Wacker Neuson
Wacker Neuson ST50
The Wacker Neuson ST50 is the flagship of Wacker Neuson's compact track loader line, built in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. A 100 hp Kohler KDI 3404 diesel, 5,000 lb rated operating capacity, 10,000 lb tipping load, and 37.4 gpm high-flow option put it against the Bobcat T86 and Cat 285 at a notably lower price.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓The 100 hp Kohler KDI 3404 gives it true flagship muscle for dozing, grading, and running hungry hydraulic attachments.
- ✓A 5,000 lb rated operating capacity and 10,000 lb tipping load rank among the strongest in the compact track loader class.
- ✓Kohler's KDI design skips the DPF even at 100 hp, so there are no regen cycles interrupting work - rare at this power level.
- ✓The 37.4 gpm high-flow option at up to 4,000 psi runs full-size mulching heads and cold planers credibly.
- ✓The 136-inch hinge pin height loads the tallest trucks in the fleet without ramps or creativity.
- ✓The 4-year/4,000-hour Kohler engine warranty plus 2-year/2,000-hour machine warranty is exceptional coverage for a flagship-class machine.
- ✓A premium cab option with air-ride seat and improved sealing addresses the comfort gap on long shifts.
- ✓It consistently comes in thousands cheaper than equivalent Bobcat T86 or Cat 285 builds, the core of its appeal.
Cons
- ✗The 100 hp Kohler uses DEF for Tier 4 compliance, so while it skips the DPF it doesn't skip exhaust fluid entirely.
- ✗Wacker Neuson's limited dealer footprint is the biggest risk on a machine that anchors production work.
- ✗Resale on the flagship takes the largest dollar haircut versus the majors of any model in the line.
- ✗The platform predates the uni-body redesign, so cab refinement and service layout trail the newest ST27/ST31/ST37.
- ✗At 10,677 lbs plus attachments, transport needs a serious trailer and truck - CDL considerations apply for some configurations.
- ✗The KDI 3404 is less common in North America than Cat, Kubota, or Deere engines, so independent shops are less familiar with it.
- ✗No factory grade-control or advanced assist features that competitors now offer at this price tier.
- ✗Fewer high-hour ST50s exist in the field, so long-term durability evidence is thinner than for the Bobcat and Cat machines it challenges.
Compare the Wacker Neuson ST50
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