Head to head
Kubota SVL97-2 against ASV VT-80-1C
The Kubota SVL97-2 carries 399 lb more once both are rated the same way; the ASV VT-80-1C moves 1.6 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit.
| Spec | Kubota SVL97-2 | ASV VT-80-1C |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $82,000 | $82,000 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 3,200 lbs | 2,800 lbs |
| Rated at | 35% of tipping load | 35% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 9,140 lbs | 8,000 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 3,199 lbs | 2,800 lbs |
| Engine power | 96 hp | 72 hp |
| Engine | Kubota V3800-CR | Yanmar 4TN86CHT |
| Auxiliary flow | 23.1 GPM | 24.7 GPM |
| Lift height | 128 in | 126.5 in |
| Operating weight | 11,299 lbs | 8,955 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 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.
ASV VT-80-1C
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- At 72 hp it gives up peak power to the 90-110 hp machines buyers cross-shop for heavy mulching work.
- Purchase price lands at the top of the mid-frame class, and the flotation premium only pays off if your ground conditions demand it.