Bobcat S64 vs Bobcat T450
Quick take: The Bobcat S64 costs $6,000 less; the Bobcat S64 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,300 vs 1,490 lbs); the Bobcat S64 has more engine power (68 vs 55 hp).
| Spec | Bobcat S64 | Bobcat T450 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (340) | 4.4★ (260) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Radial Lift |
| ROC | 2300 lbs | 1490 lbs |
| Engine HP | 68 hp | 55 hp |
| Operating Weight | 6974 lbs | 6424 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 4600 lbs | 4257 lbs |
| Lift Height | 120 in | 109.5 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 17.6 GPM | 16.7 GPM |
| Engine | Bobcat (Doosan) D24 | Bobcat (Doosan) D24 |
| Tracks | No | Yes |
| Vertical lift | Yes | No |
| High-flow | Yes | No |
| Enclosed cab | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed | Yes | Yes |
| Self-leveling | Yes | No |
| A/C & heat | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 yr / 2000 hr | 2 yr / 2000 hr |
Pros & cons
Bobcat S64
- ✓Owners consistently praise the S64's tight, nimble footprint that squeezes through 6-foot gates and residential yards where a S76 simply won't fit, making it a favorite for landscapers doing backyard work.
- ✓The inline engine layout and swing-up tailgate give genuinely easy access to the radiator, filters, and daily grease points, and mechanics on the forums note it's one of the friendliest Bobcats to service.
- ✓The vertical lift path on such a small machine is a real selling point for stacking pallets and loading into truck beds, which radial-lift competitors in this size class can't match.
- ✓Bobcat's dealer network is the deepest in the industry, so operators rave that parts and loaner machines are almost always available same-day, which minimizes downtime.
- ✓The optional high-flow package (26.9 GPM) lets it run planers and stump grinders that would choke a machine this size, giving it surprising attachment versatility.
- ✓Resale value holds up better than almost any brand — owners report getting strong trade-in numbers years later thanks to the Bobcat name recognition among buyers.
- ✓The cab-forward design and low door threshold give excellent bucket-edge visibility for grading and finish work, something operators specifically call out versus older Bobcats.
- ✓The 5-link torsion suspension and roomy cab make it comfortable enough for full 8-hour days, which owners contrast favorably against harsher-riding competitor small frames.
- ✗The 68 hp engine and 2,300 lb capacity feel underpowered the moment you put it next to a S76, and several owners admit they wished they'd spent the extra money for the bigger frame.
- ✗Bobcat dealer parts pricing is notoriously high — filters, tracks, and even hydraulic fittings cost noticeably more than aftermarket, and owners feel locked into an expensive ecosystem.
- ✗The standard 17.6 GPM flow is on the low side, so many buyers feel forced into the pricey high-flow option just to run common attachments effectively.
- ✗Bob-Tach and some proprietary controls mean not every third-party attachment plays nicely, and operators grumble about being nudged toward Bobcat-branded tools.
- ✗At this price point some contractors feel you're paying a premium for the badge, since spec-for-spec Kubota and New Holland small frames often undercut it.
- ✗The smaller frame means a lighter counterweight, and operators report the front end gets tippy when handling heavy pallets at full reach.
- ✗Cab noise and heat management, while improved, still draw complaints in hot climates without the A/C option, which adds cost.
- ✗Some owners note the machine's short wheelbase makes it bouncy at travel speed across rough ground compared to a longer medium-frame unit.
Bobcat T450
- ✓At just 55 inches wide it slips through standard gates and side yards that stop every mid-frame CTL cold, which is exactly why fencing and pool contractors gravitate to it.
- ✓The 55 hp Tier 4 engine gets by without a DPF, so owners are spared the regen cycles, limp modes, and emissions headaches that plague bigger diesels.
- ✓At 6,424 lbs it's genuinely towable behind a half-ton pickup with a bucket and trailer, saving small operators from buying a bigger truck just to move the machine.
- ✓Bobcat's dealer network is the deepest in the industry, so parts, tracks, and service are almost always a same-day affair even in rural areas.
- ✓The radius lift path arcs out at mid-range heights, which operators say makes it a natural for backfilling, dumping over walls, and unloading flatbeds.
- ✓The swing-open tailgate and simple engine layout make daily checks and filter changes easy, and mechanics note there's far less to go wrong than on high-spec machines.
- ✓An optional 200 lb counterweight bumps rated capacity to 1,656 lbs, giving it a useful cushion for the occasional heavy pallet.
- ✓Resale demand for small Bobcat CTLs is strong because rental fleets and homeowners compete for used units, so clean T450s hold their value unusually well.
- ✗The 1,490 lb rated capacity means a full pallet of sod or pavers is over the limit, and owners doing material handling quickly wish they'd bought a T64.
- ✗There's no high-flow option, so the 16.7 GPM aux circuit rules out mulchers, cold planers, and other flow-hungry attachments entirely.
- ✗The short, narrow footprint gets tippy on side slopes and bouncy at travel speed, and operators consistently call the ride rougher than mid-frame machines.
- ✗The cab is genuinely cramped - taller or broader operators complain their knees hit the door and shoulder room is minimal on long days.
- ✗Pricing lands uncomfortably close to the larger T64, and plenty of buyers conclude the extra few thousand dollars for the bigger frame is the smarter spend.
- ✗The radius lift path gives up reach at full height, so loading tall dump trucks and stacking pallets high is harder than on vertical-lift rivals.
- ✗No self-leveling option means you're manually feathering the bucket on every lift, a tiring omission when moving palletized material.
- ✗Bobcat parts and dealer labor pricing run high, so ownership costs stay elevated even on this entry-level machine.