Picking a NEW CTL, Deere, Kubota, NH, Bobcat, Cat?

[bradhfo]

I've been looking to purchase a new CTL and looking in the 100hp range and gross weight in the 11-12k range. Machine will primarily be used for excavation with the occasional tree saw(rarely) work to be done. The new Cabs on the deere P series, Bobcat T86, are really intriguing with positive pressure cabs greatly reducing noise level inside the cab. Prices are all coming back in the mid 90's price range(waiting on cat price). One of the key factors is I will be unloading small squares of hay from a semi with a grapple and need all the height reach I can get for the top layer.

Any suggestions on machine preference would be great! Dealers are all 35min-1hr away. Thanks for adding me to the HEF group!

 

[CM1995]

Welcome to the Forums! Glad to have you.

Personally I would stay away from any model CTL that requires DEF. We run Cat 279D's and not 299's because the 279's do not require DEF. HEF has several threads on DEF issues with 299's.

I would like to replace one of our 279's this year with the new model replacement 265. Got to demo one at the dealer and run another contractors on the job. A 265 will load a tri-axle and reach the center of the truck FWIW. An no DEF.

 

[Coaldust]

Welcome to the HEF. Let us know how it goes as you move forward with the purchase.

 

[JEDiag]

In my experience stay away from new holland also. They run good when they do but have a lot of terrible design flaws. The direction of cab opening only allows access if you can raise boom, they were using one time use fittings on a steel line that goes under the engine(dont know if they still are) they have had issues with wiring and remote oil filters coming loose dedtroying the engine. Just not a great design from what ive seen.

 

[Joe H]

Can you build a dirt ramp to gain some height? Don't let that height requirement dictate your purchase.

And what dealer is close, or who do you deal with now?

Joe H

 

[CM1995]

In my experience stay away from new holland also. They run good when they do but have a lot of terrible design flaws. The direction of cab opening only allows access if you can raise boom, they were using one time use fittings on a steel line that goes under the engine(dont know if they still are) they have had issues with wiring and remote oil filters coming loose dedtroying the engine. Just not a great design from what ive seen.

Welcome to the Forums! Glad to have you.

I'm not too fond of New Holland construction equipment either.

 

[1466IH]

I am not sure who your dealers are out there but in my area Cat is hands down the best of any manufacturer regarding parts availability. I know years ago everyone used to complain about Cats high prices but most all of the others have either caught up or exceeded parts costs from what I see daily. I also see a lot of discontinued parts after only a couple years from most other manufacturers. This is just an overall observation across the product lines I see regularly. I can not say for certain that skid steers are treated the same as a D6 or a 980 when it comes to parts though

 

[Welder Dave]

Not just DEF issues on Cat 299's. There are several threads about problems with them. A few about Kubota's with problems too.

 

[bradhfo]

I currently run New holland tractors as they are the closest dealer but haven't been impressed with the dealership. Deere and Cat dealers are both 30-35min away, Kubota is 1hr, and Bobcat is a little over an hour away. Bobcat has promised they have an exceptional mobile service availability and are regularly in the area. Deere seems to be the best price at the moment, and they have exceptional financing with a almost true 0% rate.

 

[CM1995]

I am not sure who your dealers are out there but in my area Cat is hands down the best of any manufacturer regarding parts availability. I know years ago everyone used to complain about Cats high prices but most all of the others have either caught up or exceeded parts costs from what I see daily. I also see a lot of discontinued parts after only a couple years from most other manufacturers. This is just an overall observation across the product lines I see regularly. I can not say for certain that skid steers are treated the same as a D6 or a 980 when it comes to parts though

Same here on the price of Cat parts. I don't own a D6 or a 980 and we're treated very well. There's a lot more CTL's running around than 980's.

Back when we were running Bobcat's we could order parts from Atlanta cheaper including shipping than from our local dealer. One of the many reasons I divorced Bobcat years ago and never looked back.

 

[Mobilewrench]

I agree about the no def. I am not sure if that rules out Deere. I know that even the 331 is equipped with def.
I would stay away from Kubota and (I know you didn't mention it) Takeuchi. They are the equipment version of Hyundai and Kia in my opinion.
There was once a time when Case and (same thing) New Holland were okay options. Mainly because they were less expensive to buy and the parts were super cheap. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Last year I had to reseal boom lift and bucket tilt cylinders on (I don't know, really, maybe) a 320. The seal kits were around $300 each (thems cat prices!). Last time I did the exact same job the seal kits were around $60 per.

I don't have a lot of hate for Bobcat. I mean weren't they the OG skid steer maker? I do hate when people call me and say they are having an issue with a bobcat when the mean "skid steer". I hate rolling up on a jobsite and have to call someone and say, " there isn't a single piece of Bobcat equipment here!".

However, there isn't a Bobcat dealer on my island. And to be frank, the only one in Hawaii generally sucks. I buy Bobcat parts from Alaska. Juneau bobcat is really good, love those guys.

