Machine models

Cat 980H specifications

A neutral-latch message can survive good switch readings

In a reported 980H case, JMS02203 would select neither forward nor reverse and displayed “latched to neutral”. The operator-input, parking-brake and neutralizer readings appeared correct in Cat ET. The machine briefly returned to work, then failed again.

That intermittent recovery did not establish that the fault had gone away.

The owner's completed follow-up describes finding shorted wiring at a transmission clutch solenoid and deteriorated insulation elsewhere in the harness. Several shift-valve housings were also leaking oil. Harness replacement, resealing the housings, replacing brittle coils and completing calibration restored operation in that case.

The owner qualified the solenoid number, so a buyer should not treat it as a universal identification rule. The useful inspection question is whether electrical condition, leakage and the recorded fault history have been assessed together.

Source: 980H neutral-latch case and November 2022 repair follow-up.

Earlier European and later H brochures are different records

The earlier European brochure describes the C15's output as 237 kW and 322 hp. Read those units carefully: its horsepower presentation accompanies the metric rating. The later AEHQ5631-04 sheet instead states 260 kW and 349 hp under ISO 9249, alongside a 393 hp gross rating.

Their refill schedules also differ: the earlier document lists a 34-litre crankcase, while the later sheet prints 64 litres. A shared 980H badge does not settle which edition describes the actual machine.

The European equipment list identifies a dual-tilt Z-bar linkage and lists Ride Control, an additional hydraulic valve and a high-lift arrangement as options. Check the fitted arrangement before using a bucket's clearance. A hydraulic control option and a longer lift arm address different parts of the loading job.

Sources: Earlier European 980H brochure; 980H AEHQ5631-04.

A printed pilot-flow entry needs clarification

AEHQ5631-04 prints 464 L/min both against the main bucket system and against the pilot-flow line, using slightly different rounded gallon figures. That is what the document says; it does not independently verify the pilot pump's delivery on a particular serial range. Keep the main implement rating separate and obtain the applicable hydraulic schematic or service specification before using that pilot entry for testing or replacement selection.

Source: AEHQ5631-04, printed page 18 hydraulic table.

Entries in this reference
Listing-entry count
1

Short answer

Cat 980H: wheel loader.

Selected configuration figures
Configuration	Documented field and quantity
980H	Net Power - ISO 9249 349 hp Operating Weight 67,294 lb

980H specification matrix — Bucket
Specification	980H
Dump Clearance At Max Raise	10.83 ft
Breakout Force	61,425 lb
Bucket Width	11.59 ft
Bucket Capacity - Heaped	5.5 yd3
Bucket Capacity - Struck	4.78 yd3

Dimensions and weight
Specification	980H
Ground Clearance	1.45 ft
Length With Bucket On Ground	31.08 ft
Width Over Tires	10.58 ft
Height To Top Of Cab	12.35 ft
Wheelbase	12.17 ft
Hinge Pin - Max Height	14.78 ft
Reach At Max Lift And Dump	5.08 ft
Height - Top Of Exhaust Pipe	146.28 in
Centerline Of Rear Axle To Hitch	72.84 in
Centerline Rear Axle To Edge Of Counterweight	8.18 ft
B-Pin Height - Standard	14.78 ft
Height - Top Of Hood	106.92 in
Height - Top Of ROPS	12.35 ft
Wheel Base	12.14 ft

Engine
Specification	980H
Number Of Cylinders	6
Engine Model	C15 ACERT
Net Power	318 hp
Gross Power	355 hp
Power Measured @	1,800 rpm
Max Torque	1,191 lb-ft
Displacement	928 cu in
Bore	5.4 in
Stroke	6.8 in
Net Power - ISO 9249	349 hp
Net Power - SAE J1349	349 hp
Net Power - 80/1269/Eec	353 hp
Gross Power - SAE J1995	393 hp
Peak Torque - 1,200 Rpm - Net	1,244 lb-ft

