A Bobcat S650 skid steer rental GTA contractors book for a week can backfill a foundation, grade a building pad, load out a dig and push snow off a plaza lot once winter sets in. It is the mid-frame workhorse of the Bobcat loader lineup. It is big enough to move real tonnage and still narrow enough to fit through plenty of residential side yards once a fence panel comes off. Below you will find what the machine can lift, the jobs that suit it, where it struggles and what to sort out before it comes off the trailer.
You might run a small building crew in Vaughan, or you might be a homeowner in Scarborough taking on a backyard regrade. Either way the goal is the same: match the machine to the job so you are not paying for a loader that cannot get through the gate or cannot lift what you need it to.
What the Bobcat S650 Is Built to Do
The S650 is a vertical lift skid steer loader with a rated operating capacity of about 2,690 lb. That puts it in the middle of the range, with more capacity than the smaller S590 and less bulk than the large-frame S770. For most residential and light commercial work across Toronto and the surrounding regions, this size gets the most done for the least site damage. If you are weighing it against other sizes, you can compare frames in our skid steer rental lineup.
These are the specs contractors ask about most:
| Specification | Bobcat S650 (approximate) |
|---|---|
| Rated operating capacity | 2,690 lb (1,220 kg) |
| Tipping load | 5,380 lb (2,440 kg) |
| Operating weight | About 8,165 lb (3,700 kg) |
| Engine | 74 hp turbocharged diesel |
| Lift path | Vertical |
| Height to bucket hinge pin | About 130.8 in (10 ft 11 in) |
| Width with standard 74 in bucket | 74 in (6 ft 2 in) |
| Auxiliary hydraulic flow | About 23 gpm standard, 30.5 gpm on high flow units |
| Travel speed | 7.1 mph, up to about 11 mph with the two-speed option |
| Fuel tank | About 24.5 US gal |
The figures change slightly with model year and options. Before you rely on any of them for a specific unit, check the current specifications on Bobcat's official equipment site, and do this especially if your attachment needs high flow hydraulics. Because it balances capacity against footprint, a Bobcat S650 skid steer rental GTA builders reach for can usually handle most of the material on a residential site without stepping up to a heavier frame.
Why the Vertical Lift Path Matters
A vertical lift arm raises the bucket almost straight up through the top half of its travel instead of swinging it back toward the cab. That gives you more forward reach at full height, which helps when you dump into the centre of a truck box or over the wall of a 20-yard bin. The machine also keeps more of its rated capacity at the top of the lift, so a pallet of block going onto a flatbed deck feels steadier. The trade-off is that radial lift machines such as the S630 reach farther at mid-height. That suits pushing into a pile or backfilling over a low wall better than loading trucks.
Run Time and Fuel Planning
The S650 carries about 24.5 US gallons of diesel, and a full tank usually lasts a full shift of loading and grading. Attachment work changes that. A hydraulic breaker or a high flow mulcher keeps the engine near full throttle all day, so top up at lunch instead of finding out at 3 p.m. that you are running on fumes.
Bobcat S650 Skid Steer Rental GTA Jobs: Where the Machine Earns Its Keep
The S650 is at its best moving loose material in volume, such as excavation spoil, aggregate, topsoil or snow. A standard 74 in bucket carries roughly half a cubic yard per pass. That means a 10-yard load of Granular A takes about 20 trips from the pile to the forms.
Foundation Backfill and Site Grading
Backfilling is the classic use of a Bobcat S650 skid steer rental GTA home builders line up once the foundation is waterproofed and the drainage membrane is on. Half a cubic yard of wet clay weighs around 1,400 to 1,500 lb, well inside the rated capacity. Place the backfill in lifts and keep the loader back from the wall. An 8,000 lb machine running tight against a fresh foundation before the floor framing is in can push the wall inward and crack it. Once the pad is backfilled, switch to a grading bucket or box blade and use the same machine to slope the lot away from the house.
Hardscape and Landscape Prep
An interlock patio or driveway starts with digging out 8 to 12 in of native soil and replacing it with compacted granular base. The S650 handles both the dig and the base. With pallet forks on, it can then stage pavers and sod beside the work area. Be realistic about weight here. A full pallet of interlocking pavers often weighs as much as the 2,690 lb rating or more, and wet sod pallets are heavier than most people expect. Read the weight on the pallet tag, carry loads low and split anything that goes over the rating.
