Cat 226D3 vs New Holland L318
Quick take: The New Holland L318 costs $1,000 less; the New Holland L318 has a higher rated operating capacity (1,800 vs 1,550 lbs); the Cat 226D3 has more engine power (67 vs 60 hp).
| Spec | Cat 226D3 | New Holland L318 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $46,000 | $45,000 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (300) | 4.3★ (150) |
| Type | Wheeled Skid Steer | Wheeled Skid Steer |
| Lift Path | Radial Lift | Vertical Lift |
| ROC | 1550 lbs | 1800 lbs |
| Engine HP | 67 hp | 60 hp |
| Operating Weight | 5849 lbs | 6230 lbs |
| Tipping Load | 3100 lbs | 3600 lbs |
| Lift Height | 116 in | 120 in |
| Hydraulic Flow | 17.1 GPM | 20.6 GPM |
| Engine | Cat C2.2 | FPT |
| Tracks | No | No |
| Vertical lift | No | Yes |
| High-flow | No | Yes |
| Enclosed cab | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed | No | Yes |
| Self-leveling | Yes | Yes |
| A/C & heat | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 yr / 1000 hr | 2 yr / 2000 hr |
Pros & cons
Cat 226D3
- ✓The 226D3 is one of the lightest skid steers on the market, so owners can tow it with a half-ton truck and small trailer, which is a big deal for homeowners and small operators.
- ✓Radial lift geometry gives strong digging and pushing force down low, and operators doing excavation and dozing work say it out-digs vertical-lift machines its size.
- ✓Cat's pressurized, sealed cab is genuinely quiet and clean, and operators consistently rate it the most comfortable and dust-free cab in the small-frame class.
- ✓The worldwide Cat dealer network means parts, service, and financing are easy to get almost anywhere, which fleet owners value for uptime.
- ✓The advanced display and optional Smart Attachments system make it easy for less-experienced operators to run tools correctly, reducing training time.
- ✓It sips fuel thanks to the small C2.2 engine, and owners report all-day operation on a modest tank, keeping running costs low.
- ✓The compact size and tight turning radius make it ideal for interior demolition and tight residential lots where bigger machines can't fit.
- ✓Cat's build quality and resale reputation give owners confidence in strong trade-in value down the road.
- ✗The 1,550 lb capacity is genuinely small, and contractors quickly complain it's underpowered for anything beyond light material handling and digging.
- ✗No two-speed travel on this base model means slow ground-to-ground moves, which operators find frustrating on larger sites.
- ✗Cat parts and dealer labor are among the priciest in the industry, so even routine maintenance stings the wallet.
- ✗The standard hydraulic flow is low, limiting the range of attachments it can effectively run without stepping up a frame size.
- ✗Radial lift means poor reach and dump height at the top of the lift path, so truck-loading over high sides is awkward.
- ✗Some owners feel the D3 series updates were minor and the machine feels dated next to Bobcat's R-Series refinements.
- ✗The light operating weight that helps towing also makes it tippy and bouncy when pushing heavy piles.
- ✗New pricing feels steep for the capacity you get, and buyers note you're paying largely for the Cat badge and dealer network.
New Holland L318
- ✓Super Boom vertical lift in a small frame is rare - the 90.7-inch dump height loads full-size dump trucks that competitors' small radials struggle to clear.
- ✓Owners praise the reach at full height, which places material in the center of a truck bed instead of dribbling it over the near side.
- ✓The 60 hp engine avoids DEF aftertreatment, keeping maintenance simpler and cheaper than 74-hp-class machines.
- ✓The 300 Series cab is one of the widest in the industry, and operators moving up from older small frames notice the extra shoulder room immediately.
- ✓A 30.7 GPM high-flow option is unusual in this size class and opens up attachments a small frame normally can't run.
- ✓Priced below equivalent Bobcat S64-class machines, it delivers vertical-lift geometry for radial-lift money.
- ✓The 8-inch LCD display with standard backup camera is a genuine step up from the spartan electronics typical of small frames.
- ✓Shares CNH running gear with the Case SV185B, so parts commonality softens the thin New Holland dealer footprint.
- ✗At 60 hp the engine can feel taxed running hydraulic-hungry attachments, especially with the high-flow package working hard.
- ✗The 6230 lb weight is heavy for a small frame, so it needs a bigger trailer than the 1600-lb-class machines it competes against.
- ✗New Holland's construction dealer network is sparse in many regions, making service and warranty work inconvenient.
- ✗The Super Boom linkage adds pivot points to grease and wear items a simple radial arm doesn't have.
- ✗Vertical-lift geometry gives up some digging and prying performance at ground level versus radial rivals.
- ✗Resale values lag Bobcat and Cat equivalents, eroding part of the purchase-price advantage.
- ✗The 1800 lb capacity still falls short of a full pallet of many landscape materials, pushing some buyers to the L320.
- ✗Owners report the backup camera and electronics add sensors that can throw codes annoying to diagnose far from a dealer.