Head to head
Bobcat S450 vs Caterpillar D3
The Caterpillar D3 is the bigger machine by 6,997kg and has 42kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the Caterpillar D3 is the bigger machine by 6,997kg.
- Engine power: the Caterpillar D3 has 42kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| Bobcat S450 | Caterpillar D3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 2365kg | 9362kg (20,640lb) |
| Engine power | 35.9kW rated (48.1kW max, Kubota V2403 diesel) | 77.6kW (104hp) |
| Rated operating capacity | 608kg (ISO 14397-1) | - |
| Lift height | 2.8m | - |
| Tipping load | 1215kg | - |
| Blade capacity | - | 2.19m3, or 2.34m3 with LGP tracks |
| Engine | - | Cat C3.6 |
Sources: Bobcat S450, Caterpillar D3. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the S450 if...
Bobcat's entry-level skid steer, small enough for tight domestic and groundworks sites but still able to run a full range of buckets and attachments. Plant hire fleets keep it as their smallest skid steer for jobs a mini digger cannot reach.
Listed by
- JMP Plant Hire Essex - Ingatestone, Norton Heath
Buy or hire the D3 if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 6,997kg
- you want one that has 42kW more power
Caterpillar's smallest crawler dozer, used for fine grading, landscaping and confined-site work where a full-size dozer won't fit. Common in UK plant hire fleets alongside mini excavators.
Listed by
- B & T Plant Hire - Gravesend
- B & T Plant Hire Ltd - Morden
Common questions
What is the difference between the Bobcat S450 and the Caterpillar D3?
The Caterpillar D3 is the bigger machine by 6,997kg and has 42kW more power. The Bobcat S450 is a compact skid steer loader; the Caterpillar D3 is a small crawler dozer.
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