Machine models

Cat 438 Series II specifications

Entries in this reference
Listing-entry count
1

Short answer

Cat 438 Series II: backhoe loader.

Selected configuration figures
Configuration	Documented field and quantity
438 Series II	Net Power 77 hp Operating Weight 2wd 16,235 lb

Dimensions and weight
Specification	438 Series II
Transport Length	18.69 ft
Transport Width	7.9 ft
Transport Height	11.81 ft
Wheelbase	6.79 ft
Ground Clearance	1.1 ft
Height To Top Of Suspended Cab	9.17 ft

Hydraulic
Specification	438 Series II
Pump Flow Capacity	36.5 gpm
Relief Valve Pressure	2,698 psi

Ratios
Figure	438 Series II
Engine horsepower per 1,000 lb of weight	4.7
Pump flow per engine horsepower	0.47 gpm

Reference directory classification
Equipment group	backhoe loader

Where the 438 Series II ranks in Cat's list — Scope of the captured comparison
Brand	Equipment group	Compared entry	Sort order
Cat	backhoe loader	438 Series II	Descending quantity; 1 is largest

Figure	438 Series II	Rank	Lowest in line	Highest in line
Engine power	77.0 hp	9 of 16	55.8 hp	125.0 hp
Listed weight	16,235 lb	10 of 16	13,706 lb	29,321 lb
Pump flow	36.5 gpm	11 of 15	28.6 gpm	58.1 gpm
Horsepower per 1,000 lb	4.7 hp	8 of 16	2.3 hp	5.9 hp

The 438 Series II beside its neighbours

438 Series II: forum references — Forum-title search
Forum index	Equipment class queried	Names in the search	Matching titles
Heavy Equipment Forums	backhoe loader	Cat and the 438 line that the 438 Series II belongs to (no title names the exact model). That is too few titles to say what owners mostly ask about, so the most recent are listed instead	1

438 Series II: dated market and recall observations — Dated listing search
Date	Listing index	Equipment class	Names queried	Result
2026-09-24	MachineryTrader (machinerytrader.com)	backhoe loader	438 Series II	No matching offers in this snapshot

Dated CPSC search
Date	Database	Names queried	Result
2026-09-24	U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission	Cat; 438 Series II	No matching recall in the stated search

Sources for this page
Evidence class	Document, classification and recorded date
Reference site	Reference site: Cat 438 Series II — RitchieSpecs. Observed 2026-09-24.
Forum threads	Forum threads: Heavy Equipment Forums thread index for Cat 438 Series II — Heavy Equipment Forums. Observed 2026-09-24.
Federal agency data	Federal agency data: Recall database search for Cat — U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Observed 2026-09-24.

438 Series II

Specification	Source figure
Backhoe
Load Height - Std	11.35 ft
Reach From Swivel - Std	18.39 ft
Dig Depth - Std	15.79 ft
Bucket Dig Force - Std	11,008 lb
Bucket Dig Force - Ext	10,820 lb
Reach From Swivel - Ext	22.47 ft
Dig Depth - Ext	19.9 ft
Load Height - Ext	13.7 ft
Load At Max Lift - Std	3,704 lb
Load At Max Lift - Ext	2,127 lb
Dimensions and weight
Transport Length	18.69 ft
Transport Width	7.9 ft
Transport Height	11.81 ft
Wheelbase	6.79 ft
Ground Clearance	1.1 ft
Height To Top Of Suspended Cab	9.17 ft
Loader
Clearance At Max Dump Height	8.69 ft
Reach At Max Dump Height	2.81 ft
Dig Depth	3.75 in
Lift Capacity At Full Height	5,212 lb
Bucket Capacity	1.31 yd3
Bucket Width	94.34 in
Bucket Breakout Force	8,026 lb
Engine
Engine Model	4.236
Net Power	77 hp
Gross Power	83 hp
Displacement	235.6 cu in
Operational
Turning Radius	12.9 ft
Tire Size Front - 2wd / 4wd	12.5/80-18 10 PR
Rear Tires Size 2wd/4wd	18.4/15-26 12PR
Operating Weight 2wd	16,235 lb
Transmission and speeds
Number Of Forward Gears	4
Number Of Reverse Gears	4
Max Speed - Forward	19 mph
Max Speed Reverse	19.1 mph
Hydraulic
Pump Flow Capacity	36.5 gpm
Relief Valve Pressure	2,698 psi