Gehl R220 vs Gehl RT135
Quick take: The Gehl RT135 costs $7,000 less; the Gehl R220 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,200 vs 1,350 lbs); the Gehl R220 has more engine power (72 vs 47 hp).
| Spec | Gehl R220 | Gehl RT135 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $55,000 | $48,000 |
| Rating | 4.2★ (85) | 4.1★ (80) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Radial Lift |
| ROC | 2200 lbs | 1350 lbs |
| Engine HP | 72 hp | 47 hp |
| Operating Weight | 7980 lbs | 6510 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 4400 lbs | 3858 lbs |
| Lift Height | 123 in | 110 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 23.5 GPM | 17 GPM |
| Engine | Yanmar 4TNV98CT | Yanmar 4TNV88 |
| Tracks | No | Yes |
| Vertical lift | No | No |
| High-flow | Yes | No |
| Enclosed cab | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed | Yes | No |
| Self-leveling | Yes | Yes |
| A/C & heat | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 yr / 2000 hr | 2 yr / 2000 hr |
Pros & cons
Gehl R220
- ✓Radial-lift geometry on a large frame delivers serious breakout and prying force, and operators say it out-digs vertical-lift rivals in hard bank material.
- ✓The 72 hp Yanmar 4TNV98CT turbo diesel is a proven, simple engine that hits Tier 4 without the aftertreatment complexity of bigger-displacement rivals.
- ✓An optional 35 GPM high-flow circuit at 3,300 psi runs planers, mulchers, and augers that most radial machines in this class can't feed.
- ✓Typically sells thousands under a comparable Bobcat S76 or Case SR210B, making it one of the cheapest ways into a 2,200 lb machine.
- ✓Choice of hand-only T-bar, dual-hand, or joystick controls lets crews standardize on whatever scheme their operators already know.
- ✓Heavy-duty 100K drive chains and a straightforward hydrostatic driveline keep long-term maintenance simple and cheap.
- ✓Optional hydraulic self-leveling keeps forks and buckets flat through the lift, a feature owners doing pallet work call a must-have.
- ✓Parts commonality with the Manitou 2200 R doubles the supply network, and ag dealers who carry Gehl tend to stock wear parts deep.
- ✗The Gehl dealer network is thin outside the Midwest and farm country, so some buyers face long hauls for warranty and parts service.
- ✗Resale value is noticeably softer than Bobcat, Cat, or Deere equivalents, which erodes the purchase-price advantage at trade-in time.
- ✗At 123 inches to hinge pin, the radial path gives less reach and dump height at the top than vertical-lift rivals, making high truck sides awkward.
- ✗Nearly 8,000 lbs of operating weight demands a heavy-duty trailer and truck, more than some owners of older R-series machines expect.
- ✗The cab electronics and display feel basic next to the touchscreen packages on newer Bobcat R-Series and Deere P-Tier machines.
- ✗Two-speed travel, self-leveling, and high-flow are all extra-cost options, so a well-equipped unit narrows the price gap to the big brands.
- ✗Low brand recognition means fewer rental houses and used-market buyers know the machine, limiting exit options for fleets.
- ✗Some owners report slower parts turnaround on Gehl-specific components compared to the overnight availability the big four offer.
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.