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Caterpillar Wheeled excavator 2020s (Next Gen)

Caterpillar M318

Cat’s best-selling 18-tonne wheeled excavator

The Cat M318 is an 18-tonne-class wheeled excavator for urban utility and road work, offering factory Cat Grade, stick steer and a choice of outriggers and blades.

Alexey Puzanov ByAlexey Puzanov Updated 1 min read
Caterpillar M318 wheeled excavator
Caterpillar M318 wheeled excavator

Photo: Norbert Schnitzler, CC BY-SA 3.0 · license

+Strengths

  • Stick steer lets the operator drive using the joystick
  • Factory Cat Grade and E-fence options
  • Strong resale in Europe

−Watch-outs

  • Heavy for a mid-size wheeled excavator
  • Premium price

Overview

The Cat M318 sits in the heart of Caterpillar's wheeled excavator line, which is largely built in Europe for European customers. The latest generation brought a new cab, Cat technology packages and improved fuel efficiency.

Features

Stick steer lets operators steer and travel using the joystick, keeping hands on the controls. Cat Grade with 2D, Assist and E-fence are available, as are tiltrotator-ready hydraulics and a choice of front and rear blades or outriggers.

Who it suits

Utility contractors, municipalities and civil engineering firms that move frequently between urban sites.

Caterpillar M318 specifications

Operating weight≈19,000–21,000 kg (41,900–46,300 lb)
Net power≈129 kW (173 hp)
Max. digging depth≈5.5–6.0 m (18–20 ft)
Travel speedup to ≈35 km/h (22 mph)
EngineCat C7.1

Figures are typical for standard configurations as published by Caterpillar. Values vary by market, emissions tier, attachments and options; confirm with your dealer before purchase, transport or lifting.

Compare the Caterpillar M318

Side-by-side specifications against its closest rivals.

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Sources and further reading

  1. Caterpillar – M318 wheeled excavator (cat.com)
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up to ≈30 km/h

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