Skid Steer Transport

Skid Steer Loader Hauling Services

R&RM LLC has been transporting skid steer loaders for rental companies, equipment dealers, contractors, and auction buyers since 2011. Skid steers are among the most frequently moved pieces of compact construction equipment in the country — and for good reason. Their versatility on the job site means they're constantly being repositioned between projects, relocated between rental branches, and shipped to new buyers across state lines.

Whether you have one skid steer that needs to move 200 miles or an entire rental fleet being consolidated from multiple locations, our flatbed and step deck equipment handles the job. We transport all major brands and all size classes, from small 1,300 lb lift-capacity machines to high-flow, heavy-duty models pushing 3,500 lbs of rated lift capacity. Our drivers understand how to properly block, chain, and protect rubber tires and painted bodywork during transport.

Skid Steer Types We Transport

Radial-Lift Skid Steers

Radial-lift skid steers use a curved boom arc that keeps the bucket close to the machine as the arms rise, providing excellent dig-out force and ground engagement at mid-range lift height. These are the most common configuration for landscaping, utility work, and general construction. Popular radial-lift models we haul include the Bobcat S650, Caterpillar 246D3, John Deere 330G, and CASE SV280B.

Most radial-lift skid steers have an operating weight between 5,500 and 9,500 lbs, making them straightforward to transport on standard flatbed trailers without overweight permits. Their compact footprint also makes them ideal candidates for tandem loads — two machines on one trailer — when fleet moves allow it.

Vertical-Lift Skid Steers

Vertical-lift models use a linkage geometry that keeps the bucket face parallel to the ground throughout the lift cycle, maximizing reach at full height for loading trucks and placing material in elevated areas. They tend to be slightly heavier and longer than radial-lift counterparts. Popular vertical-lift models we transport include the Bobcat S850, Caterpillar 272D3 XE, John Deere 332G, CASE SV340B, and New Holland L328.

Large-Frame and High-Flow Skid Steers

The largest skid steer loaders — machines with rated operating capacities over 3,000 lbs — are used in heavy demolition, recycling yards, and forestry applications. Models like the Caterpillar 299D3 XE, Bobcat S870, and New Holland L338 can weigh up to 11,500 lbs and may require additional blocking and tie-down points beyond a standard four-chain setup. We assess these heavier units individually to ensure the securement plan matches the machine's weight and center of gravity.

High-Flow Auxiliary Hydraulic Models

Many skid steers are ordered with high-flow auxiliary hydraulics to power demanding attachments like cold planers, stump grinders, and hydraulic mulchers. These machines typically have the same transport footprint as standard models but may carry heavy attachments that need to be removed before loading. We coordinate attachment removal and can arrange separate transport for heavy or oversized attachments when needed.

Brands We Transport

We haul all major skid steer brands, including:

• Bobcat: S450, S510, S550, S590, S630, S650, S740, S750, S770, S850, S870 — and all T-series compact track loader models
• Caterpillar: 226D3, 232D3, 236D3, 242D3, 246D3, 262D3, 272D3, 299D3 XE
• John Deere: 314G, 318G, 320G, 324G, 330G, 332G
• CASE: SR130B, SR150B, SR175B, SR210B, SR240B, SR270B, SV280B, SV300B, SV340B
• New Holland: L218, L220, L225, L230, L234, L318, L320, L325, L328, L334, L338
• Kubota: SSV65, SSV75
• JCB: 135, 150, 155, 175, 190, 205, 215, 225, 260, 280, 300, 330
• Manitou: 1650R, 2050R, 2150R, 2550R
• Gehl: R105, R135, R150, R165, R190, R220, R260
• Mustang: 1650R, 1750R, 2050R, 2150R
• ASV: RT-50, RT-65, RT-75 (wheel-drive models)

Not seeing your model? Call us — we haul all skid steer brands and configurations.

Transport Methods

Flatbed Trailers — Standard Skid Steer Moves

Most skid steer loaders are transported on 48-foot or 53-foot flatbed trailers. A standard skid steer has a transport width of 5 feet 6 inches to 6 feet 6 inches and fits well within legal width limits. Weight is well below federal gross vehicle weight limits on a typical flatbed combination. Standard setup uses four chains with binders at the manufacturer's designated tie-down hooks, plus edge protectors on bucket cutting edges to prevent contact with the deck or chains.

