The CAT 226B is the compact skid steer loader we supply with an operator for Bobcat-type work. A specification sheet is only useful if you know what each number means for your site, so this guide takes the key figures published by Caterpillar and explains how each one affects the jobs the machine can do.
The key figures
- Rated operating capacity: 680 kg. The load the machine can lift and carry safely in normal conditions.
- Tipping load: about 1,360 kg. The load at which the machine would start to tip forward. For wheeled skid steers, the rated capacity is set at half this figure.
- Operating weight: 2,641 kg. The weight of the machine ready to work.
- Gross power: 45.5 kW.
These figures come from Caterpillar’s 226B3 specifications.
What 680 kg means in practice
Weight, not bucket size, is usually the limit. Wet sand or crushed stone can reach 680 kg before the bucket looks full, while light debris fills the bucket long before it reaches the weight limit. For heavy material, expect more, smaller loads. For single heavy items on forks, know the weight before lifting.
What the operating weight means for your site
At about 2.6 tonnes, the machine is light enough for many villa and small-site jobs, but it still loads the surface it drives on. Slabs, ramps, drain covers and tank lids along the route should be checked by the site supervisor. The weight also sets the transport truck the machine travels on, which is why unloading space matters.
Jobs it suits
- Site cleaning and debris loading on villa plots and small sites.
- Moving sand, soil and aggregate over short distances.
- Spreading fill and rough levelling.
- Loading skips and small tippers.
- Light work with forks, an auger, a broom, a trencher or a hammer, depending on availability.
Jobs it does not suit
Large volumes over long distances are faster with a wheel loader. Digging deep trenches and foundations needs an excavator. Lifting heavy loads high or over walls needs a forklift or a crane. Very soft sand can limit a wheeled loader’s traction.
Before you book
Send the task, the material and rough quantity, photos of the access and work area, the attachment you need and the dates. The team will confirm whether the 226B is the right fit.