Gehl RT215 vs Gehl RT255
Quick take: The Gehl RT215 costs $8,000 less; the Gehl RT255 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,551 vs 2,150 lbs); the Gehl RT255 has more engine power (74 vs 72 hp).
| Spec | Gehl RT215 | Gehl RT255 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70,000 | $78,000 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (95) | 4.3★ (70) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Radial Lift |
| ROC | 2150 lbs | 2551 lbs |
| Engine HP | 72 hp | 74 hp |
| Operating Weight | 9899 lbs | 11596 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 6144 lbs | 7286 lbs |
| Lift Height | 128 in | 128 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 22 GPM | 29 GPM |
| Engine | Yanmar 4TNV98CT | Deutz TD 3.6 |
| Tracks | Yes | 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 RT215
- ✓The 2,150 lb rating is taken at a conservative 35% of the 6,144 lb tipping load, so the machine feels planted with a full bucket where 50%-rated rivals get light in the rear.
- ✓Standard 18-inch tracks with five rollers per side give excellent flotation in mud and sand, and the 13 inches of ground clearance clears ruts that hang up lower machines.
- ✓Hydraglide ride control and lift-arm float come standard, smoothing high-speed carries and back-dragging - features that cost extra on most competitors.
- ✓The turbocharged 72 hp Yanmar 4TNV98CT stays under the DEF threshold, delivering 217 ft-lbs of torque with simple Stage V/Tier 4 compliance.
- ✓A 128-inch hinge pin and 98-inch dump height let the radial boom clear tri-axle dump trucks, unusual reach for a non-vertical-lift machine.
- ✓The 22 GPM standard auxiliary circuit is stronger than most standard-flow competitors, and the optional high-flow package pushes toward 37 GPM for mulchers and planers.
- ✓IdealTrax automatic track tensioning and maintenance-free rollers cut daily undercarriage upkeep to a walk-around and a wash.
- ✓Priced well below the Bobcat T740/Cat 265 class and backed by a 2-year/2,000-hour full-machine warranty, the total cost of ownership math favors the Gehl.
- ✗Gehl's dealer network is sparse in many regions, and owners report longer waits for parts and warranty service than the big-three brands.
- ✗Resale value trails Bobcat and Cat significantly, which eats into the purchase savings for owners who trade every few years.
- ✗The radial lift path loses reach as the boom rises, so placing loads at full height over high truck sides takes more repositioning than a vertical-lift machine.
- ✗The enclosed cab with heat and A/C is optional rather than standard, and adding it plus Power-A-Tach narrows the price advantage.
- ✗The rigid undercarriage rides harsher on frozen or chunked-up ground than ASV's suspended track system, fatiguing operators over long days.
- ✗At nearly 9,900 lbs it needs a one-ton truck and heavy trailer to move, which stretches smaller operations' hauling setups.
- ✗Aftermarket and rental support lag the majors - fewer shops stock Gehl-specific filters, tracks, and wear parts on the shelf.
- ✗The same machine is sold as the Manitou 2150 RT, and Manitou Group's brand consolidation leaves some buyers uncertain about the Gehl badge's long-term future.
Gehl RT255
- ✓The 2,551 lb rating comes at a conservative 35% of its 7,286 lb tipping load - rated the way Bobcat rates machines it would advertise over 3,600 lbs, so real-world stability is exceptional.
- ✓The 74.3 hp Deutz TD 3.6 turbo-diesel makes strong low-end torque while staying under the 75 hp DEF threshold, keeping emissions equipment simple.
- ✓A 29 GPM standard auxiliary circuit out-flows most competitors' base hydraulics, and the optional high-flow package reaches about 37 GPM for mulchers and planers.
- ✓Over 12,400 lbs of drawbar pull and 11,600 lbs of machine weight make it a genuine pushing machine for dozing, grubbing, and backfilling.
- ✓Wide 18-inch tracks with five rollers per side spread the weight for surprising flotation, and 12 inches of ground clearance clears stumps and rutted ground.
- ✓The 128-inch hinge pin and 98-inch dump height load tri-axles and hopper feeders without needing a vertical-lift boom.
- ✓IdealTrax automatic track tensioning eliminates manual tension checks on an undercarriage size where neglected tracks get very expensive.
- ✓It undercuts the Bobcat T770/Cat 285 class by a wide margin and carries Gehl's standard 2-year/2,000-hour full-machine warranty.
- ✗The radial-only lift path is unusual in the 2,500+ lb class where most competitors are vertical-lift, so reach at full height trails the machines it's priced against.
- ✗At 11,596 lbs before the trailer and attachments, hauling it legally usually means a dedicated heavy-duty truck and a beefy trailer setup.
- ✗Deutz engine parts and service expertise are harder to find at general repair shops in North America than the Yanmar and Kubota power in smaller Gehls.
- ✗Gehl's dealer network is thin in many regions, and downtime waiting on large-frame-specific parts hurts more on a production machine like this.
- ✗Resale values trail Bobcat and Cat noticeably, which matters most in this price bracket where trade-in cycles are shorter.
- ✗The rigid undercarriage rides rough at speed compared to suspended-track rivals, fatiguing operators during all-day carry work.
- ✗Top ground speed of about 8.9 mph with two-speed lags the 10-11 mph large-frame competition on big sites.
- ✗The same machine is sold as the Manitou 2550 RT, and Manitou Group's ongoing brand consolidation leaves some buyers unsure about the Gehl badge's future.