Wheel loader · Caterpillar
CAT 972: transport dimensions, weight and how it ships overseas
The CAT 972 usually goes in 2 × 40 ft high cube, from our loading records for related models (CAT 972G, CAT 972H, CAT 972K). Shipped whole, it goes on a 40 ft flat rack (1 ft 11 in / 0.59 m over width, 5 ft 5 in / 1.64 m over height), or RoRo where a lane serves your port.
- Transport length
- 30 ft 5 in / 9.27 m
- Transport width
- 9 ft 10 in / 2.99 m
- Transport height
- 11 ft 9 in / 3.59 m
- Weight
- 54,900 lb / 24,890 kg
CAT 972 transport drawing
Scroll sideways to read the drawing, or turn your phone.
1920 × 1240 px. Free to use with a link to this page.
Side elevation, end elevation against a 40 ft high-cube door opening, and plan, all at one scale from Caterpillar's published transport dimensions (AEXQ4422-00, checked October 2026). Red hatching marks what stands outside the door opening. Schematic; not for lifting or engineering.
CAT 972 transport specifications
| Specification | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Transport length | 30 ft 5 in / 9.27 m | bucket level on the ground |
| Transport width | 9 ft 10 in / 2.99 m | over the tyres · 10 ft 2 in / 3.09 m on 775/65R29 L4 tyres |
| Transport height | 11 ft 9 in / 3.59 m | to the top of the cab or ROPS |
| Weight | 54,900 lb / 24,890 kg | operating weight |
| Bucket width | 10 ft 7 in / 3.22 m | standard bucket; comes off to ship |
| Wheelbase | 11 ft 8 in / 3.55 m | |
| Tread | 7 ft 4 in / 2.23 m | tyre centre to tyre centre |
| Rear axle to counterweight | 8 ft 1 in / 2.46 m | centre of the rear axle to the back of the counterweight |
| Ground clearance | 1 ft 5 in / 0.42 m | |
| Machine type | Wheel loader | |
| Configuration | 6.3 yd³ (4.8 m³) general-purpose bucket, standard lift arm, 26.5R25 tyres. The bucket (10 ft 7 in / 3.22 m) is wider than the tyres and comes off to ship. Height to the cab; the beacon reaches 12 ft 8 in (3.87 m). | |
Manufacturer documents
Links and figures checked October 2026. Linked from the manufacturer; we do not host them.
Published figures for the configuration shown. Shoes, tyres, buckets, counterweights and options change them, so we confirm the dimensions on your machine before booking.
Every way to ship a CAT 972, best first
Loaded by Seaway
How we load the CAT 972
Our loading records list earlier and sister models of the CAT 972 (CAT 972G, CAT 972H, CAT 972K). The usual plan is 2 × 40 ft high cube.
- 2 × 40 ft high cubeOr: 1 × 40 ft high cube + 1 × 20 ft container
- Before loading, as on every wheel loader we put in closed boxes: bucket off, wheels off, cab or ROPS removed and crated, counterweight off. Our loading sheet does not list the steps for this one, so the survey confirms them.
From our dismantling and loading records, checked July 2026. Your machine's year, attachments and options can change the boxes; we confirm before booking.
Our loading records come first. The rest is worked out from the dimensions above against container, flat rack and RoRo limits; RoRo depends on a regular sailing to your port.
| # | Best method | Fit | Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Our usual plan: 2 × 40 ft high cubeBest fit | From our loading records | bucket off, wheels off, cab or ROPS removed and crated, and counterweight off (typical) |
| 2 | 40 ft flat rack | Out-of-gauge | Ships assembled, blocked and lashed; out-of-gauge surcharge applies (1 ft 11 in / 0.59 m over width, 5 ft 5 in / 1.64 m over height). |
| 3 | RoRo | Where a RoRo lane serves the destination | Drives on assembled where a RoRo lane serves the destination. |
| 4 | Breakbulk | Fits as is | Lifted aboard by crane as breakbulk; used when no flat rack or RoRo option suits the port. |
Will it fit? Published configurations
Caterpillar publishes the transport dimensions for more than one configuration; pick yours and the verdict updates.
- Transport envelope
- 30 ft 5 in × 9 ft 10 in × 11 ft 9 in (9.27 × 2.99 × 3.59 m)54,900 lb (24,890 kg)
- Best fit
- 40 ft flat rackOut-of-gauge · 1 ft 11 in / 0.59 m over width, 5 ft 5 in / 1.64 m over height
- 40 ft high-cube door
- 2 ft 2 in / 0.65 m over the door width, 3 ft 4 in / 1.01 m over its heightAfter disassembly, across containers
Only configurations the manufacturer publishes; the survey at pickup confirms the figures before booking.
