Bobcat vs. CAT vs. Kubota vs. New Holland Skid Steers: The 74-HP Class Compared

The 74-horsepower wheeled skid steer class is one of the most competitive corners of the compact equipment market, and four manufacturers currently build a genuinely current, well-supported machine in it: Caterpillar's 262D3, Bobcat's S76-2, Kubota's SSV75, and New Holland's L328. They're closer in raw output than the badge on the hood might suggest — all four land within a couple horsepower of each other — which means the real decision comes down to rated operating capacity, stability, and which dealer network actually has your back on parts.

The Four Machines, Side By Side

The CAT 262D3 runs 74.3 hp and a standard 2,700-lb rated operating capacity (3,055 lb with the optional counterweight), in an 8,296-lb frame — the heaviest of the four, which shows up as extra stability when you're carrying a full bucket on a slope. The Bobcat S76-2 matches it closely at 74 hp and actually leads the group on ROC at 2,900 lb, in a lighter 8,014-lb package. Kubota's SSV75 runs 74.3 hp with a 2,690-lb ROC and a 5,380-lb tipping load — the most conservative capacity rating of the four, reflecting Kubota's stable, proven-platform approach rather than a rapid generational refresh. New Holland's L328 rounds out the group at 74 hp and a 2,800-lb ROC, positioned as the flagship of New Holland's L-Series lineup.

Rated Operating Capacity: Bobcat Leads, Kubota Plays It Safe

Rated operating capacity is the number that actually tells you how much material or attachment weight a skid steer can safely lift and carry, and in this class it's a tighter race than most contractors assume. Bobcat's S76-2 tops the group at 2,900 lb, with New Holland's L328 close behind at 2,800 lb and CAT's 262D3 right there at 2,700 lb standard (and ahead of both once the counterweight option goes on). Kubota's SSV75 comes in lowest at 2,690 lb — a real number, not a knock, since Kubota has built its reputation in this class on mechanical simplicity and reliability over chasing a capacity number on a spec sheet.

Stability and Frame Weight

A skid steer's operating weight matters as much as its rated capacity, especially on uneven ground, ramps, or truck-loading work where tipping stability is the real limiter. CAT's 262D3 is the heaviest of the four at 8,296 lb, which generally translates to the most planted feel under a loaded bucket. Bobcat's S76-2 is close behind at 8,014 lb. Kubota doesn't publish a directly comparable operating weight in the same spec format, but its 5,380-lb tipping load figure (roughly double the rated capacity, per SAE convention) confirms a similarly conservative, stability-first engineering approach across the whole SSV line.

Where Each Brand Actually Wins Jobs

Landscapers and hardscape contractors who need every pound of lift capacity for pallet work and material handling tend to lean toward the Bobcat S76-2's class-leading ROC. General contractors who value a heavier, more planted platform for mixed grading and demolition-support work often land on CAT's 262D3, especially where a CAT dealer relationship already covers the rest of the fleet. Kubota's SSV75 draws a loyal following among contractors who prioritize long-term reliability and simplicity over chasing the highest capacity number — a common priority for owner-operators running one machine hard for years. And New Holland's L328 tends to win with agricultural-adjacent contractors and rural site-work operations who already run New Holland tractors and want one parts and service relationship across the whole equipment list.

Attachments and Versatility

All four machines in this class run the same universal skid-steer attachment mounting standard, so buckets, forks, augers, grapples, and brush cutters swap between brands without much friction — the real differentiator on attachment work is hydraulic flow and auxiliary circuit capability, which is closely matched across all four at this horsepower tier. Where the brands genuinely diverge is cab comfort, controls (joystick vs. hand-and-foot options across the lineups), and the dealer network's actual attachment inventory in your region, which matters more day to day than most spec-sheet differences.

Resale Value and Long-Term Ownership Costs

Resale value in this class tracks reputation as much as raw spec numbers. CAT and Bobcat both carry strong resale demand nationally thanks to dense dealer networks and high used-equipment liquidity — a 262D3 or S76-2 with routine maintenance records tends to hold value well into its second owner's hands. Kubota's reputation for mechanical durability gives the SSV75 a similar advantage among buyers who specifically shop for low-hour, well-maintained used Kubota equipment. New Holland's L328 has a smaller but loyal secondary market, concentrated more heavily in agricultural and rural markets where the brand's tractor dealer network already has a foothold. None of the four is a bad bet on resale, but CAT and Bobcat generally see the broadest buyer pool when it's time to trade up.

The Rent-vs-Own Case for a 74-HP Skid Steer

A skid steer in this size class is close to the most rented piece of equipment in construction, which is exactly why owning one pays off so fast for a contractor who uses it regularly. A rental skid steer is a different machine every time — different hours, different attachment compatibility, different wear — and every rental invoice disappears the moment the truck picks it back up. Financing your own means the same familiar machine shows up on every job, sized and configured exactly for your work, and every payment builds toward something you'll actually own.

This is where BFC works differently than a typical lender. Rather than making a contractor wait years until one machine is fully paid off before financing the next, BFC can help fund your next skid steer, CTL, or attachment purchase while the current one is still on the books — so growth doesn't stall out waiting on a payoff date.

What to Expect on a Down Payment

Down payment on a skid steer purchase depends on your credit profile and deal structure rather than a fixed number. Strong, well-established credit can sometimes mean little to nothing down — sometimes just a first payment to get started — while other profiles land in a 20-30% range, and in some cases as high as 40%. There's no single figure that applies across every buyer, which is exactly why the right next step is applying and getting real numbers back for your specific business.

The Bottom Line

CAT, Bobcat, Kubota, and New Holland all build a legitimately competitive 74-hp wheeled skid steer right now, and the gap between them is measured in a few hundred pounds of capacity and a few percentage points of stability — not a clear winner-take-all pick. The right choice comes down to which trade-off (peak capacity, frame weight, mechanical simplicity, or dealer relationship) matters most for how you actually run the machine.

Explore More Skid Steer Financing Guides

See how Bobcat compares directly against CAT skid steers, read our deep dive on the Kubota SSV75 or the New Holland L328, or check our full 2026 skid steer and track loader buyer's guide for everything that changed this year.

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