Head to head
Wacker Neuson ST27 against Kubota SVL65-2s
The Wacker Neuson ST27 saves $515; the Kubota SVL65-2s carries 210 lb more once both are rated the same way; the Wacker Neuson ST27 moves 2.0 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit.
| Spec | Wacker Neuson ST27 | Kubota SVL65-2s |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69,000 | $69,515 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 2,700 lbs | 2,100 lbs |
| Rated at | 50% of tipping load | 35% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 5,401.3 lbs | 6,000 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 1,890 lbs | 2,100 lbs |
| Engine power | 74 hp | 68.4 hp |
| Engine | Kohler KDI 2,504 | Kubota V2607-CR-TE4 |
| Auxiliary flow | 19.4 GPM | 17.4 GPM |
| Lift height | 120 in | 118.5 in |
| Operating weight | 7,350 lbs | 8,631 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
Wacker Neuson ST27
- The 74 hp Kohler KDI engine meets Tier 4 Final with no DPF and no DEF, so there are no regen cycles, no soot filters, and no exhaust-fluid runs - a genuine simplicity win.
- Kohler backs that engine with a 4-year/4,000-hour warranty on top of the 2-year/2,000-hour machine warranty, among the best powertrain coverage in the class.
- Vertical lift with a 10-foot hinge pin height is unusual in a 7,350 lb machine, letting a small frame load full-size trucks.
- It's a full 74 hp in a small package, so it out-muscles the 60-something-hp machines it competes against on price.
- Standard 19.4 gpm auxiliary flow with a 29 gpm high-flow option covers most attachments a small frame will realistically run.
- Wacker Neuson's compact-equipment dealer network in the US is thin and uneven, the single biggest hesitation buyers report.
- The uni-body generation only dates to 2023, so long-term durability data on the new frame design is limited.
- Rental-fleet presence is small, so it's hard to try-before-you-buy in many markets.
- The cab, while comfortable, is a step behind the pressurized premium cabs from Cat and Case on noise and sealing.
- Attachment brand ecosystem and smart-attachment integration lag the majors - this is a straightforward machine, not a tech showcase.
- 5.5 psi ground pressure is fine but not class-leading; wide-track flotation options are limited on the small frame.
- Dealer scarcity also means fewer trained techs, so complex warranty repairs can involve long waits or travel charges.
Kubota SVL65-2s
- Mechanically it is the SVL65-2 - same V2607 engine, same 2,100 lb capacity, same 118.5 in lift height - so the platform's field record carries straight over.
- The next-generation operator station and performance features come down from Kubota's larger loaders rather than being small-machine parts.
- Vertical lift at 8,631 lb is rare in this size class and lets it load dump trailers that radial-lift rivals of the same weight cannot.
- The 27.0 GPM high-flow option is generous for a sub-70 hp machine and opens up power rakes and cold planers.
- Kubota publishes an MSRP for it ($69,515), which almost nobody in this category does, so the price can be checked before walking into a dealer.
- It costs $4,218 more than the SVL65-2 that Kubota still sells alongside it, for no gain in capacity, flow, lift height or power.
- 17.4 GPM standard flow is modest, so demanding attachments really need the high-flow build and its extra cost.
- 2,100 lb of rated capacity runs out quickly with heavy attachments or wet material - the same ceiling that pushes owners up to the SVL75-3.
- The naming is a trap: SVL65-2 and SVL65-2s are different machines at different prices, and dealer listings are not always careful about the suffix.