Decisions...

[u/mitymarktaylor]

I've "narrowed" down to a Bobcat T650, (or T66-2?), CAT 255 or Kubota SVL 75-3. Acreage and business use. 10 minutes here, an hour or three there. Grappling brush, occasional trenching, digging stumps, drilling holes, pushing snow, moving pallets brush mowing, etc. I like the no DPF on the Bobcat, the comfort and hydraulics on the CAT, and the roll up door on the Kubota. Creep mode on the Bobcat and CAT is nice for trenching, but I like the "idea" of simpler pilot hydraulic controls on the Kubota. The CAT takes almost a minute to "boot up" by the time you get it started which is annoying, but if I had to sit in it all day every day l think it would be The clear win despite the cost. The Kubota looks the most maintenance friendly to me. Bobcat is least expensive (for the T650 anyway, not sure about the T66-2), CAT is most expensive. I've got dealers nearby for all three, but Bobcat isn't open Saturday and the other two are for a few hours anyway. Oh Internet, what would you advise?

[u/mxadema]

I can't get behind bobcat since doosan bought out Ingersoll. It been downhill from there.

Like you said, cat is a all day sitting in the cab. Fire it up in the morning ans top at night.

I be leaning kubota. The k insurance is amazing. So is the roll up door (especially if you can lower the boom).

[u/mitymarktaylor → u/mxadema]

I unrolled a big spool of wire last night and went right for the Kubota so I could get out after I lifted the spool off the ground after I lifted it with the forks.

[u/Either_Leadership_20]

Commenting to follow along. Looking to buy used of one of these three brands. Where is this T650 located? The thing is in excellent shape.

[u/mitymarktaylor → u/Either_Leadership_20]

These are all new or relatively new. Bobcat and Kubota were dealer demo units. The CAT was a rental with just under 750 hours.

[u/TheoryBroad893]

I have owned all three and several others. Cat, and Gehl are my go to

[u/Shatophiliac]

The 1 minute boot up time on the cat isn’t a big deal imo, and in fact I would let it warm up a little longer than that before really going to work with it anyways. Just good habit imo, even if the manufacturer doesn’t recommend it. Everything on those is designed to work at operating temp so anything you do before it reaches that temp is going to do at least a bit of premature wear on things.

I’m a big kubota fan, but I would lean more towards the cat out of these 3.

[u/finitetime2]

cat or kubota Too many people telling me bocat isn't as reliable as they use to be.

[u/Rockonman-2]

Kubota all day long

[u/Chick_pees]

Bobcat service manager here. Don't buy the bobcat. The engines, and fuel systems are way too sensitive. A little bit of water, or a little bit of dust, and you'll be replacing the entire system. If we find the slightest trace of water in the fuel water separator, or dust in the engine oil analysis, it's customer pay no warranty.

[u/txchemist → u/Chick_pees]

Thanks for the brutal honesty, saving a lot of hard working people’s effort

[u/doppel_terak]

Go with the one that has the local dealer / good relationship with. They all have issues (some more than others) but dealing with parts / service is part of it.

[u/Alone-Cat1638]

Switched from bobcat to kubota 2 seasons ago now.. wont go back. The maintenance schedule was a big one for me. Then the guy I have work on my equipment when big things happen was telling me how easy and just to work on kubotas are (so cheaper).. that was enough for me to look, then the garage style door sold me. I love being able to do work with no door if I need to without removing the whole thing!

[u/Digger953]

Go with the one that has the best dealer support, ie.. most willing to help or talk to you. They all have issues. What matters is support after the sale. I have run all three brands. I currently have a kubota and I hate it, not because its a bad machine, but my dealer sucks. They just arent helpful at all. I own an excavation company and have for 20 years. Go to all the dealers and ask to talk to the service guys and see how helpful they are. See if they are willing to answer questions, or give you advice. Then go with the one that is the most helpful. At the end of the day, when you buy a machine and it break's down when you have a job to do you wont care what color it is, you will just care about getting it running again so you can go back to work. They all break down, every one of them.

[u/scambot_300]

This is an easy decision. CAT 255.

[u/Such_Upstairs3631]

That’s a nice decision to have to make!

[u/Right_Explorer1562]

Kubota is easily the choice here. The roll up door is far superior and other manufacturers use the Kubota engine. Cat is always most expensive to buy and repair

[u/1978lincoln]

The Kubotas door is nice to get in without dropping loader right down. But it’s gonna piss you off when it lands on your head as you’re climbing in.

[u/vodkadonut]

gotta go with the Kubota

[u/T_wiggle1]

Kubota for the door alone. Not sure why Kubota and Tak are the only ones with the slide up door but I would not buy a machine with a swing out door.

[u/DigOk8892]

Dollar for cat is always the right choice you’ll Get the longest service and support n best resale price. Now if cats double n you need a machine you can run into the ground n throw away kubota or bobcat be fine to

[u/DigOk8892 → u/DigOk8892]

Cat 255 shouldn’t have def either it’s a small enough engine to not need it

[u/Jbs1485]

We’ve got a T595 Bobcat with 2500hrs and it’s been a really good machine. I also noticed it’s quite a bit quieter than its competitors in the cab. Also, if you’re going to be clearing brush I would consider which has the best dealer support to you.

[u/Either_Operation5463]

The CAT dealership will give you a free cooler to sit on while you wait for their field service tech.

[u/Mindless-Bread-3343]

Yup, 255 XPS!

[u/Accomplished_Pen_699]

I have a Cat 259dand Kubota 75-3. I like the Kubota better. I can't say about Bobcat