Published on April 3, 2025

Smarter Loading Starts Here: Cat® Payload with Assist in Wheel Loaders

If you’re moving dirt, rock, or aggregate every day, you know how important it is to get your load right the first time. Overload a truck and you’re risking damage, safety violations, or wasted fuel. Underload, and you’re leaving productivity (and profit) on the table. That’s where Cat® Payload with Assist technology comes in.

Available on select Cat Next Gen Wheel Loaders, Payload with Assist is an onboard system that helps operators load faster, more accurately, and with less guesswork. At Ziegler CAT, we’re seeing customers use this technology to move more material, reduce rework, and keep projects on schedule.

How It Works

Payload with Assist uses integrated sensors and in-cab displays to weigh material as you work. As the operator lifts the bucket, the system calculates payload weight in real-time. No need to stop and guess, and no more running to the scale house after every pass.

With features like Auto Tip-Off, operators can hit exact target weights when loading trucks—even on uneven terrain or when working fast.

Why It Matters for Your Business

Fewer Trips, More Tons: When your operators can load trucks to capacity without going over, you’re reducing cycles and boosting tons-per-hour. That means more material moved with less fuel and wear.

Real-Time Production Tracking: Payload lets you monitor how much each machine is moving—ideal for job costing or tracking production goals. Pair it with Cat Productivity or VisionLink® for even more insight.

Consistency Across Operators: Even if your team includes new operators, Payload with Assist helps everyone get accurate loads without relying on feel alone. That means more consistent performance, fewer corrections, and less training time.

Cut Fuel Waste and Idle Time: Fewer passes and less rework saves time and fuel. Over the course of a season, those savings add up fast.

See It in Action

Cat Payload with Assist is available on select Cat Wheel Loaders, including models like the 980 XE, 966, and others in the Next Gen lineup.

If you’re looking to get more from your fleet—and your operators—this is technology worth trying.

Talk to your Ziegler CAT representative to schedule a demo and see how Cat Payload with Assist can help your crew load smarter, safer, and faster.