Gehl
Gehl RT165
The Gehl RT165 is a mid-frame radial-lift compact track loader built by Manitou Group and sold in identical form as the Manitou 1650 RT. A 69.9 hp Yanmar diesel, a 1,650 lb rated capacity, and the IdealTrax automatic track-tensioning system make it a value-priced alternative to the Bobcat T595/T64 class.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓New RT165s routinely sell for several thousand dollars less than comparably-equipped Bobcat and Cat machines, and value is the number one reason owners pick Gehl.
- ✓IdealTrax automatic track tensioning removes the grease-cylinder ritual entirely - the system tensions the tracks when the engine starts, which extends track and bearing life and makes track swaps a 15-minute job.
- ✓The 69.9 hp Yanmar 4TNV98C is naturally aspirated and needs no DEF, so owners get simple, proven Tier 4 compliance without babysitting an SCR system.
- ✓Two-speed drive is standard, and the 10 mph top speed makes long carries across acreage or big pads noticeably faster than single-speed rivals.
- ✓The swing-out rear cooler takes minutes to open and blow clean, a genuinely useful design touch for anyone running in dusty or seedy conditions.
- ✓Four control options - classic Gehl T-bar, hand/foot, dual-hand, and pilot joystick - mean operators trained on any brand's pattern can be productive immediately.
- ✓A 119.6-inch hinge pin height and 91.7-inch dump height let it load full-size dump trucks that shorter small-frame machines can't clear.
- ✓Gehl's standard 2-year/2,000-hour full-machine warranty beats the 1-year coverage that several premium brands still ship with.
Cons
- ✗Gehl's dealer network is far thinner than Bobcat, Cat, or Deere, and owners in underserved regions report waiting days for parts that competitors stock on the shelf.
- ✗Resale values trail the major brands noticeably - the discount you get buying new comes back out of your pocket at trade-in time.
- ✗The radial-only lift path gives up reach at full height, so loading over high truck sides takes more finesse than a vertical-lift machine.
- ✗The rigid undercarriage rides rough on frozen or rutted ground compared to ASV's suspended tracks, and operators feel it over a long day.
- ✗Cab fit-and-finish is dated next to Bobcat's R-Series and Cat's D3 machines, with more noise and a plainer interior at a similar cab-equipped price.
- ✗The 30.1 GPM high-flow option is marginal for hungry attachments like mulching heads that really want 35+ GPM.
- ✗Air conditioning, cab enclosure, and self-leveling are all extra-cost options, so a fully-equipped machine narrows the price gap that draws buyers in.
- ✗Manitou Group sells the same machine under its own name, and some buyers worry about long-term Gehl brand support as the company consolidates around Manitou.
Compare the Gehl RT165
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