Head to head
Cat 226D3 against Gehl R165
The Cat 226D3 saves $1,000; the Gehl R165 carries 88 lb more once both are rated the same way; the Gehl R165 moves 2.0 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit.
| Spec | Cat 226D3 | Gehl R165 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $46,000 | $47,000 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 1,550 lbs | 1,650 lbs |
| Rated at | 50% of tipping load | 50% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 3,100 lbs | 3,275 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 1,550 lbs | 1,638 lbs |
| Engine power | 67 hp | 68 hp |
| Engine | Cat C2.2 CRDI | Yanmar 4TNV98C |
| Auxiliary flow | 18 GPM | 20 GPM |
| Lift height | 116 in | 119 in |
| Operating weight | 5,849 lbs | 6,165 lbs |
| Lift path | Radial Lift | Radial Lift |
| Rubber tracks | No | No |
| High flow available | Yes | Yes |
| Enclosed cab available | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed travel available | Yes | Yes |
| Self-levelling available | Yes | No |
| A/C and heat available | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 yr / 2,000 hr | 2 yr / 2,000 hr |
What owners say about each
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 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.
- 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.
Gehl R165
- Typically priced thousands below a comparable Bobcat S66 or Cat 246, making it one of the best value buys in the 1,600-1,700 lb class.
- The Yanmar 4TNV98C diesel meets Tier 4 without a DPF headache on this power class, and owners praise it as a simple, reliable, easy-starting engine.
- Radial lift geometry with a 119-inch hinge pin height digs and grades aggressively at ground level, where farm and dirt-work operators spend most of their time.
- Buyers can choose T-bar hand controls, dual-hand controls, or joysticks, so operators coming from any brand feel at home quickly.
- Heavy 80K drive chains and a simple hydrostatic drivetrain mean fewer electronics to fail, and long-time Gehl owners report low lifetime repair costs.
- An optional counterweight kit bumps rated capacity to 1,800 lbs, letting the same machine handle heavier pallet and bale work.
- The wide cab opening and low entry step make it one of the easier skid steers to climb in and out of all day.
- The 20 GPM standard flow is modest for the class, and the 30 GPM high-flow package is an extra-cost option rather than standard equipment.
- Radial lift means reach at full height is limited, so loading tall dump trucks over the side takes more finesse.
- Two-speed travel is optional rather than standard, and single-speed base units feel slow moving across bigger sites.
- Self-leveling is not offered on this model, so operators must feather the bucket manually when lifting pallets and bales.
- Brand recognition is low among newer operators, and some owners report longer waits for backordered Gehl-specific parts.