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    Cat 972 Wheel Loader Productivity

    Dec. 1, 2021

    Caterpillar has updated its 972 wheel loader. The 339-horsepower loader has an operating weight of 54,858 pounds, plus a plethora of standard on-board technologies that combine to enable the loaders to deliver up to 10 percent more productivity than the predecessor model.

    Autodig with Auto Set Tires delivers automated bucket loading with proper loading techniques to significantly reduce tire slip and wear, according to the company.

    Cat Performance Buckets range from 3.75 to 18.25 cubic yards and are designed to balance shape against the machine’s linkage for high fill factors and material retention.

    Product specialist Scott Schmidtgall explains how the bucket and technology impact productivity during a walk-around at Cat's Edwards demonstration center.

    Read more on the Cat 972 as well as its sibling 966 Caterpillar wheel loader.

    About the Author

    Rod Sutton

    Sutton has served as the editorial lead of Construction Equipment magazine and ConstructionEquipment.com since 2001. 

    Our mission is to help managers of heavy equipment and trucks to improve their performance in acquiring and managing their fleets. One way we do that is with our Executive Institute, where experts share information and ideas that will enable equipment managers to accurately manage equipment costs so that they can deliver the optimum financial benefits to their organizations.

    We also have a laser focus on product development, performance, and technology; as well as equipment acquisition, disposal, and maintenance. Our exclusive Field Tests take earthmoving equipment and truck into the field for professional evaluations.

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    You can find Sutton on LinkedIn.

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