Core Features & Technology

• Intelligent Hydrostatic Drivetrain: This is the 938M’s defining feature. It provides “power to the ground” without the shift shocks of a standard transmission. It allows for independent control of ground speed and engine speed, meaning you can keep your hydraulics fast while creeping slowly into a pile.

• Performance Series Buckets: These buckets feature a longer floor and curved side bars. This design allows for faster fill times and better material retention (typically 10% higher fill factors), which directly reduces the number of passes needed to load a truck.

• Patented Optimized Z-Bar Linkage: Cat combined the high breakout force of a traditional Z-bar with the parallel lift capabilities of an industrial loader. This makes the 938M equally capable of digging into a face or handling sensitive palletized loads without manual leveling.

• Power Management & Torque Logic: The machine features a “Performance Mode” that boosts power when needed and an “Eco Mode” that regulates engine speed to save fuel. The system can automatically sense the load and adjust torque to prevent tire spin, extending tire life significantly.

• Programmable Kick-outs: From the cab, operators can set the “tilt, lower, and lift” kick-outs. This allows for automated, repeatable cycles—ideal for loading high-sided trucks where the operator wants the bucket to stop at the exact same height every time.

Operator Comfort & Maintenance

• Premium “Deluxe” Cab: The M-Series cab is known for its low noise levels (approx. 66 dB(A)) and automotive-style finish. It features a seat-mounted, ergonomic joystick for all loading functions and an integrated display for machine health and rear-view camera.

• Steering Force Adjustment: The 2017 model allows operators to customize the steering “feel.” You can adjust the resistance and response of the steering wheel to match the application (e.g., stiff for high-speed roading, light for tight yard maneuvering).

• Swing-Out Cooling Fan: The hydraulic cooling fan can be reversed to blow out debris and swings out for total access to the radiator cores. This prevents the “sandwiching” of dirt that often causes overheating in agricultural or waste applications.

• Ground-Level Fluid Access: Cat centralized the grease points and fluid drain valves to a single location. The fuel fill and DEF tank are accessible from the ground, and the engine oil dipstick is color-coded for quick identification during daily checks.

• Product Link™ / VisionLink®: This telematics system was standard in 2017, providing GPS location, fuel burn data, and idle time monitoring via a web interface, allowing fleet managers to track efficiency remotely.