Kubota SVL65-2 vs Takeuchi TL6R

Kubota

Kubota SVL65-2

$56,000

4.5★ (380)

Takeuchi

$56,000

4.5★ (260)

Quick take: The Kubota SVL65-2 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,100 vs 1,841 lbs); the Kubota SVL65-2 has more engine power (68 vs 65 hp).

✓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.

✓At just over 5 feet wide and 6.5 feet tall, the TL6R squeezes through gates, doorways, and low canopies that stop every mid-frame CTL, which is exactly why backyard-access contractors buy it.
✓Takeuchi's trademark rugged undercarriage carries over from the bigger TLs, and owners praise the track life and durability as better than anything else in the small class.
✓The Kubota V2403 engine is a proven, widely-supported powerplant, and owner-operators report years of dependable service with basic maintenance.
✓The 5,930 lb bucket breakout force punches far above its weight class, and operators say it digs like a machine a size bigger.
✓The 27.8 GPM high-flow option is exceptional for a sub-8,000 lb machine, letting it run stump grinders and power rakes that surprise rental customers.
✓At around 7,800 lb it tows easily behind a 3/4-ton pickup with attachment on the trailer, keeping the whole rig legal and simple.
✓Takeuchi's independent dealers have a loyal following for personal service, and the 2-year/2,000-hour warranty matches the best in the industry.
✓Resale is strong because Takeuchi's durability reputation keeps small used TLs in constant demand among owner-operators.

✗The 1,841 lb rated capacity is genuinely small, and contractors doing heavier work quickly bump against its limits with full pallets or wet material.
✗The radial lift path limits dump height and reach, so loading tall dump trucks takes more care than with vertical-lift machines.
✗Takeuchi's dealer network is smaller and more regional than the big brands, so parts and warranty support vary by location.
✗The 114-inch hinge-pin height trails vertical-lift competitors, and loading over high trailer sides can require building a ramp of material.
✗The cab is snug for larger operators, a common trade-off in the compact class that taller users notice on long days.
✗Standard 17.8 GPM flow is modest, so serious attachment users need the high-flow version, adding cost.
✗The attachment ecosystem is smaller than Bobcat's, and finding used implements sized for a small-frame machine takes more hunting.
✗Ride quality at travel speed is bouncier than suspended-undercarriage machines because of the short, rigid track frame.