Cat 272D3 vs Cat 289D3
Quick take: The Cat 272D3 costs $3,000 less; the Cat 272D3 has a higher rated operating capacity (3,650 vs 2,890 lbs); the Cat 272D3 has more engine power (98 vs 74 hp).
| Spec | Cat 272D3 | Cat 289D3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $82,000 | $85,000 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (380) | 4.6★ (400) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 3650 lbs | 2890 lbs |
| Engine HP | 98 hp | 74 hp |
| Operating Weight | 9133 lbs | 10095 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 6900 lbs | 8260 lbs |
| Lift Height | 133 in | 125 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 23 GPM | 23 GPM |
| Engine | Cat C3.8 | Cat C3.3B |
| Tracks | No | Yes |
| 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 | 1 yr / 1000 hr |
Pros & cons
Cat 272D3
- ✓At 98 hp and 3,650 lb capacity the 272D3 is Cat's biggest wheeled skid steer, and heavy operators praise its raw power for loading and pushing.
- ✓The high-flow XPS hydraulic system delivers strong flow and pressure for demanding attachments like planers and cold planers.
- ✓Cat's sealed, pressurized cab is class-leading for quiet, dust-free comfort, which operators single out for long production days.
- ✓Vertical lift with a 133-inch hinge-pin height makes loading the tallest trucks and hoppers effortless, ideal for aggregate work.
- ✓The C3.8 engine has a strong reliability reputation and pulls hard, and owners report dependable high-hour service.
- ✓Cat's global dealer network delivers fast parts, service, and financing, which fleet owners rely on for uptime on a high-value machine.
- ✓Resale value is strong thanks to the Cat brand and the machine's popularity in demanding applications.
- ✓Ride control and the advanced display make a big, powerful machine manageable and productive for operators of varied skill.
- ✗Cat parts and dealer labor are among the most expensive in the industry, and owners feel maintenance costs on a big machine add up fast.
- ✗The 1-year base warranty is short versus Bobcat and Kubota's 2-year coverage, which value buyers weigh against the price.
- ✗As a wheeled machine it lacks the flotation of a CTL, making it less suited to soft or muddy ground than the 299D3.
- ✗New pricing carries a steep Cat premium, and some contractors feel the capacity-to-price ratio favors New Holland or Case.
- ✗The DPF emissions system draws complaints during heavy idling and light-duty work that pause production for regen.
- ✗At over 9,000 lb it needs a heavy truck and trailer, and its size reduces versatility on tight residential sites.
- ✗The feature-rich cab and high-flow package push the price up quickly, so a well-equipped 272D3 gets expensive.
- ✗Tires wear quickly under heavy loads on abrasive surfaces, and a full premium set is a steep recurring cost.
Cat 289D3
- ✓Operators who demo the 289D3 back-to-back with the 259D3 consistently describe it as crazy smooth to drive and operate, and say the longer undercarriage makes it noticeably more planted when lifting heavy pallets at full height.
- ✓The 2,890 lb rated capacity at 35% is a genuine large-frame number, and owners say it lifts everything a 74 hp machine reasonably should without any trouble.
- ✓Cat's sealed, pressurized cab carries over from the rest of the D3 line, and operators rate it among the quietest and most dust-free offices in the class for long production days.
- ✓Vertical lift with a 125-inch hinge-pin height makes loading tandem-axle dump trucks and stacking pallets easy, which is exactly why buyers step up from the medium frame.
- ✓The C3.3B engine has a strong reliability reputation across the D3 series, and owners report it pulls well and sips fuel for a 74 hp unit.
- ✓The high-flow XPS option (32 GPM at 4,060 psi) opens up mulchers and cold planers, and land-clearing crews specifically choose it as a cheaper alternative to the 299D3.
- ✓Cat's global dealer network keeps parts, tracks, and service close at hand, and rental fleets value the strong financing and resale support.
- ✓The wider stance and suspended undercarriage give a smoother, more stable ride than the 259D3 on rough ground, which operators notice immediately on slopes.
- ✗At 74 hp pushing a 10,000-plus pound machine, some owners find it slower in first gear than smaller rivals and wish for more engine to match the big frame.
- ✗Cat parts and undercarriage components are among the priciest in the industry, and track replacement on the wider undercarriage runs higher than the 259D3.
- ✗The 1-year base warranty trails Bobcat's and Kubota's 2-year coverage, which value-focused buyers weigh against the premium price.
- ✗The DPF emissions system draws the same regen complaints as the rest of the D3 line during heavy idling and light-duty work.
- ✗New pricing carries a steep Cat premium, and buyers note a comparably-capable Kubota SVL97-2 undercuts it by a wide margin.
- ✗Caterpillar has begun replacing the D3 line with the next-generation Cat 265, so buyers of new-old-stock 289D3s should confirm long-term support plans.
- ✗Its size makes it overkill for tight residential lots, and several owners admit they should have stuck with the smaller 259D3 for backyard work.
- ✗The feature-rich cab and XPS package push the price up quickly, so a well-equipped 289D3 approaches flagship 299D3 money.