Wacker Neuson ST27 vs Wacker Neuson ST31

Wacker Neuson

Wacker Neuson ST27

$55,000

4.2★ (55)

Wacker Neuson

$62,000

4.3★ (85)

Quick take: The Wacker Neuson ST27 costs $7,000 less; the Wacker Neuson ST31 has a higher rated operating capacity (3,100 vs 2,700 lbs).

✓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.
✓The uni-body frame introduced on this machine is stiffer than bolted-together designs and opens up big service access panels.
✓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.
✓Wisconsin-based design and assembly means domestic parts sourcing rather than waiting on overseas shipments.
✓Street prices consistently undercut Bobcat and Cat equivalents, which is how Wacker Neuson wins deals.

✗Wacker Neuson's compact-equipment dealer network in the US is thin and uneven, the single biggest hesitation buyers report.
✗Resale values trail the major brands because the used market simply knows them less.
✗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.

✓No DPF and no DEF on the 74 hp Kohler KDI means zero regen downtime - owners coming from regen-plagued machines call this the main reason they bought it.
✓The 4-year/4,000-hour Kohler engine warranty plus 2-year/2,000-hour machine coverage is about the strongest paper protection in the segment.
✓The 2024 uni-body redesign stiffened the frame and improved service access dramatically, with a tilting cab and large rear door.
✓A 3,100 lb rated capacity and 6,200 lb tipping load put it squarely in the heart of the mid-frame class where most buyers shop.
✓Vertical lift and a 128-inch hinge pin height load dump trucks cleanly for a machine this size.
✓Buyers can choose H-pattern or ISO joystick pilot controls, a flexibility traditionalists appreciate.
✓Designed and assembled in Wisconsin, with the engineering focus on mechanical simplicity over electronic complexity.
✓Aggressive pricing and frequent promotional financing make it one of the better value plays among 74 hp verticals.

✗The thin US dealer network remains the biggest knock - great machine, but support depends heavily on your zip code.
✗Resale lags Bobcat, Cat, and Kubota noticeably, so total cost of ownership math needs honest trade-in assumptions.
✗Standard 20.1 gpm aux flow is average, and the 30.1 gpm high-flow option tops out below what dedicated mulching outfits want.
✗Brand awareness is low among US buyers, which can complicate insurance, financing, and eventual private-party sale.
✗The uni-body generation is new enough that high-hour durability reports are scarce.
✗Cab noise levels are acceptable but behind the best-in-class pressurized cabs.
✗Limited factory tech options - no grade control, camera packages are basic, and telematics is less developed than the majors.
✗Parts are domestically sourced but stocked in fewer depots, so less-common components can take days to arrive.