I don't know about you, but I do most of my hard, abusive work with the loader down.
The Volvo/JCB have bracing/pockets the boom sits in when lowered, kind of takes away from any strength arguments in that situation.
I have a Volvo MCT125C, I run a Cat 289C2 at work, 30-50hours a week.
I hate the visibility of the Volvo to the front, under the boom, or the lack of ability through the boom to see the pallet forks at "deck/truck" height. But at least I can get out to check on their positioning?!?
I wear ear plugs when running the Cat. I listen to the radio in my Volvo.
The Cat, I need to be in low gear to push, the Volvo I never have reason to operate it out of high gear.
The Cat shifts incredibly smooth, the Volvo.... I suggest stopping while it shifts.
The Cat has a very fast and user friendly quick attach. The Volvo, well it sucks.
The Cat undercarriage is more prone to build up material, and more of a pain to clean out.
Personally, I'm thrilled with the Volvo so far, and would buy one again, and miss my Volvo every moment I'm in the Cat. And I use to think Cat was all that and more.