Caterpillar is one of the most popular brands in the construction machinery industry due to its high-performance, long-lasting equipment. Each piece of Cat® equipment offers its own unique advantages, and choosing the right option for your fleet can boost efficiency and productivity.
Stowers Machinery offers a wide selection of Cat skid steers and track loaders to meet your equipment needs. Skid steers and compact track loaders perform similar functions but operate better in different conditions. While a skid steer’s wheels allow it to make tight turns and move quickly across hard surfaces, a compact track loader’s tracks enable it to move across soft or rough terrain safely.
Understanding Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders
Skid steer loaders and track loaders are multi-purpose machines featuring a bucket or special attachment in the front. They can be used for tasks such as digging, earthmoving and clearing materials. While they perform similar functions, these machines differ in various ways.
A skid steer is also known as a wheel loader because it operates on four wheels. These wheels make a skid steer highly maneuverable — operators can increase the speed on one side of the machine to turn it toward the left or right. Since it features wheels, a skid steer is better suited for moving across concrete or asphalt, where it can maintain traction. Skid steers can make sharp turns and move quickly across hard surfaces, making it easier if you need to travel across expansive worksites or maneuver in tight spaces.
A track loader features two large tracks that can distribute weight over large surface areas. Because of this weight distribution, track loaders are ideal for working on challenging or uneven terrain such as snow, loose soil or mud, enabling operators to move across surfaces safely.
Cat® Skid Steer Options
Cat skid steers come in compact, small, medium and large sizes. Compact and small skid steers provide enhanced maneuverability in tight spaces, while medium and large models can handle heavier loads and demanding environments.
Understanding machine specifications and capabilities can help you choose the best Cat skid steer for construction, landscaping or warehouse applications. You can find various Cat skid steer features and models from Stowers Machinery, but here are some of our most popular options:
910 Compact Wheel Loader
The Cat 910 compact wheel loader comes with specifications such as:
- Engine: C3.6
- Maximum gross power: 110 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 1,800 r/minute
- Operating weight: 18,102 pounds
You can also enjoy the following special features of the 910 Compact Wheel Loader:
- An electro-hydraulic system
- Cat Optimized Z-bar linkage for fast loading
- A tuned drivetrain
- Various work tools
- A high-visibility cab
- Fantastic service access
- Extended service intervals
- Fuel-saving features
914 Compact Wheel Loader
The Cat 914 Compact Wheel Loader features these basic specifications:
- Engine: C3.6
- Maximum gross power: 110 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 1,800 r/minute
- Operating weight: 19,103 pounds
It also comes equipped with the following special features:
- An electro-hydraulic system
- Cat Optimized Z-bar linkage for fast loading
- A tuned drivetrain
- Various work tools
- A high-visibility cab
- Fantastic service access
- Extended service intervals
- Fuel-saving features
920 Compact Wheel Loader
The Cat 920 Compact Wheel Loader comes with specifications like:
- Engine: C3.6
- Maximum gross power: 121 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 2,200 r/minute
- Operating weight: 21,742 pounds
The 920 model also comes with these special features:
- An electro-hydraulic system
- Cat Optimized Z-bar linkage for fast loading
- A tuned drivetrain
- Various work tools
- A high-visibility cab
- Fantastic service access
- Extended service intervals
- Fuel-saving features
926M Small Wheel Loader
The Cat 926M Small Wheel Loader features the following specifications:
- Engine: High-torque, low-speed C7.1 ACERT
- Maximum gross power: 160-168 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 1,600 r/minute
- Operating weight: 28,193 pounds
You can also enjoy special features when you purchase a Cat 926 model:
- Optimized Z-bar linkage with the load-handling capabilities and parallelism of a tool carrier
- Intelligent hydrostatic power train for standard fuel efficiency
- Clean Emission Module that meets Tier 4 Stage V/Final emission standards
930 Small Wheel Loader
Cat designs and manufactures the 930 Small Wheel Loader with the following specifications:
- Engine: Low-speed, high-torque C7.1
- Maximum gross power: 160-168 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 1,600-1,800 r/minute
- Operating weight: 31,382 pounds
It also comes with these special features:
- Optimized Z-bar linkage for fast loading
- Intelligent hydrostatic power train
- A Clean Emission Module that meets Tier 4 Stage V/Final emissions standards
930M Ag Handler Small Wheel Loader
The Cat 930M Ag Handler Small Wheel Loader features the following specifications:
- Engine: Low-speed, high-torque C7.1
- Maximum gross power: 168-170 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 1,600-1,800 r/minute
- Operating weight: 31,382 pounds
It also comes with these special features:
- Intelligent hydrostatic power train
- Power boost in range 1 for silage tasks
- Power boost in range 4 for enhanced speed
- Low sound levels
- Intuitive controls
- Spacious cab
