Head to head
Takeuchi TL12V2 against Cat 265
The Takeuchi TL12V2 carries 1,286 lb more once both are rated the same way; the Takeuchi TL12V2 moves 0.2 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit.
| Spec | Takeuchi TL12V2 | Cat 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $95,000 | $95,000 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 4,110 lbs | 2,823 lbs |
| Rated at | 35% of tipping load | 35% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 11,740 lbs | 8,066 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 4,109 lbs | 2,823 lbs |
| Engine power | 111 hp | 74 hp |
| Engine | Kubota V3800-TIEF4B | Cat C2.8TA |
| Auxiliary flow | 23.2 GPM | 23 GPM |
| Lift height | 129.9 in | 132 in |
| Operating weight | 13,195 lbs | 10,492 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
Takeuchi TL12V2
- At 4,110 lb rated at the conservative 35% convention, the TL12V2 is one of the highest-lifting CTLs on the market, and heavy operators say it out-muscles machines that cost more.
- The 111 hp Kubota V3800 engine delivers strong, reliable power, and owners praise it for pulling hard through the toughest dirt and material work.
- Takeuchi invented the compact track loader, and the TL12V2's rugged undercarriage has a reputation for durability and long track life under commercial use.
- Vertical lift to a 129.9-inch hinge-pin height loads tall trucks and hoppers without building a ramp of material, a real advantage for aggregate work.
- The 11,740 lb tipping load keeps it planted when craning heavy loads at full height, which is what the capacity figure is actually resting on.
- Takeuchi pricing typically undercuts a comparably-spec'd Cat 299D3 or Bobcat T86, so value-focused buyers get flagship capability for less.
- The cab is comfortable with good visibility, and owners appreciate the straightforward, durable controls over long production days.
- At over 13,000 lb it's a heavy machine that requires a serious truck and trailer, limiting mobility for smaller operators.
- The standard auxiliary circuit is 23.2 GPM - ordinary for the class - and the 40.4 GPM high-flow package that turns it into a mulching carrier is an extra.
- Undercarriage and track costs on a machine this size are significant, especially on abrasive ground.
- Because dealers are independent, warranty and service experience can be inconsistent depending on the specific dealer.
- The attachment and used-implement ecosystem is smaller than Bobcat's, so sourcing tools locally can be harder.
- Its size and weight make it overkill and less nimble for tight residential work versus a medium-frame CTL.
Cat 265
- The 43% torque increase over the 289D3 is the headline upgrade, and operators report the 265 pushes through heavy grading and cold-planing work that used to bog the old 74 hp machines down.
- The High Flow XPS option delivers 34 GPM at 3,500 psi, letting the 265 run mulchers and planers that previously required stepping up to a 299D3-class machine.
- The sealed, pressurized one-piece cab is dramatically quieter and cleaner than the D3 generation, and the optional heated/ventilated air-ride seat draws consistent praise for all-day comfort.
- The C2.8TA stays under 75 hp so there's no DEF system to maintain - owners doing forestry and brush work especially value one less fluid and one less failure point.
- Stability is noticeably improved over the 289D3 thanks to the longer track frame and 10,492 lb operating weight, and operators say side-slope mowing feels far more planted.
- List pricing starts around $95k and well-optioned units push past $105k, a jump that has plenty of loyal Cat owners cross-shopping the Kubota SVL97-2 on price alone.
- At 10,492 lbs before attachments it demands a heavy-duty trailer and a properly rated tow rig, and more than one owner has been surprised at the scales.
- It keeps the 74 hp rating for emissions reasons, so despite the torque gains, buyers who want raw horsepower for high-production mulching still need the 111 hp 275/285.
- Early-build machines saw touchscreen and sensor software glitches that required dealer flash updates, a sore spot for buyers who expected day-one Cat reliability.
- The electronics-dense platform is harder to self-service than the D3s, effectively tying owners to Cat dealer diagnostics for anything beyond routine maintenance.
- Undercarriage and track replacement costs on a machine this heavy are substantial, and owners note the wider tracks that improve flotation also wear faster on pavement.