Skid Steer Appraisal (USPAP-Compliant)
USPAP-compliant value opinions for SSLs and CTLs built from closed-sale comps filtered by Rated Operating Capacity (ROC), lift path geometry, and undercarriage or tire condition.
Proven Compact Loader Case History: National SBA 7(a) collateral support, IRS 8283 tax-compliance for high-value attachments, and enterprise-scale fleet acquisitions. (Proprietary market data synthesized from documented ROC classes, lift-path geometries, and high-flow auxiliary configurations across all 50 states.)
Your appraiser: Rhett Crites. I review every quote request. Reply in 1 business day (usually faster).
From HeavyEquipmentAppraisal.com
USPAP-compliant equipment appraisals
What You Receive
A reviewer-ready Skid Steer / CTL appraisal report you can hand to a lender, CPA, auditor, or court (without back-and-forth).
1. Reviewer Summary Page
Intended use/users, scope, value premise, effective date, and the final conclusion → up front.
2. Scope & Inspection Disclosure
What was inspected (or not), by whom, and how condition was determined.
3. Equipment Identification & Specs
PIN/serial, hour meter, ROC/frame class, lift path (vertical vs. radial), and high-flow capability.
4. Condition Documentation
Undercarriage wear (tracks/rollers/idlers) or tire tread depth, cab configuration (EROPS vs. ROPS), and hydraulic health.
5. Market Support & Comps
Closed sales in the same ROC/frame class and lift path configuration, with source notes.
6. Valuation Rationale & Adjustments
How comps were normalized (hours, year, high-flow, cab type, and undercarriage life).
7. USPAP Certification & Limiting Conditions
Signed certification, assumptions, and disclosures a reviewer expects.
If the number needs to be defended, our reports show the scope, evidence, and logic (not just a price).
Our USPAP Skid Steer & CTL Appraisal Process
We define the equipment’s market identity first, document the condition signals that move price, then reconcile against closed-sale comps with explicit adjustments.
STEP 1 – DEFINE THE ASSIGNMENT + MACHINE IDENTITY
We lock intended use/users, value premise, and effective date – then define the loader as a specific asset class (e.g., medium-frame CTL, vertical lift path, high-flow hydraulics). That identity statement anchors the correct comparable universe.
Step 2 – Evidence Capture (Desktop or On-Site)
We document loader value drivers with photos and notes: PIN/serial, hour meter, ROC, undercarriage wear (track/lug depth), cab type (EROPS/ROPS), and hydraulic flow rates.
Step 3 – Closed-Sale Comps + Reconciliation
We anchor on closed-sale comps in the same ROC and lift-path configuration, then normalize for hours, year, hydraulic flow, and attachment parity. The result shows exactly what moved value and why.
Pricing & Turnaround
Skid Steer & CTL appraisal pricing is driven by scope + unit count + configuration/condition uncertainty. We can quote quickly once we know what must be defensible.
What usually increases scope (common loader triggers):
Turnaround time
Desktop (Online) vs On-Site Skid Steer Appraisals
We recommend the lightest scope that still survives review. Desktop works only when the file can verify identity, condition, configuration, and control/location. If any of those are unclear, inspection becomes the defensible move.
Desktop
Online equipment appraisals work when your file has:
On-Site
On-Site inspection is the default when any of these are true:
Helpful Resources:
What We Need to Defend an Skid Steer Value
For loaders, the comp set lives or dies on market identity + condition signals. Two machines with the same model badge can trade in different price universes if undercarriage remaining life, hydraulic flow, and lift path geometry aren't verified. That’s why our scope decisions are driven by what the file can prove, NOT what the machine is called.
- PIN/serial and a clear unit ID match: Confirms exact manufacture date and engine compliance.
- Hour evidence (meter photo + a story that passes the "wear-makes-sense" sniff test): Telematics or service logs help verify integrity for unusually low-hour units.
- Undercarriage close-ups: Measurable data on track lug or tire tread depth to support remaining life calculations.
- Attachment schedule: Itemized list of included tools (e.g., grapple buckets, augers, cold planers) to avoid "bundled value" errors.
- Configuration notes: Verification of lift path (vertical vs. radial), hydraulic flow (standard vs. high flow), and cab type (EROPS vs. ROPS).
Next are the skid steer value signals we adjust for when we select comps and reconcile the final number.
Typical quote turnaround after intake
Coverage (remote + on-site)
What Drives Skid Steer Value
Skid Steer and CTL values move on a small set of repeatable variables. We filter comps by the machine’s market identity first (ROC + lift path), then adjust for the condition signals that actually change what buyers pay (especially undercarriage wear and hydraulic flow).
