The Caterpillar 226 is one of the most-used compact skid steer loaders on Australian sites. Light enough for tight spaces, powerful enough for serious dirt work, and backed by Cat technologies that keep it running in WA conditions. Below are the full operating specifications for the current 226D3 model — weight, engine, hydraulics, dimensions, performance — plus what it costs to hire one in Perth from Total Plant Hire.

CAT 226 skid steer at a glance

Engine

Cat C2.2 turbo diesel engine, 50.2 kW (67.3 hp) net power.

Operating weight

2,650 kg with standard bucket.

Rated operating capacity (50% tipping load)

703 kg.

Lift design

Radial lift design — ideal for digging, grading and ground-level work.

Hire from

From around $280 per day in Perth, dry hire (operator not included). Weekly and monthly rates available.

CAT 226 engine specifications

Engine model

Caterpillar C2.2 turbocharged diesel — one of Cat’s proven cat diesel engines for the compact class.

Displacement

2.2 L.

Net power (ISO 9249)

50.2 kW (67.3 hp) at 2,400 rpm. Maximum engine output is delivered across a flat torque curve.

Maximum torque

250 N·m at 1,600 rpm, managed by Cat’s electronic torque management system for boost productivity under load.

Emissions and fuel

Tier 4 Final / Stage V. The 226 also accepts following lower carbon intensity fuels per Cat’s published guidance, helping fleets cut greenhouse gas emissions on site without sacrificing reliability.

Cooling

Variable engine cooling fan speeds via a cooling system demand fan — the system demand fan only spins as hard as it needs to, which cuts noise and helps save fuel.

Fuel tank capacity

76 L.

Throttle control

Foot throttle pedal plus electronic adjustable joystick controls.

CAT 226 weight and dimensions

Operating weight

2,650 kg.

Wheelbase

Dimensions wheel base: 1,094 mm.

Overall length without bucket

2,591 mm.

Overall length with bucket

3,251 mm.

Overall height to top of cab

1,963 mm.

Bucket pin height (maximum lift)

2,941 mm bucket pin height at full reach.

Dump clearance at maximum lift

2,326 mm.

Dump angle

47°, with arms parallel to ground at full reach.

Reach at maximum lift

Impressive mid lift reach of around 510 mm — enough to load a tipper without crowding the truck. Excellent work tool visibility through the loader arms helps you place loads accurately.

CAT 226 hydraulic system

Standard flow hydraulics

65.5 L/min at 23.1 MPa — suits buckets, forks and most light attachments.

High flow hydraulics (optional)

121.4 L/min at 23.1 MPa, ordered as the high flow option. High flow is needed for cold planers, mulchers and other power-hungry tools. Specify when hiring if your job needs it.

Hydraulic system reservoir

33 L hydraulic system tank.

Hydraulic filters

Industry leading sealed hydraulic filters with extended service intervals. The hydraulic power circuit runs cleaner for longer than older 226 models.

Quick coupler

Manual quick coupler standard. High flow quick coupler with flat faced quick disconnects optional — faster attachment swaps with less hydraulic fluid loss.

CAT 226 performance and operating specifications

Rated operating capacity (50% tipping load)

703 kg.

Tipping load

1,406 kg.

Bucket breakout force

19.62 kN.

Lift breakout force

18.46 kN.

Operating capacity (35% tip)

492 kg.

Drawbar pull

Outstanding drawbar power for the class — useful when grading or pushing loaded buckets uphill. Production capability stays high even on soft pads thanks to the 226’s weight distribution.

Travel speed (one speed tires)

11.6 km/h.

Travel speed (two speed tires, optional)

19.2 km/h. The optional speed tires upgrade is worth it on long sites where you cover ground between tasks.

Creep control

Creep control lets you dial in slow ground speed at high engine rpm — perfect for fine grading, trenching and attachment work. Adjustable from the cellular advanced display.

CAT 226 cab and operator environment

ROPS / FOPS

Rollover protective structures (ROPS Level I) and falling object protective structures (FOPS Level II) standard.

Cab pressurisation and AC

Sealed and pressurised cab (30 Pa) keeps dust out — critical for WA conditions. Air conditioning system is standard on the cab option, delivering a quieter operating environment than the open-canopy version.

Sound

Labeled sound power level: 101 dB(A) (LWA). The cooling system demand fan modulates engine cooling fan speeds to keep noise down at idle.

Seat

Mechanical seat with mechanical suspension standard; air ride seat available as an option for long shifts.

