Kubota SVL75-3 vs Kubota SVL65-2
Quick take: The Kubota SVL65-2 costs $14,000 less; the Kubota SVL75-3 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,490 vs 2,100 lbs); the Kubota SVL75-3 has more engine power (74 vs 68 hp).
| Spec | Kubota SVL75-3 | Kubota SVL65-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70,000 | $56,000 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (650) | 4.5★ (380) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 2490 lbs | 2100 lbs |
| Engine HP | 74 hp | 68 hp |
| Operating Weight | 9420 lbs | 8069 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 7114 lbs | 6000 lbs |
| Lift Height | 123 in | 118 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 24.9 GPM | 17.4 GPM |
| Engine | Kubota V3307-CR-TE5 | Kubota V2607-CR-TE4 |
| Tracks | Yes | 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 SVL75-3
- ✓The SVL75-3 is the best-selling new CTL in America, and owners credit its blend of value, reliability, and a genuinely great cab for the popularity.
- ✓Kubota builds its own engine, and owners rave about the reliability and the familiar Kubota dealer network they already trust from tractors.
- ✓The tilt-up cab and wide-opening rear door give outstanding service access, and mechanics call it one of the easiest CTLs to maintain.
- ✓Vertical lift with a 123-inch hinge-pin height makes truck-loading and pallet-stacking easy, competitive with pricier vertical-lift rivals.
- ✓The 24.9 GPM standard flow is generous, and the high-flow option runs mulchers and planers, giving it strong attachment versatility.
- ✓The cab is roomy, quiet, and comfortable, and operators coming from other brands consistently say it feels bigger and better finished than expected.
- ✓Kubota pricing undercuts Bobcat and Cat for comparable capability, so value-focused buyers feel they get more machine for the money.
- ✓Resale value is excellent because the SVL is in such high demand used, protecting owners at trade-in time.
- ✗Kubota's construction-equipment dealer coverage, while growing, still isn't as dense as Bobcat's, so specialized parts can take longer in some areas.
- ✗Some owners report the undercarriage and track wear faster than expected if run heavily on abrasive surfaces.
- ✗At 2,490 lb capacity it's a strong medium frame but heavy-duty operators sometimes wish for more, eyeing the larger SVL97-2.
- ✗The DPF emissions system draws occasional complaints during heavy idling and light-duty work that trigger regen interruptions.
- ✗A few owners note the vertical-lift linkage adds grease points and pin wear over hard commercial use.
- ✗The attachment ecosystem is smaller than Bobcat's, so sourcing used implements locally can be harder in some markets.
- ✗Some operators find the control response less crisp than Cat or Bobcat, requiring a bit of acclimation for fine work.
- ✗Because it's so popular, dealer inventory and wait times for new units can be long during high-demand periods.
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.