Demolition Cleanup and Material Handling
After a garage or deck tear-out, a grapple bucket on the S650 gets broken concrete and old framing lumber into a bin far faster than a crew with wheelbarrows. Demo sites are hard on tires, though. Nails and rebar ends will flatten a pneumatic tire, so before you book for debris work, ask whether the unit has solid or foam-filled tires.
Snow Clearing on Commercial Lots
With winter coming, property managers often book a Bobcat S650 skid steer rental GTA crews can run for a week or a month to clear plaza lots and industrial yards. On pavement, the wheeled S650 is quick, and the two-speed option helps on long runs across a big lot. A snow pusher handles stacking and windrowing. If the unit has an enclosed, heated cab, overnight plowing is far more bearable, so ask before you commit.
Attachments That Change What the S650 Can Do
The attachment decides most of what an S650 can do on your site. The standard auxiliary circuit delivers about 23 gpm, which runs most common attachments. High flow units push about 30.5 gpm for attachments that need more. If you already have a Bobcat S650 skid steer rental GTA crews are using on site, adding the right attachment usually costs less than bringing in a second machine.
- Pallet forks: for block, pavers, sod and bagged material. Keep loads under the rated capacity and travel with the forks low.
- Auger: for deck footings and fence posts. In Ontario, footings typically need to go about 4 ft down to get below frost. An auger with an extension reaches that depth in a few minutes per hole.
- Hydraulic breaker: for old concrete pads and walkways. A breaker sized for standard flow runs well on most units.
- Trencher: for irrigation lines and conduit runs out to a garage. Get locates first, every time.
- Grapple bucket: for brush and demolition debris.
- Snow pusher or angle blade: for lot clearing and windrowing.
- Forestry mulcher or cold planer: these usually need high flow, so confirm the unit is equipped before you book.
Before the machine arrives, browse attachments for rent and match them to the job.
Where the S650 Falls Short
The S650 is the wrong machine when the ground is soft or the access is tight, and it is no substitute for an excavator on deep digs. Knowing those limits up front saves you a wasted rental day.
Weight and Access
Most problems with a Bobcat S650 skid steer rental GTA homeowners arrange themselves come down to access, not power. With the bucket on, the machine is about 6 ft 2 in wide, so you need a clear opening of roughly 6 1/2 ft to get through without scraping. Many side yards between Toronto semis and older detached homes are only 3 to 4 ft wide, and no full-size skid steer fits through those. The S650 also weighs over 8,000 lb, and turning in place will scuff interlock and scar warm asphalt on a July afternoon. Lay plywood or ground protection mats over any finished surface you want to keep looking good.
Wheels or Tracks on GTA Clay
Much of the GTA sits on clay and glacial till that turns greasy after rain and stays soft through the spring thaw. A wheeled S650 puts all its weight on four tires, so on that ground it spins and ruts. If your site is wet or sloped, look at our track loader rentals instead, because tracks spread the load and keep traction where tires dig in. On pavement and frozen ground, wheels are the better choice because they are faster and cheaper to run.
Digging Depth
A skid steer digs by pushing and scooping. That works for stripping topsoil or cutting a patio base, but it is slow and messy for anything deep. Basement digs and sewer lateral trenches call for an excavator. On many GTA builds the efficient setup is to run both machines. An excavator from our excavator rental fleet does the digging, and the S650 moves the spoil and handles the backfill.
Planning Your Bobcat S650 Skid Steer Rental GTA Logistics
Sort out access, transport, locates and booking length before delivery so your rental days go to work rather than problem solving.
Checking Access Before a Bobcat S650 Skid Steer Rental GTA Delivery
Walk the route from the street to the work area with a tape measure. Check gate widths, overhead wires, low branches and any slope steep enough to make a loaded machine unstable. Keep the heavy end of the machine uphill. With a loaded bucket, drive up slopes forward and back down them. With an empty bucket, do the opposite. On narrow Toronto streets, plan where the delivery truck will park. If the machine or trailer will sit on the road allowance overnight, check whether the City requires a street occupancy permit.
