Skid Steer Comparison: Takeuchi TL12V2 versus Kubota SVL 97-2 

I'm with ya on the roll up door. I ran an SVL 75 and the Tak TL8. I bought the TL 8 because it was simply a tank when it comes to moving dirt. The Kubota was a nice, smooth machine but, the ease of maintenance made my decision. Takeuchi has their machine set up nice. I've owned it 2 years and have zero complaints.

I’d take the Takeuchi any day over the Kubota. I’ve owned both. But I’ve found that the Takeuchi is in a whole other class when compared to the Kubota. There both great machines, but if you want a beast I’d recommend the Takeuchi.

I love my 97-2 Kubota , I like the low profile while working in the trees. I use a skid pro brush cutter and it never has over heated.

Lots of people don’t realize that most Takeuchi machines have kubota engines.

Takeuchi is one of my favorite brands.

WOW, great review. I have a 65 ordered, and I have driven the 75 and like it. Thanks for all the hard work you put into the review.

Great real world, no BS review. I found it helpful. Thanks for posting.

Bought a 06 TL 150 new. To say it has been durable is an understatement. Great piece still working daily 👍

I have the 97-2 and mainly use it for heavy duty brush cutting. I bought a Vail x series 85” mower and haven’t had any issues overheating. I’ve been completely satisfied with the kubota.

Owned a tl12v2 for 2 years now and absolutely love it. It's a tank. The biggest thing I have with it is trying to teach people how to pronounce the name right (Tak-e-uchi). But this is a very good comparison and agree with you on the door 100% hence why I demoed both of these machines. The only other thing is lack of vents for the ac and heater on the kubota compared to the tak. Overall nice video and comparison.

Glad ur doing this. I'm looking forward to seeing this video. I have. TL12V2

I'll buy the Kubota for 20K less and put that $ into diesel fuel. I own 3 Kubota excavators and they have all been trouble free, the eldest is 9+ years old and not one break down or trip to the dealer for repairs. The only thing that broke was the radio, and that had nothing to do with Kubota.

I just found your video as I wait on my new Cat 259 to be delivered. I had a Kubota svl90 that I bought new, blow a main hydraulic pump after I used it for approximately 300 hours. It was out of warranty due to purchase date. Kubota sure doesn't stand behind their product like I thought they would. No one can tell me a major pump failure after 200 too 300 hours is normal. Oh well that's my last Kubota!

I work for an equipment dealer in PA and our 2nd line is Takeuchi. We sell many Takeuchi's and honestly we very rarely have one in the shop for any kind of mechanical problems.

I agree with your point on the door. Its not a game changer for me but to each his own. the Deer have best access, protection from debris and strongest hydraulics regardless of what it says on paper. Oh yes, best visibilty as well

Great video, TY

I mean, of course, the cylinders have to be bigger because of where the lifting point is compared to the Kubota

I have the tak, and it has been solid. The only thing with the roll-up door is that it rattles a lot and makes for a loud day in the cab. Other than that, it's a solid machine.

I personaly hate the kubotas but love the takuchie but run cats because the dealer by far has the best service in my area. Go wkth the dealer service a bad dealer can make a great machine a sour experiance.

Have an older Tak and a new Tak mini ex. Just great machines!!!!

TL12R2 tipping load is 8629lbs per their website. Kubota 97 sv-2 tipping load is 9143lbs per their website. Oddly, the Tak has 250lbs + more breakout force. Also, with the Tak being much heavier, it has almost 2000lbs! more traction force, making it MUCH better at plowing or digging deep into a pile if material. Hope that helps.

Man wait till the 97-3 come out the svl75-3 just came out it’s nice radio on the touch screen a/c in the front raised the back bar. This are 2 different class machines the Tl10 is more comparable machines. Both are great manufactured machines I agree on the door it’s a must if ur setting something alone or can’t get out to help that’s a no go for me. I have a svl75-2 with 3k hours of hard concrete work and so far it’s been done me well. Just put my name on the list for the 75-3 & as soon as the 97-3 comes out I will also add it to the fleet.

Does the Tak still use the Kubota engine ? I bought my SVL 90-2 new in ‘14 (mainly because the dealer is 3 miles from my house) and the only thing I’ve ever done to it is normal maintenance and add a cab top mounted hydraulic cooler . I use it as a weekend warrior and push the hell out of it . I know the new machines are more advanced and powerful but the 90 has done a lot of forestry mulching (fecon bullhog), shredding and dirt pushing and it’s been great. If I were gonna buy a new one just for forestry mulching it would probably be an ASV. Have a couple friends with them and the FAE heads and they are beast.

