Specification sheet Wheel Loader Ref caterpillar-966m-tier-3-stage-iiia-wheel-loader
Caterpillar 966M (Tier 3/Stage IIIA)
The Caterpillar 966M (Tier 3/Stage IIIA) is a wheel loader with an operating weight of 51,176 lb (23,213.05 kg), and a 278 hp engine.
✓ QA-verified — every figure checked for unit consistency, physical possibility, and class plausibility; failures withheld → Operating weight
51,176lb
23,213.05kg
Engine power
278hp
207.4kW
Net Power - Iso 9249 ◆Where it sits in its classpercentile · medium wheel loaders
Among 198 medium wheel loaders (45,000–90,000 lb), the Caterpillar 966M (Tier 3/Stage IIIA) sits below the median for its class:
- Operating weight 51,180 lb lighter than 66% (n=198)
- Engine power 278 hp more powerful than 53% (n=190)
Not positioned on bucket capacity — withheld or unpublished for this machine.
01 Engine Specification
| Displacement | 568cu in | 9.4L |
|---|---|---|
| Net Power - Iso 9249 | 278hp | 207.4kw |
| Engine Model | Cat C9.3 ACERT | |
| Peak Gross Torque - 1,200 Rpm - Sae J1995 | 1180lb ft | 1599.9Nm |
| Peak Gross Torque - 1,200 Rpm - Iso 14396 | 1166lb ft | 1580.9Nm |
| Maximum Net Power - 1,700 Rpm - Iso 9249 | 278hp | 207.4kw |
| Maximum Net Power - 1,700 Rpm - Iso 9249 - Metric | 281hp | 209.6kw |
| Maximum Net Power - 1,700 Rpm - Sae J1349 | 278hp | 207.4kw |
| Maximum Net Power - 1,700 Rpm - Sae J1349 - Metric | 281hp | 209.6kw |
| Maximum Net Torque - 1,000 Rpm | 1112lb ft | 1507.7Nm |
| Maximum Gross Power - 1,800 Rpm - Sae J1995 | 308hp | 229.7kw |
| Maximum Gross Power - 1,800 Rpm - Sae J1995 - Metric | 313hp | 233.5kw |
| Maximum Gross Power - 1,800 Rpm - Iso 14396 | 304hp | 226.7kw |
| Maximum Gross Power - 1,800 Rpm - Iso 14396 - Metric | 309hp | 230.5kw |
02 Operational Specification
| Operating Weight | 51176lb | 23213.1kg |
|---|
03 Transmission Specification
| Forward - 1 | 4mph | 6.5km/h |
|---|---|---|
| Forward - 2 | 8.1mph | 13.1km/h |
| Forward - 3 | 14.6mph | 23.5km/h |
| Forward - 4 | 24.5mph | 39.5km/h |
| Note | Maximum travel speed in standard vehicle with empty bucket and standard L3 tires with 826 mm (32.5 in) roll radius. | |
| Reverse - 1 | 4.4mph | 7.1km/h |
| Reverse - 2 | 8.9mph | 14.4km/h |
| Reverse - 3 | 16.1mph | 26km/h |
| Reverse - 4 | 24.5mph | 39.5km/h |
04 Weights Specification
| Operating Weight | 51176lb | 23213.1kg |
|---|---|---|
| Note | Weight based on a machine configuration with Michelin 26.5R25 XHA2 L3 radial tires, full fluids, operator, standard counterweight, cold start, roading fenders, Product Link, manual diff lock/open axles (front/rear), power train guard, secondary steering, sound suppression and a 4.2 m3 (5.5 yd3) general purpose bucket with BOCE. |
05 Hydraulic System Specification
| Hydraulic Cycle Time - Total | 10.1 s | |
|---|---|---|
| Implement System - Maximum Operating Pressure | 4496 psi | |
| Implement Pump Type | Variable Displacement Piston | |
| Implement System - Maximum Pump Output At 2,200 Rpm | 95 gal/min |
06 Operating Specifications Specification
| Note (1) | For a machine configuration as defined under ?Weight.? | |
|---|---|---|
| Note (2) | Full compliance to ISO 143971:2007 Sections 1 thru 6, which requires 2% verification between calculations and testing. | |
| Breakout Force | 38984lb | 17682.9kg |
| Static Tipping Load - Full 37 Degrees Turn - With Tire Deflection | 32329lb | 14664.2kg |
| Static Tipping Load - Full 37 Degrees Turn - No Tire Deflection | 34873lb | 15818.2kg |
07 Service Refill Capacities Specification
| Cooling System | 18.9gal | 71.6L |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Tank | 82.7gal | 313.1L |
| Crankcase | 6.5gal | 24.7L |
| Hydraulic Tank | 33gal | 125L |
| Transmission | 15.5gal | 58.7L |
| Differential - Final Drives - Front | 15.1gal | 57.2L |
| Differential - Final Drives - Rear | 15.1gal | 57.2L |
