Head to head
JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid against Wacker Neuson ST50
The JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid carries 195 lb more once both are rated the same way; the Wacker Neuson ST50 moves 1.1 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit.
| Spec | JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid | Wacker Neuson ST50 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $92,000 | $92,000 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 3,695 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Rated at | 35% of tipping load | 50% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 10,558 lbs | 10,000.2 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 3,695 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
| Engine power | 74 hp | 100 hp |
| Engine | JCB EcoMAX | Kohler KDI 3,404 |
| Auxiliary flow | 24 GPM | 25.1 GPM |
| Lift height | 159 in | 136 in |
| Operating weight | 12,615 lbs | 10,785 lbs |
| Lift path | Radial Lift | Vertical 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.
Wacker Neuson ST50
- The 100 hp Kohler KDI 3404 gives it true flagship muscle for dozing, grading, and running hungry hydraulic attachments.
- A 5,000 lb rated operating capacity and 10,000 lb tipping load rank among the strongest in the compact track loader class.
- Kohler's KDI design skips the DPF even at 100 hp, so there are no regen cycles interrupting work - rare at this power level.
- The 37.4 gpm high-flow option at up to 4,000 psi runs full-size mulching heads and cold planers credibly.
- The 136-inch hinge pin height loads the tallest trucks in the fleet without ramps or creativity.
- The 4-year/4,000-hour Kohler engine warranty plus 2-year/2,000-hour machine warranty is exceptional coverage for a flagship-class machine.
- It consistently comes in thousands cheaper than equivalent Bobcat T86 or Cat 285 builds, the core of its appeal.
- The 100 hp Kohler uses DEF for Tier 4 compliance, so while it skips the DPF it doesn't skip exhaust fluid entirely.
- Wacker Neuson's limited dealer footprint is the biggest risk on a machine that anchors production work.
- The platform predates the uni-body redesign, so cab refinement and service layout trail the newest ST27/ST31/ST37.
- At 10,677 lbs plus attachments, transport needs a serious trailer and truck - CDL considerations apply for some configurations.
- The KDI 3404 is less common in North America than Cat, Kubota, or Deere engines, so independent shops are less familiar with it.
- No factory grade-control or advanced assist features that competitors now offer at this price tier.
- Fewer high-hour ST50s exist in the field, so long-term durability evidence is thinner than for the Bobcat and Cat machines it challenges.