Machine models
Cat 938H: engine ratings, hydraulic circuits and brake-pedal behavior
938H horsepower ratings use different test standards
The C6.6 ACERT engine has separate SAE J1349 and ISO 9249 net ratings in Cat's AEHQ5911-01 booklet. The lower SAE figure is not another trim or evidence of an engine derate. Keep the test standard attached to the power when comparing the 938H with another loader.
The gross rating is a third measurement.
The listed operating weight and full-turn tipping load use a general-purpose bucket and specified tires. A different bucket changes the attachment weight and geometry. Cat's travel-speed table also assumes an empty bucket.
Neither the tipping figure nor the top speed describes an unrestricted loaded-travel condition.
The hydraulic-flow entry is measured at a stated engine speed and test pressure. That pressure is not labeled as a relief-valve setting in the manufacturer note. Its cycle-time total describes raising, dumping and lowering the bucket, with payload conditions specified separately.
The cab doors have different opening arrangements. Cat describes the main door latching fully open, while the right door provides ventilation and a separate release for secondary exit. The optional rear camera and optional implement joystick are also identified separately.
Check those fittings on the particular loader; their appearance in the equipment booklet does not establish that a used machine includes them.
Source: Original Cat 938H AEHQ5911-01, engine, weight, speed and hydraulic notes.
Separate steering, implement and brake-fan complaints
The April 2008 SERV1853 training book describes a variable-displacement steering/implement pump. A priority valve allocates its output to steering before the implement system. The brake/fan pump mounts behind it but serves a different circuit.
A weak loader function and a fan problem therefore need different observations; calling either one “the hydraulic pump” hides which supply is involved.
The optional secondary-steering system uses its own electric motor and pump. Cat explicitly says its flow is lower than the primary system's. Its purpose is to let the machine reach a safe location after primary-steering or engine failure, not to continue ordinary loading.
The left brake pedal can also request transmission downshifts and neutralization. Those functions can be disabled independently of braking. Record the selected neutralizer behavior before interpreting a momentary loss of drive as a transmission failure.
Messenger provides transmission information and diagnostic menus, alongside separate lifetime travel and engine totals.
Source: Original Caterpillar SERV1853, April 2008, Messenger, pedal inputs and steering/implement sections.
| Model and field | Earlier entry | Manufacturer figure and scope | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 938H Power Measured @ | 2,200 rpm | 2100 rpm, engine ratings in AEHQ5911-01; net standards distinguished | Original document |
| 938H Total | 9.8 s | 9.5 s, manufacturer raise5.4/dump1.4/lower empty float2.7 cycle | Original document |
| 938H FOPS | SAE J1040 APR88, ISO 3471:1994 | SAE J231 Jan81 and ISO3449:1992 LevelII, AEHQ5911-01 cab specification | Original document |
| Listing-entry count |
|---|
| 1 |
The Cat 938H is an 180-horsepower wheel loader, and Cat lists one version of it. Listed weight is 33,190 lb.
