Bobcat T76 vs Bobcat S86
Quick take: The Bobcat T76 costs $4,000 less; the Bobcat S86 has a higher rated operating capacity (3,400 vs 2,900 lbs); the Bobcat S86 has more engine power (105 vs 74 hp).
| Spec | Bobcat T76 | Bobcat S86 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $78,000 | $82,000 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (700) | 4.7★ (460) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Wheeled Skid Steer |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 2900 lbs | 3400 lbs |
| Engine HP | 74 hp | 105 hp |
| Operating Weight | 10250 lbs | 9728 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 8228 lbs | 6800 lbs |
| Lift Height | 128 in | 132 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 23.3 GPM | 23 GPM |
| Engine | Bobcat (Doosan) D24 | Bobcat (Doosan) 3.4L |
| Tracks | Yes | 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 T76
- ✓The T76 is arguably the best-selling CTL in the country for a reason — operators praise its balanced blend of lift capacity, pushing power, and refinement in one machine.
- ✓Vertical lift with a 128-inch hinge-pin height makes truck-loading and pallet-stacking genuinely easy, a real advantage over radial-lift CTLs.
- ✓The cab-forward visibility and low door threshold are class-leading, and operators specifically call it out for grading and finish grading accuracy.
- ✓High-flow (30.3 GPM) and Super Flow options let it run planers, mulchers, and mixers that many CTLs can't handle, maximizing attachment versatility.
- ✓The 5-link torsion suspension undercarriage smooths out rough ground and reduces operator fatigue over long days better than rigid designs.
- ✓Bobcat's dealer network means parts, tracks, and loaner machines are almost always available quickly, keeping downtime low.
- ✓Resale value is exceptional — the T76 commands strong money used, which owners factor into a lower true cost of ownership.
- ✓Cycle times and hydraulic responsiveness are strong, and contractors say it keeps pace with machines a size class up on production work.
- ✗Undercarriage and track costs are significant — owners report expensive track sets and roller wear, especially when run on abrasive or hard surfaces.
- ✗Bobcat parts and dealer labor rates are among the highest in the industry, and owners feel the proprietary ecosystem keeps costs up.
- ✗The premium price is well above Kubota, Case, and New Holland equivalents, and buyers question whether the badge justifies the gap.
- ✗At 74 hp, heavy-duty operators sometimes wish for the 105 hp T86's extra muscle for demanding dirt and mulching work.
- ✗The DPF/regen system on the D24 draws complaints when the machine spends a lot of time idling or on light-duty tasks.
- ✗Fully-loaded with high-flow and premium cab options, the T76's price climbs fast into large-frame territory.
- ✗Tracks make it slower and less efficient on pavement, and owners note accelerated wear if it lives on concrete.
- ✗Mud and snow packing in the undercarriage is a recurring winter maintenance chore operators mention.
Bobcat S86
- ✓The S86 is one of the only machines offering standard-flow, high-flow (36.6 GPM), and super-flow (42 GPM) hydraulics, and owners running planers and mulchers say it powers attachments nothing else in its class can.
- ✓At 105 hp and 3,400 lb capacity it's the top of Bobcat's wheeled lineup, and heavy-duty contractors praise its raw production capability.
- ✓The vertical lift with 132-inch hinge-pin height makes loading the tallest trucks and hoppers effortless, a real advantage for aggregate work.
- ✓The cab-forward visibility and refined, quiet cab carry over from the R-Series, and operators rate it top-tier for comfort and sightlines.
- ✓Bobcat's unmatched dealer network keeps parts, loaners, and service readily available, minimizing downtime on a machine this productive.
- ✓Resale value is exceptional — the S86 commands strong used money, softening the high purchase price over time.
- ✓The 5-link torsion suspension and strong breakout force make it capable across dirt work, loading, and heavy attachment tasks.
- ✓The super-flow option at 4,061 psi delivers class-leading hydraulic horsepower, which owners running the hungriest attachments specifically buy it for.
- ✗The S86 is expensive — its premium price and the cost of the super-flow package push it well into large-CTL territory.
- ✗Bobcat dealer parts and labor rates are among the highest in the industry, and owners feel locked into a costly ecosystem.
- ✗As a wheeled machine it lacks the flotation of a CTL, so it's less suited to soft or muddy ground where the T86 shines.
- ✗The proprietary Bob-Tach and controls can complicate running certain third-party attachments, nudging buyers toward Bobcat tools.
- ✗The DPF/emissions system on the 3.4L engine draws complaints during heavy idling and light-duty cycles.
- ✗At nearly 10,000 lb it needs a heavy truck and trailer, and the machine's size reduces versatility on tight sites.
- ✗Tires wear quickly under heavy loads on abrasive surfaces, and a full set of premium tires is a steep recurring cost.
- ✗Fully optioned with super-flow and premium cab features, the S86's price climbs fast, testing buyers' budgets.