Cat 239D3 vs Cat 250
Quick take: The Cat 239D3 costs $8,000 less; the Cat 250 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,689 vs 1,530 lbs); the Cat 250 has more engine power (74 vs 66 hp).
| Spec | Cat 239D3 | Cat 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $58,000 | $66,000 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (360) | 4.5★ (140) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Wheeled Skid Steer |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 1530 lbs | 2689 lbs |
| Engine HP | 66 hp | 74 hp |
| Operating Weight | 8035 lbs | 7829 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 4370 lbs | 5378 lbs |
| Lift Height | 115 in | 124 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 17.1 GPM | 20 GPM |
| Engine | Cat C2.2T | Cat C2.8T |
| Tracks | Yes | No |
| Vertical lift | No | Yes |
| High-flow | No | Yes |
| Enclosed cab | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed | Yes | Yes |
| Self-leveling | Yes | Yes |
| A/C & heat | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 yr / 1000 hr | 1 yr / 1000 hr |
Pros & cons
Cat 239D3
- ✓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.
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.