Takeuchi TL11R3 vs Takeuchi TL12R2
Quick take: The Takeuchi TL12R2 costs $4,000 less; the Takeuchi TL12R2 has a higher rated operating capacity (2,975 vs 2,735 lbs); the Takeuchi TL12R2 has more engine power (111 vs 107 hp).
| Spec | Takeuchi TL11R3 | Takeuchi TL12R2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $92,000 | $88,000 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (35) | 4.6★ (180) |
| Type | Compact Track Loader | Compact Track Loader |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Radial Lift |
| ROC | 2735 lbs | 2975 lbs |
| Engine HP | 107 hp | 111 hp |
| Operating Weight | 11980 lbs | 12590 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 7825 lbs | 8629 lbs |
| Lift Height | 126 in | 126 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 40 GPM | 23.2 GPM |
| Engine | Kubota | Kubota V3800-CR |
| Tracks | Yes | Yes |
| Vertical lift | No | No |
| 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
Takeuchi TL11R3
- ✓Takeuchi's first EH-controlled loader lets operators switch ISO/H patterns, set arm height limits for low doors, and tune boom, bucket, and travel sensitivity individually.
- ✓The 107.3 hp Kubota and up-to-40 GPM high-flow circuit run mulching heads and cold planers that mid-frame CTLs choke on.
- ✓Electronic self-leveling works both up AND down - rarer and more useful than the mechanical up-only systems on most competitors.
- ✓The radial boom is tuned for breakout force, and early operators praise how hard it digs compared to vertical-lift machines of similar weight.
- ✓The 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and standard 270-degree rearview camera bring the cab tech up to par with Cat and Deere flagships.
- ✓Takeuchi's sealed-roller undercarriage design carries over, and the brand's track-life reputation is among the best in the industry.
- ✓Takeuchi Fleet Management telematics is included free for five years - longer than most competitors' standard subscriptions.
- ✓The swing-out cooling module and tilt-up cab make daily checks and radiator cleaning genuinely fast for a machine this size.
- ✗As a first-year, first-of-series machine, the TL11R3's EH system has little long-term field history - early adopters carry the debugging risk.
- ✗The 107 hp Kubota uses DOC, DPF, and SCR aftertreatment, so unlike smaller Takeuchis this one requires DEF and its added upkeep.
- ✗Radial-only lift geometry makes tall truck loading clumsier than vertical-lift rivals with similar capacity.
- ✗At nearly 12,000 lbs with a cab it demands a heavy trailer and at least a one-ton truck to move legally.
- ✗Priced in flagship territory where it fights the Cat 275, Bobcat T76, and Deere 331 P-Tier, all with larger dealer networks.
- ✗The 2,735 lb rated capacity is modest for the weight class - vertical-lift competitors at this size carry 3,000+ lbs.
- ✗Operators who prefer the direct feel of pilot hydraulic controls may find the EH joysticks numb until the sensitivity is dialed in.
- ✗Takeuchi's dealer coverage is still thin in parts of the Midwest and Mountain West, a real consideration for warranty-era support.
Takeuchi TL12R2
- ✓The 111.3 hp Kubota V3800 and available 40.4 GPM high-flow circuit make it a legitimate dedicated mulcher carrier straight from the factory.
- ✓Over 8,200 lbs of bucket breakout force lets it rip roots and hardpan that stall lighter machines.
- ✓The simple radial boom has fewer pivots than vertical-lift linkages - less to grease, less to wear, and less to flex under mulcher loads.
- ✓Takeuchi's heavy undercarriage with sealed rollers is a proven long-life design, and owners regularly exceed 1,500 hours on original tracks.
- ✓At 12,590 lbs it is stable on slopes and resists getting pushed around by big attachments the way mid-frames do.
- ✓The pressurized cab seals out mulching dust well, and the high-back suspension seat keeps operators fresh through long clearing days.
- ✓A dedicated forestry package with guarding and cooling upgrades is factory-available, not a dealer retrofit.
- ✓Strong resale and a loyal owner base - used large-frame Takeuchis command premium prices in land-clearing markets.
- ✗Radial lift means less reach at full height - loading tall dump trucks is noticeably clumsier than with the TL12V2 or other vertical-lift machines.
- ✗The 111 hp Kubota requires DEF plus a DPF, adding fluid costs and regen management that smaller Takeuchis avoid.
- ✗At 12,590 lbs plus attachment weight it is a one-ton-truck-and-gooseneck proposition - transport is a real cost of ownership.
- ✗The 2,975 lb rated capacity trails the vertical-lift TL12V2 by over 1,100 lbs, so pallet-heavy contractors are in the wrong spec.
- ✗Fuel burn under mulcher load is substantial - owners report 5+ gallons per hour in heavy vegetation.
- ✗Cab entry over the bucket is a climb, and the door cannot open when the boom is raised without the optional arm support engaged.
- ✗Takeuchi's dealer network is thinner than Cat or Bobcat in much of the country, which matters when a mulching operation is down.
- ✗Standard-flow buyers pay for capability they cannot use - this machine only makes sense with the high-flow package.