Towing It Yourself in Ontario
The S650 weighs about 3,700 kg on its own. Load it on a tandem equipment trailer with a bucket and a second attachment and the towed weight can easily go past 4,600 kg. That is the towing limit on a standard Class G licence in Ontario. You also need a truck rated for the load, a working brake controller and proper chains and binders at every tie-down point. Unless your licence and truck clearly cover it, delivery is the simpler and safer option.
Locates and Site Safety
Any digging or auger work needs utility locates first. You can request free locates through Ontario One Call. Book at least a week ahead, because standard requests can take up to five business days. On commercial and contract jobs, the machine also falls under Ontario's construction projects regulation, O. Reg. 213/91. Among other things, it requires a signaller when the operator's view of the travel path is blocked. Keep the seat bar down whenever the engine is running, and never climb out with the lift arms raised.
How Long to Book
Most Bobcat S650 skid steer rental GTA bookings for patios and small digs run one or two days. Backfill and final grading on a custom home usually take several days because you are waiting on inspections and weather. For that kind of job, price a weekly booking against a string of single days. In spring and fall, build in a rain day, because GTA clay can shut a site down for 24 hours after a heavy storm.
Getting More Out of Every Hour on the Machine
The biggest gains come from a proper start-of-day check and smooth use of the hydraulics. These habits help:
- Check tire pressure and make sure the coupler levers are fully locked on the attachment before you lift anything.
- On multi-day rentals, grease the pivot points at the start of each day.
- Approach piles square and let the hydraulics fill the bucket instead of spinning the tires into the pile.
- Travel with the bucket low, especially on slopes and with a full load.
- In cold weather, plug in the block heater if the unit has one, and let the hydraulic oil warm up before you work the arms hard.
Book the Right Skid Steer for Your Next GTA Job
The S650 is a strong fit for loading, grading, backfill and snow clearing on reasonably firm ground with at least 6 1/2 ft of access. If that describes your job, a Bobcat S650 skid steer rental GTA crews and homeowners can put to work on day one is the practical choice. For narrower access or soft sites, look at a compact track loader. For deep digs, pair the S650 with an excavator.
You can see available skid steer rentals to compare sizes. If the job needs more than one machine, browse our full range of Tools for Rental. Not sure the S650 is the right size, or need delivery and attachments lined up for a specific date? Contact Expert Tools Rental with your site details and we will help you match the machine to the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a Bobcat S650 lift and carry?
The S650 has a rated operating capacity of about 2,690 lb (1,220 kg) and a tipping load near 5,380 lb, with an operating weight around 8,000 lb. That covers most pallets of sod, mulch and bagged material. Heavy stone or interlock pallets can approach or exceed the limit, so check the weight on the delivery slip before lifting.
Will a Bobcat S650 fit through a typical GTA side yard or backyard gate?
Not always. The S650 is roughly 6 feet wide without a bucket and about 74 inches with a standard bucket, so plan on at least 6.5 feet of clear access. Many Toronto semis and older detached homes have narrower side yards. Measure the tightest point, including fences and AC units, before booking. A mini skid steer suits tight lots better.
Bobcat S650 skid steer rental GTA: should I tow it myself or get it delivered?
The machine weighs around 8,000 lb, so with a trailer you are moving 10,000 lb or more. That needs a properly rated trailer with brakes and a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck, and Ontario licence and CVOR rules can apply at those weights. For most Bobcat S650 skid steer rental GTA jobs, delivery is the simpler and safer option.
What jobs is the S650 good for, and where does it struggle?
It handles grading, backfilling foundations, spreading gravel and topsoil, loading trucks, demolition cleanup and snow clearing. Standard auxiliary flow is about 23 gpm, enough for augers, grapples, trenchers and breakers. High flow tools like forestry mulchers need the high flow option, so confirm the spec before booking. On wet lawns or soft ground the wheeled S650 can rut and spin, so a track loader is better there.
Do I need a licence or utility locates before digging with a rented S650 in Ontario?
No special licence is needed to operate a skid steer on private property, though employers must make sure workers are trained under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act. Before any digging, augering or trenching, request free utility locates through Ontario One Call. It is required by law, and locates can take several business days, so book them before the machine arrives.
