John Deere 330 P-Tier vs John Deere 325 P-Tier
Quick take: The John Deere 325 P-Tier costs $2,000 less; the John Deere 330 P-Tier has a higher rated operating capacity (2,950 vs 2,590 lbs); the John Deere 330 P-Tier has more engine power (98 vs 74 hp).
| Spec | John Deere 330 P-Tier | John Deere 325 P-Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $78,000 | $76,000 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (85) | 4.6★ (70) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 2950 lbs | 2590 lbs |
| Engine HP | 98 hp | 74 hp |
| Operating Weight | 9930 lbs | 9500 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 5900 lbs | 7400 lbs |
| Lift Height | 132 in | 126 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 25 GPM | 21 GPM |
| Engine | Yanmar 4TNV94FHT | Yanmar |
| Tracks | No | Yes |
| Vertical lift | Yes | Yes |
| 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
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 132-inch hinge pin height plus vertical lift geometry makes loading dump trucks and hoppers with sideboards easy - reach at full height is where this frame size earns its keep.
- ✓EH controls with adjustable response settings and dual-direction self-leveling let operators dial the machine to their preference, and the joystick response can be softened for new hires.
- ✓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.
- ✓Deere's two-year/2,000-hour full-machine warranty is standard and the ag-plus-construction dealer network makes parts and service easy to find in rural areas.
- ✗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.
- ✗The one-piece cab is more comfortable but also more complex - when the HVAC or electronics act up, repairs are dealer-level work, not something you fix in the field.
- ✗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.
- ✗Resale on the P-Tier line is unproven since the machines are so new, while the G-Series has a long track record and strong used demand.
- ✗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 325 P-Tier
- ✓The 74 hp Yanmar deliberately stays under the emissions threshold that would require DEF, so ownership stays simple with no fluid to buy or dosing system to fail.
- ✓Vertical lift with a 126-inch hinge pin height places 2,590 lbs over tandem dump truck sides - the core task mid-frame CTLs get bought for.
- ✓The P-Tier cab is a genuine step up from the 325G: bigger door opening, more interior volume, better sealing, and quieter at full throttle.
- ✓EH ISO joystick controls are standard with adjustable boom and drive response, letting each operator dial the machine to their preference.
- ✓Optional high-flow hydraulics open up mulchers and cold planers that the small-frame 317 P-Tier can never run.
- ✓Ride control smooths loaded travel across rough ground, keeping material in the bucket at transport speed.
- ✓The 325G it replaces was one of the best-selling CTLs in America, so parts, service knowledge, and attachments are everywhere.
- ✓Free JDLink telematics plus Deere's dealer network make fleet tracking and resale straightforward for multi-machine owners.
- ✗The 74 hp ceiling means it gives up real pushing and mulching power to 100+ hp rivals like the Takeuchi TL11R3 and Cat 275.
- ✗A well-optioned cab machine with high flow crosses into the low-$80k range, close to larger and more powerful competitors.
- ✗The mid-frame undercarriage still costs real money to maintain - budget for tracks, rollers, and idlers by 1,500 hours of hard use.
- ✗Operators report the standard-flow 21 GPM circuit limits snowblower and trencher performance unless you pay for high flow up front.
- ✗The vertical-lift linkage has more pins and bushings to grease than radial machines, adding a few minutes to daily checks.
- ✗New P-Tier electronics and the touchscreen display are more to go wrong out of warranty than the simpler G-Series setup.
- ✗At 9,500 lbs plus trailer it pushes past what a half-ton pickup should tow, so most buyers need a 3/4-ton or larger truck.
- ✗Early-production P-Tier machines have limited long-term reliability history compared to the thoroughly proven 325G.