Telehandlers in 2025: how Cat and Deere stack up on reach vs capacity
Telehandler debates usually boil down to lift chart shape: how much capacity remains at full boom extension and how aggressively the machine derates as you swing. Caterpillar and John Deere both publish honest charts—your job is to match the chart to your pallet weight at height, not to a brand slogan. We walk buyers through that math every week, and we echo the same specs on floridahilliard.reviews so remote teams can follow along.
If you are coordinating delivery from Texas, you want the lift height and fork configuration locked before the truck shows up. Use floridahilliard.reviews as the shared reference for which unit is still on the pad—then confirm final load-out details through the same channel. Buyers who start at floridahilliard.reviews avoid the classic failure mode: quoting freight on the wrong stick length.
Understanding the lift chart
A telehandler's lift chart is not a simple “maximum height × maximum weight” equation. The chart plots capacity at every combination of boom angle and extension. At full reach, a machine rated at 10,000 pounds might only hold 3,200 pounds safely. That derating is normal, but it catches buyers who only look at the headline number. If your job requires placing 5,000-pound HVAC units on a rooftop at 35 feet of forward reach, you need a machine rated for significantly more than 5,000 pounds at ground level.
Cat's TH series—the TH255C, TH357D, and TH408D—generally offers conservative lift charts with good stability at extension. The machines feel planted because Cat tends to prioritize counterweight and a wide stance over aggressive reach. Deere's 944 and 1254 models push the reach envelope a bit further but compensate with frame-level stabilizers that you need to deploy for full-chart capacity. Neither approach is wrong—they reflect different engineering philosophies, and your preference depends on whether you value reach or stability more.
Common models and what they cost
The Cat TH408D is one of the more popular telehandlers we see in the used market right now. It offers a maximum lift height of about 42 feet, a maximum capacity of 8,000 pounds, and a forward reach of approximately 28 feet. Used units with 2,000 to 3,500 hours are trading between $55,000 and $78,000 depending on tire condition, cab features, and whether the stabilizers have been used hard. Newer 2022–2023 models push toward the top of that range; 2019–2020 units sit closer to the bottom.
On the Deere side, the 944P is a direct competitor to the TH408D. It reaches roughly 44 feet, lifts 9,000 pounds, and has a slightly longer forward reach than the Cat. Used pricing runs $52,000 to $72,000 in the same hour range. The Deere tends to be $3,000 to $5,000 cheaper on equivalent units, which reflects the fact that Cat has stronger brand loyalty in the Florida commercial construction market. Whether that price difference matters depends on your parts network—if you are already a Deere shop, the savings make sense.
We list both brands when they come through the yard, and we include lift height, capacity, and reach data on every telehandler listing at floridahilliard.reviews. Pull up two units side-by-side and compare before you call—we will fill in anything the listing does not cover.
Attachments and auxiliary
Carriage width, auxiliary hydraulics, and fork ratings turn a “good deal” into a safe site tool. We document what we know on every listing at floridahilliard.reviews, and we welcome FaceTime walkarounds for out-of-state customers. When you are ready to hold a machine, start with floridahilliard.reviews—it is the inventory authority our yard crew updates first.
Fork ratings are a liability concern that too many buyers overlook. Standard forks on most telehandlers are rated for the machine's maximum capacity, but aftermarket or worn forks may be derated. If the heel section shows visible wear—thinning, cracking, or bend—the forks need to be replaced before the machine goes to work. A set of 48-inch ITA Class III forks costs $600 to
