Case SV340B vs Cat 250
Quick take: The Cat 250 costs $4,000 less; the Case SV340B has a higher rated operating capacity (3,400 vs 2,689 lbs); the Case SV340B has more engine power (90 vs 74 hp).
| Spec | Case SV340B | Cat 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70,000 | $66,000 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (260) | 4.5★ (140) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Wheeled Skid Steer |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 3400 lbs | 2689 lbs |
| Engine HP | 90 hp | 74 hp |
| Operating Weight | 9130 lbs | 7829 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 6800 lbs | 5378 lbs |
| Lift Height | 133 in | 124 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 24.2 GPM | 20 GPM |
| Engine | FPT | Cat C2.8T |
| Tracks | No | No |
| Vertical lift | Yes | Yes |
| High-flow | Yes | Yes |
| Enclosed cab | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed | Yes | Yes |
| Self-leveling | Yes | Yes |
| A/C & heat | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 yr / 2000 hr | 1 yr / 1000 hr |
Pros & cons
Case SV340B
- ✓The SV340B is Case's biggest wheeled skid steer, and its 3,400 lb capacity and 9,530 lb bucket breakout force impress operators doing heavy loading and digging.
- ✓The vertical lift with a 133-inch hinge-pin height makes loading the tallest trucks and hoppers easy, competitive with the best large frames.
- ✓Case pricing undercuts Bobcat and Cat large-frame skid steers, so value-focused buyers feel they get a lot of capability for the money.
- ✓The 24.2 GPM standard flow plus high-flow option runs a wide range of demanding attachments for versatility.
- ✓Case cabs are roomy and comfortable with good visibility, and owners appreciate the low-effort EH controls over long days.
- ✓The FPT engine pulls strongly, and owners doing heavy work report the machine handles demanding loads without straining.
- ✓Two-speed travel comes standard, making ground-to-ground moves quick on larger sites.
- ✓The large frame and heavy weight give a planted, stable feel when handling heavy pallets at full reach.
- ✗Case's dealer and parts network is thinner than the big three, and owners in some regions report frustrating waits for service parts.
- ✗Resale value trails Bobcat, Cat, and Deere, so the lower purchase price is partly offset by a bigger depreciation hit.
- ✗Some owners report electronic and sensor issues on FPT-engined machines that can be tricky to diagnose without a good dealer.
- ✗As a wheeled machine it lacks the flotation of the TV450B, making it less suited to soft or muddy ground.
- ✗At 90 hp some heavy operators wish for more power relative to the machine's high capacity for the toughest dirt work.
- ✗The attachment and used-implement ecosystem isn't as deep as Bobcat's, limiting options in some markets.
- ✗Fit-and-finish is judged by some operators as a step below Cat and Bobcat refinement.
- ✗Dealer support quality varies widely by region, and owners say the ownership experience depends heavily on the local dealer.
Cat 250
- ✓The 2,689 lb rated operating capacity essentially matches the bigger 262D3 it helps replace, so buyers get medium-frame lifting numbers in a lighter, cheaper package.
- ✓At 7,829 lbs it tows comfortably on a standard 10k equipment trailer with attachments, a practical advantage owners highlight over the heavier 260 and every CTL.
- ✓The new C2.8T holds its 74 hp across a wide RPM band with a big torque gain over the old D3 engines, and operators say it lugs through pushing and grading work without the constant downshifting feel.
- ✓The sealed, pressurized one-piece cab filters out dust and drops noise dramatically - rental operators note even first-time users comment on how quiet it is.
- ✓The 124-inch bucket pin height is 3 inches taller than the outgoing machines, enough to clear the sideboards on most tandem dump trucks.
- ✓No DEF system thanks to the sub-75 hp rating means one less consumable and no SCR sensors to fail, a real reliability plus for high-hour fleet duty.
- ✓Factory High Flow-ready plumbing means the 30 GPM upgrade is an enablement rather than a retrofit, so the machine can grow into hungrier attachments later.
- ✓The 8-inch touchscreen, rearview camera, and standard Product Link telematics bring fleet-management features to a price class where competitors still charge extra.
- ✗Standard auxiliary flow is 20 GPM versus 23 GPM on the old 262D3, so some attachments that ran fine on the D3 need the High Flow enablement on the 250.
- ✗The next-gen price premium is real - it lists thousands above the equivalent outgoing D3, and budget buyers note Bobcat's S66 and Case's SR-series undercut it.
- ✗Wheeled machines still can't follow CTLs onto soft or muddy ground, and buyers in wet climates increasingly skip straight to the 255 despite the higher price.
- ✗As the smallest of the new wheeled line it shares its frame with the 260, so it gives up capacity to its sibling while costing only moderately less - several reviewers call the 260 the better value.
- ✗Early-production software glitches with the touchscreen and displays showed up across the next-gen line, and fixes require a dealer visit rather than an owner reset.
- ✗The electronics-rich platform makes DIY troubleshooting harder than the D3s, effectively increasing dependence on Cat dealer service at whatever rates they charge.
- ✗The used market hasn't established residuals for the new series yet, making lease-end and trade-in values a guess compared to the deeply documented D3 machines.
- ✗Optioning it up with XPS hydraulics, premium seat, and advanced display erodes the price advantage that makes the 250 attractive in the first place.