08 Sound Specification
| Note (1) | *Distance of 15 m (49.2 ft), moving forward in second gear ratio. | |
|---|---|---|
| Note (2) | **For machines in countries that adopt the ?EU Directives.? | |
| Note (3) | ***European Union Directive ?2000/14/EC? as amended by ?2005/88/EC.? | |
| With Cooling Fan Speed At Maximum Value - Operator Sound Pressure Level (Iso 6396:2008) | 70 dB(A) | |
| With Cooling Fan Speed At Maximum Value - Exterior Sound Power Level (Iso 6395:2008) | 109 dB(A) | |
| With Cooling Fan Speed At Maximum Value - Exterior Sound Pressure Level (Sae J88:2013) | 76 dB(A)* | |
| With Cooling Fan Speed At 70% Of Maximum Value - Operator Sound Pressure Level (Iso 6396:2008)** | 69 dB(A) | |
| With Cooling Fan Speed At 70% Of Maximum Value - Exterior Sound Power Level (Iso 6395:2008)** | 108 Lwa*** |
09 Bucket Capacities Specification
| Bucket Capacities | 2.5-9.2 m? (3.25-12.0 yd?) |
|---|
10 Dimensions - High Lift Dimensions
| Ground Clearance | 1.42ft in | 0.44m |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Base | 11.67ft in | 3.56m |
| Centerline Of Rear Axle To Edge Of Counterweight | 8.17ft in | 2.5m |
| Centerline Of Rear Axle To Hitch | 5.83ft in | 1.78m |
| Height - Top Of Exhaust Pipe | 11.58ft in | 3.53m |
| Height - Top Of Hood | 9.25ft in | 2.82m |
| Height - Top Of Rops | 11.75ft in | 3.59m |
| Hinge Pin Height At Carry | 2.58ft in | 0.79m |
| Hinge Pin Height At Maximum Lift | 15.75ft in | 4.81m |
| Lift Arm Clearance At Maximum Lift | 13.5ft in | 4.12m |
| Maximum Width Over Tires | 9.92ft in | 3.03m |
| Overall Length - Without Bucket | 26.58ft in | 8.11m |
| Rack Back - Carry Height | 49 degrees | |
| Rack Back - Maximum Lift | 71 degrees | |
| Rack Back At Ground | 39 degrees | |
| Tread Width | 7.33ft in | 2.24m |
| Note | All dimensions are approximate and based on L3 XHA2 tires. |
11 Dimensions - Standard Lift Dimensions
| Ground Clearance | 1.42ft in | 0.44m |
|---|---|---|
| Rack Back - Maximum Lift | 62 degrees | |
| Centerline Of Rear Axle To Edge Of Counterweight | 7.17ft in | 2.19m |
| Lift Arm Clearance At Maximum Lift | 11.92ft in | 3.64m |
| Centerline Of Rear Axle To Hitch | 5.83ft in | 1.78m |
| Maximum Width Over Tires | 9.92ft in | 3.03m |
| Note | All dimensions are approximate and based on L3 XHA2 tires. | |
| Tread Width | 7.33ft in | 2.24m |
| Height - Top Of Exhaust Pipe | 11.58ft in | 3.53m |
| Height - Top Of Hood | 9.25ft in | 2.82m |
| Overall Length - Without Bucket | 23.92ft in | 7.3m |
| Height - Top Of Rops | 11.75ft in | 3.59m |
| Rack Back At Ground | 42 degrees | |
| Hinge Pin Height At Carry | 2.08ft in | 0.64m |
| Rack Back - Carry Height | 50 degrees | |
| Wheel Base | 11.67ft in | 3.56m |
| Hinge Pin Height At Maximum Lift | 13.92ft in | 4.25m |
?Questions & answersfrom this machine's data
- How much does a Caterpillar 966M (Tier 3/Stage IIIA) wheel loader weigh?
- A Caterpillar 966M (Tier 3/Stage IIIA) wheel loader has an operating weight of 51,176 lb (23,213.1 kg).
- What engine does a Caterpillar 966M (Tier 3/Stage IIIA) wheel loader have?
- A Caterpillar 966M (Tier 3/Stage IIIA) wheel loader is powered by a Cat C9.3 ACERT engine producing 278 hp (207.4 kW).
- What is the ground clearance of a Caterpillar 966M (Tier 3/Stage IIIA) wheel loader?
- A Caterpillar 966M (Tier 3/Stage IIIA) wheel loader has a ground clearance of 1.4 ft (0.4 m).
Method. Figures are manufacturer reference specifications, not measurements. Every value is checked for unit consistency, physically possible magnitude, and plausibility for its equipment class before publication; figures that fail any check are withheld rather than shown, and figures reconstructed from related data are marked above. Imperial and metric figures are reproduced as published, except where a note states otherwise.