Wheeled excavator · Caterpillar
CAT M318: transport dimensions, weight and how it ships overseas
We load the CAT M318 in 1 × 45 ft high cube, from our own loading records. Shipped whole, it goes on a 40 ft flat rack (6 in / 0.14 m over width, 4 ft 8 in / 1.41 m over height), or RoRo where a lane serves your port.
- Transport length
- 27 ft 5 in / 8.36 m
- Transport width
- 8 ft 4 in / 2.54 m
- Transport height
- 11 ft / 3.36 m
- Weight
- 41,000 lb / 18,600 kg
CAT M318 transport specifications
| Specification | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Transport length | 27 ft 5 in / 8.36 m | boom, stick and bucket installed, transport position |
| Transport width | 8 ft 4 in / 2.54 m | overall width as published |
| Transport height | 11 ft / 3.36 m | in transport position |
| Weight | 41,000 lb / 18,600 kg | operating weight |
| Tail swing radius | 7 ft 9 in / 2.35 m | sets the clearance behind the swing centre on a flat rack |
| Upper frame width | 8 ft 4 in / 2.54 m | without the cab handrails |
| Wheelbase | 8 ft 10 in / 2.7 m | |
| Ground clearance | 1 ft 2 in / 0.36 m | |
| Counterweight clearance | 4 ft 3 in / 1.3 m | underside of the counterweight to the ground |
| Machine type | Wheeled excavator | |
| Configuration | One-piece boom, 8 ft 2 in (2.5 m) stick, 8,160 lb (3,700 kg) counterweight, dozer blade and outriggers. Width with the outriggers raised (12 ft 6 in / 3.82 m with them on the ground); height to the falling object guard (10 ft 6 in / 3.20 m to the cab without it). | |
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 M318, best first
Loaded by Seaway
How we load the CAT M318
We have dismantled and loaded the CAT M318 for export before. It goes in 1 × 45 ft high cube.
- 1 × 45 ft high cube
- Before loading: loaded on its side.
From our dismantling and loading records, checked July 2026. Your machine's year, attachments and options can change the boxes; we confirm before booking.
Cheapest first: the shipping cost ladder
We price every machine from the bottom rung up. A machine only moves up a rung when a measurement rules out the cheaper method.
We have loaded CAT M318 in containers before, and that plan is the cheapest way to ship it.
- Rung 1
Container
Lowest cost
Best fit for CAT M318
When: Fits through a 7 ft 8 in / 2.34 m × 8 ft 6 in / 2.58 m door and under 59,500 lb / 27,000 kg, whole or after we take off the bucket, boom, cab or wheels.
- Rung 2
Flat rack
Mid cost
When: Too wide or tall for a container door, but within 14 ft 9 in / 4.5 m wide, 13 ft 1 in / 4 m tall and 86,000 lb / 39,000 kg on one rack.
- Rung 3
RoRo
Mid cost
When: Drives or tows aboard, under 19 ft 8 in / 6 m tall and 110 US tons / 100,000 kg, going to a port with regular RoRo sailings.
- Rung 4
Breakbulk
Highest cost
When: Past flat-rack and roll-trailer limits, or shipped as modules lifted aboard piece by piece.
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: 1 × 45 ft high cubeBest fit | From our loading records | loaded on its side |
| 2 | 40 ft flat rack | Out-of-gauge | Ships assembled, blocked and lashed; out-of-gauge surcharge applies (6 in / 0.14 m over width, 4 ft 8 in / 1.41 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. |
Comparable excavators from other brands
| Machine | L × W × H (transport) | Weight | Ships |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT M318 | 27 ft 5 in × 8 ft 4 in × 11 ft (8.36 × 2.54 × 3.36 m) | 41,000 lb / 18,600 kg | 1 × 45 ft high cube |
| Komatsu PC200-11M2 | 31 ft 4 in × 9 ft 2 in × 10 ft 3 in (9.55 × 2.8 × 3.14 m) | 43,700 lb / 19,800 kg | 1 × 40 ft high cube |
| Hitachi ZX200-7 | 31 ft 9 in × 9 ft 4 in × 10 ft 3 in (9.67 × 2.84 × 3.12 m) | 47,000 lb / 21,300 kg | 1 × 40 ft high cube |
| Kobelco SK200-11 | 31 ft 6 in × 9 ft 4 in × 10 ft (9.6 × 2.85 × 3.06 m) | 47,800 lb / 21,700 kg | 1 × 40 ft high cube |
| Volvo EC220E | 31 ft 9 in × 9 ft 10 in × 10 ft 1 in (9.69 × 2.99 × 3.08 m) | 47,900 lb / 21,740 kg | 40 ft flat rack |
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 M318 go
NigeriaTransit 21-30 daysImport duty 5%HS 8429.52 · 2023
Form M must be opened through a Nigerian bank before the machine ships.
Quote to Nigeria
Saudi ArabiaTransit 18-25 daysImport duty 5%HS 8429.52 · 2023
Shipments need SABER conformity certificates arranged before arrival.
Quote to Saudi Arabia
AustraliaTransit 28-35 daysImport duty 0–5%HS 8429.52 · 2023
Strict biosecurity cleaning; dirty undercarriages are re-cleaned at the importer's cost.
Quote to Australia
ChileTransit 16-32 daysImport duty 6%HS 8429.52 · 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 M318 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 M318 shipping questions
Does a CAT M318 fit in a shipping container?
Not in one piece: at 8 ft 4 in (2.54 m) wide it is wider than a 40 ft high-cube door (7 ft 8 in / 2.34 m). Taken apart, it goes in 1 × 45 ft high cube, the plan from our loading records.
How much does a CAT M318 weigh for shipping?
Caterpillar lists the CAT M318 at 41,000 lb (18,600 kg) (operating weight); the bill of lading uses your machine's own weight.
What are the shipping dimensions of a CAT M318?
27 ft 5 in × 8 ft 4 in × 11 ft (8.36 × 2.54 × 3.36 m) (length × width × height) in transport position, from Caterpillar's published specifications for the CAT M318.
What has to come off a CAT M318 to ship it?
For 1 × 45 ft high cube: loaded on its side. Our crew does the work, crates and labels the loose parts and documents everything for reassembly.
Can a CAT M318 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.