Bobcat T595 vs. Cat 259D Loader (Field Test)
The Bobcat T595 and Cat 259D are closely matched compact track loaders: published reference figures put their rated operating capacities near 2,000 lb. The Cat lists more standard hydraulic flow, while horsepower is also slightly higher. Neither figure proves which machine works faster. A fair field test needs the same attachment, load, route, ground, and operator.
Wet spring soil, summer heat, and freeze-thaw cycles can change traction, cooling needs, and how a loader handles a site. Those conditions matter when you compare machines: a result from firm, dry ground may not predict performance in soft or uneven soil. I would treat the comparison as a controlled work test, not a race based on brochures.
There is no measured result here from a specific pair of machines. Instead, this guide gives you a safe, repeatable way to compare the T595 and 259D, plus the published reference figures to check against each machine’s serial-number-specific documentation. That distinction matters: year, options, market, and machine condition can change what a particular loader can do.
What the published specifications tell you
These figures are useful starting points, not proof of field performance. ROC means rated operating capacity, a manufacturer’s rated load measure under defined conditions. Hydraulic flow is the amount of oil moved per minute. Verify both against the exact machine and manual before choosing an attachment or setting up a test.
| Reference specification | Bobcat T595 | Cat 259D |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | About 70 hp | About 74.3 hp |
| Rated operating capacity | About 2,000 lb | About 2,005 lb |
| Standard hydraulic flow | About 17.1 gpm | About 20.6 gpm |
| High-flow hydraulics | Availability and setup require verification | Optional configuration; verify machine |
The numbers suggest two machines in a similar capacity class, with the Cat showing higher listed standard flow. That does not mean it will complete every task faster. Attachment design, hydraulic pressure, flow settings, ground grip, operator technique, and machine condition can all affect the result.
ROC is not a safe payload for every situation. Attachment weight and load position matter, as do slopes, travel speed, and ground support. Never treat the table as permission to lift a specific load. Use the lower applicable limit among the machine, attachment, and work conditions, and follow the operating manual.
How to set up a valid field comparison
A useful test changes one thing at a time. To compare loaders, keep the task and conditions as alike as practical, then record what happened. Without those controls, a faster cycle or cleaner grade may reflect different material, tires or tracks, attachments, or operator choices rather than a meaningful machine difference.
Before testing, record for each loader:
- Model year, serial number, and machine hours
- Track condition and visible undercarriage wear
- Counterweights, cab and door setup, and other options
- Standard- or high-flow hydraulic configuration
- Attachment model, weight, and hydraulic requirements
- Fuel level, ambient temperature, and ground condition
Use the manual for that serial number to confirm rated limits and attachment compatibility. Check the attachment’s required flow and pressure against the loader’s actual hydraulic setup. Similar couplers do not establish that the machine can safely or correctly operate an attachment.
Use one trained operator if possible, the same attachment type, and the same measured task. Record payload or material amount, cycle time, fuel use if it can be measured consistently, surface disturbance, and visibility. Repeat runs can help show whether a difference is consistent. A short test cannot establish long-term durability or productivity.
Safety checks before the first pass
A safe test begins before the engine starts. Walk the site for soft edges, slopes, overhead hazards, buried utilities, pedestrians, and the planned haul route. Set an exclusion zone and agree on a spotter and communication method where visibility is limited.
Inspect tracks, idlers, rollers, sprockets, hoses, couplers, and visible fluid areas. Check that the attachment is locked in place and that hydraulic lines are connected without trapped pressure. From the operator’s seat, confirm the seat belt, restraint bar or door, interlocks, ROPS/FOPS, and backup alarm or camera are working as equipped.
Follow the manual’s start procedure, including its control and lockout requirements. Warm a cold engine and hydraulic system at low load. Stop before work if you see a warning, leak, abnormal noise, or control fault. Keep people clear of the work area, and never bypass an interlock or stand under a raised attachment.
A step-by-step landscaping test
A field comparison should resemble the work you need done. Grading, loading, and attachment use each test different parts of a loader’s performance. Keep the route and task measured, operate smoothly, and stop if traction, visibility, stability, temperature, or ground conditions become unsafe.
- Choose and mark the task. For grading, mark a defined area and target surface. For loading, use the same material, pile, and destination. For an attachment, choose a task within the attachment and machine limits.
- Set the baseline. Note the operator, machine hours, temperature, surface, attachment, and starting condition. Use the same number of passes or the same measured volume for each machine.
