Gehl
Gehl RT185
The Gehl RT185 is a large-frame radial-lift compact track loader from Manitou Group's Pilot Series, sold in identical form as the Manitou 1850 RT. It pairs a 69.9 hp Yanmar diesel with an 1,850 lb rated capacity and a tall 127.5-inch hinge pin, targeting the Bobcat T66/Cat 255 class at a lower price.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓The 127.5-inch hinge pin height is exceptional for a radial-lift machine - it clears high-sided dump trucks that force competitors into pricier vertical-lift models.
- ✓Pilot-operated joystick controls with proportional response are the heart of the Pilot Series, and operators praise how smooth and predictable the hydraulics feel compared to older Gehl T-bar machines.
- ✓IdealTrax automatic track tensioning sets itself at startup, extending track life and eliminating one of the most-neglected maintenance chores on any CTL.
- ✓The 69.9 hp Yanmar diesel stays under the 75 hp threshold, so there's no DEF tank to fill and Tier 4 compliance stays simple for owner-operators.
- ✓An 1,850 lb rated capacity at a conservative 35% of tipping load means real-world stability - the same machine rated the Bobcat way would advertise over 2,600 lbs.
- ✓The optional 34 GPM high-flow package runs cold planers, stump grinders, and snow blowers that choke on standard-flow competitors.
- ✓Self-leveling lift action comes standard and keeps pallet forks level automatically through the lift, with a selectable disable for bucket work.
- ✓New RT185s consistently price thousands below equivalently-specced Bobcat T66 and Cat 255 machines, and the 2-year/2,000-hour warranty sweetens the math.
Cons
- ✗Gehl's dealer footprint is thin outside the Midwest and South, and owners report parts backorders that would be same-day pickups for Bobcat or Cat.
- ✗Resale values lag the major brands, so the purchase discount partially evaporates when it's time to trade.
- ✗The radial lift path pulls the load back toward the machine at full height, making precise placement over truck sides trickier than a vertical-lift design.
- ✗The rigid-mounted undercarriage transmits rough ground straight to the operator, a noticeable step down from ASV or Cat's suspended systems.
- ✗Top speed of 8.9 mph trails the 10-11 mph two-speed competitors, which adds up on big pads and long ground moves.
- ✗At 9,160 lbs plus trailer, it demands a serious tow rig - a three-quarter-ton truck is marginal and a one-ton is realistic.
- ✗Cab, A/C, and high-flow are all extra-cost options, and a loaded machine narrows the value gap that makes Gehl attractive on paper.
- ✗The same loader is sold as the Manitou 1850 RT, and buyers worry Gehl-badged machines could see reduced brand support as Manitou Group consolidates its lineup.
Compare the Gehl RT185
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