Cat 420 vs Cat 430

The Cat 430 is the heavier machine, at 8.19 t against 7.83 t, and the Cat 430 has more power (80 kW against 68 kW).

The Cat 430 is ahead on: more power, more torque, digs deeper, reaches further, lifts or carries more.

Below, every figure both makers publish sits side by side, with the Cat 420 and the Cat 430 drawn to the same scale from their dimension drawings.

Cat · backhoe loader
Cat 420
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Cat · backhoe loader
Cat 430
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At a glance

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

Figure	Cat 420	Cat 430
Operating weight	7,834 kg	8,188 kg
Gross powerHigher is better	76 kW	88 kW+16%
Max torqueHigher is better	436 Nm	486 Nm+11%
Max dig depthHigher is better	4.278 m	4.612 m+8%
Reach at ground level, from slew centreHigher is better	5.6 m	6.032 m+8%
Tipping load at breakout pointHigher is better	6,663 kg	7,081 kg+6%
Total travel length	7.163 m	7.304 m

All specifications

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

Differences only(28)

FigureCat 420 Cat 430

Dimensions

Total travel length7.163 m7.304 m

Overall length (loader on ground)7.132 m7.273 m

Total travel height3.645 mOverall transport height, standard stick3.845 mOverall transport height, standard stick

Cab roof height2.815 mHeight to top of cab/canopy2.815 mHeight to top of cab/canopy

Height to top of exhaust stack2.72 m2.72 m

Rear axle centreline to front grille2.706 m2.706 m

Wheelbase2.2 m2.2 m

Overall width2.248 m2.248 m

Rear frame width2.322 m2.322 m

Shovel width (GP shovel)2.262 m2.262 m

Height to loader hinge pin (transport)0.378 m0.378 m

Ground clearance (LH step)0.316 m0.316 m

Ground clearance (AWD guard)0.312 m0.312 m

Ground clearance (485 kg counterweight)0.289 m0.289 m

Front wheel tread gauge1.895 m1.895 m

Rear wheel tread gauge1.728 m1.728 m

Stabiliser spread, operating (centre)3.31 m3.31 m

Stabiliser spread, operating (outside)3.77 m3.77 m

Turning circle, outside front wheels8.205 mInner wheel not braked8.205 mInner wheel not braked

Turning circle, outside widest loader bucket10.745 mInner wheel not braked10.745 mInner wheel not braked

Backhoe performance

Max dig depth4.278 mSAE maximum, standard stick4.612 mSAE maximum, standard stick

Max dig depth (E-stick extended)5.372 mSAE maximum, extendible stick extended5.862 mSAE maximum, extendible stick extended

Digging depth, 2440 mm flat bottom3.9 m4.262 m

Digging depth, 610 mm flat bottom4.24 m4.587 m

Reach at ground level, from slew centre5.6 m6.032 m

Reach at ground level, from slew centre (E-stick extended)6.641 m7.217 m

Reach from rear axle centreline at ground line6.69 m7.122 m

Max load-over height3.709 mLoading height, standard stick4.027 mLoading height, standard stick

Loading reach1.845 m1.859 m

Maximum operating height (backhoe)5.598 m6.081 m

Bucket tearout force64 kN72 kN

Dipper tearout force44 kN45 kN

Swing arc180°180°

Bucket rotation205°205°

Loader performance

Shovel capacity0.96 m³GP bucket, SAE rated, pin-on0.96 m³GP bucket, SAE rated, pin-on

Lift capacity to full height3,280 kg3,280 kg

Shovel breakout force50 kN50 kN

Lift breakout force50 kN50 kN

Tipping load at breakout point6,663 kg7,081 kg

Dump height with standard bucket2.758 m2.758 m

Maximum hinge pin height3.488 m3.488 m

Dump angle at full height44°44°

Dump reach at maximum angle0.807 m0.807 m

Maximum bucket rollback at ground level36°36°

Loader digging depth0.07 m0.07 m

Grille to bucket cutting edge, carry position1.48 m1.48 m

Maximum operating height (loader)4.356 m4.356 m

Weight

Operating weight7,834 kg8,188 kg

Operating weight (maximum, ROPS capacity)11,000 kg11,000 kg

Operating weight (minimum)7,384 kg7,525 kg

Engine

Engine modelCat C3.6, electronic turbo, intercooledCat C3.6, electronic turbo, intercooled86 kW (115 hp) rating

