Cat 260 vs John Deere 330 P-Tier
Quick take: The Cat 260 costs $4,000 less; the Cat 260 has a higher rated operating capacity (3,160 vs 2,950 lbs); the John Deere 330 P-Tier has more engine power (98 vs 74 hp).
| Spec | Cat 260 | John Deere 330 P-Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74,000 | $78,000 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (130) | 4.6★ (85) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Wheeled Skid Steer |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 3160 lbs | 2950 lbs |
| Engine HP | 74 hp | 98 hp |
| Operating Weight | 8523 lbs | 9930 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 6321 lbs | 5900 lbs |
| Lift Height | 132 in | 132 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 20 GPM | 25 GPM |
| Engine | Cat C2.8T | Yanmar 4TNV94FHT |
| 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 | 1 yr / 1000 hr | 2 yr / 2000 hr |
Pros & cons
Cat 260
- ✓Rated operating capacity jumps to 3,160 lbs from the 262D3's 2,700, a 17% gain that owners handling brick, seed, and fertilizer pallets notice immediately.
- ✓The 132-inch bucket pin height is a genuine truck-loading height for a mid-frame wheeled machine, clearing dump truck sides the 262D3 strained to reach.
- ✓Torque from the new C2.8T is dramatically improved over the old C3.3B, and operators report the 260 holds ground speed while backdragging and pushing where the D3 bogged.
- ✓The High Flow XPS option brings 34 GPM to a wheeled mid-frame, enough for planers and wheel saws that used to demand a larger, more expensive carrier.
- ✓The sealed one-piece pressurized cab with available heated/ventilated air-ride seat is the same operator station as the big next-gen CTLs - a huge upgrade at this size.
- ✓Staying at 74 hp means no DEF tank or SCR system, keeping maintenance simple for owners who run high annual hours.
- ✓The 8-inch touchscreen with switchable ISO/H controls, rearview camera, and standard telematics matches features Bobcat and Deere charge option money for.
- ✓Cat's vertical lift with dual-direction self-leveling keeps forks level through the whole lift path, which material-handling operators single out as a daily time-saver.
- ✗Standard flow dropped to 20 GPM from the 262D3's 23 GPM, forcing buyers with existing attachments to double-check requirements or budget for the High Flow enablement.
- ✗The next-gen premium prices it against strong competition - a comparably equipped Bobcat S76 or Deere 330G often quotes lower, and owners say Cat dealers hold firm on price.
- ✗At 8,523 lbs it's a couple hundred pounds heavier than the 262D3, nudging total trailer loads closer to 10k limits once attachments come along.
- ✗Early production machines shared the next-gen line's software teething problems, with touchscreen freezes and sensor faults resolved only by dealer updates.
- ✗Buyers wanting more than 74 hp in a wheeled Cat have a big price gap to the 111 hp 270 - there's no intermediate 90 hp option like some competitors offer.
- ✗The added electronics and sealed cab design make some repairs dealer-only, which independent-shop loyalists count against it versus the simpler D3s.
- ✗Resale values for the new series are still unsettled, and some fleet buyers are waiting a cycle before committing, which can soften near-term trade-in offers.
- ✗Wheeled machines remain weather-dependent - several owners note they still end up renting tracks for wet-season work, making the 260 a fair-weather primary.
John Deere 330 P-Tier
- ✓The new one-piece sealed and pressurized cab is a generational leap over the 330G - operators report it's noticeably quieter, keeps dust out on dry sites, and the larger door and glass area improve visibility all around.
- ✓The 98 hp turbo Yanmar is about 7% stronger than the 330G's engine, and the extra grunt shows up when pushing full buckets uphill or running a cold planer without bogging.
- ✓The 132-inch hinge pin height plus vertical lift geometry makes loading dump trucks and hoppers with sideboards easy - reach at full height is where this frame size earns its keep.
- ✓EH controls with adjustable response settings and dual-direction self-leveling let operators dial the machine to their preference, and the joystick response can be softened for new hires.
- ✓The optional 39 GPM high-flow package runs mulchers and cold planers that used to require stepping up to a track machine, keeping a wheeled machine viable for attachment-heavy work.
- ✓Larger fuel and DEF tanks mean a genuine full day of work without refueling, which crews coming from the 330G notice immediately on production jobs.
- ✓The touchscreen display with onboard diagnostics, Bluetooth, and optional Surround View cameras brings the tech up to par with Cat's next-gen machines at a typically lower price point.
- ✓Deere's two-year/2,000-hour full-machine warranty is standard and the ag-plus-construction dealer network makes parts and service easy to find in rural areas.
- ✗At 2,950 lbs the rated operating capacity is actually 50 lbs lower on paper than the 330G it replaced, which surprises buyers expecting the new generation to lift more.
- ✗Early-production machines are still working through software quirks, and some owners report touchscreen glitches and sensor faults that required dealer visits under warranty.
- ✗The price jumped meaningfully over the outgoing 330G, and a well-optioned unit with high-flow and the camera package pushes past $90k.
- ✗The one-piece cab is more comfortable but also more complex - when the HVAC or electronics act up, repairs are dealer-level work, not something you fix in the field.
- ✗At nearly 10,000 lbs operating weight, transport requires a heavy trailer and a serious tow vehicle, so it's not a machine you casually move between jobs.
- ✗The Tier 4 Final aftertreatment brings DEF consumption and regen cycles, and owners in stop-and-go work report more frequent regens than they'd like.
- ✗Resale on the P-Tier line is unproven since the machines are so new, while the G-Series has a long track record and strong used demand.
- ✗Wheeled machines this size struggle on soft or muddy ground where the equivalent 331 P-Tier CTL keeps working, so buyers in wet climates often need to step up in price to tracks.