Head to head
John Deere 330 P-Tier against John Deere 317 P-Tier
The John Deere 317 P-Tier saves $4,478; only the John Deere 317 P-Tier runs tracks, so their advertised capacities are not measured the same way; the John Deere 330 P-Tier moves 8.0 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit; only the John Deere 317 P-Tier runs rubber tracks.
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These two are rated differently on purpose. A wheeled skid steer is rated at half its tipping load and a track loader at 35 per cent, because the track machine holds back more reserve. So the capacity rows below are not a like-for-like contest, and the tipping load row is the closer thing to one.
| Spec | John Deere 330 P-Tier | John Deere 317 P-Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $75,175 | $70,697 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 2,950 lbs | 2,125 lbs |
| Rated at | 50% of tipping load | 35% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 5,900 lbs | 6,070 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 2,950 lbs | 2,125 lbs |
| Engine power | 98 hp | 65 hp |
| Engine | Yanmar 4TNV94FHT | Yanmar 4TNV86CHT |
| Auxiliary flow | 25 GPM | 17 GPM |
| Lift height | 132 in | 121 in |
| Operating weight | 9,930 lbs | 8,423 lbs |
| Lift path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| Rubber tracks | No | Yes |
| High flow available | Yes | No |
| 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
John Deere 330 P-Tier
- The new one-piece sealed and pressurized cab is a generational leap over the 330G - operators report it's noticeably quieter, keeps dust out on dry sites, and the larger door and glass area improve visibility all around.
- The 98 hp turbo Yanmar is about 7% stronger than the 330G's engine, and the extra grunt shows up when pushing full buckets uphill or running a cold planer without bogging.
- The optional 39 GPM high-flow package runs mulchers and cold planers that used to require stepping up to a track machine, keeping a wheeled machine viable for attachment-heavy work.
- Larger fuel and DEF tanks mean a genuine full day of work without refueling, which crews coming from the 330G notice immediately on production jobs.
- The touchscreen display with onboard diagnostics, Bluetooth, and optional Surround View cameras brings the tech up to par with Cat's next-gen machines at a typically lower price point.
- At 2,950 lbs the rated operating capacity is actually 50 lbs lower on paper than the 330G it replaced, which surprises buyers expecting the new generation to lift more.
- Early-production machines are still working through software quirks, and some owners report touchscreen glitches and sensor faults that required dealer visits under warranty.
- The price jumped meaningfully over the outgoing 330G, and a well-optioned unit with high-flow and the camera package pushes past $90k.
- At nearly 10,000 lbs operating weight, transport requires a heavy trailer and a serious tow vehicle, so it's not a machine you casually move between jobs.
- The Tier 4 Final aftertreatment brings DEF consumption and regen cycles, and owners in stop-and-go work report more frequent regens than they'd like.
- Wheeled machines this size struggle on soft or muddy ground where the equivalent 331 P-Tier CTL keeps working, so buyers in wet climates often need to step up in price to tracks.
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.
- 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.
- Deere's small-frame CTL resale trails Kubota and Takeuchi in some regions where those dealers dominate the compact market.