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6. What size areas will you be working in?

This affects a number of buying decisions including the physical size of the machine. Size of the work area also might make it worthwhile to look at more expensive skid steers with special options.

"If you're regularly working in larger spaces you can use a machine that's physically large," Fitzgerald says. "A larger machine will have a higher ROC, and that will provide some insight into what you might be able to buy."

On the other hand, contractors planning on using their skid steer in a smaller or tighter work area, such as delivering hot mix to a corner a paver can't reach, might need to consider a smaller unit, such as Bobcat's 700-lb.-rated skid steer. A smaller work area obviously limits the physical size of the skid steer you can buy, and it also limits the features available.

But as with many pieces of equipment, picking the right skid steer (or CTL) is based on knowing in advance how you plan to use it.

Productivity vs. versatility

"Skid steer loaders have become popular over the years because they are very flexible... They are like a "Swiss army" knife," Verdon says. "You can use them in many different applications as you can fit many different work tools on them depending on the job you want to get done: augers, blades, brooms, buckets, pallet forks, cold planners, power box rakes or trenchers... to name just a few."