Tier 1: Primary value signals (comp filters + big adjustments)
| Value Signal | Why it moves price | What we document / verify |
| ROC / Frame Class | Defines the machine's core utility and weight class; small vs. large frames serve different markets. | Rated Operating Capacity (ROC) and tipping load specs. |
| Lift Path (Vertical vs. Radial) | Vertical lift commands a premium for material handling; radial is preferred for ground-level digging. | Lift arm geometry and intended application (loading vs. grading) . |
| Undercarriage / Tire Life | Tracks account for up to 50% of lifetime maintenance; worn tracks signal an immediate $2k–$5k+ expense. | Measurable tread depth, track lug wear, and roller/sprocket condition. |
| Hydraulic Flow | "High Flow" is required for power-intensive tools; its absence is viewed as functional obsolescence in large frames. | Gallons per minute (GPM) rating and auxiliary coupling setup. |
| Hours (and Credibility) | Hours consume the machine's remaining useful life; 1,000 hours vs. 2,000 hours is a massive value delta. | Meter photo, telematics logs, and physical wear on high-touch points. |
Tier 2: Secondary condition signals (smaller but still value-moving)
| Value Signal | Why it moves price | What we document / verify |
| Cab / HVAC (EROPS) | Enclosed cabs with Heat/AC can add $5,000 to $10,000 over open ROPS units. | Door seals, glass integrity, and HVAC functionality. |
| Brand Tiering (P vs. G) | Premium tiers (e.g., Deere P-Tier) feature superior serviceability and performance over value tiers. | Series designation, cast lift arms, and cooling system type . |
| Grade Control Tech | Integrated 2D/3D systems (e.g., SmartGrade) carry a $15k–$20k technology premium. | Screen/sensor presence and software version. |
| Service History | Documented fluid analysis and dealer maintenance can increase value by 5–10% by reducing risk. | Service logs, oil analysis (SOS) reports, and filter intervals. |
How we reconcile
We anchor on closed-sale Skid Steer & CTL comps in the same ROC/frame class and lift-path configuration, then normalize for hours band, model-year band, undercarriage/tire life, attachment parity, and regional demand. We state the specific drivers (e.g., track wear delta, high-flow parity, or EROPS vs. ROPS), not just "market conditions" .
Skid Steer Configurations & Attachments We Document
Two loaders can share the same model name and still belong to different comparable sets. Configuration and included tools change buyer demand, so we document them as a schedule (what is included vs. what is assumed), not as loose notes.
Configuration Schedule
- ROC & Frame Class: Categorized as Small (up to 1,750 lbs), Medium (1,751-2,500 lbs), Large (2,501-3,500 lbs), or Heavy-Duty (3,500+ lbs ROC).
- Lift Path Mechanics: Vertical lift path (optimized for truck loading and pallet handling) vs. Radial lift path (optimized for ground-level digging and grading) .
- Undercarriage Type: Rubber tracks (CTL) vs. Pneumatic/Solid tires (SSL), including specific track width or specialized tread patterns for regional demand .
- Auxiliary Hydraulic Flow: Standard Flow vs. High Flow (typically 30-40+ GPM) required for power-intensive land-clearing tools .
- Cab Configuration: EROPS (fully enclosed with Heat/AC) vs. open ROPS units, representing a $5,000 to $10,000 market price delta .
- Tech Tiers & Grade Control: Verification of performance tiers (e.g., John Deere P-Tier vs. G-Tier) and integrated 2D/3D systems like SmartGrade .
- Engine Compliance: Tier 4 Final vs. Pre-Emission (Tier 3 or Interim) units that often command a "value floor" due to mechanical simplicity .
Attachment Schedule
| Included tool | What matters | Proof we ask for |
| Buckets | Width, type (digging vs. low-profile), and edge condition. | Photo + measurement/markings. |
| Grapples | Type (industrial vs. root), cylinder health, and hydraulic connectivity. | Close-up of hydraulic lines and pivot points. |
| Augers / Planers | Model/fitment and confirmation of High-Flow compatibility. | Data plate photo + functional confirmation. |
| Quick Coupler | Manual vs. Hydraulic (pin-grabber vs. wedge style). | Coupler photo + any ID plate. |
| Hammers / Saws | Presence of hydraulic lines and overall functional control. | Valve/line photos and control confirmation. |
| Specialty Tools | Itemized valuation for mowers, tillers, or sweepers. | Photo + confirmation of what is included in the sale. |
If you’re in any of these roles and need defensible equipment values for an upcoming decision, you can get an appraisal quote today.
Who Uses Our Skid Steer Appraisals
Our skid steer and CTL appraisals are built for review. If your value conclusion needs to hold up to a credit committee, a tax file, or a contested matter, these are the teams we write for.
Lenders & Credit Teams
Collateral support for underwriting, renewal, and credit decisions where the file needs a defensible FMV (and OLV when required).
CPAs & Tax Professionals
Settlement, dispute, estate, and buyout contexts where scope, premise, and support may be challenged under statutory requirements.
Attorneys & Legal Professionals
Support for litigation, property settlements, or insurance claim disputes requiring a clear, logical bridge from data to conclusion.
Fleet Owners & Operators
Buy/sell timing, replacement decisions, and internal reporting that require a market-grounded view of the machine’s real configuration and condition.
Insurance Teams
Scheduled values and loss-related support where equipment identity, included attachments, and evidence quality matter for Actual Cash Value (ACV) disputes.
FAQ
If you’re skimming, start here.
These FAQs cover appraisal cost, scope (desktop vs on-site), what we need from you, typical turnaround time, and the value drivers that change results for this equipment type.
Or, call us at (844) VAL-UATE!