Kubota SVL75-3

[KWood255]

Hi all, I am looking to add a CTL to the fleet for a variety of reasons. My tractor is great for many things, but I am pushing its limits of lifting near daily. 

I have narrowed down my want list to either a Kubota SVL75 or SVL97. The 97 would be grand, but dealing with DEF and further emissions is a drawback, as well as the cost difference. 

My question to you...Will the SVL75 lift and maneuver bundles of lumber in the 3000-3500lb range? I get a variety of responses from dealers regarding this. We bundle our lumber/timber in +/- 1000bf lifts generally. I am hoping for a machine that will handle upwards of 4000lbs to load a trailer, on good flat ground of course. Any related experience here? Many thanks. 

[YellowHammer]

I have a SVL97, the cost is a little more, but the DEF thing is not an issue.  It's got a fairly big DEF tank, and Kubota has extra warranty time for DEF systems beyond their normal warranty, (at least mine did).  It only goes into regen occasionally, and it finishes quickly.  I have not had a single problem with mine, it is a beast, and I also use it for earthmoving with a 4 way bucket.

The extra HP and high flow lets me run mulching heads for taking trees down almost a foot in diameter.  

HP is king, get it all.    

  

[Magicman]

The SVL97 seems to be king here with the contractors.

[barbender]

My opinion on DEF is evolving...I still don't like it, but it helps the rest of the emission system work better and be under less of a load. The exhaust gas recirculation system is what lessens the life expectancy of engines, and DEF systems cut way down on the amount of EGR circulation from what I understand. It also lessens the load on the particulate filter (DPF). 

Here's a good illustration- I have an 09 Dodge 3500, 6.7 Cummins. Pre-DEF, but it has an EGR and DPF. Oil change interval was cut back to 7500 miles, regardless of conventional or synthetic oil, because of high soot loading due to the EGR system. When they went to DEF systems in 2010, the oil change interval got doubled to 15K iirc. The DEF systems keeps the EGR from activating all the time and recirculating all of the soot back through the engine.

As for weight capacity, I have a Case 1845C. I am limited to 500bf packs. This is a 6500 pound machine, I don't remember the lifting and tipping capacity. An SVL75 is a bigger machine, but I still think 1000bf packs will be on the edge of its operating capacity. I'd go with the bigger machine unless you know for a fact that 75 will do the job.

[KenMac]

Is it possible for you to demo a SVL75 to see for yourself how you like it? Most dealers have some available for rent or demo for this purpose. 

[barbender]

I would definitely demo or rent the machine that you're thinking about purchasing.

[KWood255]

I have a SVL97, the cost is a little more, but the DEF thing is not an issue.  It's got a fairly big DEF tank, and Kubota has extra warranty time for DEF systems beyond their normal warranty, (at least mine did).  It only goes into regen occasionally, and it finishes quickly.  I have not had a single problem with mine, it is a beast, and I also use it for earthmoving with a 4 way bucket.

The extra HP and high flow lets me run mulching heads for taking trees down almost a foot in diameter. 

HP is king, get it all.   

 

Good to hear, thanks Robert.  The 97 would most definitely handle anything I could throw at it. I'm headed to the City today and will stop by a dealer to compare.

[KWood255]

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[KWood255]

My opinion on DEF is evolving...I still don't like it, but it helps the rest of the emission system work better and be under less of a load. The exhaust gas recirculation system is what lessens the life expectancy of engines, and DEF systems cut way down on the amount of EGR circulation from what I understand. It also lessens the load on the particulate filter (DPF).

Here's a good illustration- I have an 09 Dodge 3500, 6.7 Cummins. Pre-DEF, but it has an EGR and DPF. Oil change interval was cut back to 7500 miles, regardless of conventional or synthetic oil, because of high soot loading due to the EGR system. When they went to DEF systems in 2010, the oil change interval got doubled to 15K iirc. The DEF systems keeps the EGR from activating all the time and recirculating all of the soot back through the engine.

As for weight capacity, I have a Case 1845C. I am limited to 500bf packs. This is a 6500 pound machine, I don't remember the lifting and tipping capacity. An SVL75 is a bigger machine, but I still think 1000bf packs will be on the edge of its operating capacity. I'd go with the bigger machine unless you know for a fact that 75 will do the job.

My thoughts exactly. I was kinda hoping you were going to say the 75 will handle them all day long hahah. 

My M7060 with the M26 loader can do it, but one day it's going to be a big problem. I fear front axle catastrophe. 

I just secured an order for 14,000bf of timber for a repeat commercial client. It may be a good time to mention this idea to the CEO.

[Magicman]

I fear front axle catastrophe.

I have experienced that catastrophe.....cost me $5,700 and that was only on one side.  I am now very reluctant to carry a heavy load especially when there is twisting & turning.  A tractor is designed and built for farm use and handling and loading logs ain't. 

[YellowHammer]

The actual working difference between the 75 and the 97 is huge in terms of lifting and stability.  Plus the 97 is heavier and that is the main thing when working with logs and weight, and pushing dirt.  I have a Cat forklift and a 100 hp beast of a custom built tractor loader form New Holland, and yet when I need to unload stupid heavy logs off the trailer, or do it real fast because I have multiple to do, I always go with the track loader, because not only is it stronger, it's faster, and the tracks eliminate any tire side wall flex and prevents "tripping" or going up on three wheels, which is the precursor to flipping over, especially when lifting heavy logs over trailer bunks, high off the ground. 

Make sure you get real track loader forks with a walkthrough backstop like in the picture.  Regular tractor pallet forks will bend under strength of the 97.  The hydraulic in cab quick detach is a joy to use.  Plus the high flow hydraulics will let you later use attachments you couldn't with the 75.

The 97 will pick up anything that will fit on the forks, here I am carrying two big cherry logs, without any hesitation. 

A 4 way hydraulic clamshell bucket is like a Swiss army knife, and I used the dozer blade to strip the topsoil off a 4 acre pasture just last week, in dozer mode.  I figured it would take all day, but I was rolling dirt and done before lunch. I can drive up to saplings, break them off and drop the open clamshell over the stump, clamp it and literally pops the stump out of the ground. 

Kubota has a very roomy cab, and an inward opening door, which is a huge safety factor.

My machine gets used every day, and has never been to the shop, and as I said the regen is a pretty much non event, and if it decides to go into regen and I have something else to do, I just get out and let it do it's thing, and come back every few minutes until it is done.  Always let it finish the cycle is what the dealer told me, so I do.