EmissionsU.S. EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage VU.S. EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage V

Displacement3.6 L3.6 L

Bore98 mm98 mm

Stroke120 mm120 mm

Gross power76 kW (102 hp)88 kW (118 hp)SAE J1995 at 2,200 rpm

Gross power (ISO 14396)74 kW (100 hp)At 2,200 rpm; 74.5 kW (100 hp) engine rating86 kW (115 hp)At 2,200 rpm

Net power68 kW (91 hp)80 kW (107 hp)

Net peak power78 kW (105 hp)Not published

Max torque436 Nm486 NmNet, SAE J1349; 41% torque rise at 1,400 rpm

Gross power, 110 hp rating84 kW (112 hp)Not published

Net power, 110 hp rating76 kW (101 hp)Not published

Max torque, 110 hp rating485 NmNet, SAE J1349; 82 kW (110 hp) engine ratingNot published

Transmission

TransmissionPower shift 4F/3R (standard); 6F/3R power shift optional, with or without LTCPower shift 4F/3R (standard); 6F/3R power shift optional, with or without LTC

Top speed41 km/h41 km/h

Hydraulics

Hydraulic systemClosed center, load sensing; variable-flow axial piston pumpClosed center; variable-flow axial piston pump

Pump flow187 L/minAt 2,200 rpm187 L/minAt 2,200 rpm

Max pressure250 bar250 bar

Tyres

Front tyres340/80-18340/80-18

Rear tyres500/70-24500/70-24

Service capacities

Fuel tank160 L160 L

Engine oil, with filter9 L9 L

Cooling system18 LWith air conditioning18 LWith air conditioning

Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF)19 L19 L

Hydraulic system, with tank95 L95 L

Hydraulic tank42 L42 L

Transmission, power shift (AWD)19 L19 L

Rear axle16 L16 L

Front axle (AWD)11 L11 L

Final drive, front (each)0.7 L0.7 L

Final drive, rear (each)1.7 L1.7 L

Transmission, power shuttle (AWD)Not published18 L

Service intervals

Engine oil and filter500 hoursor 12 months500 hoursor 12 months

Transmission oil1,000 hours1,000 hours

Axle oil1,000 hours1,000 hours

Hydraulic oil3,000 hoursWith Cat HYDO Advanced 103,000 hoursWith Cat HYDO Advanced 10

Coolant12,000 hoursCat ELC, or 72 months12,000 hoursCat ELC, or 72 months

Sources: Cat 420 Backhoe Loader specalog AEHQ8243-04 (2026) · Cat 430 Backhoe Loader spec sheet AEHQ8245-03 (North America)

Drawn to scale

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

Cat 420Cat 430Same scale, front edges and ground lined up.

Cat 420 vs Cat 430: questions

Which is bigger, the Cat 420 or Cat 430?

By operating weight the Cat 430 is the biggest at 8.19 t, then the Cat 420 at 7.83 t.

Which has more power, the Cat 420 or Cat 430?

The Cat 430: Cat 420 76 kW (102 hp), Cat 430 88 kW (118 hp) (gross power), a 16% difference.

Which digs deeper, the Cat 420 or Cat 430?

The Cat 430: Cat 420 4.278 m, Cat 430 4.612 m (max dig depth), a 8% difference.

Which reaches further, the Cat 420 or Cat 430?

The Cat 430: Cat 420 5.6 m, Cat 430 6.032 m (reach at ground level, from slew centre), a 8% difference.

Which lifts or carries more, the Cat 420 or Cat 430?

The Cat 430: Cat 420 6,663 kg, Cat 430 7,081 kg (tipping load at breakout point), a 6% 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.