Gehl R260 vs Gehl V270
Quick take: The Gehl R260 costs $4,000 less; the Gehl V270 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,700 vs 2,600 lbs); the Gehl V270 has more engine power (72 vs 71 hp).
| Spec | Gehl R260 | Gehl V270 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60,000 | $64,000 |
| Rating | 4.2★ (65) | 4.3★ (80) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Wheeled Skid Steer |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 2600 lbs | 2700 lbs |
| Engine HP | 71 hp | 72 hp |
| Operating Weight | 8200 lbs | 8000 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 5200 lbs | 5400 lbs |
| Lift Height | 123 in | 130.3 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 23.5 GPM | 23.5 GPM |
| Engine | Yanmar 4TNV98CT | Yanmar 4TNV98CT |
| Tracks | No | No |
| Vertical lift | No | Yes |
| 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 V270
- ✓The 130.3-inch hinge pin height is among the tallest in the wheeled skid steer class, so it clears high-sided grain trucks and mixer hoppers that shorter machines can't reach.
- ✓At 2,700 lbs rated capacity with a 5,400 lb tipping load, it handles full pallets of block or seed with a comfortable stability margin.
- ✓Gehl consistently prices the V270 thousands below a comparable Bobcat S86 or Cat 272, making it a strong dollars-per-pound value.
- ✓The Yanmar turbo diesel meets emissions without complex aftertreatment drama, and owners report it as a dependable, easy-to-service engine.
- ✓An optional 35 GPM high-flow package runs demanding attachments like cold planers and mulchers that mid-frame machines struggle with.
- ✓The vertical lift path keeps the load moving straight up, and the optional self-leveling keeps pallet forks flat without operator input.
- ✓Big 12x16.5 tires and a long wheelbase give it a planted, stable ride when carrying heavy loads at speed across a yard.
- ✓Shared components with the Manitou 2700 V mean parts flow through two dealer networks, a quiet advantage for uptime.
- ✗Gehl's dealer footprint is sparse compared to Bobcat, Cat, and Deere, so warranty work and parts can require significant travel in some states.
- ✗Resale values lag the major brands, and used V270s take longer to sell, eating into the up-front purchase savings.
- ✗At roughly 8,000 lbs it needs a heavy trailer and 3/4-ton-or-larger truck to move, which surprises buyers stepping up from mid-frames.
- ✗The cab, while roomy, feels a generation behind the touchscreen-equipped competition in displays, camera options, and tech features.
- ✗The 72 hp Gen:2 engine is a step down on paper from the older 84 hp version, and some owners feel it works harder under high-flow attachments.
- ✗Its large frame and wide stance limit access to tight residential jobs where a mid-frame machine slips through gates.
- ✗Vertical-lift linkage has more pivot points to grease and wear than a simple radial boom, adding maintenance touchpoints.
- ✗Brand awareness is low outside ag country, so financing promos and rental support are less common than with the big four brands.