Case SV185B vs John Deere 318 P-Tier
Quick take: The Case SV185B costs $2,000 less; the John Deere 318 P-Tier has a higher rated operating capacity (1,945 vs 1,850 lbs); the John Deere 318 P-Tier has more engine power (65 vs 60 hp).
| Spec | Case SV185B | John Deere 318 P-Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $50,000 | $52,000 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (310) | 4.5★ (60) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Wheeled Skid Steer |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 1850 lbs | 1945 lbs |
| Engine HP | 60 hp | 65 hp |
| Operating Weight | 6570 lbs | 6542 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 3700 lbs | 3890 lbs |
| Lift Height | 120 in | 120 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 20.6 GPM | 17 GPM |
| Engine | Perkins/ISM | Yanmar 4TNV86CHT |
| Tracks | No | No |
| Vertical lift | Yes | Yes |
| High-flow | Yes | No |
| 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
Case SV185B
- ✓Vertical lift in a small frame is rare, and the near-straight lift path with 1,850 lbs of capacity handles pallet forks and truck loading that radial rivals this size can't.
- ✓The predecessor SV185 was Case's best-selling skid steer for years, so the platform is thoroughly proven and used values stay liquid.
- ✓The Tier 4 solution needs only a DOC - no DPF regens and no DEF - which farm owners in particular cite as a decisive low-maintenance advantage.
- ✓Two-speed travel (7.4 and 10.8 mph) is available, so it covers ground between barn and field far faster than single-speed entry machines.
- ✓The optional 30.7 GPM high-flow package gives it attachment capability well beyond the typical 60 hp machine.
- ✓Simple, serviceable mechanicals and a familiar Perkins-family engine keep maintenance cheap and DIY-friendly.
- ✓The B-series cab update brought push-button start, an available 8-inch LCD display with backup camera, and switchable EH control patterns.
- ✓Case pricing undercuts vertical-lift competitors like the Bobcat S64, and the included 7-year telematics subscription adds value.
- ✗With 60 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque it works hard in heavy digging - operators pushing into packed piles wish for the SR210B's 74 hp.
- ✗The 20.6 GPM standard flow is modest, so hungrier attachments require the extra-cost high-flow option.
- ✗Vertical-lift linkage adds complexity and pivot points over a radial design, meaning more pins and bushings to maintain long-term.
- ✗The 5,550 lb breakout force trails the radial SR175B by a wide margin, so it's the weaker digger of Case's two small frames.
- ✗Case's construction dealer network is thinner than Bobcat's or Deere's in many regions, slowing parts and warranty work.
- ✗Enclosed cab, two-speed, and EH controls are all options that push the real-world price well above base.
- ✗Owners report occasional B-series sensor and electrical glitches that can require a dealer visit to clear.
- ✗Resale value trails the big three brands, partially offsetting the lower purchase price at trade-in.
John Deere 318 P-Tier
- ✓Vertical lift geometry keeps the load tucked in as it rises, so it loads dump trucks and stacks pallets far better than radial small-frames like the 316 P-Tier.
- ✓At around 6,500 lbs it still tows behind a well-equipped half-ton pickup, and factory tie-down points make securing it a two-minute job.
- ✓Under 63 inches wide with the standard tires, it fits through gates and between houses where mid-frame machines simply cannot go.
- ✓EH ISO-pattern joystick controls are now standard equipment, with adjustable response settings that used to be reserved for large-frame Deeres.
- ✓The 65 hp turbo Yanmar hits Tier 4 Final without DEF, keeping fluids simple for owners who run the machine intermittently.
- ✓The P-Tier cab is noticeably roomier and better sealed than the old 318G's, and the optional A/C package actually keeps up in summer.
- ✓Optional counterweights raise rated capacity to 2,095 lbs, letting a small-frame machine handle a full pallet of sod or seed.
- ✓Deere's dealer density and free JDLink telematics mean parts, service, and machine tracking are covered almost anywhere in the country.
- ✗No high-flow hydraulic option exists - 17 GPM caps the attachment list and rules out mulchers, cold planers, and big snowblowers.
- ✗The base 1,945 lb rated capacity needs the optional counterweight package to safely handle heavier pallets, an extra cost the spec sheet glosses over.
- ✗A cab machine with A/C, two-speed, and counterweights prices close to mid-frame territory where the 320 P-Tier offers much more machine.
- ✗The vertical-lift linkage adds pivot points and grease zerks that the simpler radial 316 P-Tier does not have to maintain.
- ✗Wheeled small-frames lose traction quickly in mud and on slopes, and buyers in wet climates increasingly cross-shop the 317 P-Tier CTL instead.
- ✗The small frame transmits more chop on rough ground than heavier machines, and taller operators find cab entry over the attachment tight.
- ✗Single-speed travel is the base configuration, so budget builds crawl between work areas on larger properties.
- ✗Resale on small wheeled skid steers is softening industry-wide as compact track loaders continue to take over the segment.