Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Specs

Category: Crawler Loaders ➔
Manufacturer: Caterpillar ➔
Model: 973 ➔

The Caterpillar 973 is a crawler loader designed for material handling, loading, stockpiling, site preparation, and general earthmoving applications. Built on a tracked undercarriage, it combines loader capability with the traction and flotation of a crawler machine, making it suitable for soft ground and uneven terrain. The 973 is commonly used in construction, quarry, forestry, waste handling, and industrial material management. Caterpillar has produced multiple 973 variants over time, with differences in engine, operating weight, bucket capacity, and hydraulic systems. The model is recognized for its versatility, durability, and ability to perform loading and dozing tasks in demanding work environments.

General Specifications

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader General Specifications specifications
(optional track)	108.00 in (274.32 cm) - Starting 1998
1st	0-10.3 0-6.4 - Starting 1998
2nd	Infinitely - Starting 1998
3rd	Variable - Starting 1998
A Forward Dump Clearance	120.00 in (304.80 cm) - Starting 1998
A Height to Top of Stack	132.00 in (335.28 cm) - Starting 1998
Approx. Operating Weight	55,200.00 lbs (25,038.33 kg) - Starting 1981
B Bottom Dump Clearance	144.00 in (365.76 cm) - Starting 1998
B Height to Top of Seat	106.00 in (269.24 cm) - Starting 1998
Bore	4.75 in (12.06 cm) - Starting 1998
C Height to Top of ROPS	135.00 in (342.90 cm) - Starting 1998
C Hinge Pin Height	166.00 in (421.64 cm) - Starting 1998
Closure Force, Clamp to Cutting Edge	20,000.00 lbf (89.00 kN) - Starting 1998
D Hinge Pin Height at Carry Position	19.40 in (49.28 cm) - Starting 1998
D Overall Height	257.00 in (652.78 cm) - Starting 1998
Dimensions Width	112.00 in (284.48 cm) - Starting 1981
E Bottom Dump Reach	28.40 in (72.14 cm) - Starting 1998
E Rollback at Maximum Lift	59 deg - Starting 1998
Engine Displacement	638.00 cu in (10,454.97 cu cm) - Starting 1998
Engine Model	3306T - Starting 1998
Equipped With Wide Track Shoe - (Specs that differ from above)	973 - Starting 1998
Equipped With Wide Track Shoe - Ground Contact Area	6,104.00 sq in (3.94 sq m) - Starting 1998
Equipped With Wide Track Shoe - Ground Pressure	9.14 psi (64.20 kPa) - Starting 1998
Equipped With Wide Track Shoe - Operating Weight	56,293.00 lbs (25,534.11 kg) - Starting 1998
Equipped With Wide Track Shoe - Track Gauge	82.00 in (208.28 cm) - Starting 1998
Equipped With Wide Track Shoe - Width of Track Shoe	26.60 in (67.56 cm) - Starting 1998
Equipped With Wide Track Shoe - Width Without Bucket	108.00 in (274.32 cm) - Starting 1998
F Forward Dump Reach	50.00 in (127.00 cm) - Starting 1998
F Rollback at Carry Height	50 deg - Starting 1998