930M Aggregate Handler Small Wheel Loader
The Cat 930M Aggregate Handler Small Wheel Loader features the following key specifications:
- Engine: Low-speed, high-torque C7.1
- Maximum gross power: 160-168 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 1,600-1,800 r/minute
- Operating weight: 31,848 pounds
Find these special features when you purchase a 930M Aggregate Handler Small Wheel Loader:
- Intelligent hydrostatic power train
- Optimized Z-bar linkage for fast loading
- Performance Series buckets with long wear life
- Low sound levels
- Intuitive controls
- Spacious cab
930M Waste Handler Small Wheel Loader
The Cat 930M Waste Handler Small Wheel Loader features these specifications:
- Engine: Low-speed, high-torque C7.1
- Maximum gross power: 168-170 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 1,600-1,800 r/minute
- Operating weight: 37,713 pounds
You can also enjoy the following special features when you purchase a Cat 930 M Waste Handler model:
- Intelligent hydrostatic power train
- Low sound levels
- Intuitive controls
- Spacious cab
938M Small Wheel Loader
The 938M Small Wheel Loader features a few basic specifications:
- Engine: Low-speed, high-torque C7.1 ACERT
- Maximum gross power: 173-190 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 1,600-1,800 r/minute
- Operating weight: 37,713 pounds
You get access to these special features when you purchase a Cat 930 M Waste Handler model:
- Optimized Z-bar linkage for fast loading
- Intelligent hydrostatic power train
- A Clean Emission Module that meets Tier 4 Stage V/Final emissions standards
938M Aggregate Handler Small Wheel Loader
Cat designs and manufactures the 938M Aggregate Handler Small Wheel Loader with these specifications:
- Engine: Low-speed, high-torque C7.1 ACERT
- Maximum gross power: 173-190 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 1,600-1,800 r/minute
- Operating weight: 36,839 pounds
This model also has the following special features:
- Intelligent hydrostatic power train
- Optimized Z-bar linkage for fast loading
- Performance Series buckets with long wear life
- Low sound levels
- Intuitive controls
- Spacious cab
938M Waste Handler Small Wheel Loader
The Cat 938M Waste Handler Small Wheel Loader has these key specifications:
- Engine: Low-speed, high-torque C7.1 ACERT
- Maximum gross power: 173-190 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 1,600-1,800 r/minute
- Operating weight: 41,794 pounds
This model also comes with the following special features:
- Intelligent hydrostatic power train
- Low sound levels
- Intuitive controls
- Spacious cab
- Various guarding and debris management solutions
966M Wheel Loader — Tier 4 Front Loader
The Cat 966M Wheel Loader is a medium-sized model with these specifications:
- Engine: Cat C9.3
- Maximum gross power: 315 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 1,800 r/minute
- Operating weight: 51,176 pounds
This model also offers the following advantages:
- Reduced emissions
- Improved performance
- Enhanced fuel efficiency
988 Wheel Loader
The Cat 988 Wheel Loader is a large model designed with the following specifications:
- Engine: Cat C18
- Maximum gross power: 588 HP
- Maximum gross power/rated engine speed: 1,700 r/minute
- Operating weight: 11,2574 pounds
Cat Compact Track Loader Models
Stowers Machinery Corporation carries a wide range of Cat compact track loaders. Some of our most popular models are:
239D3 Compact Track Loader
The Cat 239D3 Compact Track Loader is built with the following specifications:
- Engine: Cat C2.2 CRDI
- Maximum gross power: 67.1 HP
- Rated Operating Capacities: 1,530 pounds with a 35% tipping load
- Operating weight: 7,434 pounds
The 239D3 model offers outstanding performance with these features:
- Radial lift design
- Mid-lift reach
- Excellent digging performance and drawbar power
- Suspended undercarriage system with superior flotation, traction, speed and stability
259D3 Compact Track Loader
Cat designs and manufactures the 259D3 Compact Track Loader with the following specifications:
- Engine: Cat C3.3B DIT (turbo)
- Maximum gross power: 74.3 HP
- Rated Operating Capacities: 2,010 pounds with a 35% tipping load
- Operating weight: 8,987 pounds
The 259D3 model also comes with special features:
- Vertical lift design
- Extended lift height and reach for easy loading
- Suspended undercarriage system with superior flotation, traction, speed and stability
299D3 Compact Track Loader
The Cat 299D3 Compact Track Loader is built with the following specifications:
- Engine: Cat C3.8 DIT (turbo)
- Maximum gross power: 98 HP
- Rated Operating Capacities: 3,480 pounds with a 35% tipping load
- Operating weight: 11,464 pounds
You can also enjoy the following special features:
- Vertical lift design
- Extended lift height and reach for easy loading
- Suspended undercarriage system with superior flotation, traction, speed and stability
299D3 XE Land Management Compact Track Loader
The Cat 299D3 XE Land Management model is designed to handle demanding vegetation control and management applications such as mowing, brush cutting and mulching. This model comes with the following specifications:
- Engine: Cat C3.8 DIT (turbo)
- Maximum gross power: 110 HP
- Rated Operating Capacities: 4,340 pounds with a 35% tipping load
- Operating weight: 12,764 pounds
The 299D3 XE Land Management Compact Track Loader also features a high-pressure/high-flow auxiliary hydraulic system with a 70 kW (94 HP) power rating to power hydro-mechanical attachments.