Operational
Specification	980H
Operating Weight	66,489 lb
Fuel Capacity	127 gal
Hydraulic System Fluid Capacity	66 gal
Engine Oil Fluid Capacity	10 gal
Cooling System Fluid Capacity	22 gal
Transmission Fluid Capacity	16 gal
Front Axle/Diff Fluid Capacity	23 gal
Rear Axle/Diff Fluid Capacity	23 gal
Static Tipping Weight	50,201 lb
Turning Radius	26.1 ft
Operating Voltage	24 V
Alternator Supplied Amperage	80 amps
Rear Axle Oscillation	26 degrees
Tire Size	29.5-25

Transmission and speeds
Specification	980H
Transmission Type	Powershift
Number Of Forward Gears	4
Number Of Reverse Gears	4
Max Speed - Forward	22.6 mph
Max Speed - Reverse	25.8 mph
Forward - 1	4.1 mph
Forward - 2	7.3 mph
Forward - 3	12.9 mph
Forward - 4	22.6 mph
Reverse - 1	4.7 mph
Reverse - 2	8.4 mph
Reverse - 3	14.7 mph
Reverse - 4	25.8 mph

Weights
Specification	980H
Operating Weight	67,294 lb

Tires
Specification	980H
Tires	Choose from a variety of tires to match your application

Buckets
Specification	980H
Maximum Bucket Capacity	8 yd3
Bucket Capacities	3.8–6.1 m³ / 5.0–8.0 yd³
Bucket Width	11.6 ft
Capacity - Reference Bucket	5.5 yd3
Type - Reference Bucket	GP with teeth
Breakout Force - Reference Bucket	61,373 lb

Hydraulic System
Specification	980H
Relief Valve Setting	3,000 psi
Pump Flow Capacity	123 gpm
Raise Time	6 sec
Dump Time	2.1 sec
Lower Time	3.4 sec
Pump Type	Gear
Hydraulic Cycle Time - Total	11.5 s
Hydraulic Cycle Time - Lower, Empty, Float Down	3.4 s
Hydraulic Cycle Time - Raise	6 s
Pilot Flow as Printed — Verify Applicable Serial Range	122.58 US gpm / 464 L/min (as printed; pilot-system label unresolved)
Bucket/Work Tool System - Relief Valve Setting	3,000 psi
Hydraulic Cycle Time - Dump	2.1 s
Bucket/Work Tool System - Pump Output	123 gpm

Axles
Specification	980H
Front	Fixed front
Rear	Oscillating ±13°
Maximum Single-Wheel Rise And Fall	21.7 in

Brakes
Specification	980H
Brakes	Meets required standards

Operating Specifications
Specification	980H
Static Tipping Load - Full Turn	42,989 lb
Breakout Force	44,775 lb

Service Refill Capacities
Specification	980H
Cooling System	22 gal
Crankcase	17 gal
Hydraulic Tank	33 gal
Hydraulic System - Including Tank	66 gal
Fuel Tank - Standard	127 gal
Transmission	16 gal
Differential - Final Drives - Front	23 gal
Differential - Final Drives - Rear	23 gal

Cab
Specification	980H
ROPS/FOPS	Meets SAE and ISO standards

Ratios
Figure	980H
Engine horsepower per 1,000 lb of weight	4.8
Pump flow per engine horsepower	0.39 gpm
Fuel tank per engine horsepower	0.40 gal

Reference directory classification
Equipment group	wheel loader

Where the 980H ranks in Cat's list — Scope of the captured comparison
Brand	Equipment group	Compared entry	Sort order
Cat	wheel loader	980H	Descending quantity; 1 is largest

