John Deere 330G vs John Deere 317G
Quick take: The John Deere 317G costs $13,000 less; the John Deere 330G has a higher rated operating capacity (3,000 vs 2,125 lbs); the John Deere 330G has more engine power (91 vs 65 hp).
| Spec | John Deere 330G | John Deere 317G |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (380) | 4.4★ (300) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 3000 lbs | 2125 lbs |
| Engine HP | 91 hp | 65 hp |
| Operating Weight | 9900 lbs | 8423 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 6000 lbs | 6070 lbs |
| Lift Height | 132 in | 121 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 23 GPM | 17 GPM |
| Engine | Yanmar | 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 330G
- ✓The 330G's 3,000 lb capacity and towering 132-inch lift height make it a truck-loading machine, and operators say it stacks and dumps with room to spare.
- ✓The 91 hp Yanmar engine delivers strong breakout and pushing force, and owners doing heavy dirt and material work praise its muscle.
- ✓Deere's massive dealer and financing network means service and parts are easy to arrange, especially for customers who also run Deere tractors.
- ✓The side-by-side cooling package is easy to clean and resists overheating in dusty conditions, which operators in demanding environments value.
- ✓EH controls with selectable response let operators tune sensitivity, helping both precision grading and heavy production work.
- ✓The large frame and long wheelbase give a stable, planted feel when handling heavy pallets at full reach, reducing tippiness.
- ✓The cab is roomy and comfortable with good visibility, and the pressurized option keeps dust out for all-day comfort.
- ✓Deere skid steers hold resale value well, and brand loyalty in ag markets supports strong trade-in numbers.
- ✗Deere parts and dealer labor pricing is on the higher end, and owners note maintenance costs add up over the machine's life.
- ✗The Yanmar's DPF emissions system can be finicky with regen during light-duty idling, interrupting work.
- ✗At nearly 10,000 lb operating weight, trailering the 330G requires a heavier truck and trailer than smaller frames.
- ✗Standard hydraulic flow is adequate but demanding attachments really want the high-flow option, which adds cost.
- ✗Some operators find the EH controls take a learning curve and feel less direct than pilot or mechanical setups.
- ✗New pricing reflects the Deere premium, and value shoppers note Case and New Holland large frames can undercut it.
- ✗The large frame is overkill for tight residential work, so it's less versatile than a medium frame for varied job sites.
- ✗Fuel consumption under heavy load is higher than smaller machines, which owners factor into running costs.
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.