Cat 239D3 vs Case TR270B

Caterpillar

Cat 239D3

$58,000

4.4★ (360)

Case

$58,000

4.3★ (190)

Quick take: The Case TR270B has a higher rated operating capacity (2,700 vs 1,530 lbs); the Case TR270B has more engine power (74 vs 66 hp).

✓The fully-suspended undercarriage gives a smooth ride and excellent flotation, and owners say it's gentle on lawns for turf and finish work.
✓Its small footprint lets it work in tight backyards and through gates that bigger CTLs can't reach, which landscapers specifically buy it for.
✓Cat's sealed, pressurized cab keeps dust and noise out better than most competitors, making long days more bearable for operators.
✓Radial lift delivers strong breakout and digging force down low, so it excels at trenching, grading, and dozing tasks.
✓The rubber-track suspension design is known for low maintenance and long track life when kept off abrasive surfaces, per owner reports.
✓Cat's dealer network means fast parts and service, and rental-fleet owners like the strong resale and financing options.
✓Two-speed travel comes standard, so ground-to-ground moves are quicker than on the wheeled 226D3, which operators appreciate.
✓The intuitive controls and clear display make it approachable for newer operators and rental customers with minimal training.

✗At 1,530 lb capacity it's one of the smaller CTLs available, and contractors routinely say they outgrew it and should have bought bigger.
✗The low standard hydraulic flow limits attachment options, so mulchers and other hungry tools are essentially off the table.
✗Cat parts and undercarriage components are expensive, and track replacement on a Cat runs higher than many rivals.
✗Radial lift compromises dump height and reach, making it awkward to load high-sided trucks compared to vertical-lift CTLs.
✗The small C2.2T engine feels underpowered when pushing heavy material, and owners note slower cycle times under load.
✗Some operators find the suspended undercarriage less stable than a rigid frame when lifting heavy loads at full height.
✗New-machine pricing is high for the modest capacity, reflecting the Cat premium more than raw performance.
✗The 1-year base warranty is short compared to Bobcat's 2-year coverage, which value-focused buyers notice.

✓The 74 hp FPT engine meets Tier 4 Final with just a maintenance-free DOC - no DEF, no DPF regens - so owners skip the emissions headaches that plague competitors in this class.
✓At 8,270 lbs it's one of the few tracked machines a 3/4-ton truck and 10k trailer can legally haul with a bucket, which small operators call the deciding factor over a TR310B.
✓Radial lift geometry gives strong digging and grading performance down low, and operators say it out-pushes vertical-lift small frames when cutting grade or backfilling.
✓The narrow frame and 12.6-inch tracks squeeze through backyard gates and side yards where mid-frame CTLs simply can't go.
✓Case's cab is unusually wide and easy to enter for a small-frame machine, and bigger operators say it's noticeably less cramped than a Bobcat T450 or Cat 239D3.
✓The 24.2 GPM standard flow is generous for the size class and runs augers, trenchers, and grapples that starve on competitors' 17-18 GPM small frames.
✓Purchase price undercuts equivalent Bobcat and Cat small-frame CTLs by a wide margin, making it a popular first machine for new businesses.
✓The one-piece welded chassis and simple radial linkage mean fewer wear points, and long-term owners report the loader geometry stays tight.

✗The narrow 12.6-inch tracks put ground pressure at 5.9 psi - the highest in the B-Series - so it ruts soft lawns more than wider-tracked rivals it competes against.
✗Radial lift limits reach and dump height at the top of the arc, so loading full-size dump trucks over the side is a stretch at 100.6 inches of dump height.
✗Case's construction dealer network is thinner than Bobcat's or Deere's in many regions, and owners report longer waits for FPT and undercarriage parts.
✗The seat-bar and 'operator present' sensor faults common to B-series machines can lock the machine until sensors are cleaned or replaced.
✗The 2,700 lb rated capacity sounds bigger than it works - the 1,890 lb 35% rating means a full pallet of sod or pavers is at the machine's limit.
✗Resale values trail Bobcat and Cat small frames, so the lower purchase price is partly given back at trade-in time.
✗Small-frame CTL track and undercarriage replacement still runs thousands of dollars, a cost wheeled-machine buyers underestimate.
✗Owners report display glitches and electrical gremlins on B-series electro-hydraulic machines that usually mean a trip to the dealer for software updates.