Owning a machine is a great move when it works every month of the year. But a lot of North Dakota work does not run that way. Snow comes in bursts, spring projects stack up for six weeks, and plenty of jobs end the day you finish them.
That is where renting Bobcat equipment pays off. At Bison Machinery, formerly Central Sales Inc., we have helped contractors, landscapers and farm operators make this call for more than fifty years from our Jamestown location. This guide walks through the situations where renting is the smarter play, which machine fits each job, and how to run the numbers before you commit.
Quick answer: Rent a Bobcat when the machine will work for only part of the year, when the job has a clear end date, or when you want to test a size or type before buying. Look at buying once the machine is busy most of the year, and talk to us about new or used inventory at that point.
The Utilization Rule of Thumb
Utilization is simply how much of the year a machine is actually working. It is the single most useful number in a rent-or-buy decision.
John Deere Financial's guidance says that below roughly 40 percent utilization, renting is almost always cheaper. At the other end, many fleet managers treat 60 to 70 percent as the break-even zone where ownership starts to win. A Vermeer sales manager has gone further, suggesting contractors consider renting any machine they need less than about 25 percent of the year. Close up of rocks and dirt on the ground +2
These are guides, not laws. Financing terms, your market and how evenly the work is spread through the year all move the line. But if you are honest about your expected days on the machine, the right answer is usually obvious.
Six Situations Where Renting Bobcat Equipment Is the Smarter Call
Seasonal peaks
Snow removal, spring landscaping and harvest support all create short, intense demand. Paying for a machine all year to cover eight to twelve busy weeks is hard to justify. Our seasonal attachments make it easy to add the right tool for the season.
Testing a machine before you buy
Not sure whether a skid steer or a track loader suits your sites? Rent one for a real job and find out. A few days on your own ground teaches you more than a spec sheet. If you decide to buy, you will know exactly what to ask for.
Covering downtime
When your primary machine is in the shop, a rental keeps the crew working. This is one of the most common reasons customers call us. Regular preventive maintenance shortens those gaps, but a backup option still beats idle labor.
One-off projects
A single drainage run, a foundation dig or a lot clearing job rarely justifies payments, insurance and storage. Renting means you pay for the work, then the cost stops.
Specialty attachments
An auger, trencher or grapple that you use a handful of times a year is rarely worth owning. Browse our augers and trenchers and buckets and grapples and rent only what the job needs.
Overlapping jobs
Two projects landing in the same month can overstretch a small fleet. A short-term rental covers the overlap without a permanent purchase.
Which Bobcat Machine Should You Rent?
Mini excavators
When the work is trenching, footings, drainage or utility lines, start with a Bobcat mini excavator rental. We rent the E26, E35 and E50 in increasing sizes. Rental guides agree that required dig depth and site access should drive the size choice, not the other way around. Check the depth in your plans first, then confirm the machine can reach the site.
Skid steers and compact track loaders
Both run the same attachments, so the real question is ground. Wheeled skid steer loaders like the S64, S76 and S86 suit firm yards and hard surfaces. Compact track loaders such as the T66, T76 and T86 spread weight better on soft or uneven ground. Our comparison of skid steers and compact track loaders goes deeper.
The MT100 mini track loader
For tight access, gates and finished surfaces, the MT100 mini track loader gets in where bigger machines cannot.
Attachments, trailers and backhoes
Browse the full attachment rental catalog to match tools to the job. If you need to move a machine yourself, our skid-steer trailers are available, and our backhoe rentals cover utility-style digging.
Planning Around North Dakota's Seasons
Spring and summer construction
The building season is short, so everyone wants machines at the same time. Reserve early for the weeks you know are coming, and plan for at least one buffer week in case weather moves the schedule.
Harvest support and downtime coverage
Harvest is when a day lost costs the most. A rented skid steer can keep grain handling, bale moving and yard work going while another machine waits on service. And if the combine itself is the problem, our parts team can help you source genuine Gleaner combine parts quickly, so the downtime stays short.
Winter snow work
Snow crews often need extra capacity for a single storm cycle, not a whole year. Choosing between wheels and tracks depends on where you plow. See FAQ 2 below, and add a snow pusher or blade from our seasonal attachments.
When Buying Beats Renting
Renting is not always cheaper. If a machine is part of the daily routine for most of the year, rental payments add up and ownership starts to win. Equipment prices have also moved in 2026, which we cover in Rising Equipment Costs: Is Renting or Buying the Smarter Move. If you do lean toward buying, it is worth comparing new versus used heavy equipment and reading our Bobcat skid steer buyer's guide. Our authorized Bobcat dealer showroom has current new inventory as well.
How to Run the Numbers Yourself
- Estimate the days you will really use the machine in a year, honestly, not optimistically.
- Add up the full cost of owning it: payments or depreciation, insurance, storage, maintenance and fuel.
- Subtract what you expect to get back at resale.
- Compare that annual figure with what you would pay to rent for the same number of days.
- If rental comes out lower and the work is seasonal, rent. If ownership comes out lower and the work is steady, buy.
Our team is happy to walk through this with your actual numbers. We sell, rent and service Bobcat, so there is no pressure to steer you toward one answer.
What to Know Before You Rent
- Paperwork: Plan to bring proof of insurance, and expect a service deposit. Confirm current terms in our rental rates PDF.
- Operators: Only trained operators should run the machine.
- Inspection: Walk around the machine at pickup and note anything unusual.
- Transport: Decide how the machine will get to the site. Our team can talk you through pickup and drop-off support and trailer options.
- Attachments: List every attachment before you reserve so nothing slows the first day.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it cheaper to rent or buy a Bobcat skid steer?
It depends on how much the machine will work. Below roughly 40 percent of the year, renting is usually cheaper. Above 60 to 70 percent, ownership often wins. Because steady work and seasonal work behave differently, the best answer is to compare your expected days against both costs, or ask our team to run the numbers with you.
2. Is a skid steer or compact track loader better for North Dakota winters?
Neither wins every time. On concrete and asphalt, wheeled skid steers tend to travel faster and wear less, which is why many parking-lot crews prefer them. Tracks help on soft, uneven or snow-covered ground. Match the machine to the surface you plow, and consider winter-rated tires or tracks.
3. What size Bobcat mini excavator should I rent?
Start with how deep you need to dig and how much room the machine has to get in and work. We rent the E26, E35 and E50. Tell us your depth, soil and access, and we will recommend the right one.
4. What do I need to rent Bobcat equipment?
Plan on proof of insurance, a service deposit and a trained operator. Confirm the current terms in our rental rates PDF or ask the Jamestown team when you reserve.
5. Can I rent by the day, week or month, and where do I pick up?
Yes. We offer daily, weekly and monthly rental options from our Jamestown location, and our team can help with pickup and drop-off planning. See our rentals page or call (701) 252-7030.
Reserve Your Bobcat Rental
Ready to book, or just want a second opinion on rent versus buy? Visit our rentals page to download the rental rates PDF, or request a quote. You can also call Jamestown at (701) 252-7030.
