Head to head
Cat 239D3 against Takeuchi TL6R
The Takeuchi TL6R saves $2,000; the Takeuchi TL6R carries 314 lb more once both are rated the same way; the Cat 239D3 moves 0.3 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit.
| Spec | Cat 239D3 | Takeuchi TL6R |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $58,000 | $56,000 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 1,530 lbs | 1,840 lbs |
| Rated at | 35% of tipping load | 35% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 4,370 lbs | 5,270 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 1,530 lbs | 1,844 lbs |
| Engine power | 67 hp | 65 hp |
| Engine | Cat C2.2 CRDI | Kubota V2403-CR-TE4B |
| Auxiliary flow | 18 GPM | 17.7 GPM |
| Lift height | 115 in | 114 in |
| Operating weight | 7,434 lbs | 7,780 lbs |
| Lift path | Radial Lift | Radial Lift |
| Rubber tracks | Yes | Yes |
| High flow available | Yes | No |
| 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.
Takeuchi TL6R
- At just over 5 feet wide and 6.5 feet tall, the TL6R squeezes through gates, doorways, and low canopies that stop every mid-frame CTL, which is exactly why backyard-access contractors buy it.
- The 5,935 lbf bucket breakout force punches far above its weight class, and operators say it digs like a machine a size bigger.
- At around 7,800 lb it tows easily behind a 3/4-ton pickup with attachment on the trailer, keeping the whole rig legal and simple.
- Takeuchi's independent dealers have a loyal following for personal service, and the 2-year/2,000-hour warranty matches the best in the industry - with an optional 3-year/3,000-hour Premier plan above it.
- Travel speeds of 6.2 mph high and 4.3 mph low are quick for a machine this small, so moving between work areas on a site doesn't eat the day.
- The 1,840 lb rated capacity is genuinely small, and contractors doing heavier work quickly bump against its limits with full pallets or wet material.
- No high-flow option is offered at all - alone in Takeuchi's track loader line - so 17.7 GPM is the ceiling and demanding attachments are simply out of reach.
- Takeuchi's dealer network is smaller and more regional than the big brands, so parts and warranty support vary by location.
- The 114-inch hinge-pin height trails vertical-lift competitors, and loading over high trailer sides can require building a ramp of material.
- The cab is snug for larger operators, a common trade-off in the compact class that taller users notice on long days.
- Ride quality at travel speed is bouncier than suspended-undercarriage machines because of the short, rigid track frame.