you can purchase an extended warranty for a longer period. The John Deere website also shows details of the original and extended warranties.
Condition of Machinery
It should go without saying that the purchase price of the Skid Steer depends on its condition and whether you choose a new or pre-owned model. Moreover, used vehicles often cost several thousand dollars less than new models. A good way to assess its overall condition and wear and tear is to compare the operating hours with the generally accepted lifespan of a Skid Steer and the service and maintenance receipts and documents.
New vs. Used: Which one?
There are various reasons to choose a new skid steer over a used one, or vice versa. Your choice depends on your circumstances and how much your company can afford to spend.
Advantages when buying a new skid steer
- Technology – Even something as heavy-duty as a skid steer uses technology, and modern technology gets better with time. Suppose you compare a new skid steer with an old one. In that case, you find that the machine is easier to operate, has better maneuverability, and has many new safety features. Therefore, technology makes the equipment easier to use, with less downtime, and reduces the likelihood of accidents to the operator and innocent bystanders.
- More choice – If you buy a skid steer directly from John Deere, you can customize the machine to suit your requirements. You can choose the exact size for the work and buy only the attachments you need. And, if you aren’t sure, the guys at John Deere will do everything they can to help you make the correct choice.
- Basic or extended warranty – If you buy a new John Deere Skid Steer, it will have a comprehensive basic warranty. Suppose the machine develops a fault or a breakdown in the initial two years (or 2,200 hours). In that case, the warranty covers all the repairs and spare parts, so you don’t have to spend any more. Alternatively, if you prefer to buy an extended warranty, you can extend the length of the cover accordingly.
Disadvantages when buying a new skid steer
- Depreciation – New equipment depreciates quickly in the first year or so, and a skid steer is no exception. Used machines don’t have that problem.
- Cost – There’s no getting around the fact that a new vehicle is expensive. To buy a new skid steer requires a major cash investment by your company. Even if you use finance arrangements with affordable monthly payments, you burden your company with credit commitments for many years. Moreover, if you’re a small company, an expenditure such as this might be completely out of reach, especially with the accompanying credit checks.
Advantages of buying a used skid steer
- Cost – Buying a used machine saves your company a lot of money. You can often find a reliable and tidy-looking machine with many years left on its lifespan for up to half its original price. A new skid loader might be great if you use it all the time, but if you want it for occasional use, then a pre-owned vehicle might be the way forward.
Disadvantages of a used skid steer
- Technology – There’s no getting over that you will find only old technology on a used skid steer. Furthermore, you might find the machine harder to operate, more uncomfortable to ride, and with out-of-date safety features.
- Reliability – Generally, a used and out-of-date machine isn’t as reliable as a new model. If you want to use it to its best advantage, have it serviced often, and keep up with its regular maintenance.
Looking To Buy a John Deer Skid Steer?
If you decide your company needs to buy a Skid Steer, you probably can’t find a better brand than John Deere. The company produces Skid Steers designed for agricultural use, construction, and landscaping. Furthermore, with the large number of attachments you can buy, your single vehicle can serve many functions.
If you want help with sorting through the John Deere Skid Steer prices and deciding which model is best for your company, complete the form on this page. You will then receive 2 or 3 quotes from companies willing to help.