| Specification | 938H |
|---|---|
| Dump Clearance At Max Raise | 9.08 ft |
| Bucket Capacity - Heaped | 3.65 yd3 |
| Bucket Capacity - Struck | 3.15 yd3 |
| Bucket Width | 8.83 ft |
| Breakout Force | 27,576 lb |
| Specification | 938H |
|---|---|
| Ground Clearance | 1.25 ft |
| Length With Bucket On Ground | 24.08 ft |
| Width Over Tires | 8.75 ft |
| Height To Top Of Cab | 11 ft |
| Wheelbase | 9.83 ft |
| Hinge Pin - Max Height | 12.58 ft |
| Reach At Max Lift And Dump | 3.5 ft |
| Overall Length | 23.58 ft |
| Rack Back Angle - Carry | 50 degrees |
| Rack Back Angle - Maximum Lift | 65 degrees |
| Reach At Maximum Lift And 45 Degrees Dump | 3.25 ft |
| Wheel Base | 9.81 ft |
| Dump Clearance At Maximum Lift - 45 Degrees | 9.42 ft |
| Bucket Pin Height - Maximum Lift | 12.58 ft |
| Dump Angle At Maximum Lift | 50 degrees |
| Height - Top Of ROPS/FOPS | 11 ft |
| Digging Depth | 1.9 in |
| Specification | 938H |
|---|---|
| Number Of Cylinders | 6 |
| Engine Model | 6.6 ACERT |
| Net Power | 180 hp |
| Gross Power | 197 hp |
| Power Measured @ | 2100 rpm, engine ratings in AEHQ5911-01; net standards distinguished |
| Max Torque | 620 lb-ft |
| Displacement | 402.8 cu in |
| Torque Rise | 38 % |
| Bore | 4.1 in |
| Stroke | 5 in |
| Eec 80/1269 | 180 hp |
| Rated Net Power | 172 hp |
| SAE J1349 | 172 hp |
| ISO 9249 (1997) | 180 hp |
| Specification | 938H |
|---|---|
| Operating Weight | 33,190 lb |
| Fuel Capacity | 65.3 gal |
| Hydraulic Reservoir Capacity | 23.5 gal |
| Engine Oil Fluid Capacity | 4.6 gal |
| Cooling System Fluid Capacity | 9.5 gal |
| Transmission Fluid Capacity | 11.4 gal |
| Front Axle/Diff Fluid Capacity | 15.1 gal |
| Rear Axle/Diff Fluid Capacity | 14 gal |
| Static Tipping Weight | 25,551 lb |
| Loader Clearance Circle At Carry (Earlier Radius Label) | 39.5 ft |
| Operating Voltage | 24 V |
| Alternator Supplied Amperage | 80 amps |
| Rear Axle Oscillation | 24 degrees |
| Tire Size | 20.5R25 |
| Specification | 938H |
|---|---|
| Transmission Type | Powershift |
| Number Of Forward Gears | 4 |
| Number Of Reverse Gears | 3 |
| Max Speed - Forward | 26.8 mph |
| Max Speed - Reverse | 15.8 mph |
| Forward - 1 | 5 mph |
| Reverse - 1 | 5 mph |
Cat 938H: engine ratings, hydraulic circuits and brake-pedal behavior: Weights
| Specification | 938H |
|---|---|
| Size | 20.5 R25 |
| Specification | 938H |
|---|---|
| Bucket Capacities | 2.3 m3 - 3.0 m3 3.0 yd3 - 4.0 yd3 |
| Specification | 938H |
|---|---|
| Pump Output Measurement Pressure | 1,000 psi |
| Pump Flow Capacity | 77.9 gpm |
| Raise Time | 5.4 sec |
| Dump Time | 1.4 sec |
| Lower Time | 2.7 sec |
| Pump Type | Piston |
| Specification | 938H |
|---|---|
| Static Tipping Load - Full Turn | 22,207 lb |
| Dump Clearance At Full Lift And 45 Degrees Dump Angle | 9.4 ft |
| Specification | 938H |
|---|---|
| Cooling System | 9.5 gal |
| Fuel Tank | 65.3 gal |
| Crankcase | 4.6 gal |
| Hydraulic Tank | 23.5 gal |
| Transmission | 11.4 gal |
| Specification | 938H |
|---|---|
| ROPS | SAE J1040 APR88, ISO 3471:1994 |
| FOPS | SAE J231 Jan81 and ISO3449:1992 LevelII, AEHQ5911-01 cab specification |
| Specification | 938H |
|---|---|
| Raise | 5.4 s |
| Dump | 1.4 s |
| Lower, Empty, Float Down | 2.7 s |
| Total | 9.5 s, manufacturer raise5.4/dump1.4/lower empty float2.7 cycle |
| Hydraulic Cycle Time | 9.5 |
| Figure | 938H |
|---|---|
| Engine horsepower per 1,000 lb of weight | 5.4 |
| Pump flow per engine horsepower | 0.43 gpm |
| Fuel tank per engine horsepower | 0.36 gal |
| Equipment group | wheel loader |
|---|
Cat's listing for the 938H matches a wheel loader; see the wheel loaders page.
