Kubota SSV65 vs Gehl R165

Kubota

Kubota SSV65

$47,000

4.4★ (320)

Gehl

$47,000

4.2★ (95)

Quick take: The Kubota SSV65 has a higher rated operating capacity (1,950 vs 1,650 lbs); the Gehl R165 has more engine power (68 vs 64 hp).

✓Kubota builds its own engines, and owners rave about the reliability and easy parts access through the huge Kubota tractor dealer network they already know.
✓The slide-up front door and large glass area give class-leading visibility and let operators enter and exit even with the bucket down, which is a genuine daily convenience.
✓The cab is notably roomy and quiet for a small frame, and operators coming from a Bobcat often comment it feels bigger inside than the spec sheet suggests.
✓Vertical lift geometry in this price bracket means strong dump height for loading trucks, undercutting pricier vertical-lift competitors.
✓Kubota pricing typically comes in below Bobcat and Cat for comparable specs, so value-focused buyers feel they get more machine for the money.
✓The V2607 engine is fuel-efficient and torquey, and farm owners report years of trouble-free running with basic maintenance.
✓Standard two-speed travel makes ground-to-ground moves quick, which operators like on bigger properties.
✓Kubota's reputation for holding value means resale is strong, especially in agricultural markets where the brand is trusted.

✗The 1,950 lb capacity and 64 hp are modest, and contractors doing heavy work say it runs out of muscle faster than a comparable medium frame.
✗Kubota's construction-equipment dealer coverage, while growing, isn't as dense as Bobcat's, so some buyers report longer waits for specialized parts.
✗The slide-up door design draws mixed reviews — some owners find the seals leak dust and water over time.
✗Attachment ecosystem is smaller than Bobcat's, so finding used or rental implements locally can be harder in some regions.
✗Standard hydraulic flow is on the low side, pushing buyers toward the high-flow option for demanding attachments.
✗Some operators feel the joystick control response is less refined than Cat or Bobcat, taking longer to master for fine work.
✗The vertical lift linkage adds some maintenance points, and owners note occasional pin and bushing wear over heavy use.
✗Ground clearance and breakout force lag behind radial-lift rivals for hard digging, so it's better suited to loading than excavation.

✓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.