John Deere 320 P-Tier vs John Deere 317 P-Tier
Quick take: The John Deere 320 P-Tier costs $2,000 less; the John Deere 320 P-Tier has a higher rated operating capacity (2,190 vs 2,125 lbs); the John Deere 320 P-Tier has more engine power (69 vs 65 hp).
| Spec | John Deere 320 P-Tier | John Deere 317 P-Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $56,000 | $58,000 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (40) | 4.5★ (55) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 2190 lbs | 2125 lbs |
| Engine HP | 69 hp | 65 hp |
| Operating Weight | 7150 lbs | 8423 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 4380 lbs | 6070 lbs |
| Lift Height | 122 in | 121 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 21 GPM | 17 GPM |
| Engine | Yanmar 4TNV98C | Yanmar 4TNV86CHT |
| Tracks | No | Yes |
| Vertical lift | Yes | Yes |
| High-flow | Yes | No |
| 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
John Deere 320 P-Tier
- ✓Electrohydraulic ISO joystick controls are standard rather than optional, and each operator can save custom response settings - a genuine step up from the hand-and-foot or optional-EH setup on the old 320G.
- ✓The vertical-lift boom reaches a 122-inch hinge pin height, so it clears tandem-axle dump truck sideboards and stacks pallets two-high without the awkward arc of a radial machine.
- ✓The new optional 30 GPM high-flow package lets a mid-frame wheeled Deere run cold planers and heavier augers that previously forced buyers up to the large-frame 330.
- ✓Standard two-speed transmission tops out at 11.1 mph, so ground-to-ground moves across big sites don't eat the day the way single-speed compacts do.
- ✓The naturally aspirated 3.3L Yanmar with no DPF-regen drama on the base engine is a known quantity from years of 320G service, and parts are stocked at nearly every Deere dealer.
- ✓The sealed and pressurized cab with swing-out door is quieter and noticeably less dusty than the outgoing G-Series, and the cab-footwell cleanout is a small touch rental yards love.
- ✓Optional ride control smooths out load bounce when carrying full buckets over rough ground, a feature Deere never offered on mid-frame G-Series machines.
- ✓Standard JDLink telematics with free-for-life connectivity means fleet owners get location, hours, and diagnostic alerts without a subscription bill.
- ✗The 2,190 lb rated capacity is identical to the 2018-era 320G, so owners hoping the new generation would lift more will be disappointed - the gains are in controls and options, not muscle.
- ✗At 69 hp gross the base engine is naturally aspirated, and operators running hungry attachments at altitude will want the optional turbo, which adds cost.
- ✗Pricing moved up meaningfully from the 320G, and a well-optioned unit with high-flow, ride control, and camera pushes toward the mid-$60k range.
- ✗The machine launched in mid-2026, so there is no long-term reliability record and early-production software quirks are still a risk.
- ✗Hydraulic self-leveling remains an option rather than standard, which stings when several competitors include it at this price point.
- ✗The 21 GPM standard flow trails the Bobcat S66's and Cat 250's standard output, so attachment-heavy buyers effectively need the high-flow option.
- ✗Wheeled machines this size still struggle in mud and on slopes where a comparable compact track loader keeps working, and Deere's mid-frame CTL alternative costs thousands more.
- ✗Resale is unproven for the P-Tier mid-frames, while clean used 320Gs are plentiful and thousands cheaper - value buyers may find the old model the smarter deal.
John Deere 317 P-Tier
- ✓Still genuinely pickup-towable at around 8,400 lbs, so one truck and trailer can move it between jobs without CDL-class equipment.
- ✓Vertical lift with a 2,125 lb rated capacity clears dump truck sides and stacks pallets - rare abilities in the small-frame CTL class.
- ✓The P-Tier cab is a big upgrade over the 317G: more volume, better sealing, and pressurization that actually keeps dust out with the A/C option.
- ✓EH ISO joystick controls come standard with adjustable response, where the 317G made you pay extra or live with mechanical controls.
- ✓The 65 hp turbo Yanmar needs no DEF, and the simple Tier 4 solution keeps ownership easy for part-time operators.
- ✓Tracks spread the light footprint gently over finished lawns and wet ground, making it a favorite for irrigation and lawn-install crews.
- ✓Connect-under-pressure flat-face couplers and standard quick-attach make swapping among Deere's attachment catalog painless.
- ✓Free JDLink telematics and Deere's dealer network give small operators fleet-grade tracking, parts, and resale support.
- ✗No high-flow option exists, so the 17 GPM circuit rules out mulchers, cold planers, and other flow-hungry attachments.
- ✗The 65 hp engine works hard pushing a full bucket uphill, and operators coming from mid-frames notice the power ceiling quickly.
- ✗A loaded cab machine prices within reach of the 325 P-Tier, which offers substantially more capacity for not much more money.
- ✗Rubber tracks and undercarriage service add real cost per hour compared to the wheeled 318 P-Tier - budget for track replacement around 1,200-1,500 hours.
- ✗The small frame and short track base ride rougher over rutted ground than longer mid-frame CTLs.
- ✗Rated capacity fills up fast with dense materials - a pallet of block or wet sod pushes the machine to its limit.
- ✗The vertical-lift linkage adds pins and grease points over radial designs, slightly increasing daily maintenance.
- ✗Deere's small-frame CTL resale trails Kubota and Takeuchi in some regions where those dealers dominate the compact market.