Ill Only by a slide up door for now on I had a cat and I and I got stuck but a big hedge fell across the front of it and I was completely Trapped in the machine Another thing to know on the takiutchi is they have the only impact rated cab in the market you can drop a big old pine tree on it and it won't collapse

Overhead door is where it's at!

I put some hours on the TL-12 and by far the most rugged and big CTL, everything is built beefy like an old Dyna-hoe. You can feel the weight and it makes it a pleasure to work. The TL-10 is a beast too and def floats better when grading and finishing soils. The new Big Gehl ctl has a slide open window and nice track system but it did not climb material piles and slopes like the Tak when I demoed it.

I don’t think you called that Takeuchi the same name twice!..lol!!..good video!..that Tak is big!

97- 3 will mostly have radiators on top like 75-3

What brand bucket you like using on that takeuchi? ThKS

I like the Tekeuchi :)

my boss has a tl12v2 and it overheats when we are using a mulcher after about 3 hours all the lvls are top off nothing low.

I think the bottom line would be service availability. If you have a good dealer/service repair (all machines will break sooner or later) in your area, versus having to travel a large distance, you have to take that into consideration. Form me, the closest dealer in Take is 8 hour drive versus a "K" is 30 minutes.

You should view the "Crash Bumper" Vbelt& Son added to the rear of his T12 , very heavy Duty" !

Just wondering have you guys tried putting the ASV135 up against these machines, yes even though it has the front window that you don’t like but more as a comparison ?

How good is your local CASE dealer? If you're going to be primarily off-road usage and you have a decent CASE dealer I'd take a look at the new TV620 and get it with steel tracks. Their are several videos out there of the new DL550 and that thing is a beast compared to pretty much every skid loader on the market right now and the TV620 is based on the DL550. The company I work for personally uses Tak's and we like them but I'd really like to get a try in a new DL550 or TV620.

The tl12 the dealer here told me it would be December before he would get two and they were sold so their out for me

We run a small fleet of Kubota 95 & 97s. Dealer service is terrible. The skids are good. We run them a lot of hours and do tons of slope work and carrying 3000-4000lbs across, up and down the slopes 60-100 runs a day. Would love to go with CAT. But would look at the above mentioned.

Not really a fan of rubber tracks but other than that truly amazing machines keep being made absolutely no doubt.

It seems like the Kubby is a no brainer? If it won't lift a log, roll the sumbitch.

Lift strength is most important for my business. I wish you had Deere 333g and the new Bobcat T86 in the lift test. I have the T770 Bobcat now and had the Takeuchi TL12R2 and the R2 would lift more, but I don’t think it was a huge difference. I didn’t have them at the same time to test side by side.

Kubota is a non transferrable warranty I think....could be another brand I forgot...I like the Taco

How does the Bobcat T870 stack up to these? I just bought a 2011 model and it looks to be longer and wider than these. I do not like the swing out door so I mostly run without the door unless I'm using the mower. I looked for an SVL-97 but nothing I could find was priced reasonably.

Ive got an old john deere 455 track loader and it has a bucket big enough to haul these machines around in it and twice as fast. And you can throw those logs off the mtn. With it. But sad they dont still make them anymore. But that old machine still fires up runs like new every time. I have a new Holland machine that's pretty nice but of I was lifting that much weight all the time I'd look into a large machine like a real loader. That's hard work for a co pact track loader all day long. I guess it depends on how often you going to be trading in machines. But I'd be worried if warranty ran out on it. And you will get more work out of steel tracks. Bout 1000 hrs on rubber tracks

Tipping point may be more than on the Kubota, but doesn't mean it has that much more grunt. Takeuchi makes a bigger machine, so its shear weight will make it more stable & less likely to tip. As an operator, my personal opinion is Kubota loaders are and have always been weak in hp. compared to everyone else, therefore, I'd never want to own one myself. That's just me.

Im curious have you had a machine skid steer that would lift the third log?if so what was it?

To get the lifting power you want. You are going to have to go with the new case metal track machine , it's a DL 550 . I do not remember how the door worked on it. Swing out of lift up. But $20.000 more for basically the same machine that's a no brainer in my book. You also need to read the fine print in booth warranties they plainly state that if you run a mulcher that requires high flow you have to run an external cooler which is about $8000 more on top of the cost of the machine. And that's on the takeuchi and Kubota, the only machine that I know of that has a large enough cooling system from the factory to run a mulcher without an external cooler is ASV . Good luck on the new machine

Forgot about gehls slide up door

This is going to sound a bit strange but if you were to turn off "Active Power Control" on the Takeuchi it will lift that 3rd log a bit higher. About a foot or so off the ground.

you showed the view of the cutting edge of the Kubota but not the Takeuchi, so what is the visability to the cutting edge on the TL12

Wonder if Takeuchi R2 machines lift more than the V2. I know V2 loft higher but that might be something to consider

So which one did you decide to go with? Please make a video update.

