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Whether you call them wheel loaders, front-end loaders, payloaders or bucket loaders, there’s no dispute that these versatile machines are among the most valuable members of any heavy equipment fleet. Wheel loaders function as mobile shovels that can scoop, lift, carry and load a wide variety of materials, including sand, gravel, rock, woodchips, dirt and more. You can also add a variety of wheel loader attachments such as forks, brooms, buckets and plows that increase their versatility and value.

Cat^®, the world’s heavy equipment leader for nearly a century, manufacturers wheel loaders in a variety of sizes and configurations to meet every job site requirement. Cat compact wheel loaders are the smallest machines in the fleet, but they never come up short when it comes to performance and productivity. They’re able to work in tight spots that are inaccessible to larger, bulkier machines, and they deliver more power than you might expect from a compact model.

The Cat 918 Wheel Loader Can Meet Your Material Handling Needs

A highlight of the Cat compact wheel loader lineup is the highly advanced 918 model. A staple of the Caterpillar family until the early 1990s, the company reintroduced the Cat 918 in 2016 as part of its expanded M Series product line. This revolutionary machine fills the “gray area” between small and compact wheel loaders. It features a smaller frame than the Cat 926 model, but it delivers more power than the typical compact wheel loader.

The Cat 918 is perfect for tasks that demand a bit more muscle while still offering the maneuverability, agility and responsiveness required for working in confined spaces.

Overview of the Many Features Found on the Cat 918 Wheel Loader

When Caterpillar redesigned the 918 wheel loader, the company’s engineers incorporated a host of upgraded features that maximize performance, efficiency and productivity, such as:

• Optimized Z-bar loader linkage: This innovative linkage upgrade delivers excellent digging efficiency. It also provides tool carrier capabilities that will enhance your ability to load, unload and transport a broader assortment of materials at your jobsites. When this change is combined with the parallel tilt forces, you’ll be able to handle loads more confidently and safely than ever. You can also add a high lift option that will extend the compact track loader’s reach and offer more dump clearance for your high-demand applications.
• Fusion coupler: The ability to change work tools quickly is essential for maximizing jobsite productivity and completing projects on time. The 918 wheel loader includes a Fusion coupler by Caterpillar that enables your operators to switch attachments in seconds without ever leaving the cab. This highly advanced feature eliminates the need to drive pins in and out or swap tools. The Fusion coupler is easy to engage and includes intuitive controls that make it compatible with equipment operators of every skill level.
• Guarding: The five-piece guarding package that’s available with the Cat 918 safeguards the machine’s most vulnerable areas: headlights, hitch, powertrain, drive shaft and crankcase. All guards are simple to mount and will protect against typical worksite hazards such as debris falling from the loader’s bucket, materials that collect in the frames and damage from obstacles in the machine’s path.
• 20.5-inch tires: The larger 20.5-inch tires on the Cat 918 represent a significant upgrade over the standard 17.5-inch versions found on most compact wheel loaders in its class. They provide up to a 20% increase in tire life and also offer greater traction, stability and tipping capacity. Three tire variations are available: general application, snow and ice and heavy-duty. It’s vital to use the Fusion coupler or the optional high lift linkage with the tires to ensure the work tools rest level on the ground during use.

The Cat 918 Wheel Loader Can Provide a Host of Benefits to Your Business

After you add a Cat 918 to your heavy equipment fleet, you’ll experience a host of valuable benefits that will dramatically improve the outcome of your projects, including:

• Increased work tool versatility: While compact wheel loaders already provide outstanding versatility, the Cat 918 takes this attribute to a higher level. Specifically, the Fusion coupler will make work tools an even more essential aspect of your operation. With the multitude of Fusion-compatible attachments, you can transform your loader into a multifunctional machine that can perform a broad range of loading, hauling and material handling tasks. You’ll be able to do more with less heavy equipment, which can reduce costs and bolster profitability.
• Performing high-dump applications: The high-lift linkage and newly designed loader arm assembly increases the wheel loader’s lift height and reach capacity by up to 10%. This enhanced versatility is beneficial for high-dump applications in industries such as waste and recycling, construction and agriculture. Combined with the 20.5-inch tires, the linkage will provide a bucket pin height of well over 13 feet.
• Improved performance: The increased traction and stability provided by the 20.5-inch tires will enhance the overall performance of the Cat 918 wheel loader. Your operators will be able to handle heavy loads with fewer concerns about machine tipping. They’ll also be able to navigate all types of terrain with ease. As a result, your team will complete tasks faster than ever and with fewer worksite mishaps.
• More equipment protection: Consider the beating a compact loader takes during a typical day on the job. With the high-quality guarding that’s available with the Cat 918, you can significantly reduce the amount of damage to your machine. You’ll experience maximum equipment uptime and spend less money on repairs. You’ll also be able to extend the lifespan of your equipment and lengthen the time between replacements.

Contact Us to Learn More About the Cat 918 Wheel Loader

Cleveland Brothers is your one-stop source for Cat compact wheel loader sales and service in Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. Feel free to stop by one of our locations in the region to get a closer look at the Cat 918 wheel loader. You can also contact us online for additional product and pricing information.

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