Cat 226D3 vs Bobcat S450
Quick take: The Bobcat S450 costs $4,000 less; the Cat 226D3 has a higher rated operating capacity (1,550 vs 1,370 lbs); the Cat 226D3 has more engine power (67 vs 49 hp).
| Spec | Cat 226D3 | Bobcat S450 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $46,000 | $42,000 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (300) | 4.3★ (240) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Wheeled Skid Steer |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Radial Lift |
| ROC | 1550 lbs | 1370 lbs |
| Engine HP | 67 hp | 49 hp |
| Operating Weight | 5849 lbs | 5027 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 3100 lbs | 2740 lbs |
| Lift Height | 116 in | 109.5 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 17.1 GPM | 16.7 GPM |
| Engine | Cat C2.2 | Bobcat (Doosan) D18 |
| Tracks | No | No |
| Vertical lift | No | No |
| High-flow | No | No |
| Enclosed cab | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed | No | Yes |
| Self-leveling | Yes | No |
| A/C & heat | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 yr / 1000 hr | 2 yr / 2000 hr |
Pros & cons
Cat 226D3
- ✓The 226D3 is one of the lightest skid steers on the market, so owners can tow it with a half-ton truck and small trailer, which is a big deal for homeowners and small operators.
- ✓Radial lift geometry gives strong digging and pushing force down low, and operators doing excavation and dozing work say it out-digs vertical-lift machines its size.
- ✓Cat's pressurized, sealed cab is genuinely quiet and clean, and operators consistently rate it the most comfortable and dust-free cab in the small-frame class.
- ✓The worldwide Cat dealer network means parts, service, and financing are easy to get almost anywhere, which fleet owners value for uptime.
- ✓The advanced display and optional Smart Attachments system make it easy for less-experienced operators to run tools correctly, reducing training time.
- ✓It sips fuel thanks to the small C2.2 engine, and owners report all-day operation on a modest tank, keeping running costs low.
- ✓The compact size and tight turning radius make it ideal for interior demolition and tight residential lots where bigger machines can't fit.
- ✓Cat's build quality and resale reputation give owners confidence in strong trade-in value down the road.
- ✗The 1,550 lb capacity is genuinely small, and contractors quickly complain it's underpowered for anything beyond light material handling and digging.
- ✗No two-speed travel on this base model means slow ground-to-ground moves, which operators find frustrating on larger sites.
- ✗Cat parts and dealer labor are among the priciest in the industry, so even routine maintenance stings the wallet.
- ✗The standard hydraulic flow is low, limiting the range of attachments it can effectively run without stepping up a frame size.
- ✗Radial lift means poor reach and dump height at the top of the lift path, so truck-loading over high sides is awkward.
- ✗Some owners feel the D3 series updates were minor and the machine feels dated next to Bobcat's R-Series refinements.
- ✗The light operating weight that helps towing also makes it tippy and bouncy when pushing heavy piles.
- ✗New pricing feels steep for the capacity you get, and buyers note you're paying largely for the Cat badge and dealer network.
Bobcat S450
- ✓At roughly 5,000 lbs it's one of the few real skid steers a half-ton pickup can legally tow with a bucket on the trailer, which owners cite as the deciding factor over mid-frame machines.
- ✓The 49 hp Tier 4 engine needs no DPF and no regen cycles, so there's none of the aftertreatment drama that plagues short-run, low-load machines in this class.
- ✓The radius lift path gives good reach at mid-range heights for dumping over walls and backfilling, which suits the grading and loading work small frames actually do.
- ✓It's the cheapest new machine wearing the Bobcat badge, and rental operators report the low buy-in and strong utilization make the numbers work better than any mid-frame.
- ✓Bobcat's dealer network is the densest in the industry, so parts, service, and loaners are rarely more than a short drive away even in rural areas.
- ✓The 58.7-inch width slips through gates and between houses where mid-frame machines can't go, making it popular for backyard and fenced-property jobs.
- ✓The cab-forward design gives surprisingly good visibility to the bucket edge, and operators moving from older Bobcats note the improved sightlines to the tires.
- ✓Resale is strong because the entry-level Bobcat name is in constant demand from homeowners and landscapers, so used S450s sell fast at solid prices.
- ✗The 1,370 lb rated capacity runs out fast with wet material or pallets, and owners doing regular truck-loading almost universally wish they'd bought an S550 or larger.
- ✗There is no high-flow option, so the 16.7 GPM standard flow rules out mulchers, cold planers, and most serious hydraulic attachments.
- ✗The 2-micron fuel filters on these Doosan-engined machines plug quickly on marginal fuel, and forum owners stress religious filter changes and clean fuel to avoid derates.
- ✗Doosan injectors have a reputation for failing, and out-of-warranty injector jobs on an entry-level machine sting owners who bought it to save money.
- ✗Cold-weather owners report intake sensor faults and limp-mode episodes until the engine fully warms, a known annoyance in northern climates.
- ✗The 49 hp engine works hard pushing a full bucket in clay or on grades, and operators say it feels underpowered next to the 60+ hp small frames from Kubota and Deere.
- ✗The small-frame cab is tight for bigger operators, and all-day comfort trails the roomier S64 and mid-frame Bobcats by a wide margin.
- ✗Two-speed travel and the enclosed cab with A/C are extra-cost options, and a comfortably equipped S450 lands close enough to S64 money that many buyers step up.