From finish-grade precision to mine-site muscle, Cat’s dozer lineup scales thoughtfully by size and application. Below is a quick, model-by-model snapshot. Cat has small dozers for residential and light sitework, highly versatile medium dozers, flagship large construction dozers, and even wheel dozers built for mobility and cleanup between pushes. Let’s take a look at the options.
Dozers are purpose-built earthmoving tractors that use a front blade to cut, push, carry, and spread soil, aggregate, and debris—often with a rear ripper to break hardpan or rock before grading. Most ride on tracks for high traction and low ground pressure on soft ground, while wheel dozers trade some pushing power for fast travel and quick site-to-site mobility. Broadly, small finish-grade dozers emphasize precision with power-angle-tilt (PAT) blades and agile hydrostatic drives; mid-size machines balance fine grading with heavy site prep and land clearing; large production dozers maximize blade capacity and drawbar pull for mining, waste, and big earthmoving; and wheel dozers excel at cleanup, stockpile management, and support roles in quarries and mills. Blade styles (S, U, SU, and PAT), undercarriage choices (standard vs. low-ground-pressure), and guarding packages (waste, forestry) tailor the same basic platform to very different jobs.
D1
A nimble, hydrostatic crawler that’s tuned for grading accuracy and low operating cost. The D1 can be equipped with scalable Cat Grade technology (2D/3D with Assist), plus Operator Assist features like Stable Blade, Steer Assist, Blade Load Monitor and AutoCarry to reduce inputs and rework. Cat notes up to 10% lower total ownership cost and up to 15% more performance versus prior models, along with improved visibility from a sloped hood and a larger optional 10-inch display with rear camera. (Cat D1)
D3
Sharing the compact footprint and hydrostatic feel but with a bit more machine, the D3 adds the same integrated Grade and Assist suite to speed finish work and help less-experienced operators hit spec. Like the D1, it offers the C3.6 engine, ECO mode for reduced fuel burn, SALT or Abrasion undercarriage options, and that optional 10-inch touchscreen with Slope Indicate/Slope Assist views. If you want a small dozer that still feels planted pushing a load, the D3 sits in a sweet spot. (Cat D3)
D6
A workhorse for everything from first cut to final grade, the next-gen D6 pairs a Cat C9.3B engine (215 hp net) with a fully automatic 4-speed powershift. Multiple setups let you tailor to the task: VPAT for broad finish-grade versatility, SU blade for push power, and LGP variants with 30- or 36-inch shoes to drop ground pressure. Tech includes Slope Indicate, Grade Control-ready cab, Remote Flash/Troubleshoot, and compatibility with major 3D grade systems. Operating weight lands around 50,733 lb depending on configuration. (Cat D6)
D11
Cat’s flagship mining dozer focuses on lower cost per moved yard and high uptime. Compared to the previous model, the latest D11 targets up to a 6% reduction in overall cost per bank cubic meter, with an up to 8% fuel-efficiency boost thanks to load-sensing hydraulics and a stator-clutch torque converter. Net power is 850 hp forward (955 hp reverse), and the machine integrates tech like Cat Grade with 3D, AutoCarry, and MineStar options (Command, Terrain) for remote or semi-autonomous dozing and fleet optimization. (Cat D11)
844 Wheel Dozer
For mines and large industrial sites that need high production plus mobility between tasks, the 844 brings planetary powershift performance, lock-up torque converter, on-demand cooling, and advanced idle management to keep rimpull responsive and fuel use in check. Serviceability is a theme—grouped ground-level service points, swing-out coolers, and extended intervals—while Product Link/VisionLink telematics and optional Cat Detect enhance oversight and safety. (Cat 844 Wheel Dozer)
Across the lineup—from compact finish graders to production-class pushers and wheel dozers—the right machine is the one matched to material, footing, slope, and duty cycle. Selecting size, blade type, undercarriage configuration, and attachments in concert with integrated grade-control technology and appropriate guarding yields faster cycles, cleaner final surfaces, and a lower cost per yard moved. With sound specification and operator-assist tech, modern dozers deliver precise grades, dependable uptime, and the muscle to keep large projects on schedule.