Head to head
Kubota SVL97-2 against Kubota SVL97-3
The Kubota SVL97-2 saves $10,274; the Kubota SVL97-3 carries 260 lb more once both are rated the same way; the Kubota SVL97-3 moves 0.7 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit.
| Spec | Kubota SVL97-2 | Kubota SVL97-3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $82,000 | $92,274 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 3,200 lbs | 3,459 lbs |
| Rated at | 35% of tipping load | 35% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 9,140 lbs | 9,884 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 3,199 lbs | 3,459 lbs |
| Engine power | 96 hp | 96.4 hp |
| Engine | Kubota V3800-CR | Kubota V3800-TIE5-L |
| Auxiliary flow | 23.1 GPM | 23.8 GPM |
| Lift height | 128 in | 128.5 in |
| Operating weight | 11,299 lbs | 11,929 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.
Kubota SVL97-3
- 41.2 GPM of high flow is among the highest in the class and turns it into a genuine mulcher and cold-planer carrier.
- 3,459 lb of rated capacity against a 9,884 lb tipping load puts it near the top of the compact track loader range.
- The one-piece sealed cab keeps dust out, which is the complaint that dogs CTLs doing demolition and land clearing.
- KubotaNOW telematics is standard rather than a subscription add-on, and the 7-inch touchscreen carries passcode keyless start and a rearview camera.
- The swing-out radiator makes the single worst maintenance job on a track loader - clearing the cooling package - a tool-free one.
- An optional 300 lb counterweight adds 200 lb of rated capacity when the work needs it.
- Kubota publishes the MSRP at $92,274, so the price is checkable rather than dealer-quoted.
- 23.8 GPM standard flow is unremarkable for a 96 hp machine; the flow that sells this loader is the high-flow option.
- At 11,929 lb it needs a heavy truck and a proper trailer - this is not a machine a three-quarter-ton pickup moves.
- The 128.5 in lift height is the same as the much bigger SVL110-3, so the extra money over a mid-frame machine buys capacity and flow, not reach.
- Kubota still sells the superseded SVL97-2 alongside it at $85,481, which muddies the choice for anyone shopping by model number.