You’ve chosen a terrific way of integrating images and text into your website. Move the image anywhere you want in this container and the text will automatically wrap around it. You can display events team members new products and more easily and creatively. To start add an image from the Image Picker and edit it as you would edit any image in the system. For example you can link the image to existing pages in your site a website URL a popup or an anchor. After you’ve chosen the image add your text. You can add text that describes the image you’ve selected or simply use the image for decorative purposes. \nYou’ve chosen a terrific way of integrating images and text into your website. Move the image anywhere you want in this container and the text will automatically wrap around it. You can display events team members new products more easily and creatively. To start add an image from the Image Picker and edit it as you would edit any image in the system. For example you can link the image to existing pages in your site a website URL a popup or an anchor. After you’ve chosen the image add your text. You can add text that describes the image you’ve selected or simply use the image for decorative purposes.

Skid Steer Vs. Track Loader. Which do you Need

David KM • August 25, 2026

GEHL Compact Track Loaders vs. Skid Steers: Which Machine Is Right for the Job?

When you need one machine that can dig, grade, lift, carry, clear brush, move material, and run a wide variety of attachments, a GEHL compact track loader or skid steer can quickly become one of the hardest-working pieces of equipment in your fleet.

GEHL has been building compact equipment for decades, and today its loader lineup includes machines ranging from ultra-compact skid steers designed for tight spaces to powerful compact track loaders built for demanding construction, landscaping, tree care, and property-maintenance applications.

But which one is right for you: tracks or tires?

GEHL Compact Track Loaders: Built for Tough Terrain

If you regularly work in mud, soft ground, slopes, or uneven terrain, a compact track loader is often the better choice.

Instead of concentrating the machine's weight onto four tires, a compact track loader spreads that weight across its tracks. The result is improved flotation, excellent traction, and lower ground pressure—important when you're working on lawns, construction sites, farms, or areas where the ground isn't perfectly firm.

GEHL's current compact track loader lineup includes machines ranging from the extremely compact RT105 and RT135 through larger machines such as the RT165 and the new RT195, along with higher-capacity models for demanding applications.

The new GEHL RT195, for example, combines a 69-horsepower Yanmar engine with a 1,950-pound rated operating capacity. Its radial-lift design provides strong forward reach for digging, grading, and loading applications.

Where Compact Track Loaders Shine

A GEHL track loader is an excellent choice for:

Landscaping and site preparation
Grading and dirt work
Tree and land-clearing operations
Construction sites
Farm and property maintenance
Mulching and brush removal
Moving gravel, soil, and mulch
Snow removal
Working in muddy or loose soil

GEHL offers both radial-lift and vertical-lift track loaders. Radial-lift machines provide excellent forward reach through the middle of the lift cycle, making them well suited for digging, grading, and loading. Vertical-lift machines provide greater reach at full lift height, which can be particularly useful when loading trucks or placing material into high-sided containers.

What Is GEHL IdealTrax®?

One feature that helps distinguish select GEHL compact track loaders is IdealTrax®.

On equipped machines, IdealTrax automatically tensions the track system when the machine is operating, and releases track tension when the engine is shut down. GEHL says the system helps prevent over-tensioning and can extend track life while also making track removal and installation considerably easier.

For an owner who puts a lot of hours on a compact track loader, easier track maintenance can mean less downtime and lower operating costs over the life of the machine.

GEHL Skid Steers: Maneuverable, Fast and Extremely Versatile

Tracks aren't always the answer.

If most of your work is performed on hard-packed dirt, pavement, concrete, barns, equipment yards or other firm surfaces, a skid steer may offer a lower-cost and faster-moving alternative.

GEHL currently offers a broad range of wheeled skid loaders, beginning with compact machines such as the R105, which is only 48 inches wide without a bucket, and extending through large vertical-lift machines including the V335 and V360.

That range lets you choose a machine based on the work you're actually doing, rather than simply buying the biggest loader available.

For example, the GEHL V210 provides a 2,100-pound rated operating capacity in a relatively compact vertical-lift package, while the V275 increases rated operating capacity to 2,750 pounds and offers additional reach for loading and material handling.

At the upper end, the V335 offers a 3,350-pound rated operating capacity, while the V360 reaches 3,600 pounds, with optional counterweights available to increase rated capacity further.

Radial Lift or Vertical Lift?

Choosing between radial and vertical lift is almost as important as choosing between tires and tracks.

