Wilmington Skid Steer Guide: Where Can I Buy Skid Steers in Wilmington and What to Consider

Last Updated on August 22, 2025 by Admin

Imagine you’re busy on-site in Wilmington, North Carolina, and facing rigid deadlines when your skid steer stops working. You’re unable to effectively lift and transport rocks and construction debris without it, so you have no choice but to invest in a replacement immediately. Where is the best place to buy a skid steer in Wilmington — a dealer who will best provide you with local expertise and support?

Understanding Skid Steers: A Buyer’s Primer

A skid steer is the perfect piece of construction machinery for lifting and transporting weighty materials. Its mighty lifting arms and range of bucket attachments simplify the handling of construction waste, soil and large rocks. A skid steer’s digging attachments mean it’s also ideal for construction, demolition, landscaping and agricultural site excavations.

Skid steers are versatile powerhouses offering high maneuverability levels and efficiency in various industry scenarios. Wheeled skid steers are speedy, can steer through limited spaces and transport heavy loads with ease. Their tracked relatives — compact track loaders — offer greater stability and improved traction on uneven or delicate terrain. If you’re working on a residential development with limited space, a mini or compact skid steer may be your go-to option.

Using walk-behind or stand-on skid steers makes sense in congested working areas where operators frequently have to dismount while the equipment is in use. All-wheel skid steers are especially handy in snowy climates or for agricultural tasks, as their rear wheels steer independently from the front ones, allowing for more stability and enhanced maneuverability on problematic surfaces.

Reliable skid steer dealers in Wilmington will assess your needs and advise you on the ideal model for your jobsite. They’ll provide affordable options to suit your needs. If you’re looking for a skid steer as a short-term replacement, renting may be a sensible option. Perhaps you have a long-term contract in the area, in which case a skid steer lease in Wilmington may suit you. If you’re upgrading an existing asset, you can buy skid steers in Wilmington that will fit your budget.

Methodology: Selecting the Top Dealers

The selection of Wilmington skid steer dealers combined objective data with subjective assessments to determine those providing the highest levels of product and service. The best skid steer providers topped the list based on a combination of the following criteria:

• Years in business: Their industry experience and stability
• Brand variety: The range of suitable brands and models they offer
• Product diversity: Their ability to provide products suiting diverse requirements
• Service and support: Their capacity to offer maintenance, repairs and parts
• Financing: The flexible financing or leasing plans they provide
• Local presence: The community ties they have in Wilmington
• Customer feedback: Their positive customer reviews

Where Can You Buy Skid Steers in Wilmington?

According to the included methodology, the following are the best skid steer dealerships in Wilmington.

1. Gregory Poole Equipment Company

Image credit: Gregory Poole Equipment Company.

Founded in 1951, Gregory Poole Equipment Company is a leading Cat® equipment dealer with 14 locations across North Carolina, including Wilmington. With deep roots in the construction, forestry, and power systems sectors, Gregory Poole is the exclusive Cat dealer in the region. The dealership carries an extensive inventory — including many skid steers — has factory-trained technical staff and offers a wide range of tailored financing options.

• Specialization: Gregory Poole’s focus is on Cat heavy-duty construction equipment, specializing in skid steers.
• Pros: The dealer is selected for its long-standing local reputation, extensive service and parts network, flexible financing and rental alternatives, and concentration on high-quality Cat equipment.
• Cons: It has a higher price point, which may not be perfect for smaller projects.

2. National Equipment Dealers LLC

Image credit: National Equipment Dealers LLC

National Equipment Dealers (NED) is a heavy equipment dealership focused on equipment sales and rentals that has over 30 years of industry experience. NED has grown through multiple acquisitions of independent dealerships to service five states through its 19 stations. It has built a reputation for quality products and exceptional customer service, providing Manitou skid steers and other heavy equipment to Wilmington and the rest of the Southeast.

• Specialization: NED provides heavy-duty construction equipment and solutions, including Manitou skid steers.
• Pros: NED has deep Southeastern regional expertise, in-house financing options and is well-reputed for long-standing customer relationships and support.
• Cons: It’s not an exclusive dealer for any single premium brand, potentially affecting proprietary programs.

3. Bobcat® of Wilmington

Bobcat of Wilmington, part of the Triangle Equipment Group, has been serving eastern North Carolina since 1978. The branch carries a wide variety of new and preowned heavy Bobcat equipment, with an emphasis on compact construction machinery, including skid steers. The company has factory-trained technicians who are familiar with the local construction environment and offer personal service and support.

• Specialization: Bobcat of Wilmington specializes in compact Bobcat heavy-duty equipment for the construction sector, including a wide range of skid steer loaders.
• Pros: It deals exclusively with the Bobcat brand, ensuring deep product knowledge and expertise for its skid steers. It offers new and preowned options.
• Cons: Bobcat of Wilmington is limited to a single brand, with a smaller inventory than larger dealers.

Comparative Dealer Table

Key Considerations Before Buying a Skid Steer

Before you invest in a new skid steer, consider your project requirements, the operating environment, the experience of your operators and how much you can invest in the new equipment. Ask yourself the following questions and consult dealers for the answers.

• What tasks will you use the skid steer for and which load capacity and attachments will you need?
• Will you require the skid steer primarily on paved surfaces or rough terrain, and will you work with space constraints?
• What is the maximum amount you can spend and are you considering financing or leasing options?
• How experienced and skilled are your operators, and will you have to train them?

Also, consider how and where you’ll maintain your skid steer. Regular maintenance, including tire or track inspections, fluid checks and filter replacements, is essential. Servicing, over and above any routine maintenance, will prolong the equipment’s life and effectiveness. For this reason, it makes sense to choose a reputable skid steer dealer with an excellent reputation for its service department.

Buying a Skid Steer Means Understanding the Equipment and Dealer Involved

With the variety of skid steers available, you must choose the most capable model for your tasks. You may have a favored brand, but consider what each type can offer your organization. Also, remember to check skid steer prices in Wilmington and build it into your budget, whether you’re using cash or financing. Either way, remember that an established and respected dealer will provide the services and support to make buying your new skid steer a seamless experience.

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