Tires are blocked front and rear, and the boom arms are fully lowered and pinned. Any bucket, pallet fork, or attachment that extends the machine's footprint beyond the trailer deck is removed before loading when feasible.

Step Deck Trailers — Height-Restricted Routes

Step deck trailers reduce transport height by 18 to 24 inches compared to a standard flatbed. This is particularly useful when a skid steer is loaded with a tall attachment installed, or when the route passes through areas with lower overhead clearance such as older urban viaducts and parking structures. Step decks are also preferred for stacked or tandem loads where the second machine's height would otherwise be marginal on a standard flatbed.

Multi-Unit Fleet Loads

For rental companies relocating multiple machines between branches, loading two skid steers on a single 53-foot flatbed is often feasible when each machine is within standard width and the combined weight stays within legal limits. A typical pair of mid-size skid steers (each around 6,500–8,000 lbs) loads well within legal limits and saves significant per-unit transportation cost compared to individual loads. We evaluate each machine's dimensions before quoting any multi-unit arrangement to confirm it's legally and physically achievable.

Common Skid Steer Transport Scenarios

• Rental fleet rotation: Moving machines between branch locations to balance inventory as seasonal demand shifts between regions
• Dealer-to-buyer delivery: New machine delivery from the dealership directly to the buyer's job site or yard
• Auction and private sale transport: Picking up machines won at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, IronPlanet, Purple Wave, or through private sales
• Job-site-to-job-site moves: Relocating one or more skid steers between active projects when the timeline doesn't allow the machines to drive between sites
• Attachment consolidation: Moving machines plus attachment packages (pallet forks, buckets, grapples) between locations when fleet rearrangement requires it
• Service center moves: Delivering machines to authorized repair facilities and returning them after major repairs or rebuilds
• Winter storage repositioning: Moving compact machines into heated storage before winter or repositioning for spring construction season startup

Loading and Securing Skid Steers

Skid steer loaders have rubber tires, painted bodywork, and boom arm geometry that requires care during loading and securement. Our drivers follow a consistent process:

• Tire placement: Machine is driven onto the trailer and positioned with tires on wood blocking to prevent rolling and protect the trailer deck
• Chain hook points: Chains attach to the frame tie-down hooks designated by the manufacturer — never to the boom arms, cylinders, or bucket linkage
• Boom arm security: Arms fully lowered and the boom lock pin engaged to prevent accidental lift during transit
• Hydraulic lockout: All hydraulic controls are locked before loading and the key is removed
• Fuel level: Tank is below half capacity for long-distance transport to reduce risk of fuel movement
• Edge protectors: Rubber or plastic edge protectors placed wherever chains contact bucket cutting edges or painted surfaces

Permit Requirements for Skid Steer Transport

The vast majority of skid steer loaders fall well within legal weight limits when loaded on a flatbed. A typical 7,500–9,500 lb skid steer loaded on a 45,000 lb flatbed combination is nowhere near the 80,000 lb federal gross vehicle weight limit. Width is also typically within the 8-foot-6-inch legal standard.

Where permits do become relevant: large-frame machines loaded with wide attachments (angle brooms, snow wings, wide buckets) may exceed legal width of 8 feet 6 inches in some configurations. Extended attachment packages transported on the same load can also affect overall trailer length. Our permit services team reviews each load configuration before transport and obtains any required permits upfront — there are no surprises at the pickup.

Skid Steer Transport Pricing

Skid steer transport pricing depends on origin, destination, machine size, and whether attachments or multi-unit loading is involved. Regional moves under 500 miles for a single machine typically range from $600 to $1,400. Long-distance cross-country moves of 1,500 miles or more generally run $1,800 to $3,200 for a single unit. Multi-unit fleet loads reduce the per-machine cost significantly — a two-machine load on a single trailer often runs 60–70% of the cost of two individual moves.

We do not add fuel surcharges after quoting — the price we quote is the price you pay. Provide machine make, model, operating weight, and pickup/delivery cities to receive an accurate quote.

R&RM LLC has been moving compact equipment for construction equipment hauling and farm equipment transport needs since 2011. Our experience with compact machinery means your skid steer arrives on time and undamaged, ready for its next job.

Get a Skid Steer Transport Quote

Tell us the machine make, model, operating weight, any installed attachments, and the pickup and delivery cities. We'll respond quickly with an accurate, all-in quote — no hidden fees.