Gehl R165 vs Gehl RT135
Quick take: The Gehl R165 costs $1,000 less; the Gehl R165 has a higher rated operating capacity (1,650 vs 1,350 lbs); the Gehl R165 has more engine power (68 vs 47 hp).
| Spec | Gehl R165 | Gehl RT135 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $47,000 | $48,000 |
| Rating | 4.2★ (95) | 4.1★ (80) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Radial Lift |
| ROC | 1650 lbs | 1350 lbs |
| Engine HP | 68 hp | 47 hp |
| Operating Weight | 6165 lbs | 6510 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 3275 lbs | 3858 lbs |
| Lift Height | 119 in | 110 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 18.9 GPM | 17 GPM |
| Engine | Yanmar 4TNV98C | Yanmar 4TNV88 |
| Tracks | No | Yes |
| Vertical lift | No | No |
| High-flow | No | No |
| Enclosed cab | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed | Yes | No |
| Self-leveling | No | Yes |
| A/C & heat | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 yr / 2000 hr | 2 yr / 2000 hr |
Pros & cons
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.
- ✓Manitou Group parts commonality means the identical Manitou 1650 R shares components, improving parts availability through two dealer networks.
- ✗Gehl's dealer network is far thinner than Bobcat, Cat, or Deere, so service and parts can mean a long drive in many regions.
- ✗Resale value trails the big brands noticeably, and used Gehl machines sit on lots longer, which offsets some of the purchase savings.
- ✗The 18.9 GPM standard hydraulics limit attachment options, and there's no factory high-flow package on this model.
- ✗The cab interior feels dated next to Bobcat R-Series and Deere P-Tier machines, with harder plastics and a more basic display.
- ✗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.
Gehl RT135
- ✓The 57-inch overall width threads through narrow side yards and double gates where 66-inch mid-frames have to stay on the driveway.
- ✓A 1,350 lb rating at a conservative 35% of tipping load carries real pallets of sod and stone without the light-in-the-rear feel of aggressively-rated rivals.
- ✓Low-effort pilot joystick controls are a headline feature, giving this small frame the same smooth proportional feel as Gehl's larger Pilot Series machines.
- ✓IdealTrax automatic track tensioning comes standard, protecting the undercarriage from the neglect that shortens track life on manually-tensioned competitors.
- ✓The 46.6 hp Yanmar 4TNV88 needs no DEF and no complicated aftertreatment babysitting, keeping ownership simple for small operations.
- ✓At 6,510 lbs it's still towable behind a well-equipped half-ton or light three-quarter-ton truck with a standard equipment trailer.
- ✓A full cab enclosure with heat and air conditioning is available - a genuine comfort upgrade the smaller RT105 can't be optioned with.
- ✓It prices thousands below a comparably-equipped Bobcat T550 and carries Gehl's 2-year/2,000-hour full-machine warranty.
- ✗There's no two-speed drive available, so the 6 mph top speed makes long ground moves and big-property work tedious.
- ✗No high-flow hydraulic option means mulchers, cold planers, and other flow-hungry attachments are off the menu permanently.
- ✗Gehl's dealer network is thin in many regions, and owners report parts waits that Bobcat and Cat customers rarely experience.
- ✗Resale values run noticeably below the major brands, clawing back some of the up-front savings at trade-in.
- ✗The radial-only lift path limits reach at full height, so loading over tall truck sides takes more care than a vertical-lift machine.
- ✗The rigid undercarriage transmits chatter on frozen or rutted ground, and there's no suspension option like ASV offers in this size.
- ✗A/C cab, Power-A-Tach coupler, self-leveling, and suspension seat are all extra-cost options that quickly close the price gap.
- ✗The same machine wears a Manitou 1350 RT badge, and Manitou Group's brand consolidation makes some buyers nervous about long-term Gehl support.