Choose Radial Lift When You Do More:

Digging • Grading • Excavating • Backfilling • Ground-level material handling

A radial-lift machine naturally reaches farther forward through the middle portion of its lift path.

Choose Vertical Lift When You Do More:

Truck loading • Material handling • Pallet work • High-sided container loading • Stacking

Vertical-lift machines maintain more forward reach as the loader arms approach full height.

Neither design is universally better. The right choice depends on what you're doing most often.

One Machine, Many Attachments

One of the biggest reasons contractors invest in compact loaders is their ability to do far more than move dirt.

Depending on the machine and hydraulic requirements, attachments can transform a GEHL loader into equipment for:

Buckets • Grapples • Pallet forks • Augers • Brush cutters • Bale handling • Hydraulic breakers • Snow removal • Material handling • Land clearing and more.

GEHL specifically designs its compact loaders around interchangeable attachments, allowing a single power unit to take on numerous jobs throughout the year.

When choosing a machine, however, it's important to look beyond horsepower. Hydraulic flow, hydraulic pressure, operating capacity, and attachment weight all need to match the attachment you plan to use.

If you're planning to run demanding hydraulic attachments, talk with us about standard-flow versus high-flow hydraulics before selecting your loader.

Track Loader or Skid Steer? Here's the Simple Answer

If your work regularly involves mud, slopes, loose soil, landscaping, or rough terrain, start your search with a GEHL compact track loader.

If you spend more time on firm surfaces and want speed, maneuverability, and lower undercarriage costs, take a close look at a GEHL skid steer.

If you're somewhere in between, the decision usually comes down to your primary attachments, ground conditions, transportation requirements and how many hours per year you expect to operate the machine.

Find the Right GEHL Loader at K&M

At K&M Lawn, Garden & Arborist Supplies in Culpeper, Virginia, we can help you compare GEHL compact track loaders and skid steers based on the work you actually need to accomplish.

Tell us what you're lifting, what attachments you want to operate, what kind of terrain you work on, and how you transport your equipment. We'll help narrow the choices and find the GEHL machine that fits your operation.

Whether you're a contractor, landscaper, tree-care company, municipality, farm or property owner, the goal isn't simply to buy a loader.

It's to buy the right loader for the work you do every day.

Looking for a GEHL compact track loader or skid steer in Central Virginia? Contact K&M in Culpeper to discuss available machines, attachments, financing, and equipment options.

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John Deere vs. Yanmar Compact Tractors

