THE CAT® 986K BRIDGES THE GAP: EVOLUTION OF THE 988 WHEEL LOADER

In February 1962, Caterpillar held a special demonstration of the Cat®988 and 966B Wheel Loaders.  It was so long ago the machines were actually called Traxcavators. This demonstration provided a glimpse of the earthmoving industry’s future. 

Months later in 1963, the first Cat® 988 Wheel Loader, a 35 ton machine, was officially introduced for sale.  Nearly 55 years and five model iterations later, the 56 ton 988K is leading the market.  The history of the 988 has seen increases in productivity, fuel efficiency, safety, serviceability, and machine size. 

Enter the 986.

The first Cat 986 (986H) Tier 2 was introduced in 2012, a 48 ton machine that filled a gap for customers left by the growth of the 988 model.  The introduction of the 986K Tier 4 in 2017 brings to the market a machine that is a true replacement of the 988F model. 

Boasting an 11 ton (10 tonne) payload, and weighing in at 49 tons, the 986K completes the larger end of the Cat wheel loader line-up.