Kubota SVL65-2 vs John Deere 317G
Quick take: The John Deere 317G costs $1,000 less; the John Deere 317G has a higher rated operating capacity (2,125 vs 2,100 lbs); the Kubota SVL65-2 has more engine power (68 vs 65 hp).
| Spec | Kubota SVL65-2 | John Deere 317G |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $56,000 | $55,000 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (380) | 4.4★ (300) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 2100 lbs | 2125 lbs |
| Engine HP | 68 hp | 65 hp |
| Operating Weight | 8069 lbs | 8423 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 6000 lbs | 6070 lbs |
| Lift Height | 118 in | 121 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 17.4 GPM | 17 GPM |
| Engine | Kubota V2607-CR-TE4 | Yanmar 4TNV86CHT |
| Tracks | Yes | Yes |
| Vertical lift | Yes | Yes |
| High-flow | Yes | No |
| 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 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.
John Deere 317G
- ✓The vertical-lift boom with a 121-inch hinge pin is nearly unheard of in the small-frame class - owners love that it clears dump trailer sides and stacks pallets where radial rivals like the Bobcat T450 run out of reach.
- ✓At 8,423 lbs it's genuinely towable behind a three-quarter-ton pickup with a bucket and attachment on board, which owners cite as the reason they picked it over mid-frame machines.
- ✓The simple 2.1L Yanmar 4TNV86CHT is a proven, fuel-sipping engine, and forum owners with thousands of hours report it just runs with basic maintenance.
- ✓Deere's dealer network rivals Bobcat's for depth, and owners in rural areas report same-day parts and strong loaner support that keeps downtime short.
- ✓The electrohydraulic joysticks are fully adjustable - switchable ISO/H patterns and tunable boom and drive response let each operator dial the machine to their taste.
- ✓The 62.9-inch width on standard tracks squeezes through gates and between houses, making it a favorite for backyard and tight-access residential work.
- ✓Resale value holds up strongly thanks to the Deere name and heavy rental-fleet demand for small-frame CTLs, so owners report solid trade-in numbers.
- ✓The quiet, well-sealed optional cab with A/C punches above the machine's size class, and operators say it's far more comfortable than older small frames.
- ✗There is no high-flow option - 17 GPM standard flow is all you get, so mulchers, cold planers, and other flow-hungry attachments are simply off the table.
- ✗The 65 hp engine works hard pushing a full bucket in heavy clay, and plenty of owners admit they moved up to the 325G after finding the 317G underpowered for dirt work.
- ✗Owners report the EH joysticks feel twitchy out of the box, and it takes dealer help or menu-diving to soften the response for smooth finish grading.
- ✗The Final Tier 4 aftertreatment needs regular regen cycles, and machines used for short, low-load stints throw sensor codes that frustrate owners on the forums.
- ✗The 6,070 lb tipping load runs out quickly with heavy attachments up front - a full pallet of sod at height gets sketchy without the optional counterweights.
- ✗The rigid undercarriage has no suspension, so the ride across rough ground is rough at travel speed compared to torsion-axle machines like ASV's.
- ✗Two-speed, self-leveling, and the performance package are all extra-cost options, and many lot machines are spec'd bare - a comparably equipped unit costs thousands more than the base price suggests.
- ✗Kubota's SVL65-2 and Bobcat's T450 undercut it on price, and buyers who don't need the vertical lift path often find more machine for the money elsewhere.