August 26, 2026

John Deere vs. Yanmar Compact Tractors: Which Is Right for You? If you’re shopping for a compact tractor, there’s a good chance both John Deere and Yanmar are on your list. Both brands have long histories in agricultural and compact equipment, loyal owners, and tractor models designed for everything from property maintenance to small farming. The better question isn’t necessarily, “Which brand is better?” It’s which tractor is the better fit for your property, your jobs, and your budget. Here are some of the key differences to consider when comparing John Deere and Yanmar compact tractors. Both Brands Have Deep Agricultural Roots John Deere is one of the most recognizable names in agriculture and has been building agricultural equipment for generations. Its compact tractor lineup is widely used by homeowners, farmers, landscapers, municipalities, and commercial operators. Yanmar also has a long history in agricultural equipment and diesel engine manufacturing. The company has been building diesel engines and tractors for decades and is especially well known for compact diesel power. One interesting connection between the two brands is that Yanmar has historically manufactured engines and equipment for other major tractor companies, including John Deere on certain compact tractor models over the years. That history helps explain Yanmar's strong reputation for compact diesel engines. Engine and Power Both manufacturers offer diesel-powered compact tractors designed for long service life and fuel-efficient operation. Yanmar is particularly known for designing and manufacturing its own compact diesel engines. In many Yanmar tractors, the engine, transmission, drivetrain, and tractor are engineered as an integrated system. John Deere also offers proven diesel engines across its compact tractor lineup and has a strong reputation for dependable power. When comparing tractors, don’t look at horsepower alone. Consider: PTO horsepower Loader lift capacity Hydraulic flow Tractor weight Transmission type Three-point hitch capacity Tire options Implement requirements A tractor with slightly less engine horsepower may actually be the better machine for your work depending on its weight, hydraulics, transmission, and attachment capabilities. Loader Capability For many compact tractor owners, the front-end loader becomes the most-used attachment on the tractor. Loaders are commonly used for: Moving mulch Handling firewood Cleaning barns Moving gravel Loading trailers Moving manure Landscaping Snow removal Carrying logs and brush Both John Deere and Yanmar offer loader-equipped compact tractors. When comparing them, look closely at lift height, lift capacity, breakout force, attachment compatibility, and how easy it is to remove and reinstall the loader. The right answer depends on what you actually expect the loader to do. Transmission Choices Hydrostatic transmissions are extremely popular in compact tractors because they make frequent forward-and-reverse work easier. That can be particularly useful for: Loader work Landscaping Mowing around obstacles Snow removal Barn work Both John Deere and Yanmar offer hydrostatic transmission options in their compact tractor ranges. Depending on tractor size and model, buyers may also have different transmission configurations available. Someone doing heavy ground-engaging work may value different transmission characteristics than someone primarily mowing, landscaping, and performing loader work. Operator Comfort Comfort matters more than many first-time tractor buyers expect. If you spend several hours on a tractor, things like seat position, control placement, visibility, steering effort, and ease of getting on and off the tractor become important. Both John Deere and Yanmar have focused heavily on operator-friendly compact tractors. The best way to compare them is simple: Sit on both tractors and drive them. Check how easily you can reach the loader joystick, three-point controls, PTO controls, pedals, and other frequently used functions. A specification sheet cannot tell you which tractor feels more natural to you. Attachments and Implements Compact tractors are valuable largely because of what you can attach to them. Common implements include: Rotary cutters Finish mowers Box blades Land planes Tillers Landscape rakes Post-hole diggers Pallet forks Grapples Backhoes Snow blades Spreaders Both Yanmar and John Deere tractors can operate a broad range of three-point and PTO-powered implements. You don't necessarily have to buy every attachment from the tractor manufacturer. Many implements use standardized three-point hitch and PTO systems. That gives tractor owners a large selection of aftermarket implements. Warranty and Ownership Costs Purchase price is only one part of owning a tractor. Before buying, compare: Tractor price Loader price Financing offers Warranty coverage Required maintenance Parts availability Dealer support Resale value Cost of attachments Yanmar frequently attracts buyers looking for strong tractor capability for their investment. John Deere benefits from tremendous brand recognition and a large dealer network. Depending on the models being compared, the price difference can sometimes allow a buyer to purchase an additional attachment or move into a larger tractor. That is why comparing equally equipped tractors is important. Dealer Support Matters as Much as the Tractor One of the most overlooked parts of buying a compact tractor is the dealership. A good dealer can help you size your tractor correctly, select attachments, get parts, perform routine maintenance, and handle repairs when needed. That relationship may last for decades. When evaluating any tractor brand, ask: Does the dealer service what they sell? Do they stock common parts? Can they help match implements to the tractor? Do they understand the type of work I do? Will they support the machine after the sale? A great tractor supported by a poor dealership can become frustrating very quickly. John Deere vs. Yanmar: Which Should You Buy? There is no universal winner. John Deere may be a great choice for buyers who value the familiarity of the Deere brand, its extensive product lineup, broad dealer presence, and strong resale recognition. Yanmar may be a great choice for buyers who value Yanmar’s diesel-engine heritage, integrated tractor design, straightforward compact tractor lineup, and competitive equipment packages. The best tractor is ultimately the machine that has enough capability for your work without forcing you to pay for significantly more tractor than you need. Compare the Tractors Based on Your Property Instead of choosing based on the logo on the hood, start with the work. Ask yourself: How many acres do I have? What am I mowing? Will I be using a front-end loader regularly? Do I need to move round bales or pallets? Will I maintain a gravel driveway? Do I need a backhoe? Will I be working in woods or tight spaces? What implements do I expect to use? Once you answer those questions, comparing tractor models becomes much easier. Looking at a Yanmar Compact Tractor? If you're comparing compact tractors for your property, K&M Lawn, Garden & Arborist Supplies can help you determine what size tractor and attachments make sense for the work you actually need to accomplish. Rather than simply looking at horsepower, we can help you compare loader capacity, tractor weight, PTO power, implements, transmission choices, and overall equipment packages. Sometimes a smaller tractor is plenty. Sometimes moving up one tractor size makes a significant difference. The goal is to help you choose the right tractor for the job — whether you're maintaining a few acres, running a horse property, managing a small farm, or simply looking for a versatile machine that can work around your land for years to come.