Applications and Benefits
Application is an important deciding factor when choosing between a skid steer and a compact track loader. Before choosing a piece of equipment, consider which one is best for the tasks you need to complete.
Skid Steer Applications and Benefits
Skid steers are excellent options for the following types of work:
- Ground preparation
- Material hauling
- Breaking concrete pads
- Moving rocks, dirt and mulch
- Snow removal
- Landscaping
- Warehouse operations
- Backfilling trenches
- Cutting small trees
- Excavation
You can enjoy the following advantages when you purchase a high-quality skid steer:
- Versatility
- Greater maneuverability
- Wide range of attachments
Compact Track Loader Applications and Benefits
Choose a compact track loader for the following types of applications:
- Digging trenches for utilities, irrigation and drainage systems
- Forestry
- Land clearing
- Dozing
- Plowing, pushing, scooping and lifting earth
- Grading
- Leveling
- Paving
- Demolitions
- Backfilling
- Snow removal
You can also enjoy the following compact track loader advantages when you purchase a high-quality Cat model:
- Traction
- Stability
- High performance on rough terrain
Cat Skid Steers vs. Compact Track Loaders Comparison
Aside from application, you should also consider the following additional factors before choosing between a skid steer and track loader:
Terrain
Choosing the right equipment for your jobsite’s terrain keeps your workers safe and prevents your machinery from damage. Using a track loader exclusively on softer ground prevents hard surfaces from damaging its tracks. Working with a skid steer exclusively on concrete or asphalt prevents the tires from sinking into mud or losing traction. Avoiding slopes is also important when working with a skid steer because level ground helps prevent the machine from tipping over.
Space
A skid steer is the ideal option if your jobsite has limited space and requires you to fit into tight spaces. Since a skid steer can handle sharper turns, it makes working in small spaces and around tight corners easier.
Efficiency
Skid steers also move faster than track loaders. If your tasks require you to move back and forth frequently on a worksite, a skid steer can help you complete jobs faster. However, a track loader is faster and more efficient if you need to work on uneven or soft terrain.
Location
Location is another important consideration. While track loaders are designed to operate in outdoor settings, you can use a skid steer indoors or outdoors. An electric skid steer is safe for indoor use because it emits zero emissions.
Weather
Because of their traction, you can use a track loader safely in the rain. You should avoid using a skid steer on wet ground to prevent it from sliding. A track loader is the best option if you often work in muddy, snowy or rainy conditions.
Maintenance and Support
Maintaining your track loader or skid steer is essential for its longevity and safety. Because of their tracks, track loaders typically cost more and require more time to maintain. A skid steer’s undercarriage is more accessible, and its parts are easier to replace because it sits on tires rather than tracks.
Stowers Machinery offers equipment maintenance, parts and repairs services to help you keep your skid steer or track loader in top shape. From preventive maintenance to parts replacements, our technicians have the knowledge and experience to keep your equipment running smoothly.
Consult With Stowers Machinery for Your Equipment Needs
Choosing the right equipment for any job is essential because it helps you save time and money while completing exceptional work. Stowers Machinery is a proud Cat dealer offering a wide selection of quality skid steers and compact track loaders.
Our team provides personalized advice to help you choose the right machine based on your project needs, jobsite and budget. We also offer top-tier equipment services and carry a wide range of parts to keep your machines running. Contact Stowers Machinery to learn more or schedule a Cat skid steer or compact track loader demo.
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