I have both a CAT 325 next gen (+/- 1,000 hrs), and a Deere 245G (+/- 3500 hrs). My 325 has a 48" severe duty bucket (1.6 cu. yd), quick coupler, and a progressive link thumb. The 245G is also usually run with a 48" bucket (only 1.2 cu. yds.), and also has a quick coupler and progressive link thumb. I run a hydraulic breaker (weighs 5,500#), and also a crusher bucket (weighs 6,000#) so we have a lot of weight out there at times. I ordered the 325 with the extra heavy counterweight (it weighs 18,000#) with keeping things as stable as possible in mind (more a$$= less tip). In my opinion the 325 handles everything just fine. It probably handles the heavy attachments better than the Deere 245G, as it relates to how "tippy" the machine is. The 245 is definitely less stable when the heavy attachments are mounted, but the CAT has that extra heavy counterweight, and, as a whole, is 5,000# heavier than the Deere (Deere is 60k#, and the CAT is 65k#). Regardless of which machine one runs those heavy attachments on, one must be careful when they are extended. Still, the CAT is more stable. The Cat feels slower, and heavier than the Deere. The Cat feels stronger when the digging gets tough. The Deere is much more agile, and precise. It makes the Cat feel clunky. The 245G hydraulics are amazingly smooth and precise. Super easy to blend. I think that the electric over hydraulic, on the CAT, has a way to go before it can match the precision of the old style hydraulic over hydraulic of the Deere.
As it relates to the "bucket curl" comment, I am under the impression that the Deere (and of course Hitachi) are designed to be a "stick priority". The CAT (and most all other main stream brands) are "boom and bucket priority". In my real world experience, this means that the Deere is great for digging that is not particularly tough, and the CAT is better at the tough digging. This is all seat of the pants evidence, not scientific. Lets take truck loading from a loose sock pile for an example. Even though I think that the Deere is better (performance only -not counting e-fence, scales, or auto grade, etc.) than the CAT (becasue it is quicker and more precise), the CAT probably makes up for it with capacity (1.6 yd vs. 1.2 yd). If you factor in the electronics (scales in this application), the CAT is likely a better choice if trying to get max legal payload in each truck. From an operators standpoint, I prefer to operate the Deere (and I'm more of a "CAT guy") because of how much more smooth, precise, and quick it is. I think that the CAT is much more comfortable (cab has much more room in it, AC actually keeps up when things get hot outside, seat is way more comfortable, better camera, and screen, and there are retractable window shades), and having grade control (so far I use indicate only, not the auto dig feature) is a game changer. From an ownership standpoint, I think that the CAT is still a bit better built. The gap has closed but I still think it's a bit better. The Deere is a true "zero tail" and the Cat tail sticks over the tracks about 9". Despite the fat tail, the CAT has much more room in the superstructure. There is more room to work on things, one can actualy store things in there (like tools and teeth, etc.), more room in the cab, and it's much easier to climb up on it to do things. Another fantastic thing about the CAT, ironically, is that you don't have to climb up on the CAT. It has it's daily checks accessible from ground level.