Figure	980H	Rank	Lowest in line	Highest in line
Engine power	318.0 hp	19 of 54	40.0 hp	1,870.0 hp
Listed weight	66,489 lb	15 of 53	9,150 lb	417,430 lb
Pump flow	123.0 gpm	3 of 15	14.0 gpm	4,015.0 gpm
Fuel capacity	127.0 gal	13 of 54	11.4 gal	1,505.0 gal
Horsepower per 1,000 lb	4.8 hp	31 of 50	2.8 hp	6.7 hp

The 980H beside its neighbours
Base version	980G	980H	988B
Engine power	300 hp	318 hp	375 hp
Weight	65,638 lb	66,489 lb	95,604 lb
Pump flow	980H: 123 gpm
Fuel capacity	124.2 gal	127 gal	165.2 gal
Wheelbase	980H: 12.17 ft

980H: owner reports

Related account: “Hydraulics, pinion seal leak and parking brake”: 980, 980 GC, and 980 XE.

980H: forum references — Forum-title search
Forum index	Equipment class queried	Names in the search	Matching titles
Heavy Equipment Forums	wheel loader	Cat and the 980H	14

Topics named by those titles
Title topic	Titles
transmission and drive	2

Topic in the title	Threads	Share of matching threads
transmission and drive	2	14%

980h Caterpillar Does Not Move Implements (Heavy Equipment Forums, 2025-01-28)
CAT 980h No Tilt Or Lift (Heavy Equipment Forums, 2024-05-28)
CAT 980h Problem (Heavy Equipment Forums, 2023-03-18)
CAT 980h Wont Go Into Gear (Heavy Equipment Forums, 2022-11-23)

Used market for the 980H — Dated first-page listing snapshot
Observation date	Listing source	Equipment search	Listings
2026-09-24	MachineryTrader	Cat wheel loader	43

Model	Listed	Model years	Lowest asking	Highest asking	Median asking	Median hours
980H	43	2006 to 2022	$55,000	$415,000	$100,906	20,500

980H: recall reference — Dated CPSC search
Search date	Database	Names queried	Search result
2026-09-24	U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission	Cat together with the wheel loader 980H	No matching recall in this search

Sources for this page
Evidence class	Document, classification and recorded date
Reference site	Reference site: Cat 980H — RitchieSpecs. Observed 2026-09-24.
Forum threads	Forum threads: Heavy Equipment Forums thread index for Cat 980H — Heavy Equipment Forums. Observed 2026-09-24.
Used-market listings	Used-market listings: MachineryTrader listings for Cat 980H — MachineryTrader. 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.

Earlier entries and manufacturer measurement conditions
Quantity	Earlier entry	Manufacturer entry or condition
980H Bucket Capacities	3.8-6.1 m? 5.0-8.0 yd?	3.8–6.1 m³ / 5.0–8.0 yd³
980H Pilot System - Pump Output	122.58 gpm	122.58 US gpm / 464 L/min (as printed; pilot-system label unresolved)
980H Rear	Oscillating +/- 13?	Oscillating ±13°

Source: Original manufacturer schedule.