Flywheel Horsepower	210.00 hp (156.60 kw) - Starting 1981
Flywheel Power	210.00 hp (156.60 kw) - Starting 1998
Fuel Tank Refill Capacity	94.00 US gal (356.00 L) - Starting 1998
G Digging Depth	8.30 in (21.08 cm) - Starting 1998
G Rollback at Ground Level	42 deg - Starting 1998
Grading Angle (Bare Edge)	69 deg - Starting 1998
Ground Clearance	17.90 in (45.47 cm) - Starting 1998
Ground Contact Area - (With Std. Shoe)	4,522.00 sq in (2.92 sq m) - Starting 1998
Ground Pressure	12.20 psi (84.10 kPa) - Starting 1998
H Bucket Opening	54.00 in (137.16 cm) - Starting 1998
Height	8.50 in (21.59 cm) - Starting 1998
Hydraulic Cycle Time, Bucket - Empty, in Seconds - Dump	1.4 sec - Starting 1998
Hydraulic Cycle Time, Bucket - Empty, in Seconds - Lower (Empty, Float Down)	2.6 sec - Starting 1998
Hydraulic Cycle Time, Bucket - Empty, in Seconds - Raise	7.4 sec - Starting 1998
Hydraulic Cycle Time, Bucket - Empty, in Seconds - Total	10 sec - Starting 1998
Hydraulic System Refill Capacity	31.60 US gal (120.00 L) - Starting 1998
Installed weights - Ripper with standard shanks	2,707.00 lbs (1,227.88 kg) - Starting 1998
Length	10.00 in (25.40 cm) - Starting 1998
Length of Track on Ground	115.00 in (292.10 cm) - Starting 1998
Maximum ground - clearance under tip (shank pinned in bottom hole)	26.40 in (67.06 cm) - Starting 1998
Maximum ramp angle, - ripper up (shank pinned in bottom hole)	20 deg - Starting 1998
Maximum reach at - ground line	51.00 in (129.54 cm) - Starting 1998
Net Power	275.00 hp (205.07 kw) - Starting 2024
No. Cylinders	6 - Starting 1998
Number of Pockets	3 - Starting 1998
Operating Weight	63,900 lb - Starting 2024
Penetration Force	19,450.00 lbf (86.52 kN) - Starting 1998
Pocket Spacing	39.40 in (100.08 cm) - Starting 1998
Product Identification Prefix	86G - Starting 1981
Pryout Force	38,480.00 lbf (171.17 kN) - Starting 1998
Rated Bucket Capacity	4.2 yd³ - Starting 2024
Rated Capacity	4.20 cu yd (3.20 cu m) - Starting 1981
Rated Engine RPM	2200 rpm - Starting 1998
Reach at 2133 mm (7'0") Height	73.00 in (185.42 cm) - Starting 1998
Ripper Beam Overall width	87.00 in (220.98 cm) - Starting 1998
Ripper Shank Maximum digging depth	16.80 in (42.67 cm) - Starting 1998
Ripper-Scarifier Type	Radial - Starting 1998
Shank Gauge	79.00 in (200.66 cm) - Starting 1998
Stroke	6.00 in (15.24 cm) - Starting 1998
Tilt Back at Ground Level	45 deg - Starting 1998
Track Gauge	82.00 in (208.28 cm) - Starting 1998
Track Rollers (Each Side)	7 - Starting 1998
Weight of Bucket and Additional Hydraulics	6,237.00 lbs (2,829.06 kg) - Starting 1998
Width of Standard Track Shoe	19.70 in (50.04 cm) - Starting 1998
Width Without Bucket	102.00 in (259.08 cm) - Starting 1998
Width Without Bucket (std. track)	102.00 in (259.08 cm) - Starting 1998
Years Built	1981 - 2000

