Head to head
Cat 239D3 against Cat 249D3
The Cat 239D3 saves $1,392; the Cat 249D3 carries 210 lb more once both are rated the same way.
| Spec | Cat 239D3 | Cat 249D3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $58,000 | $59,392 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 1,530 lbs | 1,740 lbs |
| Rated at | 35% of tipping load | 35% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 4,370 lbs | 4,970 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 1,530 lbs | 1,740 lbs |
| Engine power | 67 hp | 67 hp |
| Engine | Cat C2.2 CRDI | Cat C2.2 CRDI |
| Auxiliary flow | 18 GPM | 18 GPM |
| Lift height | 115 in | 118.2 in |
| Operating weight | 7,434 lbs | 7,831 lbs |
| Lift path | Radial Lift | Vertical Lift |
| Rubber tracks | Yes | Yes |
| High flow available | Yes | Yes |
| Enclosed cab available | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed travel available | Yes | Yes |
| Self-levelling available | Yes | Yes |
| A/C and heat available | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 yr / 2,000 hr | 2 yr / 2,000 hr |
What owners say about each
Cat 239D3
- Its small footprint lets it work in tight backyards and through gates that bigger CTLs can't reach, which landscapers specifically buy it for.
- 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.
- 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.
- The small C2.2 engine feels underpowered when pushing heavy material, and owners note slower cycle times under load.
- It stays on the D3 platform while everything from the 255 up has moved to the next generation, so the newer displays, telematics and torque gains stop below it.
Cat 249D3
- Vertical lift on the smallest Cat CTL frame means it loads trucks cleanly, which the radial 239D3 beside it does not.
- At 7,831 lb it is the lightest track loader Cat sells, so it moves on a 10k trailer and crosses turf that a heavier machine would rut.
- The sub-75 hp C2.2 CRDI skips DEF and SCR entirely, cutting a consumable and a set of sensors out of the ownership story.
- Cat publishes a $59,392 starting MSRP, so the smallest CTL in the line is also the one with the clearest published price.
- Its 1,740 lb headline is the conservative 35%-of-tipping rating, so it compares like-for-like against Bobcat, Deere and Kubota without adjustment.
- 1,740 lb is the smallest rated capacity in Cat's CTL line, and buyers moving pallets rather than mulch generally end up wanting the 255.
- 18 GPM standard flow puts mulchers and large planers out of reach unless the 26 GPM high-flow option is specified.
- It stays on the D3 platform while everything from the 255 up is next-gen, so the newer displays, telematics and torque are not available at this size.
- Undercarriage consumables cost more than tyres on any CTL, and Cat's parts pricing sits at the top of the market.