Kubota vs Bobcat Skid Steer

Kubota and Bobcat stand out as two of the most sought-after brands on the market for skid steers. But how does the Kubota vs. Bobcat skid steer compare, and which one is better? 

The construction industry utilizes varied machinery, and one of the most versatile heavy equipment is the skid steer. Skid steers can dig, lift, drill, and more with proper attachments.

Skid steers are even more popular due to their size range, making them the perfect heavy equipment for any construction project. With this in mind, we've prepared this helpful evaluation of both brand's skid steers. 

Front Loader Comparison: Kubota vs Bobcat Skid Steer

When researching the right skid steer for your construction company or project, choosing the best one for your needs and requirements is crucial. So, for instance, even though Bobcat is the inventor of the first skid steer loader, it does not mean they are the best on the current market.

Wickham has been around for decades. As such, we have seen the changes and innovations both Kubota and Bobcat brought to construction, agriculture, landscaping, etc.

Both brands are at the top of their game with a large number of attachments for their skid steers. Kubota skid steer loaders are among the best available currently, thanks to the brand's commitment to cutting-edge technology.

Kubota and Bobcat provide skid steers manufactured with durability and performance in mind. But is Kubota better than Bobcat when talking about skid steer loaders? Let's compare them side by side.

Skid Steer Specs

Regarding skid steer specs, the most critical capabilities you should research are:

• Engine horsepower
• Operating weight
• Hydraulic systems capabilities

Engine horsepower

With its industry commercial diesel engine, Kubota is unmatched in engine performance. While the horsepower capability of Kubota 74.3HP and Bobcat 74.0HP are similar, Bobcat falls short in performance quality.

In fact, even Bobcat used Kubota engines until 2015 before switching to Tier IV Doosan engines. Unfortunately, the Doosan DOC (diesel oxidation catalyst) engine runs hotter and burns more fuel.

This makes the Kubota V3307-CR-TE4 engine the most fuel-efficient on the market. Plus, thanks to its diesel particulate filter (design), you can get to work about 60-90 seconds faster compared to any other engine.

Operating weight

Bobcat's operating capacity ranges from 2,892 lbs to 10,237 lbs, while Kubota's 7,319 lbs to 8,466 lbs. Still, despite being available in fewer models than Bobcat, Kubota's skid steers outperform them with their high-performance capabilities.

Moreover, the Kubota skid steers are powered by diesel engines and manufactured for radial and vertical movement.

Hydraulic systems capabilities

Kubota's low-effort hydraulic pilot controls provide the operator with maximum feel and precision without any adjustments or necessary settings. With Kubota's ergonomic design, operators have all the buttons and switches within reach. 

Bobcat skid steers also have powerful hydraulics, but they need to catch up to Kubota's cutting-edge technologies.

Skid Steer Reliability

Kubota uses a roll-up door that can be moved in any position for the boom. Due to the design, you can fully utilize the Kubota skid steer's cab opening. The swing-out door on the Bobcat limits access to the entire cab opening and can be opened only after the boom is dropped.

While the Bobcat's five-position window tracks outside the cab, the Kubota window glides along a track installed inside the cab. An outside-mounted track may get accumulated with dirt, sand, and debris.

Kubota uses ¼-in broad bars in the top grating to improve visibility. Bobcat employs more than twice as wide ⅝-in bars. The boom on the Kubota skid steers is down, yet operators still have excellent wheel visibility.

The wiper assembly negatively affects the Bobcat's front view, whereas the Kubota operator can see the cutting edge without stooping forward. The Kubota's bolted-on grip handles are simple to replace or fix, whereas the grab handles of the Bobcat are fused to the chassis, so replacing them is impossible.

Skid Steer Width

Bobcat skid steers range in widthfrom 35.5 inches to 70 inches without attachments. In contrast, the Kubota skid steers are available in 66.5 inches and 71.8 inches. So, even in this aspect, Kubota has the edge over Bobcat's skid steers. 

Overall, Kubota is an unmatched brand due to their constant innovative solutions and emphasis on operator comfort.

Call Wickham Today and Find the Perfect Skid Steer!

As you can see from our Kubota vs Bobcat skid steer comparison, Kubota is decidedly ahead of the competition. So, If you have a construction company based in Colorado, contact us or visit one of our physical locations. Let us be the ones to help you find the ideal skid steer for your requirements.