Head to head
John Deere 330 P-Tier against John Deere 325 P-Tier
The John Deere 330 P-Tier saves $825; only the John Deere 325 P-Tier runs tracks, so their advertised capacities are not measured the same way; the John Deere 330 P-Tier moves 4.0 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit; only the John Deere 325 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 325 P-Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $75,175 | $76,000 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 2,950 lbs | 2,590 lbs |
| Rated at | 50% of tipping load | 35% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 5,900 lbs | 7,400 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 2,950 lbs | 2,590 lbs |
| Engine power | 98 hp | 74 hp |
| Engine | Yanmar 4TNV94FHT | Yanmar |
| Auxiliary flow | 25 GPM | 21 GPM |
| Lift height | 132 in | 126 in |
| Operating weight | 9,930 lbs | 9,500 lbs |
| Lift path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| Rubber tracks | No | 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
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.