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Introduction

The Bobcat S590 occupies a smart middle ground in Bobcat’s Classic skid-steer line: it is the smallest machine in the range with a vertical-lift boom, which gives it real truck-loading ability at a price and weight below the mid-frame S650. For acreage owners, smaller mixed farms, and operators who want vertical-lift capability without stepping up to a heavier machine, the S590 is often the sweet spot.

On Aglist, the advantage is putting the S590 next to the machines you are actually comparing — the John Deere small-frame G-Series and the Kubota SSV line — with real owner and operator reviews beside the spec sheet. The numbers describe what it lifts. The reviews tell you how it feels loading a trailer, how the cab holds up over a long shift, and whether the hydraulics keep pace running a snow blower or auger.

The usual flag applies before you compare anything: the S590’s 2,100 lb rated operating capacity is measured at the 50% tipping-load standard, the same basis Kubota uses. John Deere rates at the more conservative 35% standard. A direct number-against-number comparison with a Deere machine overstates the Bobcat unless you put both on the same basis. We unpack that below.

Configurations & Pricing Context

The S590 carries forward under Bobcat’s Classic designation after the 2026 ConExpo restructure, when Bobcat retired the M-Series and R-Series names. It kept its model number and its position as the value vertical-lift entry in the Classic skid-steer range.

For Canadian buyers, the sensible spec is an enclosed cab with heat, two-speed travel for moving around a yard, and the high-flow hydraulic option if a snow blower or auger is in regular use. Open-ROPS versions exist on the used market.

Pricing varies with configuration, hours, and condition. Because Dmytro has direct knowledge of Saskatchewan dealer and used pricing, we defer to local market figures over manufacturer-advertised numbers.

Key Specifications

Specification	Bobcat S590
Lift path	Vertical
Rated operating capacity (50% tipping)	2,100 lb (953 kg)
Rated operating capacity (35% tipping)	~1,470 lb (667 kg)
ROC with 200 lb counterweight	~2,150 lb
Tipping load	4,200 lb (1,905 kg)
Gross horsepower	68 hp
Emissions	Tier 4 (no DPF)
Auxiliary flow (standard)	17.1 gpm
Auxiliary flow (high-flow option)	26.7 gpm
System pressure	3,500 psi
Operating weight	~6,765 lb (3,069 kg)
Travel speed (single-speed)	7.4 mph (11.9 km/h)
Travel speed (two-speed option)	~11 mph (17.7 km/h)
Fuel capacity	~24.7 gal (94 L)
Width with bucket	68 in (1.73 m)
Height to hinge pin	119 in (3,023 mm)

Specifications are verified against Bobcat specification data and independent spec databases. Confirm exact figures for a specific machine, year, and option package with your dealer.

Understanding the ROC Standard (Read This Before You Compare)

Rated operating capacity is a fixed percentage of a machine’s tipping load — but the percentage differs by manufacturer. Bobcat and Kubota use 50%; John Deere uses 35%.

The S590 has a 4,200 lb tipping load. At 50%, that produces the 2,100 lb headline number. At 35% — the Deere basis — the same machine rates at roughly 1,470 lb. Both figures describe the same loader.

The practical takeaway: on the 35% basis, the S590’s ~1,470 lb places it squarely in small-frame skid-steer territory, comparable to a John Deere 316GR or 318G. The raw 2,100 figure would suggest a larger machine than it is. Always convert to a common standard before concluding anything.

Build & Engineering Detail

The S590 runs a 68-horsepower Tier 4 turbocharged diesel that meets emissions standards without a diesel particulate filter — no regeneration cycle, no DPF maintenance cost, which matters on a machine that may sit between seasonal jobs.

What sets the S590 apart from the smaller S450 is its vertical-lift boom. Vertical lift keeps the load close to the machine through the cycle and delivers more reach and height at the top — the geometry you want for loading over the side of a trailer or truck box. It is the least expensive way into a vertical-lift Bobcat, which is precisely its appeal.

Standard hydraulic flow is 17.1 gpm, with a high-flow option reaching 26.7 gpm. The standard circuit handles the everyday attachment list comfortably; the high-flow option is worth specifying for a snow blower or larger auger. Note that the S590’s high-flow ceiling is below the mid-frame S650’s 30 gpm, so for the most demanding attachments the larger machine is the better base.

