Commonly referred to as a dozer, a bulldozer is one of the most important pieces of equipment in large construction projects. It may be used in an array of industrial applications, including construction, waste management, mining, and farming.

As you may be aware, bulldozers are expensive pieces of equipment. This large tractor often has a large blade at the front, helping you push material like dirt and debris out of the way.

This being the case, buying one may not be a sound business decision, especially if you only need it for a short period of time. This is actually one of the reasons why renting one is a feasible alternative for many contractors and project managers.

Just as is the case with its buying cost, bulldozer rental cost varies greatly from one provider and unit to another. The rental rate for bulldozers is determined by such factors as it’s weight class, output, and size.

So, how much will it cost to rent a bulldozer at the current market conditions? Too much!

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Bulldozer?

As mentioned above, bulldozer rental costs vary from one unit to another. As you may have noticed, the cost of renting a bulldozer varies from one make and model as well as provider to another. Additionally, the rate is also influenced by the power, size and rental period.

With smaller bulldozers, with an operating weight of about 17,500lbs, you should expect to spend between $200 and $500 a day in rental costs. For larger models, the rental cost can be as high as $3,000 a day. You also need to understand that bulldozer rental costs tend to reduce with an increase in the rental period.

For instance, opting for weekly rental plans for a bulldozer can save you between 20 and 20 percent in rental costs.  As compared to daily rental costs, using month rental plans to rent your bulldozer will save you up to 60 percent in rental costs. So, exactly how much do bulldozer rentals cost?

Bulldozer Rental Cost: Daily, Weekly & Monthly Rates

The rates vary.

Factors Affecting Bulldozer Rental Pricing

In addition to the daily, weekly or monthly rental rate, you will also include several additional costs when renting a bulldozer. For instance, you have to factor in such expenses as repairs and maintenance, operational costs and transport costs into the overall cost.

In this regard, here are some of the important factors that will affect your bulldozer rental cost:

Delivery and Pickup Costs

Basically, bulldozers are transported to and from sites by trucks. As such, your provider with definitely bill transportation costs for delivery and pickup of the equipment. Delivery and pickup costs mainly depend on the size and weight of the bulldozer, which determines the size of the truck to use.

Additionally, the cost will also be affected by the distance that will be covered delivering the truck to your site. The longer the distance, the higher the cost will be. On average delivery and pickup fees for a bulldozer will be about $1,000 for short distances.

Some providers will also have a maximum delivery distance stipulated in the agreement. In such a case, you may be charged an additional rate for each extra mile beyond the maximum distance

Condition of the Machine

Basically, a new bulldozer will be costlier to rent than an older one. The condition of a bulldozer mainly depends on its hours of use. Naturally, bulldozers are much larger than skid steers and backhoe loaders as they have to push away a great amount of debris.

Depending on the make, model and power if the machine, different providers charge different rates for new bulldozers, ranging from $300 to $800 per day and up to 12,500 a month.

The price for older bulldozers will be relatively lower. Again, the pricing of used bulldozers will also depend on their make and model as well as their logged hours of use. This being the case, it is possible to get a small bulldozer with noticeable wear and tear at an affordable price point.

New Technology 

it is crucial to rent a bulldozer that incorporates new technologies because today’s machinery and their electronic components are advancing. New technologies in bulldozers translate to better real-time monitoring, increased fuel efficiency, advances in ergonomic design and cab comfort, and improved emissions.

However, the more advanced the technology used in your bulldozer, the higher the rental cost will be.

Return on Investment

The purchase of equipment is often considered an investment venture. This is why it is made on the premise that the investment will ultimately yield a rate of return high enough to compensate for the risk of the undertaking. Thus, interest is charged on the capital used for purchasing the equipment, whether the purchase is financed by an institution or paid for with company funds.

In the latter case, the allowance of interest charged is made to compensate the company for the rate of return that its funds would obtain if deposited in a banking

Replacement Escalation

Construction equipment prices have increased by about five percent per year over the past 20 years. This escalation in price is because of factors such as inflation, new technology, market conditions, and changes in taxation laws. Although an estimate of the escalation amount can be found, it is almost impossible to predict escalation with any amount of certainty.

As of this writing, the FHWA does not allow replacement escalation costs to be paid as part of the costs of rental construction equipment for work subsidized by the U.S. federal government.

Maintenance and Repair

Maintenance repair costs include scheduled services of a preventive nature and repairs caused by unforeseen mechanical breakdowns. The estimation of maintenance costs can, therefore, be made more accurately than for repair costs. The best way to estimate future maintenance and repair costs is to use past records as a guide whenever available.

The expenses under this category are the costs of parts, sales taxes, labor, fringe benefits, shop overhead, any supporting facilities, and any maintenance equipment required. The annual maintenance and repair cost may be expressed as a percentage of the annual cost of depreciation. In most cases, it can add up to between 60 and 70 percent of the overall rental cost.

Miscellaneous Costs

Several other cost items can be considered under miscellaneous costs. Among these are mobilization to the Jobsite, required safety inspections, and other expenses that may apply depending on the type of equipment and the particular contract under which the equipment is operating.

Ready to Rent a Bulldozer?

Bulldozer rental rates are somewhat flexible depending on the number of units you would like to rent and the rental period.

How much you will be spending to rent a bulldozer will depend on several other factors.  For instance, it is dependent on the dealer location, condition, and power of the machine.

As you have learned throughout this guide, bulldozers come in various sizes. Actually, this is the main factor that will affect your rental prices. With this guide, you will have an easier time estimating the cost of renting a bulldozer.