Takeuchi TL6R vs Takeuchi TL8R2
Quick take: The Takeuchi TL6R costs $16,000 less; the Takeuchi TL8R2 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,116 vs 1,841 lbs); the Takeuchi TL8R2 has more engine power (74 vs 65 hp).
| Spec | Takeuchi TL6R | Takeuchi TL8R2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $56,000 | $72,000 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (260) | 4.6★ (150) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Radial Lift |
| ROC | 1841 lbs | 2116 lbs |
| Engine HP | 65 hp | 74 hp |
| Operating Weight | 7780 lbs | 9182 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 5260 lbs | 6041 lbs |
| Lift Height | 114 in | 121.2 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 17.8 GPM | 19.1 GPM |
| Engine | Kubota V2403-CR | Kubota V3307-CR |
| Tracks | Yes | Yes |
| Vertical lift | No | No |
| 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
Takeuchi TL6R
- ✓At just over 5 feet wide and 6.5 feet tall, the TL6R squeezes through gates, doorways, and low canopies that stop every mid-frame CTL, which is exactly why backyard-access contractors buy it.
- ✓Takeuchi's trademark rugged undercarriage carries over from the bigger TLs, and owners praise the track life and durability as better than anything else in the small class.
- ✓The Kubota V2403 engine is a proven, widely-supported powerplant, and owner-operators report years of dependable service with basic maintenance.
- ✓The 5,930 lb bucket breakout force punches far above its weight class, and operators say it digs like a machine a size bigger.
- ✓The 27.8 GPM high-flow option is exceptional for a sub-8,000 lb machine, letting it run stump grinders and power rakes that surprise rental customers.
- ✓At around 7,800 lb it tows easily behind a 3/4-ton pickup with attachment on the trailer, keeping the whole rig legal and simple.
- ✓Takeuchi's independent dealers have a loyal following for personal service, and the 2-year/2,000-hour warranty matches the best in the industry.
- ✓Resale is strong because Takeuchi's durability reputation keeps small used TLs in constant demand among owner-operators.
- ✗The 1,841 lb rated capacity is genuinely small, and contractors doing heavier work quickly bump against its limits with full pallets or wet material.
- ✗The radial lift path limits dump height and reach, so loading tall dump trucks takes more care than with vertical-lift machines.
- ✗Takeuchi's dealer network is smaller and more regional than the big brands, so parts and warranty support vary by location.
- ✗The 114-inch hinge-pin height trails vertical-lift competitors, and loading over high trailer sides can require building a ramp of material.
- ✗The cab is snug for larger operators, a common trade-off in the compact class that taller users notice on long days.
- ✗Standard 17.8 GPM flow is modest, so serious attachment users need the high-flow version, adding cost.
- ✗The attachment ecosystem is smaller than Bobcat's, and finding used implements sized for a small-frame machine takes more hunting.
- ✗Ride quality at travel speed is bouncier than suspended-undercarriage machines because of the short, rigid track frame.
Takeuchi TL8R2
- ✓Takeuchi's undercarriage reputation holds up - heavy track frames and sealed rollers routinely push original tracks well past 1,500 hours.
- ✓The 74.3 hp Kubota V3307 needs no DEF, and sharing its engine family with Kubota's own SVL75 means parts and mechanic familiarity everywhere.
- ✓Radial lift geometry with strong breakout force makes it a natural digger and grader - owners consistently call it a dirt machine first.
- ✓The optional 33.8 GPM high-flow package runs mulchers and planers that many 74 hp competitors cannot support.
- ✓The R2 cab is far quieter and roomier than the old TL8's, with a wide door, good sightlines to the bucket edge, and effective A/C.
- ✓New creep mode lets you dial ground speed independently of engine rpm, transforming trencher and mulcher control.
- ✓Build quality and fit-and-finish draw consistent praise - Takeuchi owners tend to become repeat Takeuchi buyers.
- ✓Strong resale - used Takeuchis are scarce and sell fast, particularly in the Southeast where the dealer network is dense.
- ✗Radial lift means the load arcs away from the machine at height, so loading tall dump trucks is clumsier than vertical-lift rivals like the TL10V2.
- ✗The 2,116 lb rated capacity trails vertical-lift machines of similar weight, forcing lighter partial loads of dense material.
- ✗The Kubota still carries a DPF, and short-cycle users report regen interruptions on cold mornings.
- ✗Takeuchi's dealer network remains thinner than Bobcat, Deere, or Cat in the Plains and Mountain West, which can stretch parts turnaround.
- ✗The standard 19.1 GPM circuit is midpack, and the worthwhile high-flow package adds meaningful cost to the sticker.
- ✗At 9,182 lbs with cab it needs a 3/4-ton truck and a stout trailer, unlike small-frame machines a half-ton can pull.
- ✗The mechanical-style control feel, even in pilot configuration, strikes some operators as heavier than the EH systems in newer rivals.
- ✗No factory vertical-lift version exists at this size - Takeuchi pushes you up to the TL10V2 if you need truck-loading geometry.