Bobcat S66-2 vs Gehl V270
Quick take: The Bobcat S66-2 costs $1,000 less; the Gehl V270 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,700 vs 2,400 lbs); the Bobcat S66-2 has more engine power (74 vs 72 hp).
| Spec | Bobcat S66-2 | Gehl V270 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $63,000 | $64,000 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (60) | 4.3★ (80) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Wheeled Skid Steer |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 2400 lbs | 2700 lbs |
| Engine HP | 74 hp | 72 hp |
| Operating Weight | 7046 lbs | 8000 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 4800 lbs | 5400 lbs |
| Lift Height | 120 in | 130.3 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 17.6 GPM | 23.5 GPM |
| Engine | Bobcat (Doosan) D24 | Yanmar 4TNV98CT |
| Tracks | No | No |
| Vertical lift | Yes | Yes |
| 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
Bobcat S66-2
- ✓The new 8-inch glove-friendly touchscreen with up to 20 operator profiles and split-screen camera views finally brings Bobcat's mid-frame cab tech up to par with Cat's next-gen loaders, and early operators call it the biggest single upgrade over the R-Series.
- ✓Four selectable drive modes (Balanced, Agile, Dynamic and Charged) with precision drive software let operators tune responsiveness per task, so finish graders and pallet movers can each get the feel they want from the same machine.
- ✓The completely redesigned electrical system addresses the R-Series' most common warranty complaints - harness chafe and sensor gremlins - which is exactly the kind of unglamorous fix long-time Bobcat owners asked for.
- ✓It keeps the proven 74 hp D24 turbo-diesel with no DEF required, so there's no new emissions hardware to learn and parts commonality with the huge R-Series fleet keeps maintenance familiar.
- ✓The vertical lift path and 120-inch hinge pin height make truck loading and pallet stacking easy for a machine this size, carrying over the trait that made the S66 a landscaper favorite.
- ✓Optional Bobcat Sense camera- and radar-based detection can automatically spot obstacles and stop the machine, a genuine class-first safety feature for crews working around ground personnel.
- ✓The refreshed interior adds a heated high-back air-ride seat option, phone holder, extra storage, and USB plus USB-C charging - small touches that owners of all-day machines notice immediately.
- ✓Bobcat's dealer network remains the deepest in the industry, and because the -2 shares its core powertrain with the R-Series, dealers already stock most wear parts on day one.
- ✗As a first-model-year machine that only reached dealerships in summer 2026, early adopters are effectively beta-testing the new electrical architecture and touchscreen software.
- ✗Pricing crept up over the outgoing S66, and a well-optioned unit with high-flow, Sense detection, and the premium seat lands several thousand dollars above an equivalent R-Series leftover.
- ✗The engine is unchanged at 74 hp and 17.6 GPM standard flow, so buyers hoping the new generation would bring more power or hydraulic capability will be disappointed.
- ✗The added cameras, radar sensors, and touchscreen mean more electronics to fail and more diagnostics that require a dealer laptop, eroding the simple-to-wrench reputation Bobcats built their name on.
- ✗Bob-Tach and Bobcat's proprietary attachment ecosystem still nudge owners toward pricey Bobcat-branded tools, and dealer parts pricing remains among the highest in the industry.
- ✗The standard 17.6 GPM flow is low for the class, so running planers or mulching heads still forces the extra-cost 26.9 GPM high-flow option.
- ✗Resale on the new -2 generation is unproven, and with clean used R-Series S66 machines flooding trade-in lots, early -2 buyers may take a steeper first-owner depreciation hit.
- ✗Some operators find the drive-mode and profile menus add complexity for mixed crews - a rental yard or multi-operator fleet has to manage settings that old machines simply didn't have.
Gehl V270
- ✓The 130.3-inch hinge pin height is among the tallest in the wheeled skid steer class, so it clears high-sided grain trucks and mixer hoppers that shorter machines can't reach.
- ✓At 2,700 lbs rated capacity with a 5,400 lb tipping load, it handles full pallets of block or seed with a comfortable stability margin.
- ✓Gehl consistently prices the V270 thousands below a comparable Bobcat S86 or Cat 272, making it a strong dollars-per-pound value.
- ✓The Yanmar turbo diesel meets emissions without complex aftertreatment drama, and owners report it as a dependable, easy-to-service engine.
- ✓An optional 35 GPM high-flow package runs demanding attachments like cold planers and mulchers that mid-frame machines struggle with.
- ✓The vertical lift path keeps the load moving straight up, and the optional self-leveling keeps pallet forks flat without operator input.
- ✓Big 12x16.5 tires and a long wheelbase give it a planted, stable ride when carrying heavy loads at speed across a yard.
- ✓Shared components with the Manitou 2700 V mean parts flow through two dealer networks, a quiet advantage for uptime.
- ✗Gehl's dealer footprint is sparse compared to Bobcat, Cat, and Deere, so warranty work and parts can require significant travel in some states.
- ✗Resale values lag the major brands, and used V270s take longer to sell, eating into the up-front purchase savings.
- ✗At roughly 8,000 lbs it needs a heavy trailer and 3/4-ton-or-larger truck to move, which surprises buyers stepping up from mid-frames.
- ✗The cab, while roomy, feels a generation behind the touchscreen-equipped competition in displays, camera options, and tech features.
- ✗The 72 hp Gen:2 engine is a step down on paper from the older 84 hp version, and some owners feel it works harder under high-flow attachments.
- ✗Its large frame and wide stance limit access to tight residential jobs where a mid-frame machine slips through gates.
- ✗Vertical-lift linkage has more pivot points to grease and wear than a simple radial boom, adding maintenance touchpoints.
- ✗Brand awareness is low outside ag country, so financing promos and rental support are less common than with the big four brands.