• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

Tak TL8 vs Kubota SVL 65/75

billybonds

Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2018
Messages
16
Location
ny
In the market for a CTL and think I have it narrowed down to these, but I could use some input

Machine will be for my personal use around a small horse farm. Snow removal, loading manure, scraping paddocks, grading, screening sand, spreading RCA, unloading pallets of grain/bedding/supplies, etc. Must have heat/ac, hydraulic quick coupler, true polit control(I want the loader/bucket control to be the same as my tractor). Need to maneuver in and out of 8' openings. I already have a 10k equipment trailer, and do not want to buy a new one to move the machine, but I want to stay legal and not get into CDL territory. I am not a fan of swing out doors. Based on the hours I put on my tractor, the machine will get less than 200 hours per year.

SVL65 and TL8 have similar performace specs, but the Tak seems like more of a robust machine. Then the SVL75 seems a little more so than the Tak.

With SVL75's 9k weight, would I be able to balance enough weight on the tongue to get away with my 10k trailer? Tak salesman thinks the TL8's 8600lb wight wont be a problem.

Price and value are a large consideration for me since this purchase will be more about comfort and convenience than necessity.
 

PeterG

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2015
Messages
442
Location
Seattle WA, United States
Occupation
Landscape Construction, General Contractor
Both of these machines are great machines, but both are going to be way too heavy for your trailer, especially if you ever haul it with more than one attachment, full of fuel, chained down with binders, and anything extra on the trailer like a spare tire, tool box, etc. The trailer has a weight I'm sure of at least 2000 lbs. You really need a 14 GVW trailer and for that you need a CDL.
I haver old 10,000 GVW equipment rental trailer with two 7000 lb axles. I also have a CDL though. Might get away with something like a good used Takeuchi TL130 which has a weight of 7,600 lbs. Both brands are excellent. I would buy used ($20,000-30,0000) and spend $3000 for good used attachments. You need a digging bucket, wide bucket, and pallet forks to start. Then grapple, snow blower, hay spear, mower, etc. One thing to consider is to look at some of the new smaller mini skid steers on tracks. Although not good for snow removal, they can move around well without tearing up everything and leaving ruts, and can also go right into a horse stall. Good visibility going into barns and easy to tow (3500lbs or less). A full size machine like above with low impact smooth tracks is ASV brand.
 

heymccall

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
5,349
Location
White Oak, Pa
I have zero experience with a TL8. I do have 2 TL150 machines, though (had 3).
I've had harness and relay issues. I've had the pilot pump fracture. I've had the main pumps fall off. I've had the fuel tank outlet plug. I've had to change an injection pump. I've had the pilot filter blown shut several ttimes, too. I still run the two I have, hard, but, given a choice, I'd go Kubota, again.

I also have an SVL75 and an SVL75-2.
I've had a fractured muffler mount, a hose rub through the engine oil filter, the AC constantly plugs up the cores in the cab, and, for whatever reason, I cannot run a genuine Kubota oil filter (blew out the filter gasket 3 separate times).

Takeuchi tech support is kinda awesome, and, Kubota tech is scarce if not nonexistent.

They have had small issues, but, nothing like the TL150 machines.

A friend of mine just bought a 3k hour SVL75 with its share of dings and dents, and it is just as reliable and solid as mine that were bought new.

I have threads on here as to how to modify an SVL75 to enhance uptime, but, out of the box, I've had tremendously less issues with my Kubotas than I ever did with Takeuchis.

I say Kubota, and, frankly, for your usage, I'd consider used.
 

billybonds

Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2018
Messages
16
Location
ny
I'm not opposed to used, I just get scared not knowing how well or poorly a previous owner maintained their machines. It seems like the Taks and Kubotas have more reasonable resale values than the Cats and Bobcats, why is that?
 

jav

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2009
Messages
110
Location
MA
Sorry to chime in here gentleman but I'd like to clarify that per FMCSA, a CDL is not necessarily required to Tow a trailer over 10K pounds. There has been much written about this and much confusion even by law enforcement. BUT, it is my understanding that unless your state, or a state in which you drive has specific rules about this, a CDL is typically not required to tow trailers over 10K pounds as long as 1) it's not done commercially (some tricky loopholes subject to interpretation here as well) and the combination of trailer and tow vehicle combined remain under 26k pounds. States can and do make more restrictive rules (certainly about medical cards etc.) but the federal guidelines do not automatically require a CDL for towing a trailer over 10K pounds.

That's not to say you won't be stopped and fined (due to misinterpretation).... but it's my understanding after having called multiple state DOT and FMCSA reps, that the above interpretation is correct. Still- many interpret it the way Peter did and it's certainly safer to do so... but technically, it's incorrect.

BTW- I agree that towing either of these CTL's on 10K trailer is questionable. I tow a TL130 which is supposed be about 1k pounds lighter than a TL8 and I'm at about 9500# on my trailer tires. I have a 12k trailer that weighs close to 3K.
 
Top