Head to head
JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid against Takeuchi TL11R3
The JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid carries 956 lb more once both are rated the same way; the JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid moves 0.9 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit.
| Spec | JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid | Takeuchi TL11R3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $92,000 | $92,000 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 3,695 lbs | 2,735 lbs |
| Rated at | 35% of tipping load | 35% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 10,558 lbs | 7,825 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 3,695 lbs | 2,739 lbs |
| Engine power | 74 hp | 107 hp |
| Engine | JCB EcoMAX | Kubota V3800-TIE5B |
| Auxiliary flow | 24 GPM | 23.1 GPM |
| Lift height | 159 in | 126 in |
| Operating weight | 12,615 lbs | 11,980 lbs |
| Lift path | Radial Lift | Radial Lift |
| Rubber tracks | Yes | Yes |
| High flow available | Yes | Yes |
| 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
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- At over 12,600 lb it's the heaviest machine in its class, requiring a serious truck and trailer to move between jobs.
Takeuchi TL11R3
- Takeuchi's first EH-controlled loader lets operators switch ISO/H patterns, set arm height limits for low doors, and tune boom, bucket, and travel sensitivity individually.
- The 107.3 hp Kubota and up-to-40 GPM high-flow circuit run mulching heads and cold planers that mid-frame CTLs choke on.
- The radial boom is tuned for breakout force, and early operators praise how hard it digs compared to vertical-lift machines of similar weight.
- The 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and standard 270-degree rearview camera bring the cab tech up to par with Cat and Deere flagships.
- Takeuchi Fleet Management telematics is included free for five years - longer than most competitors' standard subscriptions.
- As a first-year, first-of-series machine, the TL11R3's EH system has little long-term field history - early adopters carry the debugging risk.
- The 40.5 GPM high-flow circuit is an option, not standard - a base machine leaves the factory with 23.1 GPM, so the mulching-carrier headline needs the box ticked.
- The 107 hp Kubota uses DOC, DPF, and SCR aftertreatment, so unlike smaller Takeuchis this one requires DEF and its added upkeep.
- At nearly 12,000 lbs with a cab it demands a heavy trailer and at least a one-ton truck to move legally.
- Priced in flagship territory where it fights the Cat 275, Bobcat T76, and Deere 331 P-Tier, all with larger dealer networks.
- The 2,735 lb rated capacity is modest for the weight class - vertical-lift competitors at this size carry 3,000+ lbs.
- Takeuchi's dealer coverage is still thin in parts of the Midwest and Mountain West, a real consideration for warranty-era support.