Honestly (and again, I know you didn't mention it). I have never seen a Komatsu CTL.
But that doesn't mean they don't make them. I have only seen two Komatsu backhoes. Maybe they just don't have a market presence for those machines here.

I suppose I would have to recommend Caterpillar. I am betting that the purchase price is a bit higher than "mid 90's". But, you are getting a superior machine with (what I think is) about the best parts sourcing network in the industry. AND... If you need any tech info or...just about anything. You have Nige here at HEF! Guy is just awesome.

 

[Welder Dave]

Some brands are best to avoid but on the other hand every manufacturer can have certain machines that are a problem child and best to avoid. Cat 299's seem to have more issues than other Cat or competing machines.

 

[92U 3406]

With skid steers (tracked or wheeled) it seems no manufacturer does it all right. Where one brand excels another brand falls short.

In my own opinion I think Cat does slightly more right than the rest. Their parts availability seems to be a lot better than most manufacturers even after a few years.

 

[BRProperties]

We are kinda in the same boat, looking for 1 for our properties, kinda narrowed it down to maybe a CAT, but more likely a Deere 333P and or Kubota we're waiting till we can get a good look at a SVL97-3,, but darn there are some deals on a 97-2, got a bunch of Kubota dealers both Ag and 1 construction close, Deere has several stores all owned by 1 company + a Deere construction dealer that may be owned by same company dont know.
But like someone posted there is a lot of Cats on here..
Guess my 1st question is, would you buy from a Ag or Construction??

 

[bradhfo]

We are kinda in the same boat, looking for 1 for our properties, kinda narrowed it down to maybe a CAT, but more likely a Deere 333P and or Kubota we're waiting till we can get a good look at a SVL97-3,, but darn there are some deals on a 97-2, got a bunch of Kubota dealers both Ag and 1 construction close, Deere has several stores all owned by 1 company + a Deere construction dealer that may be owned by same company dont know.
But like someone posted there is a lot of Cats on here..
Guess my 1st question is, would you buy from a Ag or Construction??

If I go with anything other than Bobcat, it would be from an "ag dealer". Not much for construction dealerships in my area. What are you seeing for pricing on the kubota 97-2? I have searched around to find out more on the 97-3 with limited information besides promises from the dealer that they will be much nicer.

 

[BRProperties]

WO getting real serious with sales 6-7K off

 

[MG84]

Personally I would stay away from any model CTL that requires DEF. We run Cat 279D's and not 299's because the 279's do not require DEF.

Agree completely, unless you absolutely need the capacity of the larger machine, staying away from DEF will eliminate a large majority of the emissions system troubles that people have. The majority of the other troubles can be eliminated by keeping clean fuel in it, which should be a given.

I would stay away from Kubota and (I know you didn't mention it) Takeuchi. They are the equipment version of Hyundai and Kia in my opinion.

That opinion may have had some merit 40 years ago, but today the Japanese build some of the highest quality compact equipment out there.


As for my choices in CTL's, Kubota and Takeuchi are at the top of the list, followed by Case and Deere. Just an FYI on Kubota pricing, 13% off MSRP seems to be about the bottom dollar and that usually takes some hard negotiating. Having bought two tractors, a CTL and a mini ex from Kubota over the past 15yrs that figure seems to hold true.

 

[JK96]

As for my choices in CTL's, Kubota and Takeuchi are at the top of the list, followed by Case and Deere. Just an FYI on Kubota pricing, 13% off MSRP seems to be about the bottom dollar and that usually takes some hard negotiating. Having bought two tractors, a CTL and a mini ex from Kubota over the past 15yrs that figure seems to hold trutrueDo the

Do the newer Case machines really deserve the bad wrap they seem to get on this site? I'm on my 3rd Case in 9 years. Keep trading up bigger. Used TR340 in 2016, had and injector go bad under warranty. New TV450 in 2018 owned for 5 years no issues. And now have a new 2025 TV620B. I've been very happy with all of them.

 

[TXRweather]

Any specific reason you are looking at the 100HP range instead of <75HP range? The <75 hp range doesn't require DEF and the weight difference is not all that much. I have a CAT 289D3 XPS and it does everything I have asked it to and still has plenty of reserve power and lifting capacity in it.

 

[bradhfo]

Any specific reason you are looking at the 100HP range instead of <75HP range? The <75 hp range doesn't require DEF and the weight difference is not all that much. I have a CAT 289D3 XPS and it does everything I have asked it to and still has plenty of reserve power and lifting capacity in it.

I've ran a 75hp New Holland and constantly felt under powered when trying to move larger quantities of dirt. I won't put 300hrs a year on the machine. I ran a John Deere 331p this morning and really liked the machine.

The JD bucket seems to really set out in front of you, much further than say a Bobcat T86. For you guys that run a machine, is there a benefit to one over the other?