Wacker Neuson
Wacker Neuson ST27
The Wacker Neuson ST27 is the small-frame entry to Wacker Neuson's ST-series compact track loaders and the machine that introduced the company's stiff uni-body frame design in 2023. Designed and built in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, it pairs a 74 hp Kohler diesel that needs no DPF with a 2,700 lb rated operating capacity and vertical lift path.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓The 74 hp Kohler KDI engine meets Tier 4 Final with no DPF and no DEF, so there are no regen cycles, no soot filters, and no exhaust-fluid runs - a genuine simplicity win.
- ✓Kohler backs that engine with a 4-year/4,000-hour warranty on top of the 2-year/2,000-hour machine warranty, among the best powertrain coverage in the class.
- ✓The uni-body frame introduced on this machine is stiffer than bolted-together designs and opens up big service access panels.
- ✓Vertical lift with a 10-foot hinge pin height is unusual in a 7,350 lb machine, letting a small frame load full-size trucks.
- ✓It's a full 74 hp in a small package, so it out-muscles the 60-something-hp machines it competes against on price.
- ✓Standard 19.4 gpm auxiliary flow with a 29 gpm high-flow option covers most attachments a small frame will realistically run.
- ✓Wisconsin-based design and assembly means domestic parts sourcing rather than waiting on overseas shipments.
- ✓Street prices consistently undercut Bobcat and Cat equivalents, which is how Wacker Neuson wins deals.
Cons
- ✗Wacker Neuson's compact-equipment dealer network in the US is thin and uneven, the single biggest hesitation buyers report.
- ✗Resale values trail the major brands because the used market simply knows them less.
- ✗The uni-body generation only dates to 2023, so long-term durability data on the new frame design is limited.
- ✗Rental-fleet presence is small, so it's hard to try-before-you-buy in many markets.
- ✗The cab, while comfortable, is a step behind the pressurized premium cabs from Cat and Case on noise and sealing.
- ✗Attachment brand ecosystem and smart-attachment integration lag the majors - this is a straightforward machine, not a tech showcase.
- ✗5.5 psi ground pressure is fine but not class-leading; wide-track flotation options are limited on the small frame.
- ✗Dealer scarcity also means fewer trained techs, so complex warranty repairs can involve long waits or travel charges.
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