Head to head
Kubota SVL75-3 against Kubota SVL97-2
The Kubota SVL75-3 saves $6,634; the Kubota SVL97-2 carries 709 lb more once both are rated the same way; the Kubota SVL97-2 moves 3.9 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit.
| Spec | Kubota SVL75-3 | Kubota SVL97-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $75,366 | $82,000 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 2,490 lbs | 3,200 lbs |
| Rated at | 35% of tipping load | 35% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 7,114 lbs | 9,140 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 2,490 lbs | 3,199 lbs |
| Engine power | 74 hp | 96 hp |
| Engine | Kubota V3307-TE5A | Kubota V3800-CR |
| Auxiliary flow | 19.2 GPM | 23.1 GPM |
| Lift height | 123 in | 128 in |
| Operating weight | 9,420 lbs | 11,299 lbs |
| Lift path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| Rubber tracks | Yes | Yes |
| High flow available | Yes | Yes |
| Enclosed cab available | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed travel available | Yes | Yes |
| Self-levelling available | Yes | Yes |
| A/C and heat available | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 yr / 2,000 hr | 2 yr / 2,000 hr |
What owners say about each
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 19.2 GPM standard flow covers everyday attachments, and the 29.8 GPM high-flow option runs mulchers and planers when the work calls for it.
- 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.
- 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 SVL97-2
- Owners consistently point out the SVL97-2 costs tens of thousands less than a comparably-equipped Cat 299D3 while giving up very little in real-world production, making it one of the best value plays in the large-frame class.
- The 96 hp Kubota V3800 is built in-house and has a stellar reliability reputation, and owners report it pulls hard through heavy dirt and mulching work without drama.
- The optional 40 GPM high-flow package is among the highest flows available in a CTL, and land-clearing crews say it runs hungry mulching heads that choke lesser machines.
- The 3,200 lb rated capacity and 128-inch hinge-pin height make loading the tallest trucks and stacking heavy pallets genuinely easy.
- The wide-opening sliding front door lets operators get in and out with the boom at any height, a safety and convenience feature owners repeatedly praise.
- The advanced multifunction valve lets aux hydraulics, boom, and bucket run simultaneously without stalling, which grading and attachment-heavy operators appreciate.
- Resale value is strong because Kubota's SVL series is in high demand used, and the 97-2 routinely brings top money at auction.
- The cab design dates back to the original SVL95 and feels a generation behind Cat and Bobcat interiors, with owners calling the layout functional but dated.
- Earlier SVL95-2s machines were notorious for derating into limp mode under sustained load, and while the 97-2 largely fixed the sensor issue, the reputation still follows the model in forum discussions.
- The 23.1 GPM standard flow is modest for a machine this size, effectively pushing serious attachment users into the high-flow model.
- At over 11,000 lb it needs a heavy-duty truck and trailer, limiting mobility for smaller operators.
- The DPF emissions system draws occasional regen complaints during light-duty idling, same as most machines in the class.
- Track and undercarriage replacement costs on a machine this heavy are significant, especially on abrasive ground.
- Demand is so strong that dealer inventory can be scarce, and buyers report waiting months for a high-flow unit during busy seasons.