Kubota
Kubota SVL65-2
The Kubota SVL65-2 is the smallest compact track loader in Kubota's SVL series, pairing a 68 hp Kubota diesel with a vertical-lift path and standard self-leveling. It's the value-priced entry point to the best-selling SVL family for landscapers and property owners working in tight spaces.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓At around 8,000 lb the SVL65-2 tows comfortably behind a 3/4-ton pickup on a 10k trailer, which owner-operators call the single biggest reason they chose it over the SVL75.
- ✓Kubota builds its own V2607 engine, and owners report the same trouble-free reliability that made the bigger SVL75 the best-selling CTL in America.
- ✓Vertical lift with a 118.5-inch hinge-pin height is rare in this size class, so it loads dump trailers and stacks pallets that radial-lift competitors its size can't reach.
- ✓Self-leveling comes standard rather than as a paid option, which fork users appreciate when moving pallets on uneven ground.
- ✓The 27 GPM high-flow option is generous for the size, letting it run power rakes and cold planers that surprise operators of a sub-70-hp machine.
- ✓Resale is strong because small, clean SVLs are in constant demand from landscapers and homeowners, protecting the purchase price.
Cons
- ✗The 2,100 lb rated capacity runs out quickly with heavy attachments or wet material, and several owners admit they outgrew it and moved up to the SVL75 within a couple of seasons.
- ✗The 17.4 GPM standard flow is modest, so demanding attachments really want the high-flow model, which adds cost.
- ✗The DPF emissions system requires regen cycles that draw complaints during light-duty idling, common to the whole class.
- ✗Cab space is tighter than the SVL75-3, and larger operators find the smaller frame noticeably snugger over a full day.
- ✗Kubota dealer inventory for the smaller SVL can be thin during spring demand, and buyers report waiting for popular configurations.
Common Questions
Can I really tow the SVL65-2 with a 3/4-ton pickup?
Will I outgrow the 2,100 lb capacity?
How does it handle pallet forks on rough ground?
Is the high-flow option worth it on a sub-70-hp machine?
Is the cab comfortable for bigger operators?
Compare the Kubota SVL65-2
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