The Cat® 538 is the best choice in its size class for today’s loggers. With its new high-visibility forestry cab and factory logging configurations to meet your specific needs, the 538 can make your work in the woods more productive and profitable.
Engine Model Cat C7.1
Net Power - ISO 9249 172 hp
Engine Power - ISO 14396:2002 174 hp
Net Power - ISO 9249 (DIN) 175 hp (metric)
Biodiesel Capability B20¹
Bore 4in
Displacement 428r/min
Emissions Meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final, EU Stage V emission standards.
Engine Model Cat C7.1
Engine Power - ISO 14396 (DIN) 176hp (metric)
Engine Power - ISO 14396:2002 174hp
Net Power - ISO 9249 172hp
Net Power - ISO 9249 (DIN) 175hp (metric)
Note (1) Net power advertised is the power available at the flywheel when the engine is equipped with fan, air intake system, exhaust system, and alternator with engine speed at 1,800 rpm. Advertised power is tested per the specified standard in effect at time of
Note (2) ¹Cat diesel engines are required to use ULSD (ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel with 15 ppm of sulfur or less) or ULSD blended with the following lower-carbon intensity fuels** up to: 20% biodiesel FAME (fatty acid methyl ester)* or 100% renewable diesel, HVO
Stroke 5in
Maximum Drawbar Pull 55303lbf
Maximum Travel Speed 3mile/h
Main System - Maximum Flow 124gal/min
Maximum Pressure - Equipment 5076psi
Maximum Pressure - Equipment - Lift Mode 5511psi
Maximum Pressure - Swing 4351psi
Maximum Pressure - Travel 5076psi
Maximum Swing Torque 72281lb/ft
Swing Speed 11r/min
General Forestry 66140lb
Log Loader (U/U) 69640lb
Cooling System 5gal (US)
DEF Tank 11gal (US)
Engine Oil 7gal (US)
Final Drive - Each 1gal (US)
Fuel Tank 262gal (US)
Hydraulic System - Including Tank 69gal (US)
Hydraulic Tank 38gal (US)
Swing Drive 3gal (US)
Counterweight Clearance 52in
Ground Clearance 31in
Handrail Height 131in
Length: General Forestry - Boom Stretched Out 469in
Length: Log Loader - Boom Stretched Out 595in
Note (1) General Forestry
Shipping Height - Tilted Cab 134in
Tail Swing Radius 124in
Track Gauge 110in
Track Length 185in
Track Length to Center of Rollers 158in
Transport Width 138in
Max Reach at Grapple Mount on Heel at Ground Level - Log Loader Under/Under 421in
Max Reach at Stick Nose at Ground Level - General Forestry Road Builder 388in
Note (1) The air conditioning system on this machine contains the fluorinated greenhouse gas refrigerant R134a (Global Warming Potential = 1430). The system contains 2.1 (22" Riser CAB)/2.2 (48"/72" Riser CAB) kg of refrigerant, which as a CO2 equivalent of 3.003/
ROPS Forestry cab with polycarbonate windows
4-point harness seat belt
Heated and cooled seat with air-adjustable suspension
Integrated joysticks
Tilt-up left-side console (side-entry cab only)
High-resolution touchscreen monitor
Bluetooth integrated radio (including USB, aux port and microphone)
12V DC outlets
Keyless push-to-start engine control
Automatic bi-level air conditioner
LED dome and floor lights
Windshield wiper and washer
Behind seat storage
Retractable sunshade
VisionLink
Remote Services Capability
Maintenance-free 1000 CCA batteries (x4)
Centralized electrical disconnect switch
LED chassis, boom, and cab lights
115-amp alternator
24-volt electric starting
Pre-start monitoring system
Tool control software
Secondary engine shut off switch
Electric fuel priming pump
Three selectable modes: Power, Smart, Eco
Automatic engine speed control
Automatic engine idle shutdown
Up to 4600m (15,092 ft) altitude capability
48° C (118° F) high-ambient cooling capacity
-32° C (-25° F) cold start capability
Hydraulic reverse fan
Two-stage fuel filter system
Double element air filter with integrated pre-cleaner
Boom and stick regeneration circuits
Boom and stick drift reduction valve
Electronic main control valve
Automatic hydraulic oil warm up
Automatic swing parking brake
High performance hydraulic return filter
Automatic two speed travel
Bio hydraulic oil capability
High torque swing drive
Swing cushion valve
Tool control software
Caterpillar One Key security system
Lockable service doors
Lockable external tool/storage box
Lockable fuel cap and hydraulic tank
Lockable disconnect switch
Right-hand rail and hand hold
Service platforms with anti-skid plate and countersunk bolts
Signaling/warning horn
Travel alarm
Swing alarm
Ground-level secondary engine shutoff switch
Reaview camera
Integrated vehicle health management system
Side-entry service platform
Grouped location for engine oil and fuel filters
Ground level dipstick for engine oil
Scheduled Oil Sampling (S·O·S) ports
High Wide undercarriage
203 mm (8") pitch Cat grease lubricated track chain with PPR3 positive pin retention
Catwalks
Tie down points
Counterweight fuel tank
Heavy-duty track rollers and frames
Heavy-duty travel motor guards
Heavy-duty bottom guards
Track guiding guards
High drawbar final drives
Heavy-duty recoil springs
Heavy-duty hydraulic swivel
Heavy-duty hydraulic swivel guard
5.7 m (18'7") Reach boom - General Forestry
5.9 m (19'6") Straight boom - Log Loader
2.9 m (9'6") Thumb-ready stick
3.7 m (12'2") Drop Nose stick
3.5 m (11'6") under/under stick
3.8 m (12'6") over/under stick
3.8 m (12'6") power clam stick
B1 family bucket linkage
Rear entry
Side entry
165 mm (6.5") fixed riser
1219 mm (48") tilting riser
CB radio mounts
Cat Stick Steer
Auxiliary relay
Premium lighting - General Forestry - 6 additional LED lights
Premium lighting - Log Loader - 10 additional LED lights
Cold start package with block heaters and ether assist
Medium pressure circuit
Easy lock cab tilting system
Cab riser light
Inspection lighting
Swing alarm
Right-hand sideview camera
900 mm (36") triple grouser Tri Link shoes
800 mm (31") triple grouser shoes
700 mm (28") double grouser shoes
600 mm (24") double and single grouser shoes