I know you said you don't like the other machines but I like to see how the other machines do on those tasks.

Takeuchi and kubota is fully hydraulic to joysticks. Have been since day 1

Would you consider a JCB with a wide open side door?

I got two svl 95s nothing but def issues and limp modes atleast 3 x a year

I wish you would have had either the John Deere 331g or the 333g in this video.

parts on the kubota i hear are insane $$$$$

If you need more power I would look at the Case 620

What most people don't know is that takuchie runs a Kubota motor. And also the Kubota can be turned up to the same H.P.

I've heard the slide up doors make a tall operator have to duck a bit when opened/closed? I'm 6'2"

Have have run both but my time in the tachy is very short. We were moving our disc cleaner around with the tl12 and I thought the kubota handled it just a hair better. I don't think you can go wrong with either but that 20k cheaper and 0% is pretty good. I'd say kubota.

Terrific video,,, side by side comparison. I've had both the tracks and wheel skid steer from the kubota. But in the 75 size. I've never been in any other skid steer, How is the noise level from one machine to the other.? I understand what are saying about the service and dealers. The kubota dealership with me is excellent 👌..

Did you have the RPMs up when you tried the Tacheuchi on the 3rd log?

Which one was quieter inside?

I do like the slide up doors very nice, but ease access to serviceability and maintenance is game changer for me, bobcat or cat for me

Kubota is comfortable. I know parts are an issue where i live in the mtns of north Carolina. We have kubota and deere dealers everywhere here. But the taks are dependable machines. Ive ran theor excavators. Very strong slew motors so strong most dippers are broken on them from people spreading dirt with their buckets. The kubota has a weal slew motor but it has its reasons. My kubots is more comfortable than the taks ive ran and i have had great luck with my kubota kx121-3. However the newer 40s not so much. Im actually looking into buying another ctl and have been looking at taks and asv or the new yanmar. The yanmar has my attention also. May be good to check one out. Id like to see you do a review on the new yanmar 100.

I think they place too much emphasis on the tipping load rating because does not have a real world application because none of the machines can actually lift the tipping amount. It is just a metric that is used to create the operating capacity. 35% of the tipping load = rated operating capacity. That is what they can pick up to full height and move around with safely. But neither of those specs actually tell you how much the machine will actually lift up in the air and move when you need it to. The tipping load is more about the geometry, weight placement and balance of the machine. So although the Take would probably be more stable moving around with full capacity loads it doesn't necessarily mean it will have a higher full capacity lift rating. Marketing numbers. I think any of them will at least pick up thier rate operating capacity...but some lift quite a bit more but maybe not safely. The manufactuers make it so hard to compare apples to apples unless you go do real world test like you did, you just dont know. I have been trying to decide between these 2 machines myself so thank you very much for the excellent real world review :) I am also trying to decide on a new dump trailer. All the fracking trailer mfgs love to post their GVWR's, exterior dimensions, etc etc etc But you NEED to know the trailer weights to determine payloads because there are huge variations on weights between very similar trailers with the same GVWR ratings. Or if they do show the weight is only on the shortest version of that trailer with zero options. I am looking at getting a 18 dump trailer but they only show the weight on the 14' version so I have no clue what the 18' weighs. Both are 24K rated and the 14' weighs 7K# giving it a 17K payload. I need a minimum of 16K Does the 18' long version weigh 2000# more than the 14'? If it does then it will not work for me. What if I add a spare tire, tarp & spreader tailgate? How much does that eat in payload (how heavy of a machine can I carry in it?) Sorry for the rant :) It just drives me crazy that manufactures will not post the actual real world specs you need to make a decision. You need to know how much it will actually pick up so you can get the one that will pick up the most. I need to know the actual payload of the trailers not the GVWR so I know if it will haul my machine. But I am a big guy. Your review was super helpful on these 2 machines. I will definitely be going with the Kubota machine. I will be using it a lot more for mulching than you so the heat issue concerns me somewhat but I can buy an auxiliary cooler for around $10K that solves that issue and keeps the Kubotas running cool in mulching jobs. The big deciders for me was you descriptions of the site view to the blade tip. Visibility all around and most of all the hand position of the joysticks. I had a JD dozer that had horrible control placement. Had to hold your arms up all day. I finally cut the arm rest out and made an adjustable arm rest bracket. Made 100% difference on how tired I was at the end of the day. On my Kubota tractor the seat was too low. I had to raise my entire leg up in the air to get my foot on the brake. Uncomfortable & not safe & not speedy. I pulled the seat and bracket off and built a riser out of 3" square tubing. Works great now ;) Loved the review. Keep them coming.

