Gehl
Gehl V270
The Gehl V270 Gen:2 is a large-frame vertical-lift wheeled skid loader from Manitou Group (twin to the Manitou 2700 V). With a 2,700 lb rated capacity and one of the tallest lift heights in the class at over 130 inches, it's built for truck loading, pallet work, and heavy material handling at a price below the big-name brands.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓The 130.3-inch hinge pin height is among the tallest in the wheeled skid steer class, so it clears high-sided grain trucks and mixer hoppers that shorter machines can't reach.
- ✓At 2,700 lbs rated capacity with a 5,400 lb tipping load, it handles full pallets of block or seed with a comfortable stability margin.
- ✓Gehl consistently prices the V270 thousands below a comparable Bobcat S86 or Cat 272, making it a strong dollars-per-pound value.
- ✓The Yanmar turbo diesel meets emissions without complex aftertreatment drama, and owners report it as a dependable, easy-to-service engine.
- ✓An optional 35 GPM high-flow package runs demanding attachments like cold planers and mulchers that mid-frame machines struggle with.
- ✓The vertical lift path keeps the load moving straight up, and the optional self-leveling keeps pallet forks flat without operator input.
- ✓Big 12x16.5 tires and a long wheelbase give it a planted, stable ride when carrying heavy loads at speed across a yard.
- ✓Shared components with the Manitou 2700 V mean parts flow through two dealer networks, a quiet advantage for uptime.
Cons
- ✗Gehl's dealer footprint is sparse compared to Bobcat, Cat, and Deere, so warranty work and parts can require significant travel in some states.
- ✗Resale values lag the major brands, and used V270s take longer to sell, eating into the up-front purchase savings.
- ✗At roughly 8,000 lbs it needs a heavy trailer and 3/4-ton-or-larger truck to move, which surprises buyers stepping up from mid-frames.
- ✗The cab, while roomy, feels a generation behind the touchscreen-equipped competition in displays, camera options, and tech features.
- ✗The 72 hp Gen:2 engine is a step down on paper from the older 84 hp version, and some owners feel it works harder under high-flow attachments.
- ✗Its large frame and wide stance limit access to tight residential jobs where a mid-frame machine slips through gates.
- ✗Vertical-lift linkage has more pivot points to grease and wear than a simple radial boom, adding maintenance touchpoints.
- ✗Brand awareness is low outside ag country, so financing promos and rental support are less common than with the big four brands.
Compare the Gehl V270
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