Head to head
Takeuchi TL12V2 against John Deere 331 P-Tier
The John Deere 331 P-Tier saves $191; the Takeuchi TL12V2 carries 959 lb more once both are rated the same way; the John Deere 331 P-Tier moves 1.8 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit.
| Spec | Takeuchi TL12V2 | John Deere 331 P-Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $95,000 | $94,809 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 4,110 lbs | 3,150 lbs |
| Rated at | 35% of tipping load | 35% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 11,740 lbs | 9,000 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 4,109 lbs | 3,150 lbs |
| Engine power | 111 hp | 98 hp |
| Engine | Kubota V3800-TIEF4B | Yanmar 4TNV94FHT |
| Auxiliary flow | 23.2 GPM | 25 GPM |
| Lift height | 129.9 in | 132 in |
| Operating weight | 13,195 lbs | 11,914 lbs |
| Lift path | Vertical Lift | Vertical Lift |
| Rubber tracks | Yes | 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
Takeuchi TL12V2
- At 4,110 lb rated at the conservative 35% convention, the TL12V2 is one of the highest-lifting CTLs on the market, and heavy operators say it out-muscles machines that cost more.
- The 111 hp Kubota V3800 engine delivers strong, reliable power, and owners praise it for pulling hard through the toughest dirt and material work.
- Takeuchi invented the compact track loader, and the TL12V2's rugged undercarriage has a reputation for durability and long track life under commercial use.
- Vertical lift to a 129.9-inch hinge-pin height loads tall trucks and hoppers without building a ramp of material, a real advantage for aggregate work.
- The 11,740 lb tipping load keeps it planted when craning heavy loads at full height, which is what the capacity figure is actually resting on.
- Takeuchi pricing typically undercuts a comparably-spec'd Cat 299D3 or Bobcat T86, so value-focused buyers get flagship capability for less.
- The cab is comfortable with good visibility, and owners appreciate the straightforward, durable controls over long production days.
- At over 13,000 lb it's a heavy machine that requires a serious truck and trailer, limiting mobility for smaller operators.
- The standard auxiliary circuit is 23.2 GPM - ordinary for the class - and the 40.4 GPM high-flow package that turns it into a mulching carrier is an extra.
- Undercarriage and track costs on a machine this size are significant, especially on abrasive ground.
- Because dealers are independent, warranty and service experience can be inconsistent depending on the specific dealer.
- The attachment and used-implement ecosystem is smaller than Bobcat's, so sourcing tools locally can be harder.
- Its size and weight make it overkill and less nimble for tight residential work versus a medium-frame CTL.
John Deere 331 P-Tier
- The 98 hp turbo Yanmar is a 7% power bump over the 331G, and operators pushing full buckets of wet clay report it holds ground speed where the old machine had to downshift.
- The one-piece sealed and pressurized cab is dramatically quieter and cleaner than the G-Series - operators mowing and mulching in dusty conditions say the cab stays livable all day.
- The 9,000 lb tipping load and long track base make it stable craning heavy loads at the full 132-inch hinge pin height, so loading tandem dump trucks feels routine.
- EH controls with adjustable boom and drive response let each operator tune the machine, and the softest settings make it forgiving for green operators on finish grading.
- The optional 39 GPM high-flow package runs mulching heads and stump grinders respectably, covering most attachment needs short of the dedicated high-flow 333/335 machines.
- The 29.5-gallon fuel tank and efficient engine give a true full workday of runtime, which crews coming off the thirstier 331G notice on long grading days.
- The touchscreen display, Bluetooth, optional Surround View cameras, and two-year/2,000-hour standard warranty bring the ownership experience up to par with Cat's next-gen CTLs.
- The 50 lb ROC gain over the 331G is marginal, so owners upgrading purely for lift capacity will be underwhelmed by the spec sheet.
- P-Tier pricing rose meaningfully over the outgoing G-Series, and a well-optioned 331 approaches what a base 333 P-Tier costs.
- As a first-year model, early adopters are finding software bugs and sensor teething issues that require dealer flash updates.
- At nearly 12,000 lbs it needs a 20k-class trailer and heavy tow vehicle, a real jump for owners moving up from mid-frame machines.
- The Tier 4 Final aftertreatment adds DEF and regen cycles, and owners doing light-duty intermittent work see more frequent regens than they'd like.