ASV VT-70 High Output vs ASV RT-65
Quick take: The ASV RT-65 costs $9,000 less; the ASV VT-70 High Output has a higher rated operating capacity (2,328 vs 2,000 lbs); the ASV VT-70 High Output has more engine power (74 vs 67 hp).
| Spec | ASV VT-70 High Output | ASV RT-65 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70,000 | $61,000 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (180) | 4.4★ (210) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Radial Lift |
| ROC | 2328 lbs | 2000 lbs |
| Engine HP | 74 hp | 67 hp |
| Operating Weight | 8060 lbs | 7405 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 6652 lbs | 5714 lbs |
| Lift Height | 126.5 in | 120 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 22.2 GPM | 21.4 GPM |
| Engine | Deutz TD2.2 | Yanmar 4TNV86CHT |
| Tracks | Yes | Yes |
| Vertical lift | Yes | No |
| High-flow | Yes | Yes |
| Enclosed cab | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed | Yes | Yes |
| Self-leveling | Yes | Yes |
| A/C & heat | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 yr / 2000 hr | 2 yr / 2000 hr |
Pros & cons
ASV VT-70 High Output
- ✓The patented Posi-Track undercarriage has up to four times more ground contact points than steel-embedded tracks, and owners say it goes through mud and snow that stops every other brand.
- ✓The internally suspended undercarriage delivers the smoothest ride in the industry - operators can carry full buckets at speed over rough ground without rattling their teeth or spilling material.
- ✓Ground pressure is remarkably low for the weight, so it works wet lawns, septic fields, and soft ground with minimal turf damage - a signature ASV advantage landscapers pay for.
- ✓The 74.3 hp Deutz turbo makes 207 ft-lbs of torque and needs no DEF, and the High Output tune noticeably out-pulls the standard VT-70.
- ✓An 11 mph top speed makes it one of the fastest CTLs in the class, which adds up fast on big properties and long ground moves.
- ✓Direct-drive hydraulic pumps, oversized lines, and dedicated coolers let it run attachments continuously without the overheating that plagues rivals in summer mulching work.
- ✓The vertical lift path with a 126.5-inch lift height clears truck sides cleanly, unusual paired with this kind of undercarriage flotation.
- ✓At 65.6 inches wide and around 8,000 lbs it slips through gates and tows lighter than the 10,000 lb machines it competes with on capability.
- ✗Track and undercarriage rebuild costs are the brand's famous downfall - the rubber tracks and wheel bearings wear faster than steel-embedded designs and cost serious money to replace.
- ✗The many small undercarriage wheels each carry bearings that need attention, and skipped maintenance turns into expensive cascading repairs.
- ✗ASV's dealer network is much thinner than Bobcat's or Cat's, so many owners face long drives for warranty work and parts.
- ✗The 2,328 lb rated capacity trails same-weight rivals like the Kubota SVL75-3, so pure lifting work favors the conventional brands.
- ✗Deutz engine parts and service knowledge are less common in rural America than Kubota or Yanmar, which can slow repairs.
- ✗Resale values lag the big four brands because the used market is thinner - buyers unfamiliar with Posi-Track discount them heavily.
- ✗The rubber tracks that shine in mud and snow cut and chunk quickly on rock, demolition debris, and abrasive ground.
- ✗Cab fit-and-finish trails Cat and Deere, and owners note more noise and simpler controls than the premium competitors at similar money.
ASV RT-65
- ✓The Posi-Track suspended undercarriage rides dramatically smoother than rigid-frame competitors, so operators carry full buckets at speed without spilling or getting beat up.
- ✓Low ground pressure lets it work wet lawns, spring thaw, and sandy ground that bogs down steel-embedded track machines - the reason many owners switch to ASV.
- ✓The 67.1 hp Yanmar turbo is torquey, DEF-free, and simple to service, keeping daily operation cheap for owner-operators.
- ✓A 9.1 mph two-speed drive is quick for the class and makes long ground moves on acreage properties far less tedious.
- ✓The 21.4 GPM standard circuit with a 26.7 GPM high-flow option runs augers, brush cutters, and snow blowers that starve on smaller machines.
- ✓At 66 inches wide with a 120-inch hinge pin height it balances tight-access maneuverability with genuine truck-loading ability.
- ✓The 2-year/2,000-hour warranty includes ASV's no-derailment track guarantee, unmatched coverage for a rubber-track undercarriage.
- ✓Radial lift geometry gives strong bucket breakout for digging and grading, which is where mid-frame machines spend most of their hours.
- ✗The multi-wheel Posi-Track undercarriage demands regular cleaning and bearing care, and deferred maintenance turns into cascading, expensive repairs.
- ✗Replacement tracks cost noticeably more than conventional CTL tracks and chunk quickly on rock, rebar, and demolition debris.
- ✗ASV's dealer network is thin compared to Bobcat, Deere, and Kubota, so parts and warranty service can mean a long trailer ride.
- ✗The 2,000 lb rated capacity trails similarly priced vertical-lift rivals, and the radial path limits reach at full height for truck loading.
- ✗Resale values lag the big four brands because used buyers unfamiliar with Posi-Track discount the machines heavily.
- ✗Yanmar engine parts are less stocked in rural America than Kubota, which can stretch downtime when something breaks.
- ✗Cab fit-and-finish and display tech trail Cat and Deere at this price point, and the cab predates ASV's newer MAX-Series interior.
- ✗No self-leveling on base configurations means spec'ing carefully - pallet work without it spills material as the arms rise.