Buying a Used Skid Steer in Arizona? Here's What to Look For

October 30, 2026 | Equipment Buying Guides | Payne Equipment Sales

Fall is when a lot of Arizona contractors get busy. The heat finally backs off, the schedule fills up, and you start thinking about adding a machine before the next job lands. If a used skid steer or track loader is on your list, a little homework up front can save you a lot of headaches later.

We're a family-owned dealership in Peoria, and we'd rather you buy the right machine than any machine. Here's the same common-sense checklist we'd walk through with a friend.

Start With the Paperwork and the Story

Before you look under the hood, ask about the machine's history. How many hours are on it? How many owners has it had? Are there service records? A one-owner machine with a clear maintenance history tells you a lot more than a fresh coat of paint ever will.

Also ask what kind of work it did. A skid steer that spent its life on landscaping jobs has lived a different life than one that worked demolition every day.

Check the Cooling System After an Arizona Summer

Desert summers are hard on equipment, so give the cooling system extra attention. Look at the radiator and oil cooler for packed-in dirt, bent fins, or leaks. Check the coolant level and color, and look over the hoses for cracks or soft spots.

A machine that has been kept clean and cool usually shows it. One that ran hot all summer with a clogged radiator may have problems you can't see yet.

Look Over the Hydraulics

Hydraulics are the heart of a skid steer. Walk around the machine and look for wet spots, fresh drips, or oil-caked fittings. Check the cylinders for scoring or pitting on the rods. Then run the lift and tilt functions through their full range. They should move smoothly without jerking, drifting, or making unusual noises.

If the machine is high flow, ask to see it run with an attachment that uses that flow, if one is available.

Inspect the Tires or Tracks and the Undercarriage

On a wheeled skid steer, check tread depth and look for uneven wear, cuts, or mismatched tires. On a track loader, look at track tension, the condition of the rubber, and the rollers, idlers, and sprockets. Undercarriage parts can be a real expense, so it pays to know where they stand before you buy.

Test the Pins, Bushings, and Quick Attach

Raise the arms and look for slop or play at the pivot points. A little wear is normal on a used machine, but excessive movement means pins and bushings may need attention soon. Work the quick attach plate and make sure it locks and releases cleanly.

Run It Like You'd Use It

Start the machine cold if you can. Listen for knocks, watch for heavy smoke, and check that gauges and warning lights work. Drive it, turn it, load a bucket if there's material handy. Check the cab, too: the seat, safety bar, lights, and A/C. In Arizona, a working A/C on an enclosed cab isn't a luxury.

Think About the Whole Deal

The right price is only part of it. Think about how you'll haul it, which attachments you'll need, and how the payment fits your cash flow. Construction equipment financing can help you put a machine to work now without draining your savings, especially when you have jobs lined up.

Buy From People Who Stand Behind the Deal

At Payne Equipment Sales, we try to keep things simple: clean, job-ready used equipment, honest answers, and no dealership games. Whether you're buying your first machine or growing your fleet, we're happy to walk you through any machine on our lot.

Browse our current skid steers, track loaders, and used excavators at payneequipmentsales.com, call us at 623-698-2784, or reach out to ask about inventory or financing. We'd be glad to help you find the right fit.