Construction Equipment Guide
470 Maryland Drive
Fort Washington, PA 19034
800-523-2200
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.