Kubota SVL97-2 vs ASV VT-80

Kubota

Kubota SVL97-2

$82,000

4.6★ (480)

ASV

$82,000

4.4★ (120)

Quick take: The Kubota SVL97-2 has a higher rated operating capacity (3,200 vs 2,800 lbs); the Kubota SVL97-2 has more engine power (96 vs 72 hp).

✓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.
✓Kubota's huge tractor dealer network handles parts and service, and many buyers already trust their local dealer from years of orange equipment ownership.
✓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.
✗Kubota's construction dealer network, while huge on the ag side, is thinner on dedicated construction support in some metro regions.
✗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.

✓The 2,800 lb rated capacity finally gives ASV a machine that out-lifts the mainstream mid-frame competition instead of trailing it.
✓An 8,000 lb tipping load and vertical lift path make truck loading and pallet work stable and predictable at full height.
✓The 24.7 GPM standard circuit is bigger than most rivals' base flow, and the 34.3 GPM high-flow option runs mulchers and blowers that choke mid-frame competitors.
✓ASV's suspended Posi-Track undercarriage smooths rough ground so operators can keep speed up without spilling or fatigue.
✓Low ground pressure for a near-9,000 lb machine means it works soft, wet, and finished surfaces heavier rivals tear up.
✓The 71.5 hp Yanmar turbo needs no DEF and makes its 193.8 ft-lbs of torque low in the rev range where digging happens.
✓Dedicated hydraulic coolers and direct-drive pumps support continuous attachment duty in summer heat.
✓The 2-year/2,000-hour warranty with no-derailment track guarantee backs the undercarriage other brands make you gamble on.

✗The undercarriage's many wheels and bearings need disciplined cleaning and maintenance, and rebuild costs sting when it's skipped.
✗Rubber tracks wear fast on rock, concrete, and demo debris, so mixed-surface contractors pay a premium in track replacement.
✗ASV dealers are sparse in much of the country, making parts runs and warranty service a logistics problem for rural owners.
✗Resale values trail Bobcat, Cat, Deere, and Kubota because the used market discounts the unfamiliar undercarriage.
✗At 74 hp it gives up peak power to the 90-110 hp machines buyers cross-shop for heavy mulching work.
✗Yanmar engine parts and diagnostics are less common at independent shops than the mainstream brands.
✗The model is new enough that long-term durability data is thin, which cautious fleet buyers will notice.
✗Purchase price lands at the top of the mid-frame class, and the flotation premium only pays off if your ground conditions demand it.