Kubota
Kubota SVL97-2
The Kubota SVL97-2 is the largest compact track loader in Kubota's lineup, powered by a 96 hp version of the company's own V3800 diesel. It delivers flagship-class capacity and an available 40 GPM high-flow package at a price that undercuts the Cat 299D3 and Bobcat T86 by a wide margin.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓Owners consistently point out the SVL97-2 costs tens of thousands less than a comparably-equipped Cat 299D3 while giving up very little in real-world production, making it one of the best value plays in the large-frame class.
- ✓The 96 hp Kubota V3800 is built in-house and has a stellar reliability reputation, and owners report it pulls hard through heavy dirt and mulching work without drama.
- ✓The optional 40 GPM high-flow package is among the highest flows available in a CTL, and land-clearing crews say it runs hungry mulching heads that choke lesser machines.
- ✓The 3,200 lb rated capacity and 128-inch hinge-pin height make loading the tallest trucks and stacking heavy pallets genuinely easy.
- ✓The wide-opening sliding front door lets operators get in and out with the boom at any height, a safety and convenience feature owners repeatedly praise.
- ✓Kubota's huge tractor dealer network handles parts and service, and many buyers already trust their local dealer from years of orange equipment ownership.
- ✓The advanced multifunction valve lets aux hydraulics, boom, and bucket run simultaneously without stalling, which grading and attachment-heavy operators appreciate.
- ✓Resale value is strong because Kubota's SVL series is in high demand used, and the 97-2 routinely brings top money at auction.
Cons
- ✗The cab design dates back to the original SVL95 and feels a generation behind Cat and Bobcat interiors, with owners calling the layout functional but dated.
- ✗Earlier SVL95-2s machines were notorious for derating into limp mode under sustained load, and while the 97-2 largely fixed the sensor issue, the reputation still follows the model in forum discussions.
- ✗The 23.1 GPM standard flow is modest for a machine this size, effectively pushing serious attachment users into the high-flow model.
- ✗At over 11,000 lb it needs a heavy-duty truck and trailer, limiting mobility for smaller operators.
- ✗Kubota's construction dealer network, while huge on the ag side, is thinner on dedicated construction support in some metro regions.
- ✗The DPF emissions system draws occasional regen complaints during light-duty idling, same as most machines in the class.
- ✗Track and undercarriage replacement costs on a machine this heavy are significant, especially on abrasive ground.
- ✗Demand is so strong that dealer inventory can be scarce, and buyers report waiting months for a high-flow unit during busy seasons.
Compare the Kubota SVL97-2
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