Head to head
New Holland L318 against JCB 215
The JCB 215 saves $610; the JCB 215 carries 311 lb more once both are rated the same way; the New Holland L318 moves 2.1 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit.
| Spec | New Holland L318 | JCB 215 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $45,000 | $44,390 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 1,800 lbs | 2,112 lbs |
| Rated at | 50% of tipping load | 50% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 3,600 lbs | 4,222 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 1,800 lbs | 2,111 lbs |
| Engine power | 60 hp | 74 hp |
| Engine | FPT | JCB by Kohler 2.5L |
| Auxiliary flow | 20.6 GPM | 18.5 GPM |
| Lift height | 120 in | 118 in |
| Operating weight | 6,230 lbs | 7,253 lbs |
| Lift path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| Rubber tracks | No | No |
| 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
New Holland L318
- Super Boom vertical lift in a small frame is rare - the 90.7-inch dump height loads full-size dump trucks that competitors' small radials struggle to clear.
- The 60 hp engine avoids DEF aftertreatment, keeping maintenance simpler and cheaper than 74-hp-class machines.
- The 300 Series cab is one of the widest in the industry, and operators moving up from older small frames notice the extra shoulder room immediately.
- A 30.7 GPM high-flow option is unusual in this size class and opens up attachments a small frame normally can't run.
- Priced below equivalent Bobcat S64-class machines, it delivers vertical-lift geometry for radial-lift money.
- The 8-inch LCD display with standard backup camera is a genuine step up from the spartan electronics typical of small frames.
- Shares CNH running gear with the Case SV185B, so parts commonality softens the thin New Holland dealer footprint.
- At 60 hp the engine can feel taxed running hydraulic-hungry attachments, especially with the high-flow package working hard.
- The 6230 lb weight is heavy for a small frame, so it needs a bigger trailer than the 1600-lb-class machines it competes against.
- Resale values lag Bobcat and Cat equivalents, eroding part of the purchase-price advantage.
- The 1800 lb capacity still falls short of a full pallet of many landscape materials, pushing some buyers to the L320.
- Owners report the backup camera and electronics add sensors that can throw codes annoying to diagnose far from a dealer.
JCB 215
- The single-arm PowerBoom eliminates the right-side loader arm, giving up to 60% better all-around visibility and far fewer blind spots in tight quarters.
- The 74 hp JCB by Kohler turbo diesel meets Tier 4 Final with no DPF or DEF, so there are no regen cycles and no emissions fluid costs.
- Vertical lift geometry with a 118-inch hinge pin loads trucks cleanly - strong reach at height for a small-platform machine.
- An 18.5 GPM standard circuit with a 30 GPM high-flow option runs a wide attachment range that small-frame rivals can't match.
- At 7,253 lbs it's light enough to tow behind a well-equipped three-quarter-ton pickup, unlike the heavier Teleskid and track models.
- JCB publishes a starting price of $44,390, which undercuts comparable vertical-lift machines from Bobcat and Cat while keeping the side door and the single-arm sightlines.
- The single-arm boom still meets skepticism from traditional buyers, and some avoid it on looks alone despite JCB's engineering record.
- JCB's compact-line dealer network is thinner than Bobcat's, Cat's, or Deere's in much of rural America, slowing parts and warranty work.
- The 2,112 lb rated capacity is midpack, and operators who regularly move heavy pallets will want the larger 270 or 300.
- The left-side door is the only entry, so parking tight against an obstacle on that side keeps you out of the cab.
- Wheels limit it on mud and soft ground where the 215T track version keeps working.
- Electro-hydraulic controls and electronics add complexity that's harder to field-diagnose than older pilot-control machines.
- The 18.5 GPM standard flow is only average, and hungry attachments require paying up for the high-flow option.