Cat 299D3 vs Cat 289D3
Quick take: The Cat 289D3 costs $13,000 less; the Cat 299D3 has a higher rated operating capacity (3,560 vs 2,890 lbs); the Cat 299D3 has more engine power (106 vs 74 hp).
| Spec | Cat 299D3 | Cat 289D3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $98,000 | $85,000 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (560) | 4.6★ (400) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 3560 lbs | 2890 lbs |
| Engine HP | 106 hp | 74 hp |
| Operating Weight | 11266 lbs | 10095 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 10171 lbs | 8260 lbs |
| Lift Height | 133 in | 125 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 24 GPM | 23 GPM |
| Engine | Cat C3.8 | Cat C3.3B |
| Tracks | Yes | 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 299D3
- ✓The 299D3 is Cat's flagship CTL, and owners praise the 106 hp engine, 3,560 lb capacity, and track flotation as a true heavy-production do-everything machine.
- ✓The XE version's high-flow, high-pressure hydraulics deliver industry-leading hydraulic horsepower, and mulching and land-clearing crews specifically choose it for that.
- ✓Cat's sealed, pressurized cab is class-leading for quiet, dust-free comfort, which operators value on long, demanding days.
- ✓Vertical lift with a 133-inch hinge-pin height makes loading the tallest trucks and hoppers effortless for aggregate and demolition work.
- ✓The suspended undercarriage smooths rough ground, and the C3.8 engine's strong power makes it feel unstoppable in heavy dirt work.
- ✓Cat's dealer network keeps parts, tracks, and service readily available, minimizing downtime on a high-value, high-utilization machine.
- ✓Resale value is exceptional — the 299D3 is one of the most in-demand used CTLs, commanding strong money to offset the high price.
- ✓Ride control and the advanced display make a very powerful machine manageable and productive for a wide range of operators.
- ✗The 299D3 is one of the most expensive CTLs on the market, and the XE package adds even more to an already premium price.
- ✗Cat parts and undercarriage costs are among the highest in the industry, and track replacement on a machine this size is expensive.
- ✗The 1-year base warranty trails Bobcat and Kubota's 2-year coverage, which value buyers weigh against the steep cost.
- ✗The DPF regen cycle draws complaints during heavy idling and light-duty work that pauses production.
- ✗At over 11,000 lb it requires a heavy-duty truck and trailer, limiting mobility for smaller operators.
- ✗The feature-rich cab and XE hydraulics push the price up dramatically, so a well-equipped 299D3 is a major investment.
- ✗Its size and weight make it overkill and less nimble for tight residential work versus a medium-frame CTL.
- ✗Mud and debris packing in the suspended undercarriage requires regular cleaning to protect components and track life.
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.