5 Reasons to Consider GEHL Before Buying a Bobcat in Kentucky
If you’re shopping for a skid steer or compact track loader in Northern Kentucky or Greater Cincinnati, the big-name brands are probably the first ones that come to mind. They’ve earned that recognition through decades of marketing. But brand recognition and machine performance are two different things.
GEHL — designed and manufactured in Madison, South Dakota — has been building compact equipment since 1859. Their new V-Series large-frame skid steers and VT-Series track loaders represent the most significant leap in compact loader technology in a decade. Before you sign with another dealer, here are five concrete reasons to take a hard look at GEHL.
1. More Horsepower, More Standard Features
The GEHL V335 delivers 100 hp compared to the Bobcat S770’s 92 hp. Step up to the flagship V360 and you get 114 hp — a full 24% more power than Bobcat’s largest skid steer. But raw horsepower is only part of the story.
GEHL includes a 7-inch color display, Bluetooth radio, and ride control as standard equipment on every V-Series machine. Bobcat charges extra for all three. When you factor in the options you’d add to a Bobcat to match a base GEHL, the price gap narrows significantly — or disappears entirely.
2. IdealTrax™ Saves Thousands on Track Replacement
GEHL’s proprietary IdealTrax system is exclusive to GEHL and Manitou compact track loaders — no competitor offers anything like it. The system automatically maintains optimal track tension while the machine is running, then releases tension when the engine shuts off.
The result: tracks that last approximately 15% longer. On a machine where track replacement can cost $3,000–$6,000 per set, that’s a meaningful reduction in your single largest maintenance expense. Over a 5-year ownership period, IdealTrax can save $10,000 or more per machine.
3. Your Dealer Is a Diesel Engine Specialist
This is where the comparison gets personal. When you buy a GEHL from Bluegrass Diesel Specialists in Burlington, KY, you’re not buying from a general equipment retailer. You’re buying from a full-service diesel engine repair facility with an on-site machine shop, engine rebuilding capability, and over 30 years of diesel expertise.
When your machine needs more than a filter change — valve grinding, cylinder boring, head resurfacing, or a complete engine overhaul — the same dealer that sold you the machine can do the work in-house. No other compact equipment dealer in the region offers this depth of engine service. Most dealers focus on equipment sales and basic warranty work — Bluegrass Diesel is a different business model.
4. IdealAccess™ Makes Daily Maintenance Faster
GEHL’s IdealAccess fold-up door system provides wide-open access to the engine compartment, hydraulic components, and daily service points without removing panels or reaching through tight spaces. Bobcat’s cab-forward design requires more steps to access the same components.
For operators who check fluids, clean filters, and inspect belts every morning before starting work, this adds up to meaningful time savings over the life of the machine. It also means your technicians spend less time on routine service — which translates directly to lower labor costs on maintenance.
5. Local Dealer Support in Northern Kentucky
Bluegrass Diesel Specialists is located at 1663 Production Drive in Burlington, KY — right in the heart of Northern Kentucky’s commercial and construction corridor. We maintain OEM parts inventory on-site, operate mobile service trucks for jobsite breakdowns, and offer fleet PM programs for multi-unit operations.
Other local equipment dealers sell machines and provide warranty service. But when you need engine-level work, you’ll typically be looking for a separate shop. With GEHL from Bluegrass Diesel, your equipment dealer and your engine specialist are the same company.
Bobcat builds solid equipment — we’re not here to say otherwise. But if you’re making a $50,000–$80,000 investment in a skid steer or compact track loader, you owe it to yourself to compare the specs, the standard features, and the dealer behind the machine. Schedule a free side-by-side demo at our Burlington, KY location. No pressure, no obligation — just the facts. Call (859) 282-8785 or visit our comparison page for the full spec breakdown.
Call (859) 282-8785Bluegrass Diesel Specialists. View original article