Cat TUL100 at Equip Expo 2026: Specs and Mini Skid Steer Comparison
A narrow backyard entrance can decide which loader gets the job. So can the weight of a loaded bucket, the hydraulic requirements of a trencher, or the cost of hauling equipment between small projects. Those practical questions make the new Cat TUL100 compact utility loader worth a closer look.
During our visit to Louisville for Equip Exposition 2026, we photographed the TUL100 on display. For landscape contractors, irrigation installers, hardscape crews and equipment buyers, it adds a new name to the stand-on mini skid steer shortlist.
A new Cat compact utility loader, with a story that started before Louisville
The TUL100 is Caterpillar’s first entry into the stand-on compact utility loader market. Cat previewed it at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in March 2026, before publishing a more detailed release on October 7. Our Louisville photographs provide a fresh look at the machine during Equip Expo week; this is not its first public unveiling. [1,2]
The equipment category matters. A stand-on compact utility loader—also commonly called a mini skid steer, mini track loader or compact tool carrier—serves a different working envelope from a larger enclosed-cab compact track loader. Compare access, payload and attachment requirements before comparing brand names.
Cat TUL100 specifications: the key numbers
Cat’s October specifications list a C1.1 turbo diesel, Tier 4 Final compliance without aftertreatment, adjustable auxiliary flow, continuous-flow operation, selectable steering patterns and a color display. Coupler choices are CII and NSSL, depending on configuration. [2]
Specification | Cat TUL100 |
|---|---|
Gross engine power | 23.9 hp |
Rated operating capacity at 35% tipping load | 1,013 lb narrow / 1,012 lb wide |
Machine width options | 35.7 / 41.5 in |
Published operating weight, depending on configuration | 3,702–3,826 lb |
Hydraulic flow / pressure | 16 gpm / 3,046 psi |
Maximum forward travel speed | 6.2 mph |
Source: Caterpillar’s October 7, 2026 release. Confirm the exact configuration and attachment with the supplying dealer. [2]
Cat TUL100 vs. Toro Dingo, Ditch Witch and Vermeer
The Toro Dingo TX 1000 Turbo, Ditch Witch SK1050 and Vermeer CTX100 are useful starting points because their published rated operating capacities sit near the same 1,000-lb class. This is a specification comparison, not a head-to-head performance test.
Model | Published engine power | Rated operating capacity | Published hydraulic flow | Published pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cat TUL100 | 23.9 hp | 1,012–1,013 lb | 16 gpm | 3,046 psi |
Toro Dingo TX 1000 Turbo | 24.7 hp | 1,000 lb | 13.2 gpm high auxiliary | 3,000 psi |
Ditch Witch SK1050 | 37 hp | 1,062 lb | 13.9 gpm auxiliary | 3,625 psi |
Vermeer CTX100 | 40 hp | 1,035 lb | 15.5 gpm hydraulic system | 3,045 psi |
Manufacturer figures are not a standardized productivity test. Vermeer labels its figure “hydraulic system flow”; verify available attachment flow on the actual machine. Ditch Witch figures here follow its linked SK1050 specification sheet. Model year and configuration matter. [2–5]
Cat TUL100 vs. Toro Dingo TX 1000 Turbo
Toro publishes narrow and wide machine widths of 34.6 and 39.9 inches without a bucket, an 81-inch hinge-pin height and weights of 2,826 and 2,911 lb. Its Smart Power system adjusts traction speed to manage available power. [3]
For a buyer, the useful comparison is access and transport as much as engine output. A nominal 36-inch gate requires measurement of the actual clear opening, attachment width and approach angle. A narrow chassis does not make a wider bucket disappear. Compare both loaders with the tools you intend to carry.
The TX 1000 Turbo is also a distinct model from the earlier TX 1000. When reviewing used equipment listings, check the model year, engine and configuration rather than applying current Turbo specifications to an older Toro Dingo.
Cat TUL100 vs. Ditch Witch SK1050
Ditch Witch’s linked literature lists an 83-inch hinge-pin height, 4.7-mph travel speed and a 3,435-lb machine weight without an attachment and with fluids full. [4]
The SK1050’s greater published engine output does not settle the comparison by itself. A trencher, auger or power rake needs the right combination of flow, pressure and sustained cooling. Ask for a demonstration using the intended attachment and realistic ground conditions.
