plant hire - head to head
Avant vs Bobcat
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| Avant | Bobcat | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | Finland | United States |
| UK availability | Available, smaller network | Good UK dealer coverage |
| Range covers | Compact articulated loaders and a very large attachment range | Skid-steer loaders, Compact track loaders, Mini excavators, Telehandlers |
| Best known for | Avant loader range | Skid-steer loader range |
Choose Avant if...
A compact articulated loader that earns its keep through attachments - the same base machine becomes a bucket loader, a post driver, a sweeper or a timber grab. Popular with landscapers who need one machine to do eight jobs.
Look at: Avant loader range
Full Avant profile →Choose Bobcat if...
The brand that turned into the generic word for a skid-steer. Hire customers ask for "a Bobcat" when they mean the machine class, which is exactly the kind of brand recognition that drives search volume whoever ends up supplying the machine.
Look at: Skid-steer loader range
Full Bobcat profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK plant hire companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
Avant vs Bobcat - common questions
Is Avant better than Bobcat?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. A compact articulated loader that earns its keep through attachments - the same base machine becomes a bucket loader, a post driver, a sweeper or a timber grab. Popular with landscapers who need one machine to do eight jobs. The brand that turned into the generic word for a skid-steer. Hire customers ask for "a Bobcat" when they mean the machine class, which is exactly the kind of brand recognition that drives search volume whoever ends up supplying the machine.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Avant or Bobcat?
Avant: A growing UK presence, particularly in landscaping and groundcare. Bobcat: Widely available through UK dealers and common in hire fleets.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK plant hire companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.