The John Deere 17 P-Tier breaks out harder at the bucket, sends more oil to an attachment and carries a larger engine than the Cat 301.7 CR. The Cat is quicker in low-range travel. Nearly everything else is a tie.
The top things to know when comparing the John Deere 17 P-Tier to the Cat 301.7 CR:
- The 17 P-Tier lists 4,338.8 lbf of bucket breakout force against 3,641.9 lbf, more pull to free a bucket from hard or rocky ground, though Cat does not state its test condition.
- It flows 9.4 gpm to the auxiliary circuit against 8.7 gpm, a little more oil for a hydraulic attachment, and its engine is larger, 77.3 cu in against 69 cu in.
- The Cat 301.7 CR travels faster in low range, 1.8 mph against 1.62 mph.
- Arm force, weight, size, reach, ground pressure, tail swing, high-range travel and fuel are ties; engine power is rated on different bases and picks no winner.
John Deere 17 P-Tier vs. Cat 301.7 CR Specs
| Spec | John Deere 17 P-Tier | Cat 301.7 CR |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 3,920 lb | 3,946 lb |
| Engine | Yanmar 3TNV80F-NPWN | C1.1 |
| Engine power | 18.52 hp | 21 hp |
| Displacement | 77.3 cu in | 69 cu in |
| Max digging depth | 7 ft 10 in | 7 ft 8.5 in |
| Max reach at ground | 12 ft 10 in | 12 ft 9.5 in |
| Max dump height | 7 ft 9 in | 8 ft 0.5 in |
| Bucket breakout force | 4,338.8 lbf | 3,641.9 lbf |
| Arm digging force | 2,106.5 lbf | 2,135.7 lbf |
| Auxiliary hydraulic flow | 9.4 gpm | 8.7 gpm |
| Undercarriage width, retracted | 3 ft 3 in | 3 ft 3 in |
| Undercarriage width, extended | 4 ft 3 in | 4 ft 3.2 in |
| Overall length | 11 ft 9 in | 11 ft 10.5 in |
| Ground pressure | 3.9 psi | 4.0 psi |
| Tail swing radius | 26 in | 25.6 in |
| Fuel tank | 5.9 gal | 5.8 gal |
| Travel speed (low) | 1.62 mph | 1.8 mph |
| Travel speed (high) | 2.80 mph | 2.7 mph |
John Deere figures are for the 17 P-Tier brochure's standard column: canopy, 0.94 m (3 ft 1 in) standard arm, standard counterweight, rubber track, full fuel tank, an 18 in bucket and a 175 lb operator. Cat figures are the canopy machine at its minimum configuration as Cat defines it: rubber tracks, operator, expandable undercarriage and full fuel tank, converted into the units John Deere prints. Cat's dimensions are for the standard stick; Cat also offers a long stick that digs 8 ft 4 in, which is the figure on Cat's own headline. Deere prints its digging forces without a coupler; Cat's page does not say whether one was fitted or state its test condition. Deere's overall length is with the blade in front; Cat's is a shipping length that depends on blade position. Cat prints 17.4 gpm pump flow, Deere 10.5 gpm maximum rated pump flow; neither page says whether that is one pump or the total, so they are not compared. Deere rates net power to ISO 9249 at 2,200 rpm; Cat's page states net power at rated speed without naming the standard, so the power row draws no winner.
Which machine is better for your work?
For digging in hard ground or running hydraulic attachments, start with the John Deere 17 P-Tier: its bucket breaks out harder, and its auxiliary circuit carries a little more flow. It can be equipped from the factory with one or two sets of auxiliary lines, with flow-adjustment knobs under the armrest, and a long-arm option adds digging depth and reach.
The Cat 301.7 CR is quicker in low-range travel, 1.8 mph against 1.62 mph.
Serviceability, visibility, and daily use
The 17 P-Tier opens up additional access to service components through a hinged door, a foldable seat and a handy battery location. A maintenance tracker within the monitor lets you keep an eye on routine checkpoints and plan service to boost uptime. A debris-resistant cooler system and extended service intervals help you work long and strong. The canopy operator station has a wide entryway and switchable backhoe/excavator control patterns.
Oklahoma owners get support from CL Boyd in Oklahoma City, Lawton and Ardmore.
Other Comparisons:
The 17 P-Tier also goes head to head with the Kubota U17-5 and Hitachi ZX17U-5N. Cat shoppers can also see how the John Deere 35 P-Tier compares with the Cat 303 CR and the John Deere 26 P-Tier compares with the Cat 302.7 CR. For the rest of the lineup, read John Deere 17 P-Tier comparison guide and John Deere P-Tier Excavators.
Frequently asked questions
The John Deere 17 P-Tier, 4,338.8 lbf at the bucket against 3,641.9 lbf for the Cat 301.7 CR. Cat does not state its test condition.
No. They are the same size class, 26 lb apart in operating weight.
Cat lists 21 hp without naming a rating standard, and Deere lists 18.52 hp net to ISO 9249, so the two figures do not compare directly.
No. The 17 P-Tier is offered as a canopy machine.
Only if the opening is wider than 3 ft 3 in, the narrowest either undercarriage retracts to.
The Cat in low range. High range is a tie.