Cat 980H: Configuration records

980H

Specification	Source figure
Engine
Net Power - ISO 9249	349 hp
Displacement	928 cu in
Engine Model	C15 ACERT
Bore	5.4 in
Stroke	6.8 in
Number Of Cylinders	6
Earlier Brochure Metric Horsepower — European brochure explicitly uses metric hp; later SAE J1995 rating is 393 mechanical hp.	355 hp
Power Measured @	1,800 rpm
Earlier Reference Net Power — 318 mechanical hp approximately corresponds to the earlier European 237 kW; later AEHQ5631-04 lists 349 hp ISO9249.	318 hp
Max Torque	1,191 lb-ft
Net Power - SAE J1349	349 hp
Net Power - 80/1269/Eec	353 hp
Gross Power - SAE J1995	393 hp
Peak Torque - 1,200 Rpm - Net	1,244 lb-ft
Buckets
Bucket Capacities	3.8–6.1 m³ / 5.0–8.0 yd³
Maximum Bucket Capacity	8 yd3
Capacity - Reference Bucket	5.5 yd3
Type - Reference Bucket	GP with teeth
Breakout Force - Reference Bucket	61,373 lb
Transmission and speeds
Reverse - 3	14.7 mph
Forward - 3	12.9 mph
Forward - 1	4.1 mph
Forward - 2	7.3 mph
Forward - 4	22.6 mph
Reverse - 2	8.4 mph
Reverse - 1	4.7 mph
Number Of Forward Gears	4
Number Of Reverse Gears	4
Max Speed - Forward	22.6 mph
Max Speed - Reverse	25.8 mph
Reverse - 4	25.8 mph
Transmission Type	Powershift
Hydraulic System
Raise Time	6 sec
Dump Time	2.1 sec
Lower Time	3.4 sec
Hydraulic Cycle Time - Total	11.5 s
Hydraulic Cycle Time - Lower, Empty, Float Down	3.4 s
Hydraulic Cycle Time - Raise	6 s
Hydraulic Cycle Time - Dump	2.1 s
Relief Valve Setting	3,000 psi
Pump Flow Capacity	123 gpm
Pump Type	Gear
Pilot Flow as Printed — Requires Serial-Specific Verification — AEHQ5631-04 repeats 464 L/min in main and pilot lines; do not infer a verified pilot-pump rating.	122.58 US gpm / 464 L/min (as printed; pilot-system label unresolved)
Bucket/Work Tool System - Relief Valve Setting	3,000 psi
Bucket/Work Tool System - Pump Output	123 gpm
Service Refill Capacities
Transmission	16 gal
Cooling System	22 gal
Differential - Final Drives - Rear	23 gal
Differential - Final Drives - Front	23 gal
Crankcase	17 gal
Hydraulic Tank	33 gal
Hydraulic System - Including Tank	66 gal
Fuel Tank - Standard	127 gal
Dimensions and weight
Length With Bucket On Ground	31.08 ft
Width Over Tires	10.58 ft
Height To Top Of Cab	12.35 ft
Reach At Max Lift And Dump	5.08 ft
Wheelbase	12.17 ft
Hinge Pin - Max Height	14.78 ft
Height - Top Of Exhaust Pipe	146.28 in
Centerline Of Rear Axle To Hitch	72.84 in
Centerline Rear Axle To Edge Of Counterweight	8.18 ft
B-Pin Height - Standard	14.78 ft
Operating Specifications
Static Tipping Load - Full Turn	42,989 lb
Cab
ROPS/FOPS	Meets SAE and ISO standards
Bucket
Dump Clearance At Max Raise	10.83 ft
Bucket Capacity - Heaped	5.5 yd3
Bucket Capacity - Struck	4.78 yd3
Operational
Fuel Capacity	127 gal
Hydraulic System Fluid Capacity	66 gal
Static Tipping Weight	50,201 lb
Engine Oil Fluid Capacity	10 gal
Cooling System Fluid Capacity	22 gal
Transmission Fluid Capacity	16 gal
Front Axle/Diff Fluid Capacity	23 gal
Rear Axle/Diff Fluid Capacity	23 gal
Turning Radius	26.1 ft
Operating Voltage	24 V
Alternator Supplied Amperage	80 amps
Rear Axle Oscillation	26 degrees
Tire Size	29.5-25
Axles
Front	Fixed front
Rear	Oscillating ±13°
Maximum Single-Wheel Rise And Fall	21.7 in
Additional specifications
Operating Weight	67,294 lb
Bucket Width	11.6 ft
Ground Clearance	1.45 ft
Wheel Base	12.14 ft
Height - Top Of Hood	106.92 in
Height - Top Of ROPS	12.35 ft
Breakout Force	61,425 lb
Tires	Choose from a variety of tires to match your application
Brakes	Meets required standards

Source

More in Cat: 987/7 related models, 980G, 966–972 XE: CVT/payload options/lift clearances.