JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid vs Takeuchi TL11R3
Quick take: The JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid has a higher rated operating capacity (3,695 vs 2,735 lbs); the Takeuchi TL11R3 has more engine power (107 vs 74 hp).
| Spec | JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid | Takeuchi TL11R3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $92,000 | $92,000 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (190) | 4.7★ (35) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Radial Lift |
| ROC | 3695 lbs | 2735 lbs |
| Engine HP | 74 hp | 107 hp |
| Operating Weight | 12615 lbs | 11980 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 10557 lbs | 7825 lbs |
| Lift Height | 159 in | 126 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 24 GPM | 40 GPM |
| Engine | JCB EcoMAX | Kubota |
| Tracks | Yes | Yes |
| Vertical lift | No | No |
| 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.
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.
- ✓Electronic self-leveling works both up AND down - rarer and more useful than the mechanical up-only systems on most competitors.
- ✓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's sealed-roller undercarriage design carries over, and the brand's track-life reputation is among the best in the industry.
- ✓Takeuchi Fleet Management telematics is included free for five years - longer than most competitors' standard subscriptions.
- ✓The swing-out cooling module and tilt-up cab make daily checks and radiator cleaning genuinely fast for a machine this size.
- ✗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 107 hp Kubota uses DOC, DPF, and SCR aftertreatment, so unlike smaller Takeuchis this one requires DEF and its added upkeep.
- ✗Radial-only lift geometry makes tall truck loading clumsier than vertical-lift rivals with similar capacity.
- ✗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.
- ✗Operators who prefer the direct feel of pilot hydraulic controls may find the EH joysticks numb until the sensitivity is dialed in.
- ✗Takeuchi's dealer coverage is still thin in parts of the Midwest and Mountain West, a real consideration for warranty-era support.