Kubota
Kubota SSV65
The Kubota SSV65 is a small-frame vertical-lift wheeled skid steer powered by Kubota's own diesel engine. It's known for a roomy cab and slide-up front door, aimed at farmers, landscapers, and value-focused contractors.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓Kubota builds its own engines, and owners rave about the reliability and easy parts access through the huge Kubota tractor dealer network they already know.
- ✓The slide-up front door and large glass area give class-leading visibility and let operators enter and exit even with the bucket down, which is a genuine daily convenience.
- ✓The cab is notably roomy and quiet for a small frame, and operators coming from a Bobcat often comment it feels bigger inside than the spec sheet suggests.
- ✓Vertical lift geometry in this price bracket means strong dump height for loading trucks, undercutting pricier vertical-lift competitors.
- ✓Kubota pricing typically comes in below Bobcat and Cat for comparable specs, so value-focused buyers feel they get more machine for the money.
- ✓The V2607 engine is fuel-efficient and torquey, and farm owners report years of trouble-free running with basic maintenance.
- ✓Standard two-speed travel makes ground-to-ground moves quick, which operators like on bigger properties.
- ✓Kubota's reputation for holding value means resale is strong, especially in agricultural markets where the brand is trusted.
Cons
- ✗The 1,950 lb capacity and 64 hp are modest, and contractors doing heavy work say it runs out of muscle faster than a comparable medium frame.
- ✗Kubota's construction-equipment dealer coverage, while growing, isn't as dense as Bobcat's, so some buyers report longer waits for specialized parts.
- ✗The slide-up door design draws mixed reviews — some owners find the seals leak dust and water over time.
- ✗Attachment ecosystem is smaller than Bobcat's, so finding used or rental implements locally can be harder in some regions.
- ✗Standard hydraulic flow is on the low side, pushing buyers toward the high-flow option for demanding attachments.
- ✗Some operators feel the joystick control response is less refined than Cat or Bobcat, taking longer to master for fine work.
- ✗The vertical lift linkage adds some maintenance points, and owners note occasional pin and bushing wear over heavy use.
- ✗Ground clearance and breakout force lag behind radial-lift rivals for hard digging, so it's better suited to loading than excavation.
Compare the Kubota SSV65
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