Display

Available advanced display with on screen adjustments for joystick response, hydraulic flow and ride control. Features multi language functionality and an auxiliary input jack for cab audio.

Joystick

Dual direction electronic joystick with dual direction self level — the bucket auto-levels both up and down. Electronic adjustable joystick response gives operators of any skill level a smooth feel.

CAT 226 technology, security and attachments

Cat Smart Attachments

Cat smart attachments auto-detect when fitted and load the correct hydraulic flow, pressure and joystick pattern automatically — an industry leading trend that’s now standard across the Cat compact range.

Anti theft security system

Anti theft security system with operator PIN. Up to 50 PINs storable per security system per machine.

Ride control

Ride control option dampens lift arm bounce when travelling with a loaded bucket.

Cellular advanced display

Industry leading technology providing on screen adjustments, machine diagnostics and Cat Product Link telematics. Operators get real-time data on optimized machine capability and fuel burn.

Machine tie-down

Standard machine tie points for safe transport on a float — six rated points around the chassis.

CAT 226 service intervals and consumables

Engine oil change

500 hours running Caterpillar machine fluids recommendations.

Hydraulic oil change

3,000 hours.

Cooling system

11 L total capacity, extended life coolant.

Air filter

Two-stage with pre-cleaner.

Test procedure

Cat publishes a test procedure for hydraulic and electrical diagnostics that any Cat dealer service tech can run; ask for the report when you take delivery of a hire machine.

CAT 226 standard vs optional features

Standard equipment

Cat C2.2 engine, manual quick coupler, mechanical seat, ROPS/FOPS, standard flow hydraulics, foot throttle pedal, dual direction electronic joysticks, cab with heater, radial lift design and machine tie points.

Optional equipment

Two speed tires, high flow hydraulics, high flow quick coupler with flat faced quick disconnects, air ride seat, available advanced display, ride control, EU preparation package, cab air conditioning system, anti theft security system. Several efficiency features stack — the high flow plus advanced display combo is the most popular hire spec.

CAT 226 hire in Perth from Total Plant Hire

Total Plant Hire keeps a fleet of Cat 226 skid steer loaders ready for equipment hire across Perth and regional WA, alongside the rest of the Cat skid steer range — Cat 232, 246D3, 259, 279D3 and 289. Daily, weekly and monthly equipment hire rates available, with Cat dealer-grade servicing on every machine. We can also pair a 226 with a slasher attachment or other cat smart attachments depending on what the job needs.

View the CAT 226 hire page, see the full skid steer range, or contact us for a quote.

FAQ: CAT 226 skid steer

How much does a CAT 226 weigh?

The CAT 226D3 has an operating weight of 2,650 kg with a standard bucket. This makes it light enough to float on a standard plant trailer, but heavy enough to be stable on grading and lifting work.

What is the lift capacity of a CAT 226?

Rated operating capacity at 50% of tipping load is 703 kg. Tipping load is 1,406 kg. With proper counterweighting and within rollover protective structures limits, that’s enough for pallets, hay bales, gravel and most landscaping loads.

Is the CAT 226 a vertical or radial lift?

The 226 uses a radial lift design. Radial lift gives excellent digging performance, strong breakout force and ground-level reach, which is why the 226 suits site prep, trenching, grading and bucket work better than vertical-lift machines.

What attachments fit the CAT 226?

Buckets (general purpose, 4-in-1, light material), pallet forks, augers, trenchers, hammers, brooms, slashers, cold planers and mulchers. High flow hydraulics is needed for the heavier-draw attachments. Cat smart attachments auto-configure when plugged in.

What licence do I need to operate a CAT 226 skid steer in WA?

No specific HR or skid-steer licence is required to operate one on a private site, but most WA mine sites and major civil contractors require a verified skid steer competency (VOC) plus a current site induction. On public roads you’ll need to float it on a registered trailer.

How does the 226 compare to the 232 and 246D3?

The 232 is a slightly larger radial-lift skid steer with more lift capacity. The 246D3 is a vertical-lift machine — better for truck-loading and stacking at height, less ideal for digging. The 226 is the entry point: lightest, easiest to transport, best for tight spaces.

Can I hire a CAT 226 for a single day in Perth?

Yes. Total Plant Hire offers daily, weekend, weekly and long-term hire on the Cat 226 across Perth. We deliver the machine to your site if needed, and we can include high flow hydraulics, two speed tires or specific cat smart attachments depending on what your job calls for.