Both compact · Bobcat against Kubota
Bobcat CT4045 vs Kubota L3970
| Spec | Bobcat CT4045 | Kubota L3970 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$34,400 | ~$34,979 |
| What that price is | MSRP, base build | MSRP, base build |
| Size class | Compact | Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine hp | 44.9 hp | 39 hp |
| PTO hp | 32.8 hp | 30.9 hp |
| Loader lift | 1,795 lbsat max height | 1,726 lbsat the pivot pin |
| Three-point lift | 2,716 lbs24 in behind the lift points | 2,646 lbs24 in behind the lift points |
| Hydraulic flow | 16.5 GPM | 9.83 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Daedong | Kubota |
| Weight | 3,745 lbs | 4,057 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 12.7 gal | not published |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | not published | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain |
A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.
From owner discussion and long-term write-ups
What owners of each one say
Bobcat CT4045
What they like
- 2,716 lb of hitch capacity at 24 in behind the lift point is a 1,085 lb jump over the 2000 platform and opens up box blades and heavier rotary cutters
- 16.5 gpm total flow - 9.6 implement plus 6.9 steering on the hydrostatic build - is half again what the 2000 platform offers
- 1,795 lb of loader lift at max height finally makes pallet forks a sensible attachment
- A turbocharged 111 cu in Daedong three-cylinder at 2,750 rpm rather than a bigger naturally aspirated block
- An 8x8 synchro shuttle is available if you would rather change direction without a hydrostatic pedal
- 18.5 mph top speed with a 71.2 in wheelbase makes it usable for moving between fields, not just around a yard
- Optional mid-PTO at 2,119 rpm on the hydrostatic build
What they complain about
- PTO output drops to 32.8 hp on the hydrostatic build from 41.6 hp on the manual - an 8.8 hp penalty, the largest transmission trade-off in the Bobcat line
- Bobcat's own pages disagree on the fuel tank, 12.7 gal on the CT4045 page against 11.9 gal on its siblings
- The CT4545 cab version costs $11,014 more
- Emissions hardware is unstated on the model page, so any particulate filter and its regeneration cycle need confirming at the dealer
- No warranty term is published
Kubota L3970
What they like
- 9.83 gpm - the full Premium pump output, matched only by the three dearer models in the range
- Turbocharged D1803-CR-TE5 makes 109.4 lbf-ft of torque against the naturally aspirated L3770's 84.2
- Multi-function loader joystick with third-function control and drive-mode selection under the thumb
- Jog dial K-Command display with optional remote start and front and rear cameras
- 4,057 lb ROPS weight on a 77 in wheelbase, longer and heavier than either Deluxe model
What they complain about
- 39 hp and 30.9 PTO hp is less than the cheaper-to-run four-cylinder L4270 delivers
- Turbocharging on a three-cylinder puts more heat and complexity into the smallest engine in the range
- Same 1,726 lb LA806 loader as the two Deluxe models, so Premium trim adds no lifting ability
- Kubota publishes no fuel tank capacity for the series