Head to head
Caterpillar 301.7 CR vs JCB Loadall 540-140
The JCB Loadall 540-140 is the bigger machine by 8,943kg.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the JCB Loadall 540-140 is the bigger machine by 8,943kg.
Specifications side by side
| Caterpillar 301.7 CR | JCB Loadall 540-140 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1,915 kg (4,222 lb) | 10,858kg |
| Dig depth | 2,540 mm (100 in) (long stick) | - |
| Engine power | 15.7 kW (21 hp) | - |
| Maximum lift height | - | 13.8m with stabilisers extended |
| Maximum forward reach | - | 9.25m |
| Maximum lift capacity | - | 4,000kg at ground level with stabilisers deployed |
Sources: Caterpillar 301.7 CR, JCB Loadall 540-140. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the 301.7 CR if...
The Cat 301.7 CR is Caterpillar's roughly 2 tonne mini excavator, built around the Cat C1.1 engine and backed by Caterpillar's dealer network for parts and service. It is specified on UK sites for the same drainage, groundworks and utility jobs as the Kubota U27-4 and Takeuchi TB216, with buyers often citing Cat's residual values and dealer support over price. It is one of the smaller models in Caterpillar's wider mini excavator line-up, which extends up to around 10 tonnes.
Full 301.7 CR specifications →Buy or hire the Loadall 540-140 if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 8,943kg
A high-reach telehandler for construction sites and larger farms that need to place material at height rather than move pallets around a yard. Lift capacity falls sharply as the boom extends, which is the number that actually governs what it can do.
Listed by
- McGovern Plant Hire - Hounslow, Cranford
Common questions
What is the difference between the Caterpillar 301.7 CR and the JCB Loadall 540-140?
The JCB Loadall 540-140 is the bigger machine by 8,943kg. The Caterpillar 301.7 CR is a a sub-2 tonne conventional-tail-swing mini excavator; the JCB Loadall 540-140 is a telescopic handler, 4 tonne and 14m class.
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