- Run at a controlled pace. Keep loads low while traveling. Avoid abrupt turns, and do not travel across a side slope where the manual prohibits it. For loading, use a stable, level stance.
- Record outcomes. Log cycle time, completed area or volume, fuel use where measured consistently, surface damage, visibility, and any warning codes. Do not use a single time result to claim a machine is generally more productive.
- Shut down and inspect. Park on firm, level ground, lower the attachment fully, and use the parking and lockout procedures in the manual. Idle and shut down as directed. Relieve hydraulic pressure before servicing couplers, and clean debris only with the loader secured.
A raised loaded bucket, sudden turn, side-slope travel, or unsupported ground can shift the machine’s center of gravity and create rollover or ejection risk. Keep loads low, respect the manual’s slope limits, and keep the restraint system engaged. ROC alone does not guarantee stability.
What the comparison may show
A field test can show how the two specific machines perform in a particular task and set of conditions. It cannot establish a universal winner from one short run. Interpret the results alongside machine condition, configuration, and operator feedback, then repeat the test if the difference is small or inconsistent.
| Work situation | What to measure | What could affect the result |
|---|---|---|
| Fine grading | Time, number of passes, surface finish | Track condition, operator input, soil moisture |
| Loading a pile | Cycles, time, material moved | Load shape, material density, attachment and load position |
| Hydraulic attachment work | Task output, heat or warning signs, control feel | Actual flow and pressure, attachment requirements, setup |
| Soft or wet ground | Travel time, rutting, traction interruptions | Soil support, track condition, route, recent weather |
If a machine performs better in one task, ask why before generalizing. More standard hydraulic flow may matter for an attachment designed to use it, but only when the actual machine and attachment requirements match. For grading, ground conditions and control may matter more than the published flow figure.
Do not compare unmatched attachments, payloads, ground, or unverified high-flow settings. Such a result is not a controlled comparison. Stop if the machine loses safe traction, becomes unstable, has poor visibility, or shows a warning that the manual says requires attention.
Maintenance and seasonal care after testing
Post-test checks help catch damage before the next job. Use each loader’s maintenance schedule for engine oil, fuel filters, hydraulic fluid and filters, cooling system, track tension, and torque values. Do not apply generic fluid grades or torque figures when the machine manual specifies otherwise.
With the machine shut down and secured, inspect the undercarriage and remove packed mud or debris. Check the attachment, hoses, couplers, and visible areas for wear or leaks. Clean radiator and cooling-screen areas as directed; avoid spraying high-pressure water at electrical parts, seals, or bearings.
For extended storage or freezing weather, use the manufacturer’s instructions for fuel, battery, coolant, and hydraulic systems. Park level, lower the attachment, engage parking and lockout controls, remove the key, and follow the manual’s battery-isolation procedure if required. Log the weather, material, operator, attachment, hours, warning codes, and results so a later comparison has useful context.
Bottom line: the published figures place the T595 and 259D close in rated capacity, while the listed standard hydraulic-flow figures differ. Choose between actual machines by checking their configurations, condition, attachment match, and performance on your work. A controlled test is more useful than a spec-sheet winner.
Which loader has the higher rated operating capacity?
The reference figures are about 2,005 lb for the Cat 259D and 2,000 lb for the Bobcat T595. Check the exact machine’s applicable documentation.
Which has more standard hydraulic flow?
The reference figures list about 20.6 gpm for the 259D and 17.1 gpm for the T595. Verify actual configuration and attachment requirements.
Does higher hydraulic flow guarantee faster attachment work?
No. The attachment’s required flow and pressure, the machine’s setup, and operating conditions all matter.
Are the machines equal in lifting ability?
Their listed ROC figures are close, but attachment weight, load position, slopes, and ground support affect safe lifting.
Can I use ROC as the safe load limit for any job?
No. Follow the machine and attachment limits and account for conditions. ROC is not a guarantee of stability.
What should stay the same in a field test?
Use the same operator where possible, attachment type, task, material, route, and measured work amount.
Can I compare one high-flow loader with one standard-flow loader?
Only if you record the difference and match the attachment requirements. Otherwise, hydraulic configuration confounds the comparison.
What conditions should stop a test?
Stop for unsafe traction, poor visibility, unstable ground, abnormal noise, leaks, warning indications, or any unsafe change in conditions.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Harrison Croft. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
