A skid loader earns its keep on hydraulics and steel, and both wear out under hard use. Ames Hydraulics does skid loader repair for farms, contractors, and shops across Central Iowa — lift and tilt hydraulics, drive systems, quick couplers, and the welding that rebuilds cracked booms and buckets. All brands, free pickup within 60 miles of Ames.
Hydraulics and Steel Are What Wear
Weak or slow lift usually means cylinder seals or pump wear. A loader that won’t hold a load has blown cylinder seals. Attachments that won’t run point to auxiliary hydraulics or couplers. And the boom arms, bucket, and quick-attach plate crack and wear from constant load — welding and fabrication. Because we do hydraulics, machining, and welding under one roof, skid loader repair is a one-stop job here.
What We Fix
- Lift, tilt, and auxiliary cylinders — reseal and rebuild, pressure-tested
- Hydraulic pumps, drive motors, and valves
- Quick couplers and worn SSQA plates rebuilt
- Cracked booms, arms, and buckets — welded and reinforced
- Hoses and leaks — assemblies made same-day
All Brands
Bobcat, Case, New Holland, John Deere, Cat, Gehl, and the rest — we’re independent and work on whatever you run, including the attachments that go with them.
Free Pickup Within 60 Miles
Pickup and delivery are free within 60 miles of Ames. Can’t move it? We’ll come get it. Text a photo to 515-292-2599 and we’ll tell you the same day what your skid loader repair needs and what it’ll cost.
Common Skid Loader Symptoms
The calls we get most: weak or slow lift (cylinder seals or pump wear), a bucket that won’t stay up (blown cylinder seals), attachments that won’t run right (auxiliary hydraulics or coupler), a loader that leaks and lost power (hose, pump, or oil), or cracked boom arms, bucket edges, and a sloppy quick-attach plate (welding and rebuild). Real skid loader repair fixes the hydraulics and rebuilds the worn steel so the machine works like it should.
Why an Independent Shop
We’re independent and work on every brand, so you’re not stuck with a dealer’s wait or a dealer’s price for a cylinder reseal or a welded bucket edge. Farms and contractors across Central Iowa bring their skid loaders here because we handle the hydraulics, the machining, and the welding under one roof.
How We Quote It — and Free Pickup
The fastest way to a price is a photo. Text a picture of your loader and a quick note on what it’s doing to 515-292-2599, and we’ll tell you the same day whether it’s a seal kit, a pump, a valve, or a welding job — and roughly what it’ll cost — before anything comes apart. No surprise bills. If the loader can’t be hauled in easily, pickup and delivery are free within 60 miles of Ames: Des Moines, Ankeny, Boone, Nevada, Marshalltown, Story City, and the towns between. A shop that does the hydraulics and the welding in-house is why our skid loader repair turnaround is quick and the fix lasts.
Get It Loading Again
See our full hydraulic repair, hydraulic hose repair, and welding & fabrication services. Also see our skid steer repair page. Call or text 515-292-2599 or bring it to 210 Freel Dr in Ames. Open Monday through Friday, 7AM to 5PM.
Written by Josiah Ragsdale
Owner, Ames Hydraulics — Ames, Iowa
Josiah owns and operates Ames Hydraulics. He has worked on hydraulic and heavy equipment since he was 18, and every hydraulic cylinder his shop rebuilds is pressure tested before it ships back to the customer. More about Josiah →
Got something broken? Call or text 515-292-2599