Also evaluate whether the operator can hold a consistent slow travel speed while maintaining tool performance. For irrigation trenching, soil preparation and fence installation, that working balance can matter more than a single specification.
Cat TUL100 vs. Vermeer CTX100
Vermeer’s CTX100 uses vertical lift geometry and publishes an 88-inch hinge-pin height. Its listed weight is 3,400 lb without a bucket or 3,515 lb with the standard bucket. [5]
For tree care and material handling, compare the complete attachment package. A heavy grapple uses part of the available lifting envelope, and a bulky log changes the load’s center of gravity.
Hinge-pin height is useful for screening machines, but it is not the same measurement as bucket dump clearance. Check the actual bucket geometry and discharge position against the truck or trailer you plan to load.
Which mini skid steer attachments should buyers compare?
Start with the work that earns revenue:
- Landscaping and yard renovation: material buckets, soil preparation tools and power rakes.
- Irrigation and drainage installation: compatible trenchers and backfilling tools.
- Fence and deck construction: auger drives with bits matched to soil conditions.
- Tree care and brush handling: appropriately rated grapples and forks.
- Hardscape work: buckets and pallet forks sized for the loader’s approved capacity.
These are application categories, not a compatibility guarantee for every loader. Check the mounting interface, hydraulic requirements, couplers, attachment weight, load center, case drain and manufacturer approval. A mounting plate that fits does not establish full hydraulic or lifting compatibility.
When requesting equipment sourcing assistance, include the attachments you already own and the work you expect the machine to perform. That helps narrow the search to suitable configurations.
New Cat TUL100 or a used mini skid steer?
A new model creates interest, but the buying decision still comes down to total cost per productive hour. Compare a written equipment quote with the cost of a used compact utility loader, necessary repairs, attachments and delivery.
For a used mini skid steer at auction or from a private seller, request a cold start and a demonstration after the hydraulic oil warms up. Inspect:
- Rubber tracks, sprockets, rollers and undercarriage wear.
- Drive response, steering and operation in both directions.
- Hydraulic leaks and auxiliary attachment performance.
- Boom pins, bushings and attachment locking points.
- Engine condition, service records and hour-meter consistency.
Test the auxiliary circuit under load where practical. A machine that drives around a yard has not necessarily demonstrated healthy attachment hydraulics.
If you cannot inspect the machine yourself, a pre-purchase equipment inspection can help document its condition before you commit to a purchase. Confirm the inspection scope in advance, including whether an attachment test is possible.
Equipment transport: compare the complete load
Transport deserves its own calculation. Published machine weights may include different buckets, fluids or accessories.
Establish the actual loaded weight of the machine, attachments and trailer before arranging pickup. Check trailer payload, towing limits, loading-ramp capacity and securement requirements against the complete equipment package.
When requesting an equipment shipping quote, provide the pickup and delivery locations, machine dimensions, weight, attachment list and loading arrangements. Accurate information helps avoid surprises when the carrier arrives.
Cat TUL100 price and availability
This report does not establish a verified retail price. Request a current dealer quote identifying track configuration, coupler, attachments, freight, taxes and delivery timing.
Caterpillar’s March preview targeted North American commercial availability for early 2027. Confirm current timing directly rather than treating a show display as evidence of immediate delivery. [1]
Buyers working against a near-term project deadline should compare confirmed delivery dates with available used equipment and the time needed for inspection, preparation and transport.
What buyers should take away from the Louisville display
The TUL100 gives contractors another machine to evaluate in the stand-on loader category. The right choice will depend on the narrowest access point, the heaviest routine load, attachment performance and the support available where the machine works.
For buyers considering alternatives, INTERTRADE EQUIPMENT LLC helps source used construction and landscaping equipment, arrange inspections at auctions and private sellers, assist with auction purchases, and coordinate equipment shipping for U.S. and international buyers.
Submit an equipment request with your access limit, required attachments, budget and delivery location so the search starts with the job requirements.
Editorial note: Louisville display photographs supplied by INTERTRADE EQUIPMENT LLC and edited for presentation. This article combines event observations with manufacturer specifications; it is not a hands-on performance review or an announcement of Cat dealership affiliation. Specifications checked October 20, 2026.