JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid vs JCB 400T
Quick take: The JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid costs $11,000 less; the JCB 400T has a higher rated operating capacity (3,994 vs 3,695 lbs); the JCB 400T has more engine power (109 vs 74 hp).
| Spec | JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid | JCB 400T |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $92,000 | $103,000 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (190) | 4.6★ (20) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 3695 lbs | 3994 lbs |
| Engine HP | 74 hp | 109 hp |
| Operating Weight | 12615 lbs | 12544 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 10557 lbs | 11411 lbs |
| Lift Height | 159 in | 123 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 24 GPM | 24 GPM |
| Engine | JCB EcoMAX | JCB EcoMax 4.4L |
| Tracks | Yes | Yes |
| Vertical lift | No | Yes |
| High-flow | Yes | Yes |
| Enclosed cab | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed | Yes | Yes |
| Self-leveling | Yes | Yes |
| A/C & heat | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 yr / 2000 hr | 2 yr / 2000 hr |
Pros & cons
JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid
- ✓The telescopic boom is genuinely unique — 13'3" of lift height and 8 feet of forward reach let it stack bales two-high, load feed mixers, and reach across trailers in ways no conventional skid steer can.
- ✓The side-entry door means operators never crawl over the attachment or under a raised boom, and owners call it a game-changing safety and convenience feature after living with front-entry machines.
- ✓It can dig 3 feet below grade with the boom extended, letting it backfill from one side of a trench or unload from a single trailer side — party tricks that replace a second machine on some jobs.
- ✓The JCB EcoMAX engine hits 74 hp without a DPF or DEF, so there are no regen interruptions or fluid top-offs, which owners burned by emissions headaches specifically appreciate.
- ✓The single-arm PowerBoom is made of high-tensile steel with a huge cross-section, and JCB's decades of backhoe and telehandler experience show in the boom's rigidity.
- ✓Visibility is exceptional — with no right-side boom arm and a big glass area, operators report a 60% better view than conventional twin-arm skid steers.
- ✓The US Marine Corps selected the Teleskid for its Multi-Terrain Loader program, a durability endorsement owners like to cite.
- ✓For farms and ranches it can replace both a skid steer and a small telehandler, and multi-machine owners say the consolidation justifies the premium.
- ✗Capacity at full extension drops to around 1,600 lb, and buyers expecting to lift heavy pallets at maximum reach are consistently disappointed — the big rated number only applies with the boom retracted.
- ✗At around $92,000 it costs flagship-CTL money, and forum users repeatedly question whether the reach justifies the price unless you truly need it weekly.
- ✗The single-side boom concentrates weight on one side, and operators cutting grades report the machine leaning toward the boom side until they adapt.
- ✗JCB's compact-equipment dealer network is thin in much of the US, and owners report parts waits and inconsistent service experience by region.
- ✗The telescoping boom adds wear points, and JCB has revised the boom design over the years to address slop and wear at the extension points.
- ✗Some owners report quality-control irritations like A/C and sensor faults that took multiple dealer visits to resolve.
- ✗Resale is a question mark because the used market for such a specialized machine is small, and trade-in offers reflect that uncertainty.
- ✗At over 12,600 lb it's the heaviest machine in its class, requiring a serious truck and trailer to move between jobs.
JCB 400T
- ✓The single-arm PowerBoom and side-entry door mean operators never climb over an attachment or under a raised boom - JCB claims up to 60% better sightlines than twin-arm machines, and the boom carries a lifetime warranty.
- ✓The 109 hp 4.4L EcoMax engine hits Tier 4 Final with no DPF, so there are no regen cycles interrupting mulching or grading work and less emissions hardware to maintain.
- ✓The optional Super Flow package delivers up to 42.3 GPM at a selectable 3,300 or 4,000 psi, putting it in true high-production mulcher and cold-planer territory.
- ✓This is JCB's biggest CTL ever - a 3,994 lb rated capacity and 12,544 lb operating weight built on a redesigned chassis and cooling system for sustained heavy work.
- ✓The cab is up to 33% larger than competitors with a heated air-suspension seat, 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and electro-hydraulic joysticks with ISO and H-pattern options.
- ✓The PowerBoom on this model contains 20% more steel for extra strength, and vertical lift geometry gives clean reach at truck-loading height with a 9'6" dump height.
- ✓MyChoice settings let each operator tune joystick response and drive behavior, which fleets appreciate when multiple people share the machine.
- ✓It's built in Savannah, Georgia alongside JCB's other North American compact machines, keeping parts supply domestic.
- ✗It's a brand-new model launched in April 2026, so there's no long-term reliability track record and early adopters are effectively field-testing year one.
- ✗The 123-inch hinge pin height is modest for the 100-plus hp class - Case's TV620B and Cat's 285 both place the pin noticeably higher for loading tall trucks.
- ✗At 12,544 lbs before attachments, hauling it legally requires a heavier truck and trailer setup than most compact fleets already own.
- ✗JCB's compact-line dealer network is still thinner than Bobcat, Cat, or Deere in much of rural America, which matters more on a flagship machine you can't afford to have down.
- ✗Pricing starts around $101,000 and climbs past $114,000 equipped, right at the top of the CTL market.
- ✗The left-side door is the only entry, so parking tight against an obstacle on that side locks you out.
- ✗Resale value for single-boom machines is unproven at this size because the used market for them is narrower than for conventional twin-arm loaders.
- ✗Getting maximum attachment performance requires stepping up to the optional Super Flow package - the standard 24 GPM circuit is ordinary for this class.