| Brand | Equipment group | Compared entry | Sort order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat | wheel loader | 938H | Descending quantity; 1 is largest |
| Figure | 938H | Rank | Lowest in line | Highest in line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 180.0 hp | 32 (tied) of 54 | 40.0 hp | 1,870.0 hp |
| Listed weight | 33,190 lb | 30 of 53 | 9,150 lb | 417,430 lb |
| Pump flow | 77.9 gpm | 6 of 15 | 14.0 gpm | 4,015.0 gpm |
| Fuel capacity | 65.3 gal | 31 of 54 | 11.4 gal | 1,505.0 gal |
| Horsepower per 1,000 lb | 5.4 hp | 12 of 50 | 2.8 hp | 6.7 hp |
| Base version | 930G | 938H | R1600G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 150.2 hp | 180 hp | 221.3 hp |
| Weight | 29,039 lb | 33,190 lb | 65,698 lb |
| Pump flow | 938H: 77.9 gpm | ||
| Fuel capacity | 59.5 gal | 65.3 gal | 105.7 gal |
| Wheelbase | 9.52 ft | 9.83 ft | 11.61 ft |
938H: owner reports
Related account: “Implement fault, no drive and a power loss”: 938G and 938G Series II.
| Forum index | Equipment class queried | Names in the search | Matching titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Equipment Forums | wheel loader | Cat and the 938H. That is too few titles to say what owners mostly ask about, so the most recent are listed instead | 6 |
- Does CAT 938h G Use The Same Pin On Bucket As CAT 938k M (Heavy Equipment Forums, 2024-07-19)
- CAT 938h Diesel Knock (Heavy Equipment Forums, 2024-06-05)
- CAT 938h Starting Problem (Heavy Equipment Forums, 2023-10-29)
- CAT 938h Loader No Electrical Power (Heavy Equipment Forums, 2021-11-04)
| Observation date | Listing source | Equipment search | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-24 | MachineryTrader | Cat wheel loader | 25 |
| Model | Listed | Model years | Lowest asking | Highest asking | Median asking | Median hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 938H | 25 | 2008 to 2012 | $33,074 | $141,808 | $59,875 | None shown |
| Search date | Database | Names queried | Search result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-24 | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission | Cat together with the wheel loader 938H | No matching recall in this search |
| Evidence class | Document, classification and recorded date |
|---|---|
| Reference site |
|
| Forum threads |
|
| Used-market listings |
|
| Federal agency data |
|
| Observation field | Recorded value |
|---|---|
| Title count | 6 |
| Forum indexes | Heavy Equipment Forums |
| Search wording | the 938H wheel loader |
| Latest title quoted by the reference | Does CAT 938h G Use The Same Pin On Bucket As CAT 938k M |
Cat 938H: engine ratings, hydraulic circuits and brake-pedal behavior: Configuration records
938H
| Specification | Source figure |
|---|---|
| Bucket | |
| Dump Clearance At Max Raise | 9.08 ft |
| Bucket Capacity - Heaped | 3.65 yd3 |
| Bucket Capacity - Struck | 3.15 yd3 |
| Bucket Width | 8.83 ft |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Ground Clearance | 1.25 ft |
| Length With Bucket On Ground | 24.08 ft |
| Width Over Tires | 8.75 ft |
| Height To Top Of Cab | 11 ft |
| Wheelbase | 9.83 ft |
| Hinge Pin - Max Height | 12.58 ft |
| Reach At Max Lift And Dump | 3.5 ft |
