Compact Track Loaders: Bobcat T870 vs. Kubota SVL90-2

If you’re looking for a new compact loader for work around the farm, factory, or construction site, you’re likely looking at two of the most trusted brands: Bobcat and Kubota. With their long histories of quality construction and their list of modern features, both brands produce a great product for a wide variety of tasks. But in head to head comparison, which one prevails?

Here at Synergy Equipment, we want to make sure you get the loader that perfectly fits your needs. That’s why we did the hard work for you by putting the Bobcat T870 next to the Kubota SVL90-2 in an apples-to-apples comparison.

These two high-quality compact loaders are similar in some ways, but how will they stack up on your job site? Read below to find out. And if you want to see them in person, don’t hesitate to stop by a Synergy Equipment location in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Palatka, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Pompano Beach, or Miami, Florida.

Performance

For those with lots of hard work to accomplish, performance is going to be a key differentiator in the buying process. While these two loaders are comparable some areas of performance, there are several important differences to consider. For example, horsepower is neck and neck, with the Bobcat bringing 99 hp to the table, to the Kubota’s 92. They are split on their operating load and tipping load, with the Kubota edging out the Bobcat with 4,300 lbs of operating load by comparison to the Bobcat’s 3,525 lbs. However, for tipping load, the Bobcat dramatically outperforms Kubota with with 10,072 lbs compared to the SLV90-2’s 8,600 lbs. They both feature a similar top speed of about 7.2 mph. Perhaps the biggest (or smallest, in this case) victory, is Bobcat T870’s compact turning radius of just 99 inches - over a foot smaller than the SLV90-2’s 113.5 inch radius! This makes the Bobcat perfect for a cramped job site.

Features

Features are split with the Kubota slightly edging out the Bobcat in terms of operator-oriented features. For example, the SVL90 features joystick control, air conditioning, and an emergency exit rear window. The main features shared between the two tractors are a suspension seat for the operator and auxiliary hydraulics to keep things safe. Meanwhile, Bobcat focused on solving problems outside the cab. The T870 features a backup alarm system and operating lights, and engine shutdown for accidents. Its Bobcat Interlock Control System keeps the operator safe by preventing lift functions if safety conditions aren’t being met.

Size

In terms of size, the Bobcat has a stouter, bulkier profile, while the Kubota is somewhat longer but lighter and narrower. The Bobcat is heavier than the Kubota, weighing in at 12,678 lbs. To the Kubota’s 11,023 lbs. The Bobcat has a boxier, more square frame with a width of 83 inches and a length of 119.3 inches, while the Kubota’s shape is more oblong at 77.2 inches wide and 147.4 inches of length.

Verdict

Every jobsite requires different tasks, so there will always be some situation in which one tractor will outperform the other. But if you’re looking for the trusted name in heavy equipment, go for the Bobcat. The T870 has a more compact size, and offers better performance in key areas. Bobcat has garnered a reputation for building some of the most reliable, hardest working compact loaders on the market, and the T870 is exactly the type of machine that’s earned them that reputation. Thanks to Bobcat proprietary technologies, the Bobcat has features the Kubota just can’t match. At the end of the day, the choice is clear: the Bobcat T870 takes the prize.