For me, unfortunately, the $20,000 difference would force me to buy the Kubota and I need all the leg room possible. Too bad the ASV 135 forestry is way too expensive.for normal people. Also from what I hear the cooler is sitting on top of the exhaust in a very hot place etc and the air conditioning unit has a tendency to get clogged up while forest mulching at least which I plan on doing quite a bit so I am very leery of the Kubota as well. All these companies need to make these about a foot longer 6"in the cab for leg room and six inches more in the engine compartment etc. Bad dealer support from Kubota from everyone . I had a guy do 20 days of forest mulching for me recently with this Tac and noticed that it needed a little more flow like maybe 50 gpm to keep it turning. They are all a little too small for me . I was told I need a D8 with a mulcher on it if it could be done or at least a $300,000 dedicated forest mulcher which will never happem. lol.

SVL75 (74HP) TON OF ROOM IN BACK FOR MAINTENANCE.

If you owned a rental company which would you rather have in your fleet?

R they same year built!!?

Takeuchi all day. Ta ke uchi

Bobcat has remote control, MaxControl, awesome investment, operating skid steer in complete control on all attachments while being outside at your fingertips

Tah-key-oo-chee How hard is that?

I find it amusing that no one can pronounce たけうち. Say it with me: TA, KE, U, CHI :) Just giving you shit, great video. I run a Cat CTL at work sometimes, and frankly, it just isn't very good. Controls don't respond well, tracks are hard to clean, cab is small with lots of hard edges to hit arms on, parts are constantly breaking or leaking, just poor all around. Never run a Tak, but miss running GEHL with pilot controls, which have a historic relationship with Takeuchi, and are generally simple but well designed.

With all the craziness going on in the world, aren't you worried about getting parts for these foreign overseas machines. Seems like a New Holland, cat or JD would have less of a parts issue. If the parts issue and machine availability wasn't a concern, I'd most likely buy a JBC. Hate the swinging door as well, much prefer the Kobata and JCB type doors.

I wouldn't have either one

When I bought my tl 12 it was 0% down

I'd buy a old asv with the 120 horse deere dozer motor in it for forestry work , gotta be careful lifting big rock with a bucket because it will ruin the bucket lol . I lifting a massive rock once and it bent the bucket . Those machines are lifting animals. The asv undercarriage sucks when you get into smaller rocks , the rocks eat up the rubber wheels . Otherwise it's the cats ass

Only machine that will lift that much weight is the 333g Deere . But out of the too you got there both are good machines.

Why don't you ĺook at Kioti ?

TACK EEE OOCHI

Takeuchi tl12r2 would be better for what you do

I got that same tl12 it's not going to turn good in high gear

There's jobs a skidsteer is just not designed to do

Takahachi…Tac…Takahochi….Taco-Coochi….Tacoochi…we know what you mean.

I just paid $84,750 for the TL12-V2

AVS and JCB aren't in the running hey?

Toca-you-chee

Taka-hachi? 😌

LOWER END OF LIFT ARMS ON THE TAKEUCHI ARE IN THE DIRT. BAD

Kubota cabs are awful so much dust gets in and is breathed in by the operator! They don’t improve there cabs much if at all and the bottom plates take in way too much dirt to the point that the controls shake. Then you have to spend a half day cleaning the bottoms pans. Kubota doesn’t care about the operator. But besides that it’s very reliable and strong. I have put over 2000 hours into the 95-2s. I personally love Cat! The heated seat, the tracks how they adjust and move with the machine. The reverse fan for cleaning on the fly! Back up cams air ride seats. The Cat thinks about the operator as long as your not a very tall guy lol. I’m actually not blowing black dust out my nose because the cabs actually sealed. A/C is much stronger all around better machine!

Fuck the V the R is where it’s at taco all the way

Both of these machines are too susceptible to break down at a job with those back doors, a simple tree branch will damage the aluminum radiator. I just don’t understand the stupidity of this design with these machines.

Why is he calling it a Takeihachi?😂

Get a case 550 skid

I think that the Kubota is better

We just got a new cat and it's alot better then the tl12

MUSTANG 3200VT BIG SKID

What the hell is Takahachi? Takahashi, I would understand but Takahachi? Come on. It's Takeuchi 竹内.