Gehl R260 vs Gehl RT165
Quick take: The Gehl RT165 costs $1,000 less; the Gehl R260 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,600 vs 1,650 lbs); the Gehl R260 has more engine power (71 vs 70 hp).
| Spec | Gehl R260 | Gehl RT165 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60,000 | $59,000 |
| Rating | 4.2★ (65) | 4.2★ (120) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Radial Lift |
| ROC | 2600 lbs | 1650 lbs |
| Engine HP | 71 hp | 70 hp |
| Operating Weight | 8200 lbs | 8020 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 5200 lbs | 4715 lbs |
| Lift Height | 123 in | 120 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 23.5 GPM | 18.7 GPM |
| Engine | Yanmar 4TNV98CT | Yanmar 4TNV98C |
| Tracks | No | Yes |
| Vertical lift | No | No |
| High-flow | Yes | Yes |
| 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
Gehl R260
- ✓One of the few 2,600 lb-class machines with a radial boom, giving it enormous ground-level breakout force for bank digging and stump prying.
- ✓The 5,200 lb tipping load and 8,200 lb operating weight keep it planted under loads that make mid-frames dance.
- ✓Optional 35 GPM high-flow hydraulics feed mulchers, cold planers, and rock saws - genuine heavy-attachment capability.
- ✓The Yanmar 4TNV98CT turbo diesel is shared across the large-frame Gehl line, a proven engine owners describe as simple and durable.
- ✓Priced well below a comparable Cat 262 or Bobcat S86, which is the main reason buyers land on it.
- ✓Choice of T-bar, dual-hand, or joystick controls means any operator can jump in without relearning muscle memory.
- ✓Heavy 100K drive chains and a simple hydrostatic driveline hold up to years of hard pushing with minimal drivetrain repairs.
- ✓Manitou 2600 R parts commonality effectively doubles the dealer base for wear items and filters.
- ✗Radial lift on a big frame means limited reach at full height, so loading tall trucks is clumsier than with the vertical-lift V270.
- ✗At 8,200 lbs it's firmly in heavy-trailer territory, requiring a 14K trailer and a serious tow rig.
- ✗Gehl's dealer network is sparse in much of the country, and big-frame parts availability suffers most when the nearest dealer is hours away.
- ✗Soft resale value versus Cat, Bobcat, and Deere large-frames makes it a better keep-it-forever machine than a trade-cycle machine.
- ✗The cab tech package trails the majors - no factory touchscreen ecosystem or camera suite to match newer competitors.
- ✗High-flow, two-speed, A/C cab, and self-leveling all cost extra, and a loaded R260 quote closes much of the gap to the big brands.
- ✗The 123-inch hinge pin height is unremarkable for the class, so it wins on force rather than lift geometry.
- ✗Few rental fleets carry Gehl large-frames, so operators rarely get to try before buying.
Gehl RT165
- ✓New RT165s routinely sell for several thousand dollars less than comparably-equipped Bobcat and Cat machines, and value is the number one reason owners pick Gehl.
- ✓IdealTrax automatic track tensioning removes the grease-cylinder ritual entirely - the system tensions the tracks when the engine starts, which extends track and bearing life and makes track swaps a 15-minute job.
- ✓The 69.9 hp Yanmar 4TNV98C is naturally aspirated and needs no DEF, so owners get simple, proven Tier 4 compliance without babysitting an SCR system.
- ✓Two-speed drive is standard, and the 10 mph top speed makes long carries across acreage or big pads noticeably faster than single-speed rivals.
- ✓The swing-out rear cooler takes minutes to open and blow clean, a genuinely useful design touch for anyone running in dusty or seedy conditions.
- ✓Four control options - classic Gehl T-bar, hand/foot, dual-hand, and pilot joystick - mean operators trained on any brand's pattern can be productive immediately.
- ✓A 119.6-inch hinge pin height and 91.7-inch dump height let it load full-size dump trucks that shorter small-frame machines can't clear.
- ✓Gehl's standard 2-year/2,000-hour full-machine warranty beats the 1-year coverage that several premium brands still ship with.
- ✗Gehl's dealer network is far thinner than Bobcat, Cat, or Deere, and owners in underserved regions report waiting days for parts that competitors stock on the shelf.
- ✗Resale values trail the major brands noticeably - the discount you get buying new comes back out of your pocket at trade-in time.
- ✗The radial-only lift path gives up reach at full height, so loading over high truck sides takes more finesse than a vertical-lift machine.
- ✗The rigid undercarriage rides rough on frozen or rutted ground compared to ASV's suspended tracks, and operators feel it over a long day.
- ✗Cab fit-and-finish is dated next to Bobcat's R-Series and Cat's D3 machines, with more noise and a plainer interior at a similar cab-equipped price.
- ✗The 30.1 GPM high-flow option is marginal for hungry attachments like mulching heads that really want 35+ GPM.
- ✗Air conditioning, cab enclosure, and self-leveling are all extra-cost options, so a fully-equipped machine narrows the price gap that draws buyers in.
- ✗Manitou Group sells the same machine under its own name, and some buyers worry about long-term Gehl brand support as the company consolidates around Manitou.