Bobcat’s welded axle-tube chaincase eliminates periodic drive-chain tensioning, reducing scheduled shop time.

Best Applications

The S590 is a strong fit for:

• Acreage owners and smaller mixed farms — loading trailers, moving gravel and feed, pallet handling, and seasonal chores, with vertical-lift reach the smaller S450 cannot match.
• Light-to-moderate snow work — with the high-flow option and a properly sized blower or pusher.
• Landscaping and light construction — site prep, backfilling, and running the standard attachment list where tight maneuverability and lower cost matter.
• First-machine buyers who want vertical-lift capability without the weight, cost, or trailer demands of a mid-frame loader.

It is less suited to heavy daily truck loading or running large high-flow attachments — for that, step up to the S650. If your ground is consistently soft or wet, a compact track loader spreads weight better.

How the S590 Fits the Bobcat Lineup

The S590 sits in the lower-middle of Bobcat’s Classic skid-steer range — above the compact S450, below the heavier S650 and flagship S770. It is the pivot point in the line: the first model with vertical lift, but still light and affordable enough for buyers stepping up from the smallest machines.

If you find yourself wanting more capacity or high-flow headroom, the S650 is the natural next step. If your work mixes hard and soft ground, compare against Bobcat’s compact track loaders before deciding on wheels.

Bobcat S590 Reviews & Ratings

On Aglist, open the Reviews & Ratings section on this page to see how the S590 performs in the field: stability loading trailers, cab comfort and visibility over long shifts, hydraulic behaviour running snow and auger attachments, and ownership notes on maintenance access and uptime. If you own an S590, your review helps the next prairie buyer decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rated operating capacity of the Bobcat S590? The S590 is rated at 2,100 lb at the 50% tipping-load standard, the figure Bobcat advertises. At the 35% standard John Deere uses, the same machine rates at roughly 1,470 lb. Tipping load is 4,200 lb. Always confirm which standard you are comparing.

Is the S590 a vertical-lift or radial-lift skid steer? Vertical lift. It is the smallest machine in Bobcat’s Classic line with a vertical-lift boom, which gives it more reach and height at the top of the cycle for loading trailers and trucks.

How much horsepower does the Bobcat S590 have? 68 gross horsepower from a Tier 4 turbocharged diesel that meets emissions standards without a diesel particulate filter.

Does the Bobcat S590 have high-flow hydraulics? Standard auxiliary flow is 17.1 gpm; the high-flow option reaches 26.7 gpm. That covers most attachments, though for the largest mulchers or blowers the mid-frame S650 with 30 gpm is a better base.

How much does the Bobcat S590 weigh? Operating weight is approximately 6,765 lb, which keeps it easily trailerable behind a three-quarter-ton truck.

What’s the difference between the S590 and the S650? The S650 steps up in every dimension: 74 hp versus 68, 2,690 lb ROC versus 2,100 lb, 30 gpm high-flow versus 26.7 gpm, and a heavier, more capable frame. The S590 is the value choice; the S650 is the more capable daily workhorse.

What’s the difference between the S590 and the S450? The key difference is lift geometry. The S590 has a vertical-lift boom for truck loading; the S450 uses radial lift and is smaller and lighter. If you load trailers or trucks regularly, the S590’s vertical lift is worth the step up.

How does the S590 compare to a John Deere skid steer? On the same standard, the S590’s ~1,470 lb (at 35%) sits in small-frame territory alongside a John Deere 316GR or 318G. Comparing the raw 2,100 lb figure against a Deere number overstates the Bobcat.

Is the Bobcat S590 good for snow removal? Yes, for light-to-moderate work. Specify the high-flow option and match a blower or pusher to the machine’s actual gpm. For heavy commercial snow, a larger machine has more power and weight.

What’s the difference between the S590 Classic and the new Pro models? At ConExpo 2026, Bobcat split its line into Classic and Pro. The S590 is a Classic machine — proven controls and durability at competitive pricing. The new Pro skid steers add advanced cab technology and an optional in-cab voice-command system; their full specifications are still being released.

Related Models

• Bobcat S650 — the mid-frame Bobcat one step up; more capacity and high-flow headroom for heavier daily work.
• Bobcat S450 — the compact radial-lift Bobcat one step down, for tight spaces and lighter loads.
• John Deere 314G — small-frame Deere skid steer in a comparable working class; useful for the Deere 35% rating basis.