| Overall Length | 23.58 ft |
| Rack Back Angle - Carry | 50 degrees |
| Rack Back Angle - Maximum Lift | 65 degrees |
| Reach At Maximum Lift And 45 Degrees Dump | 3.25 ft |
| Wheel Base | 9.81 ft |
| Dump Clearance At Maximum Lift - 45 Degrees | 9.42 ft |
| Bucket Pin Height - Maximum Lift | 12.58 ft |
| Dump Angle At Maximum Lift | 50 degrees |
| Height - Top Of ROPS/FOPS | 11 ft |
| Digging Depth | 1.9 in |
| Engine | |
| Number Of Cylinders | 6 |
| Engine Model | 6.6 ACERT |
| Net Power | 180 hp |
| Gross Power | 197 hp |
| Power Measured @ | 2100 rpm, engine ratings in AEHQ5911-01; net standards distinguished [source] |
| Max Torque | 620 lb-ft |
| Displacement | 402.8 cu in |
| Torque Rise | 38 % |
| Bore | 4.1 in |
| Stroke | 5 in |
| Eec 80/1269 | 180 hp |
| Rated Net Power | 172 hp |
| SAE J1349 | 172 hp |
| ISO 9249 (1997) | 180 hp |
| Operational | |
| Fuel Capacity | 65.3 gal |
| Engine Oil Fluid Capacity | 4.6 gal |
| Cooling System Fluid Capacity | 9.5 gal |
| Transmission Fluid Capacity | 11.4 gal |
| Front Axle/Diff Fluid Capacity | 15.1 gal |
| Rear Axle/Diff Fluid Capacity | 14 gal |
| Static Tipping Weight | 25,551 lb |
| Operating Voltage | 24 V |
| Alternator Supplied Amperage | 80 amps |
| Rear Axle Oscillation | 24 degrees |
| Tire Size | 20.5R25 |
| Transmission and speeds | |
| Transmission Type | Powershift |
| Number Of Forward Gears | 4 |
| Number Of Reverse Gears | 3 |
| Max Speed - Forward | 26.8 mph |
| Max Speed - Reverse | 15.8 mph |
| Forward - 1 | 5 mph |
| Reverse - 1 | 5 mph |
| Tires | |
| Size | 20.5 R25 |
| Buckets | |
| Bucket Capacities | 2.3 m3 - 3.0 m3 3.0 yd3 - 4.0 yd3 |
| Hydraulic System | |
| Pump Flow Capacity | 77.9 gpm |
| Raise Time | 5.4 sec |
| Dump Time | 1.4 sec |
| Lower Time | 2.7 sec |
| Pump Type | Piston |
| Operating Specifications | |
| Static Tipping Load - Full Turn | 22,207 lb |
| Dump Clearance At Full Lift And 45 Degrees Dump Angle | 9.4 ft |
| Service Refill Capacities | |
| Cooling System | 9.5 gal |
| Fuel Tank | 65.3 gal |
| Crankcase | 4.6 gal |
| Hydraulic Tank | 23.5 gal |
| Transmission | 11.4 gal |
| Cab | |
| ROPS | SAE J1040 APR88, ISO 3471:1994 |
| FOPS | SAE J231 Jan81 and ISO3449:1992 LevelII, AEHQ5911-01 cab specification [source] |
| Loader Hydraulic System | |
| Raise | 5.4 s |
| Dump | 1.4 s |
| Lower, Empty, Float Down | 2.7 s |
| Total | 9.5 s, manufacturer raise5.4/dump1.4/lower empty float2.7 cycle [source] |
| Hydraulic Cycle Time | 9.5 |
| Additional specifications | |
| Breakout Force | 27,576 lb |
| Operating Weight | 33,190 lb |
| Hydraulic Reservoir Capacity | 23.5 gal [source] |
| Loader Clearance Circle At Carry (Earlier Radius Label) | 39.5 ft [source] |
| Pump Output Measurement Pressure | 1,000 psi [source] |
| Manufacturer Engine Hydraulic And Weight Conditions | AEHQ5911-01: SAEJ1995 gross147 kW197 hp; ISO9249 net134 kW180 hp; SAEJ1349 net128 kW172 hp, at2100 rpm. Implement piston-pump flow295 L/min77.9 US gpm measured at6900 kPa1000 psi, not a documented relief setting. Tank89 L23.5 US gal. Weight15059 kg33190 lb uses2.8 m3 GP bucket and20.5R25 tires. [source] |
More in Cat: 950B/950E/950F, 926E/930R, 966C/966R: historical specs/bucket controls/brakes.