Compare/Caterpillar D7C vs Caterpillar D8L SA Special Application

Caterpillar D7C vs Caterpillar D8L SA Special Application

Verdict: Caterpillar D7C vs Caterpillar D8L SA Special Application

The Caterpillar D7C and the Caterpillar D8L SA Special Application are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Caterpillar D8L SA Special Application leads on rated power with 400 hp against 128 hp. Caterpillar D7C is the lighter machine (25,970 kg vs 77,692 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Caterpillar D8L SA Special Application is the newer design (1984 vs 1955). In short: choose the Caterpillar D8L SA Special Application for outright pulling power, or the Caterpillar D7C if a tighter budget and lighter footprint matter more. Compare the full spec tables below before booking a demo.

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Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

Caterpillar

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Caterpillar

Fit score

Clear

Rated power

128 hp

400 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

CaterpillarReference

Gear 1 used for pull test.Reference

liquid-cooled V-8Reference

Drive

crawlerReference

Steering

manual clutchesReference

—

Final drives

—

double-reduction planetaryReference

Engine

Fuel tank

321.7 LReference

—

Engine

95.4 kWReference

298.3 kWReference

Drawbar (claimed)

76.1 kWReference

249.8 kWReference

Drawbar (tested)

77.3 kWReference

—

Belt (tested)

90.8 kWReference

—

Displacement

13.6 LReference

18.0 LReference

Bore/Stroke

146 x 203 mmReference

137 x 152 mmReference

Power

95.4 kWReference

298.3 kWReference

Air cleaner

oil bathReference

dryReference

Rated RPM

1200Reference

1900Reference

Starter

gasoline pony engineReference

electricReference

Starter volts

6Reference

24Reference

Oil capacity

40.7 LReference

166.6 LReference

Coolant capacity

64.4 LReference

92.7 LReference

Belt power (max)

90.8 kWReference

—

Max power

77.3 kWReference

—

Fuel system

—

direct injectionReference

Transmission

Type

gearReference

power shiftReference

Gears

5 forward and 4 reverseReference

3 forward and reverseReference

Clutch

metallic wet discReference

wet discReference

Dimensions

Weight

25970 to 26930 poundsReference

77692 to 80820 poundsReference

Length

425 cmReference

546 cmReference

Height (hood)

206 cmReference

—

Shipping weight

11779 kgReference

35241 kgReference

Operating weight

12215 kgReference

36659 kgReference

Ground clearance

39 cmReference

45 cmReference

Clearance (drawbar)

43 cmReference

—

Gauge

187 cmReference

254 cmReference

Steering wheel

—

289 cmReference

Caterpillar D7C Tracks

Width

246 cmReference

345 cmReference

Test results

Belt fuel use (max)

36.7 l/hourReference

—

Max pull

11923 kgReference

—

Variants

D8L

—

bulldozerReference

Capacities

Fuel

—

715.4 LReference

PTO & Hydraulics

Hydraulic system

—

88.9 LReference

Capacity

—

88.9 LReference

Pressure

—

172.4 barReference

Valves

—

4Reference

Pump flow

—

113.6 lpmReference

Electrical

Charging system

—

alternatorReference

Charging amps

—

50Reference

Batteries

—

2Reference

Battery volts

—

12Reference

Battery AH

—

172Reference

Caterpillar D8L SA Tracks

Length on ground

—

321 cmReference

Area on ground

—

5.9 m²Reference

Caterpillar D8L SA Height

Cab

—

360 cmReference

Exhaust

—

378 cmReference

Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.