Kubota SSV65 vs Kubota SVL65-2
Quick take: The Kubota SSV65 costs $9,000 less; the Kubota SVL65-2 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,100 vs 1,950 lbs); the Kubota SVL65-2 has more engine power (68 vs 64 hp).
| Spec | Kubota SSV65 | Kubota SVL65-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $47,000 | $56,000 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (320) | 4.5★ (380) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 1950 lbs | 2100 lbs |
| Engine HP | 64 hp | 68 hp |
| Operating Weight | 6790 lbs | 8069 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 3900 lbs | 6000 lbs |
| Lift Height | 119 in | 118 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 17.9 GPM | 17.4 GPM |
| Engine | Kubota V2607-CR-TE4 | Kubota V2607-CR-TE4 |
| Tracks | No | Yes |
| Vertical lift | Yes | 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
Kubota SSV65
- ✓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.
Kubota SVL65-2
- ✓At around 8,000 lb the SVL65-2 tows comfortably behind a 3/4-ton pickup on a 10k trailer, which owner-operators call the single biggest reason they chose it over the SVL75.
- ✓Kubota builds its own V2607 engine, and owners report the same trouble-free reliability that made the bigger SVL75 the best-selling CTL in America.
- ✓Vertical lift with a 118.5-inch hinge-pin height is rare in this size class, so it loads dump trailers and stacks pallets that radial-lift competitors its size can't reach.
- ✓Self-leveling comes standard rather than as a paid option, which fork users appreciate when moving pallets on uneven ground.
- ✓The advanced multifunction valve runs aux hydraulics, boom, and bucket simultaneously without stalling, giving it smooth attachment manners for a small machine.
- ✓The 27 GPM high-flow option is generous for the size, letting it run power rakes and cold planers that surprise operators of a sub-70-hp machine.
- ✓Kubota's tractor dealer network means parts and service are available in nearly every rural county, a real advantage over thinner construction-only brands.
- ✓Resale is strong because small, clean SVLs are in constant demand from landscapers and homeowners, protecting the purchase price.
- ✗The 2,100 lb rated capacity runs out quickly with heavy attachments or wet material, and several owners admit they outgrew it and moved up to the SVL75 within a couple of seasons.
- ✗The 17.4 GPM standard flow is modest, so demanding attachments really want the high-flow model, which adds cost.
- ✗The sliding front door, while convenient, draws mixed reviews for seal durability and dust intrusion over time.
- ✗The DPF emissions system requires regen cycles that draw complaints during light-duty idling, common to the whole class.
- ✗Cab space is tighter than the SVL75-3, and larger operators find the smaller frame noticeably snugger over a full day.
- ✗The attachment ecosystem is smaller than Bobcat's, so sourcing used implements locally can take more hunting in some markets.
- ✗Ride quality over rough ground trails suspended-undercarriage competitors since the rigid undercarriage transmits more bumps at speed.
- ✗Kubota dealer inventory for the smaller SVL can be thin during spring demand, and buyers report waiting for popular configurations.