Air Conditioning System

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Air Conditioning System specifications
Air Conditioning	The air conditioning system on this machine contains the fluorinated greenhouse gas refrigerant R134a or R1234yf. See the label or instruction manual for identification of the gas. - If equipped with R134a (Global Warming Potential = 1430), the system contains 1.134 kg (2.5 lb) of refrigerant which has a CO2 equivalent of 1.622 metric tonnes (1.787 tons). - Starting 2026

Buckets

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Buckets specifications
Capacity - General Purpose	4.2 cu yd - Starting 2026
Capacity - Landfill	6.4 cu yd - Starting 2026
Capacity - Multi-Purpose	3.9 cu yd - Starting 2026
Capacity - Performance Series	5 cu yd - Starting 2026
Capacity - Slag	3.9 cu yd - Starting 2026
Width - General Purpose	118.50 in (300.99 cm) - Starting 2026
Width - Landfill	118.50 in (300.99 cm) - Starting 2026
Width - Multi-Purpose	116.60 in (296.16 cm) - Starting 2026
Width - Performance Series	118.70 in (301.50 cm) - Starting 2026
Width - Slag	116.50 in (295.91 cm) - Starting 2026

Dimensions

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Dimensions specifications
Clearance At Full Height And Dump	10.96 ft (3.34 m)
Ground Clearance	1.50 ft (0.46 m)
Height	11.17 ft (3.40 m)
Height To Top Of Cab	11.24 ft (3.43 m)
Hinge Pin Height at Maximum Lift	166.10 in (421.89 cm) - Starting 2026
Length	23.33 ft (7.11 m)
Length With Bucket On Ground	23.37 ft (7.12 m)
Machine Height - Top of Cab	138.20 in (351.03 cm) - Starting 2026
Overall Machine Length*	295.00 in (749.30 cm) - Starting 2026
Overall Width - Without Bucket	111.60 in (283.46 cm) - Starting 2026
Reach At Dump Height	4.36 ft (1.33 m)
Weight	54,417.00 lbs (24,683.17 kg)
Width	8.42 ft (2.57 m)
Width To Outside Of Tracks	8.47 ft (2.58 m)

Engine

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Engine specifications
Displacement	640.80 cu in (10,500.85 cu cm)
Emissions	Meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final, EU Stage V, Korea Stage V, China Nonroad Stage IV, Japan 2014 emission standards or Eurasian Economic Union Stage IIIA, UN ECE R96 Stage IIIA emission standards, equivalent to U.S. EPA Tier 3/ EU Stage IIIA. - Starting 2026
Engine Make	2236
Engine Model	3306
Flywheel Power	275.00 hp (205.07 kw) - Starting 2026
Net Power	210.00 hp (156.60 kw)
Net Power - ISO 9249 (DIN)	279 mhp - Starting 2026
Net Power - ISO 9249/SAE J1349	275.00 hp (205.07 kw) - Starting 2026

Hydraulic

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Hydraulic specifications
Dump Time	1.4 sec
Lower Time	2.6 sec
Raise Time	7.4 sec

Low Ground Pressure (Lgp)

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Low Ground Pressure (Lgp) specifications
Ground Pressure	8.4 psi - Starting 2026
Operating Weight	71,218.00 lbs (32,303.98 kg) - Starting 2026
Width of Standard Shoe	33.00 in (83.82 cm) - Starting 2026

Operational

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Operational specifications
Breakout Force - Std Bucket	47,981.00 lbs (21,763.84 kg)
Bucket Capacity - Heaped	3.7 cu yd
Bucket Capacity - Struck	3.2 cu yd
Fuel Capacity	94.10 gal (356.17 l)
Hydraulic System Fluid Capacity	15.90 gal (60.18 l)
Max Speed	6.50 mph (10.46 kph)
Operating Weight	54,899.60 lbs (24,902.07 kg)
Static Tipping Load	37,011.30 lbs (16,788.06 kg)

Service Refill Capacities

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Service Refill Capacities specifications
DEF Tank	9.20 gal (34.82 l) - Starting 2026
Fuel Tank	119.00 gal (450.42 l) - Starting 2026

Standard

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Standard specifications
Ground Pressure	9.5 psi - Starting 2026
Operating Weight	65,901.00 lbs (29,892.23 kg) - Starting 2026
Width of Standard Shoe	27.00 in (68.58 cm) - Starting 2026

Undercarriage

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Undercarriage specifications
Ground Contact Area	4526.01 in2
Ground Pressure	12.04 psi
Length Of Track On Ground	9.58 ft (2.92 m)
Number Of Track Rollers Per Side	7
Track Gauge	81.89 in (208.00 cm)
Track on Ground	115.30 in (292.86 cm) - Starting 2026
Track Rollers/Shoes - Each Side	40 - Starting 2026
Track Shoe Width	19.69 in (50.01 cm)

Waste Handler

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Waste Handler specifications
Ground Pressure	9.7 psi - Starting 2026
Operating Weight	67,164.00 lbs (30,465.12 kg) - Starting 2026
Width of Standard Shoe	27.00 in (68.58 cm) - Starting 2026

Weights

Caterpillar 973 Crawler Loader Weights specifications
Operating Weight	65,901.00 lbs (29,892.23 kg) - Starting 2026