Wacker Neuson ST45 vs Wacker Neuson ST50
Quick take: The Wacker Neuson ST45 costs $8,000 less; the Wacker Neuson ST50 has a higher rated operating capacity (5,000 vs 4,500 lbs); the Wacker Neuson ST50 has more engine power (100 vs 74 hp).
| Spec | Wacker Neuson ST45 | Wacker Neuson ST50 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $76,000 | $84,000 |
| Rating | 4.2★ (70) | 4.3★ (60) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 4500 lbs | 5000 lbs |
| Engine HP | 74 hp | 100 hp |
| Operating Weight | 10267 lbs | 10677 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 9000 lbs | 10000 lbs |
| Lift Height | 134.8 in | 136 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 22.1 GPM | 25.1 GPM |
| Engine | Kohler KDI 2504 | Kohler KDI 3404 |
| Tracks | Yes | Yes |
| Vertical lift | Yes | Yes |
| 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
Wacker Neuson ST45
- ✓A 4,500 lb rated operating capacity and 9,000 lb tipping load put it in genuine large-frame territory - it forklifts pallets of sod and block that mid-frames refuse.
- ✓The 134.8-inch hinge pin height is one of the taller lift heights in the class, clearing high-sided dump trucks and hoppers with ease.
- ✓The 74.3 hp Kohler KDI needs no DPF and no DEF, so a big machine stays refreshingly simple to run and maintain.
- ✓Kohler's 4-year/4,000-hour engine warranty on top of 2-year/2,000-hour machine coverage means the expensive bits are covered longest.
- ✓This platform has been in production longer than the uni-body models, so it has more accumulated field hours and known reliability.
- ✓The cab is roomy with good sightlines to the bucket edge, and controls are available in H-pattern or ISO joystick.
- ✓Self-leveling and ride-control features are available to protect palletized loads over rough ground.
- ✓It typically prices well below 100 hp flagship rivals while lifting just as much.
- ✗With only 74.3 hp moving a 10,267 lb machine, it's tuned for lifting rather than aggressive dozing - operators who push hard wish for the ST50's extra power.
- ✗Standard 22.1 gpm auxiliary flow is modest for a large frame, and even the 31.4 gpm high-flow option is midpack.
- ✗The Series-II design predates the uni-body machines, so service access and cab refinement feel a generation older.
- ✗Wacker Neuson's sparse dealer network is riskiest on a large frame that working crews depend on daily.
- ✗Resale values trail the big four brands by a wider dollar margin at this price point.
- ✗At over 10,000 lbs it needs heavy trailer capacity, a cost some step-up buyers underestimate.
- ✗Limited factory tech - no grade control and basic displays - for contractors accustomed to flagship-level electronics.
- ✗Brand-name attachment packages and dealer-installed options are fewer than what Bobcat or Cat dealers can spec.
Wacker Neuson ST50
- ✓The 100 hp Kohler KDI 3404 gives it true flagship muscle for dozing, grading, and running hungry hydraulic attachments.
- ✓A 5,000 lb rated operating capacity and 10,000 lb tipping load rank among the strongest in the compact track loader class.
- ✓Kohler's KDI design skips the DPF even at 100 hp, so there are no regen cycles interrupting work - rare at this power level.
- ✓The 37.4 gpm high-flow option at up to 4,000 psi runs full-size mulching heads and cold planers credibly.
- ✓The 136-inch hinge pin height loads the tallest trucks in the fleet without ramps or creativity.
- ✓The 4-year/4,000-hour Kohler engine warranty plus 2-year/2,000-hour machine warranty is exceptional coverage for a flagship-class machine.
- ✓A premium cab option with air-ride seat and improved sealing addresses the comfort gap on long shifts.
- ✓It consistently comes in thousands cheaper than equivalent Bobcat T86 or Cat 285 builds, the core of its appeal.
- ✗The 100 hp Kohler uses DEF for Tier 4 compliance, so while it skips the DPF it doesn't skip exhaust fluid entirely.
- ✗Wacker Neuson's limited dealer footprint is the biggest risk on a machine that anchors production work.
- ✗Resale on the flagship takes the largest dollar haircut versus the majors of any model in the line.
- ✗The platform predates the uni-body redesign, so cab refinement and service layout trail the newest ST27/ST31/ST37.
- ✗At 10,677 lbs plus attachments, transport needs a serious trailer and truck - CDL considerations apply for some configurations.
- ✗The KDI 3404 is less common in North America than Cat, Kubota, or Deere engines, so independent shops are less familiar with it.
- ✗No factory grade-control or advanced assist features that competitors now offer at this price tier.
- ✗Fewer high-hour ST50s exist in the field, so long-term durability evidence is thinner than for the Bobcat and Cat machines it challenges.