John Deere 333G vs Cat 289D3
Quick take: The Cat 289D3 costs $3,000 less; the John Deere 333G has a higher rated operating capacity (3,700 vs 2,890 lbs); the John Deere 333G has more engine power (100 vs 74 hp).
| Spec | John Deere 333G | Cat 289D3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $88,000 | $85,000 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (620) | 4.6★ (400) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 3700 lbs | 2890 lbs |
| Engine HP | 100 hp | 74 hp |
| Operating Weight | 12100 lbs | 10095 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 10570 lbs | 8260 lbs |
| Lift Height | 131 in | 125 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 25 GPM | 23 GPM |
| Engine | Yanmar | Cat C3.3B |
| Tracks | Yes | 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 | 1 yr / 1000 hr |
Pros & cons
John Deere 333G
- ✓The 333G is the best-selling used CTL in America, and owners credit its blend of 100 hp power, 3,700 lb capacity, and Deere support for the popularity.
- ✓The high-flow option up to 41 GPM lets it run mulchers, planers, and snow blowers, and land-management crews specifically choose it for that muscle.
- ✓The 100 hp Yanmar engine pulls strongly, and owners doing heavy dirt and material work praise the drivetrain's durability under sustained load.
- ✓Deere's massive dealer and financing network makes parts, service, and support easy, a big factor for high-utilization commercial owners.
- ✓The side-by-side cooling package resists overheating and cleans out easily in dusty, debris-heavy environments.
- ✓The vertical lift and 131-inch hinge-pin height make loading tall trucks and hoppers effortless for a large-frame CTL.
- ✓The cab is roomy and comfortable with EH controls and good visibility, holding up well over long production days.
- ✓Resale value is exceptional — the 333G's used demand is among the highest of any CTL, protecting owners at trade-in.
- ✗Deere parts and undercarriage costs are on the higher end, and track replacement on a 12,000-lb machine is expensive.
- ✗The Yanmar's DPF emissions system can be finicky with regen during light-duty idling, interrupting production.
- ✗At over 12,000 lb it requires a heavy-duty truck and trailer, limiting mobility for smaller operators.
- ✗New pricing reflects the Deere premium, and value shoppers note Case and New Holland large-frame CTLs undercut it.
- ✗Some operators find the EH controls take a learning curve and feel less direct than pilot or mechanical setups.
- ✗Its size and weight make it overkill and less nimble for tight residential work versus a medium-frame CTL.
- ✗The feature-rich cab and high-flow package push the price up quickly, so a well-equipped 333G is a major investment.
- ✗Mud and debris packing in the undercarriage requires regular cleaning to protect components and track life.
Cat 289D3
- ✓Operators who demo the 289D3 back-to-back with the 259D3 consistently describe it as crazy smooth to drive and operate, and say the longer undercarriage makes it noticeably more planted when lifting heavy pallets at full height.
- ✓The 2,890 lb rated capacity at 35% is a genuine large-frame number, and owners say it lifts everything a 74 hp machine reasonably should without any trouble.
- ✓Cat's sealed, pressurized cab carries over from the rest of the D3 line, and operators rate it among the quietest and most dust-free offices in the class for long production days.
- ✓Vertical lift with a 125-inch hinge-pin height makes loading tandem-axle dump trucks and stacking pallets easy, which is exactly why buyers step up from the medium frame.
- ✓The C3.3B engine has a strong reliability reputation across the D3 series, and owners report it pulls well and sips fuel for a 74 hp unit.
- ✓The high-flow XPS option (32 GPM at 4,060 psi) opens up mulchers and cold planers, and land-clearing crews specifically choose it as a cheaper alternative to the 299D3.
- ✓Cat's global dealer network keeps parts, tracks, and service close at hand, and rental fleets value the strong financing and resale support.
- ✓The wider stance and suspended undercarriage give a smoother, more stable ride than the 259D3 on rough ground, which operators notice immediately on slopes.
- ✗At 74 hp pushing a 10,000-plus pound machine, some owners find it slower in first gear than smaller rivals and wish for more engine to match the big frame.
- ✗Cat parts and undercarriage components are among the priciest in the industry, and track replacement on the wider undercarriage runs higher than the 259D3.
- ✗The 1-year base warranty trails Bobcat's and Kubota's 2-year coverage, which value-focused buyers weigh against the premium price.
- ✗The DPF emissions system draws the same regen complaints as the rest of the D3 line during heavy idling and light-duty work.
- ✗New pricing carries a steep Cat premium, and buyers note a comparably-capable Kubota SVL97-2 undercuts it by a wide margin.
- ✗Caterpillar has begun replacing the D3 line with the next-generation Cat 265, so buyers of new-old-stock 289D3s should confirm long-term support plans.
- ✗Its size makes it overkill for tight residential lots, and several owners admit they should have stuck with the smaller 259D3 for backyard work.
- ✗The feature-rich cab and XPS package push the price up quickly, so a well-equipped 289D3 approaches flagship 299D3 money.