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Cat 950 vs Cat 980

The Cat 980 is the heavier machine, at 30.3 t against 18.1 t, and the Cat 980 has more power (282 kW against 172 kW).

The Cat 950 is ahead on: turns tighter, narrower to transport, lower to transport. The Cat 980 is ahead on: more power, more torque, dumps higher, reaches higher, bigger bucket or body, lifts or carries more, more digging or pushing force, more hydraulic flow, bigger fuel tank.

Below, every figure both makers publish sits side by side, with the Cat 950 and the Cat 980 drawn to the same scale from their dimension drawings.

  1. Cat · wheel loader

    Cat 950

    Full specsPDF

  2. Cat · wheel loader

    Cat 980

    Full specsPDF

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At a glance

Bold is the machine ahead on each figure, with its lead.

FigureCat 950Cat 980
Operating weight18,076 kg30,344 kg
Gross powerHigher is better186 kW303 kW+63%
Max torqueHigher is better1,236 Nm2,172 Nm+76%
Dump clearance at max liftHigher is better2.844 m3.287 m+16%
Hinge pin height (max lift)Higher is better3.981 m4.554 m+14%
Bucket capacityHigher is better3.1 m³5.4 m³+74%
Static tipping load (full turn)Higher is better10,936 kg19,706 kg+80%
Breakout forceHigher is better152 kN227 kN+49%
Pump flowHigher is better322 L/min449 L/min+39%
Fuel tankHigher is better259.5 L426 L+64%
Turning radius (outside of bucket)Lower is better6.679 m+12%7.612 m
Width over tyresLower is better2.8 m+14%3.24 m
Height to top of cabLower is better3.456 m+10%3.829 m

All specifications

Every figure the makers publish. Search for one, or show only those that differ.

Dimensions

Overall length (bucket on ground)8.238 m9.673 m
Overall length (without bucket)6.797 mStandard lift8.155 mStandard lift
Wheelbase3.35 m3.8 m
Height to top of cab3.456 mHeight to top of ROPS3.829 mHeight to top of ROPS
Height to top of exhaust3.408 m3.764 m
Height to top of hood2.695 m3.064 m
Ground clearance0.354 m0.456 m
Tread width2.14 m2.44 m
Width over tyres2.8 mUnloaded, over tyre bulge3.24 mUnloaded, over tyre bulge
Bucket width2.927 m3.447 m
Hinge pin height (max lift)3.981 mStandard lift4.554 mStandard lift
Dump clearance at max lift2.844 m3.287 m
Reach at max lift1.325 m1.481 m
Overall height, bucket at max lift5.313 m6.435 m
Rear axle to rear bumper1.942 m2.661 m
Turning radius (outside of bucket)6.679 m7.612 m
Clearance circle (dia) to outside of tyres12.028 m13.7 m

Weight

Operating weight18,076 kg30,344 kg

Engine

Engine modelCat C7.1Cat C13
EmissionsBrazil MAR-1 / UN ECE R96 Stage IIIA (equivalent to U.S. EPA Tier 3 / EU Stage IIIA)Brazil MAR-1 / UN ECE R96 Stage IIIA / China Nonroad Stage III (equivalent to U.S. EPA Tier 3 / EU Stage IIIA)
Displacement7 L12.5 L
Gross power186 kW (249 hp)ISO 14396:2002 @ 2,100 rpm303 kW (406 hp)ISO 14396:2002 @ 1,800 rpm
Gross power (SAE J1995:2014)191 kW (256 hp)SAE J1995:2014 @ 2,100 rpm307 kW (412 hp)SAE J1995:2014 @ 1,800 rpm
Net power172 kW (231 hp)ISO 9249:2007 / SAE J1349:2011 @ 2,100 rpm282 kW (378 hp)ISO 9249:2007 / SAE J1349:2011 @ 1,800 rpm
Max torque1,236 NmISO 14396:2002 @ 1,400 rpm2,172 NmISO 14396:2002 @ 1,300 rpm

