Kubota SVL97-2 vs Case TV370B
Quick take: The Kubota SVL97-2 costs $2,000 less; the Case TV370B has a higher rated operating capacity (3,700 vs 3,200 lbs); the Kubota SVL97-2 has more engine power (96 vs 74 hp).
| Spec | Kubota SVL97-2 | Case TV370B |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $82,000 | $84,000 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (480) | 4.4★ (240) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 3200 lbs | 3700 lbs |
| Engine HP | 96 hp | 74 hp |
| Operating Weight | 11299 lbs | 9945 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 9140 lbs | 7400 lbs |
| Lift Height | 128 in | 131.6 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 23.1 GPM | 24.2 GPM |
| Engine | Kubota V3800-CR | FPT |
| 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 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.
- ✓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.
Case TV370B
- ✓The 74 hp FPT engine needs no DEF and no SCR system, so owners skip the fluid top-offs and dosing-system failures that plague higher-horsepower rivals.
- ✓A 3,700 lb rated capacity and 131.6-inch hinge pin let it load dump trucks and stack full pallets with ease - capacity that usually costs Cat 275 or Bobcat T86 money.
- ✓Torque is the story rather than horsepower - the FPT pulls hard into piles, and operators are consistently surprised how much machine 74 hp moves.
- ✓Case's cab is one of the widest in the industry, and the huge door opening and low entry make it a favorite among bigger operators who feel cramped in a Bobcat.
- ✓The one-piece welded lift arm design is stout, and long-term owners report the loader geometry stays tight where multi-piece arms develop slop.
- ✓Price per pound of capacity undercuts Bobcat, Cat, and Deere significantly, so value buyers get large-frame performance for mid-frame money.
- ✓The 8.0 mph two-speed travel and available ride control make long ground moves quick and keep material in the bucket over rough ground.
- ✓Standard backup camera and excellent sightlines to the bucket corners give it some of the best all-around visibility in the class.
- ✗The 'operator not fully present' seat and armrest sensor faults are a known B-series annoyance that can lock the machine until sensors are cleaned or replaced.
- ✗Case's construction dealer network is noticeably thinner than Bobcat's or Deere's in many regions, and owners report longer waits for FPT engine parts.
- ✗At 74 hp pushing nearly 10,000 lbs, flow-hungry work like mulching feels underpowered next to 90-110 hp rivals even with the high-flow option.
- ✗Resale values trail Bobcat, Cat, and Deere - the flip side of the attractive purchase price shows up at trade-in time.
- ✗Owners report electrical gremlins and display glitches on B-series machines, and software updates at the dealer are a recurring theme on the forums.
- ✗High-flow, ride control, and the performance cab package are all extra-cost options that push a well-equipped unit well past the attractive base price.
- ✗The rigid-mount undercarriage rides rough at speed compared to torsion-suspended machines like ASV and Cat's suspended designs.
- ✗The vertical-lift linkage limits mid-range reach compared to radial machines, so backfilling over walls takes more repositioning.