Bobcat T650 vs ASV RT-65
Quick take: The ASV RT-65 costs $1,000 less; the Bobcat T650 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,570 vs 2,000 lbs); the Bobcat T650 has more engine power (74 vs 67 hp).
| Spec | Bobcat T650 | ASV RT-65 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $62,000 | $61,000 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (580) | 4.4★ (210) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Radial Lift |
| ROC | 2570 lbs | 2000 lbs |
| Engine HP | 74 hp | 67 hp |
| Operating Weight | 9113 lbs | 7405 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 7343 lbs | 5714 lbs |
| Lift Height | 124 in | 120 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 23 GPM | 21.4 GPM |
| Engine | Bobcat (Doosan) D34 | 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
Bobcat T650
- ✓Over a decade of production means every quirk is documented, every mechanic knows it, and owners call it one of the most proven CTL platforms ever built - there are no surprises left in a T650.
- ✓Bobcat's 74 hp Tier 4 engine skips the DPF entirely, so owners never deal with regen cycles or clogged filters that sideline competitor machines mid-job.
- ✓The vertical lift path and 124-inch hinge pin height load tri-axle dump trucks and stack pallets high with ease, which is exactly why grading and material-handling crews standardized on it.
- ✓As a Classic-line machine it undercuts the newer T66 on price by thousands while offering more rated capacity (2,570 vs 2,450 lbs), a trade plenty of buyers happily make.
- ✓The used market is enormous - rental fleets turned over thousands of T650s, so parts, tracks, and complete machines are cheap and everywhere, and resale liquidity is excellent.
- ✓Bobcat's dealer network is the deepest in the industry, and owners report same-day parts availability even in rural areas keeps downtime minimal.
- ✓The optional 30.5 GPM high-flow package runs mulchers, cold planers, and stump grinders, giving it attachment range well beyond its frame size.
- ✓The swing-open tailgate and transversely-mounted engine give easy access to filters and daily checks, and forum mechanics consistently rank it among the easiest CTLs to service.
- ✗The M-Series cab is louder and rides rougher than the newer R-Series T66/T76, and operators who demo both say the refinement gap is obvious on long days.
- ✗The solid-mounted undercarriage has no suspension, so the ride across rough ground is punishing at travel speed compared to torsion-suspended rivals like ASV.
- ✗Standard 23 GPM auxiliary flow is only adequate - flow-hungry attachments really need the high-flow option, which adds meaningful cost.
- ✗Bobcat parts and dealer labor pricing run notoriously high, and owners grumble that filters, tracks, and fittings cost far more than aftermarket equivalents.
- ✗The Bob-Tach attachment system and proprietary controls nudge you toward Bobcat-branded attachments, and some third-party tools need adapters.
- ✗As a Classic (outgoing) model it lacks modern touches like the clear-side cab, improved pressurization, and touch display of current-generation machines.
- ✗Cab dust sealing is a long-running M-Series complaint - owners in dry climates report sweeping out the cab daily despite the pressurization system.
- ✗At 9,113 lbs plus a trailer and attachments you're past what a half-ton truck should tow, so budget for a three-quarter-ton or bigger to move it legally.
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.