Performance

Bucket capacity3.1 m³5.4 m³
Bucket capacity range2.5–9.9 m³ (3.3–13.0 yd³)4.0–14.5 m³ (5.25–19.0 yd³)
Static tipping load (full turn)10,936 kg19,706 kg
Breakout force152 kNMachine configuration defined under "Weight"227 kNMachine configuration defined under "Weight"
Top speed39.5 km/hForward 5, empty bucket, standard L3 tyres39.5 km/h

Hydraulics

Pump flow322 L/minImplement pump, maximum output at 2,340 rpm449 L/minImplement pump, maximum output at 2,250 rpm
Max pressure279 bar343 bar

Transmission

Forward 16.9 km/h6.9 km/h
Forward 212 km/h13.3 km/h
Forward 319.3 km/h23.5 km/h
Forward 425.7 km/h39.5 km/h
Forward 539.5 km/hNot published
Reverse 16.9 km/h7.8 km/h
Reverse 212 km/h15.2 km/h
Reverse 325.7 km/h26.9 km/h
Reverse 4Not published39.5 km/h

Tyres

TyresBridgestone 23.5R25 VJT L3 radialBridgestone 29.5R25 VSNT L4 radial

Service capacities

Fuel tank259.5 L426 L
Cooling system54 LTier 3 engine50 L
Engine oil, with filter21 L37 L
Transmission43 L77 L
Differentials and final drives, front43 L84 L
Differentials and final drives, rear43 L84 L
Hydraulic tank97 L153 L

Service intervals

Engine oil and filter1,000 hoursCat DEO-ULS; 950M/962M chartNot published
Fuel filters500 hoursNot published
Hydraulic oil filter1,000 hoursNot published
Transmission oil filter1,000 hoursAlso at the first 500 h; 950M/962M chartNot published
Transmission oil2,000 hoursCat SATO; 950M/962M chartNot published
Differential oil (front and rear)2,000 hoursNot published
Hydraulic oil3,000 hoursCat HYDO Advanced; 950M/962M chartNot published
Coolant extender6,000 hoursCat ELC Extender; 950M/962M chartNot published
Coolant12,000 hoursCat ELC; 950M/962M chartNot published

Sources: Cat 950 Wheel Loader Technical Specifications AEXQ3868-00 (7-2024) · Cat 980 Wheel Loader Technical Specifications AEXQ3162-00 (3-2021), Tier 3-equivalent

Drawn to scale

Side views measured off each maker's dimension drawing, front edges and ground lined up.

0 m1 m2 m3 m4 m5 m6 m7 m8 m9 m
Cat 950Cat 980Same scale, front edges and ground lined up.

Cat 950 vs Cat 980: questions

Which is bigger, the Cat 950 or Cat 980?

By operating weight the Cat 980 is the biggest at 30.3 t, then the Cat 950 at 18.1 t.

Which has more power, the Cat 950 or Cat 980?

The Cat 980: Cat 950 186 kW (249 hp), Cat 980 303 kW (406 hp) (gross power), a 63% difference.

Which has the bigger bucket, the Cat 950 or Cat 980?

The Cat 980: Cat 950 3.1 m³, Cat 980 5.4 m³ (bucket capacity), a 74% difference.

Which lifts or carries more, the Cat 950 or Cat 980?

The Cat 980: Cat 950 10,936 kg, Cat 980 19,706 kg (static tipping load (full turn)), a 80% difference.

Which has the bigger fuel tank, the Cat 950 or Cat 980?

The Cat 980: Cat 950 259.5 L, Cat 980 426 L (fuel tank), a 64% difference.

Which turns tighter, the Cat 950 or Cat 980?

The Cat 950: Cat 950 6.679 m, Cat 980 7.612 m (turning radius (outside of bucket)), a 12% difference.

Which is narrower to transport, the Cat 950 or Cat 980?

The Cat 950: Cat 950 2.8 m, Cat 980 3.24 m (width over tyres), a 14% difference.

Where do these figures come from?

Each model's own published spec sheet or brochure, linked under the table. Builds differ by market and year, so confirm the figures for a particular machine with its dealer.

Can I rent or buy these machines in the UAE?

Each model's page lists the ones for hire and for sale on EquipmentsFinder now, with typical prices in AED.

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