CAT 972 generations and how each has shipped
| Generation | Years (approx.) | How Seaway has loaded it |
|---|---|---|
| 972G | — | 2 × 40 ft high cube1 machine on record: CAT 972G |
| 972H | — | 2 × 40 ft high cube1 machine on record: CAT 972H |
| 972K | — | 2 × 40 ft high cube1 machine on record: CAT 972K |
| 972M | — | No record yet; measured at pickup and quoted both ways |
| 972current | — | No record yet; measured at pickup and quoted both ways |
Production years are approximate; the serial plate settles the generation, and transport dimensions differ a little between them.
Comparable wheel loaders from other brands
| Machine | L × W × H (transport) | Weight | Ships |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 972 | 30 ft 5 in × 9 ft 10 in × 11 ft 9 in (9.27 × 2.99 × 3.59 m) | 54,900 lb / 24,890 kg | 2 × 40 ft high cube |
| Komatsu WA470-8 | 29 ft 7 in × 9 ft 11 in × 11 ft 6 in (9.01 × 3.01 × 3.5 m) | 53,700 lb / 24,350 kg | 2 × 40 ft high cube |
| Volvo L150H | 28 ft 10 in × 9 ft 9 in × 11 ft 9 in (8.79 × 2.96 × 3.58 m) | 53,100 lb / 24,090 kg | 2 × 40 ft high cube |
| Volvo L180H | 29 ft 6 in × 9 ft 9 in × 11 ft 9 in (9 × 2.96 × 3.58 m) | 59,700 lb / 27,060 kg | 2 × 40 ft high cube |
| Kawasaki 85Z7 | 27 ft 9 in × 9 ft 9 in × 11 ft 4 in (8.46 × 2.98 × 3.46 m) | 45,700 lb / 20,750 kg | 2 × 40 ft high cube |
Same machine type within 20% of the weight. Each links to its own page with its published dimensions and verdict.
Where machines like the CAT 972 go
NigeriaTransit 21-30 daysImport duty 5%HS 8429.51 · 2023
Form M must be opened through a Nigerian bank before the machine ships.
Quote to Nigeria
Saudi ArabiaTransit 18-25 daysImport duty 6%HS 8429.51 · 2023
Shipments need SABER conformity certificates arranged before arrival.
Quote to Saudi Arabia
AustraliaTransit 28-35 daysImport duty 0–5%HS 8429.51 · 2023
Strict biosecurity cleaning; dirty undercarriages are re-cleaned at the importer's cost.
Quote to Australia
ChileTransit 21-28 daysImport duty 6%HS 8429.51 · 2023
Quote to Chile
Duty rates (most-favoured-nation, averaged across the HS lines of the machine class): UNCTAD TRAINS via World Bank WITS: MFN applied tariff
Preparing a CAT 972 for export
- Tier 4 Final and Stage V engines need ultra-low-sulfur diesel (15 ppm or less) and DEF. Where only high-sulfur diesel is sold, the after-treatment clogs, so check fuel quality or source a lower-tier export machine.
- Telematics (such as Cat Product Link, Komtrax or JDLink) may stop working abroad; the dealer can transfer or end the subscription before export.
CAT 972 shipping questions
Does a CAT 972 fit in a shipping container?
Not in one piece: at 9 ft 10 in (2.99 m) wide it is wider than a 40 ft high-cube door (7 ft 8 in / 2.34 m). Taken apart, it goes in 2 × 40 ft high cube, the plan from our loading records.
How much does a CAT 972 weigh for shipping?
Caterpillar lists the CAT 972 at 54,900 lb (24,890 kg) (operating weight); the bill of lading uses your machine's own weight.
What are the shipping dimensions of a CAT 972?
30 ft 5 in × 9 ft 10 in × 11 ft 9 in (9.27 × 2.99 × 3.59 m) (length × width × height) in transport position, from Caterpillar's published specifications for the CAT 972.
What has to come off a CAT 972 to ship it?
For 2 × 40 ft high cube, typically: bucket off, wheels off, cab or ROPS removed and crated, and counterweight off. That is what comes off every wheel loader we put in closed boxes; the survey confirms it for your machine. Our crew does the work, crates and labels the loose parts and documents everything for reassembly.
Can a CAT 972 ship RoRo?
Yes, where a RoRo lane serves your destination port. It drives on under its own power. RoRo from the U.S. reaches fewer countries than containers and flat racks, so we check your port first.