WHEEL LOADER
Cat 988 GC
Operating Weight
Gross Power
Shovel capacity
Technical Details
Technical Details
proven reliability
Proven Reliability
- With 15+ years of electric-drive experience, the 988K XE combines the simple and robust switched reluctance technology with proven machine design.
- More than 90 percent identical to the market leader, the 988K.
- Fewer moving parts than traditional torque converter and mechanical transmission systems.
- Solid-state, fully sealed, and liquid-cooled powered electronics maximize durability in extreme conditions.
- Moves more material more efficiently with improved power and control.
- Cat C18 engine is built and tested to meet your most demanding applications.
- Advanced filtration system for extended performance and reliability of the hydraulic system.
long term value and durability
Durability
- Achieves longer engine life and improved fuel efficiency with reduced rated speed.
- Automatic retarder controls maintain speed on grade.
- One-piece castings provide enhanced strength in key pin areas.
- Full box section rear frame resists torsional shock and twisting forces.
- Durable construction withstands the toughest loading conditions and multiple life cycles.
achieve greater productivity
Achieve Greater Productivity
- Up to 10 percent increase in productivity in load and carry applications.
- Electric-drive system eliminates shifting and simplifies operator control, accelerating the learning curve of new operators.
- Superior acceleration, smoother directional shifts, and reduced travel times.
- Maximum responsiveness with Steering and Integrated Control (STIC™).
- Convenient, responsive electro-hydraulic controls increase operator productivity.
- Superior digging, higher bucket fill factors, and reduced dig times.
- Up to 10 percent more payload per pass, higher efficiency, and improved pass match.
- Improved visibility over the top of the linkage.
powerful efficiency
Superior Fuel Efficiency
- Up to 25 percent better fuel efficiency overall.
- Up to 49 percent more fuel efficiency in truck loading applications.
- Greenhouse gas reductions up to the equivalent of 1 year of electricity use for nearly 10 homes.
- Continuously variable speed control up to maximum ground speed.
- Positive Flow Control (PFC) hydraulic system increases efficiency, bucket feel, and responsiveness with consistent performance.
- Economy mode for reduced rated engine speed and reduced fuel consumption.
- Fully integrated electronic engine controls make your fuel go farther.
- Engine idle shutdown for less fuel used while idling.
- Flow sharing hydraulics for full‑flow at reduced engine rpm.
- Increased hydraulic speed and faster cycle times for decreased idle, decreased fuel burn, and increased efficiency.
productivity with technology
Increase Productivity and Efficiency with Integrated Technologies
- Cat Technologies developed to monitor, manage, and enhance your jobsite operations.
- Cat Payload provides accurate weighing* of the materials you are loading and hauling. Payload data is displayed in real-time to improve productivity and reduce overloading.
- Cat Detect enhances awareness of the environment around working equipment and provides alerts to help keep people and assets safe on the jobsite.
- Product Link™ wirelessly connects you to your equipment, giving you access to essential information you need to know to run your business.
- Gain valuable insight into how your machine or fleet is performing.
- Optional Advanced Productivity subscription provides comprehensive actionable information to help you manage and improve the productivity and profitability of your operations.
- Up to 15% improved cycle time and 10% better bucket fill factor with optional Operator Coaching.
- Up to 10% dig segment cycle optimization with optional New AutoDig features.
*Not legal for trade.
safety first
Safety Features
- Hazardous voltage lamp assures electric drive system is de-energized and machine is safe to work on.
- Achieve precise positioning for easy loading in tight areas with 43 degrees of steering articulation.
- Precise machine control by load-sensing hydraulic steering system.
- Reduced stairway angles and standard stairway lighting provide reduced risk of slips, trips, and falls due to better visibility of the steps and stairway.
- Left- and right-hand stairs with 45-degree angle.
- Computerized monitoring system with warning indicators.
- Standard Cat Vision enhances visibility behind the machine, helping you work safely and confidently.
- Pressurized cabin with filtered air and reduced sound levels.
save on service and maintenance
Reduced Maintenance Time and Costs
- Electric-drive system maximizes consumable life, reducing oil and filter waste. Enables two times the life for power train oil and four times the life for filters.
