John Deere 325G vs John Deere 317G
Quick take: The John Deere 317G costs $17,000 less; the John Deere 325G has a higher rated operating capacity (2,590 vs 2,125 lbs); the John Deere 325G has more engine power (74 vs 65 hp).
| Spec | John Deere 325G | John Deere 317G |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $72,000 | $55,000 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (520) | 4.4★ (300) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 2590 lbs | 2125 lbs |
| Engine HP | 74 hp | 65 hp |
| Operating Weight | 9500 lbs | 8423 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 7400 lbs | 6070 lbs |
| Lift Height | 126 in | 121 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 21 GPM | 17 GPM |
| Engine | Yanmar | Yanmar 4TNV86CHT |
| Tracks | Yes | 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 325G
- ✓The 325G hits the sweet spot of the G-Series lineup, and owners say the 2,590 lb capacity and 9,500 lb operating weight handle real production work while still trailering behind a one-ton pickup.
- ✓The vertical-lift boom with a 126-inch hinge-pin height loads tandem-axle dump trucks with room to spare, which loading-focused buyers specifically call out over radial rivals.
- ✓The Yanmar engine and simple, proven G-Series drivetrain have a reputation for racking up thousands of trouble-free hours, and the used market is full of high-hour examples still working daily.
- ✓Deere's massive dealer and financing network makes parts and service easy almost anywhere, especially for farm customers who already run green equipment.
- ✓The side-by-side cooling package cleans out easily and resists overheating in dusty, debris-heavy conditions that plague stacked coolers on other brands.
- ✓EH joystick controls with selectable response settings let operators tune the machine from smooth finish grading to fast production cycles.
- ✓The sealed and pressurized cab option is roomy and comfortable with a big swing-out door, and operators rate visibility to the bucket corners among the best in class.
- ✓Resale value is excellent because the 325G is one of the most in-demand used CTLs in the country, protecting owners at trade-in time.
- ✗The 21 GPM standard flow is on the low side for the class, so hungry attachments like mulchers effectively require the 32 GPM high-flow option.
- ✗The Yanmar's DPF emissions system draws recurring complaints about regen cycles interrupting work during light-duty idling.
- ✗Deere parts and dealer labor pricing is on the higher end, and owners note maintenance costs creep up over the machine's life.
- ✗Some operators find the EH controls take a learning curve and initially feel less direct than the pilot controls on older machines.
- ✗At 2,590 lb rated capacity it gives up some muscle to the Kubota SVL75-3 and Bobcat T76 in the same price bracket, which spec-shoppers notice.
- ✗The 325G has been superseded by the newer 325 P-tier naming, so buyers should confirm which generation they're being quoted.
- ✗New pricing reflects the Deere premium, and value shoppers note Case and Kubota often undercut it on sticker.
- ✗Undercarriage and track wear costs are typical of the class but still significant, especially when run on abrasive or paved surfaces.
John Deere 317G
- ✓The vertical-lift boom with a 121-inch hinge pin is nearly unheard of in the small-frame class - owners love that it clears dump trailer sides and stacks pallets where radial rivals like the Bobcat T450 run out of reach.
- ✓At 8,423 lbs it's genuinely towable behind a three-quarter-ton pickup with a bucket and attachment on board, which owners cite as the reason they picked it over mid-frame machines.
- ✓The simple 2.1L Yanmar 4TNV86CHT is a proven, fuel-sipping engine, and forum owners with thousands of hours report it just runs with basic maintenance.
- ✓Deere's dealer network rivals Bobcat's for depth, and owners in rural areas report same-day parts and strong loaner support that keeps downtime short.
- ✓The electrohydraulic joysticks are fully adjustable - switchable ISO/H patterns and tunable boom and drive response let each operator dial the machine to their taste.
- ✓The 62.9-inch width on standard tracks squeezes through gates and between houses, making it a favorite for backyard and tight-access residential work.
- ✓Resale value holds up strongly thanks to the Deere name and heavy rental-fleet demand for small-frame CTLs, so owners report solid trade-in numbers.
- ✓The quiet, well-sealed optional cab with A/C punches above the machine's size class, and operators say it's far more comfortable than older small frames.
- ✗There is no high-flow option - 17 GPM standard flow is all you get, so mulchers, cold planers, and other flow-hungry attachments are simply off the table.
- ✗The 65 hp engine works hard pushing a full bucket in heavy clay, and plenty of owners admit they moved up to the 325G after finding the 317G underpowered for dirt work.
- ✗Owners report the EH joysticks feel twitchy out of the box, and it takes dealer help or menu-diving to soften the response for smooth finish grading.
- ✗The Final Tier 4 aftertreatment needs regular regen cycles, and machines used for short, low-load stints throw sensor codes that frustrate owners on the forums.
- ✗The 6,070 lb tipping load runs out quickly with heavy attachments up front - a full pallet of sod at height gets sketchy without the optional counterweights.
- ✗The rigid undercarriage has no suspension, so the ride across rough ground is rough at travel speed compared to torsion-axle machines like ASV's.
- ✗Two-speed, self-leveling, and the performance package are all extra-cost options, and many lot machines are spec'd bare - a comparably equipped unit costs thousands more than the base price suggests.
- ✗Kubota's SVL65-2 and Bobcat's T450 undercut it on price, and buyers who don't need the vertical lift path often find more machine for the money elsewhere.