- Reduce the potential for wheel slippage without reducing hydraulic efficiency with RCS (Rimpull Control System) and modulating the left pedal from 100 to 25 percent.
- Longer life, rebuildability, and high resale value with 10 percent lower maintenance costs.
- Grouped service points and swing-out engine compartment service doors provide easy access to critical daily service checks.
- Ecology drains to prevent spilled contaminants.
- Electro-hydraulic controls.
- Reduced waste with maintenance-free batteries.
- Vehicle Information Management System (VIMS™) notifications to resolve problems before failure.
- Operators can now check tire pressure during operation with any change sending a fault code to VisionLink®, preventing premature tire failure.
operator comfort and control
Easy, Comfortable OperatorEnvironment
- Best-in-class operator comfort and ergonomics.
- Comfort Series III seats with extra thick, contoured cushions provide total comfort throughout the workday.
- Easy-to-reach levers and seat-mounted implement pod to reduce fatigue.
- Ergonomic switch placement and displays with large, backlit switches and LED indicators.
- Two-position rocker switch activates the electro-hydraulic parking brake.
- Reduced vibrations from isolated cab mounts and seat air suspension.
- Automatic cab temperature controls.
purpose-built specialty models
Purpose-Built Specialty Arrangements
Millyard
- Unload a typical full-length log truck in a single pass with the larger lift and tilt cylinders and a unique tilt lever to maximize linkage force. Up to 20% more lift capacity and 26% more tilt capacity over the standard 988K.
- Swing out fan radiator design for easier service in high-debris millyard applications reducing maintenance and service down time.Auto reversing fan system to help dislodge debris and keep air flowing across the radiator cores.
- Additional counterweight to increase stability for improved confidence while maneuvering with full loads.
- Purpose-built lift arm with lowered cross member to increase visibility to the tips of the forks helping to increase the speed when lining up the load and reduce operator movements to see the forks.
sustainability
- The Cat® C18 engine meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final, EU Stage V, and Japan 2014 emission standards.
- The 988K XE emits up to 37% less CO2 than the previous 988K*.
- Cat diesel engines are required to use ULSD (ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel with 15 ppm of sulfur or less) or ULSD blended with the following lower-carbon intensity fuels up to: 20% biodiesel FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) ** or 100% renewable diesel, HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) and GTL (gas-to-liquid) fuels. Refer to guidelines for successful application. Please consult your Cat dealer or “Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations” (SEBU6250) for details.
- The Cat® clean emissions module includes Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technologies to reduce the engine’s emissions.
- Engine Idle Shutdown Timer reduces fuel burn, greenhouse gas emissions and unnecessary idle time by shutting down the machine after a pre-set idling period.
- Autodig helps you work more efficiently and productively and reduce fuel burn, greenhouse gas emissions, machine wear and operator fatigue.
- Auto Set Tires reduce tire wear and lowers fuel burn and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Extended maintenance intervals not only reduce downtime but decrease the amount of fluid and filters that are replaced over the life of the machine.
- Rear Object Detection for the 988K XE helps enhance job site safety and blind spot awareness when operating in reverse.
- Cat® Payload technology maximizes loading efficiency, helping operators of every skill level work more accurately to reduce load time, fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Upgrade to Advanced Payload for expanded features and capabilities that can further increase operator efficiency and accuracy.
*All comparisons to 988K. Productivity, fuel and CO2 emissions vary by application. CO2 emissions calculations based on a reference work cycle using 2.2 U.S. gallons per hour of #2 U.S. diesel fuel based. Applies IPCC2006 methodology using U.S. EPA Emissions Hub emission factors. Includes DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) related CO2. Fuel measurements are at 15°C. Estimated average fuel consumption improvements are based on tests or Product Link® data where available. Productivity improvements are based on test data. When compared to the 988H (2010) and accounting for productivity improvements, the 988K XE emits up to 45% less CO2 per ton of material moved.
**Engines with no aftertreatment devices can use higher blends, up to 100% biodiesel.

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