ACE ALN 500 vs Cat 972L: the two differ on 72 of 85 listed specs. The main differences are Engine (Cummins 215 HP vs Cat 302 HP), Max Torque (980 Nm @ 1500 rpm vs 1710 Nm @ 1200 rpm), Operating Weight (16000 kg vs 24897 kg), Bucket Capacity (3.0 m³ vs 3.4-9.90 m³). The other 13 specs are the same.
Specs from OEM brochures · comparison updated Oct 2026
* Ex-factory price ranges are indicative for Oct 2026 and change with variant, city and offers; confirm with the dealer. On-road cost adds transport, RTO, insurance and accessories. Disclaimer
The comparisons provided are based on the technical specifications published by the respective OEMs on their official websites and brochures. Please confirm these details directly with the OEMs before making any final decision.
Key Highlights
ACE ALN 500
Cat 972L
ACE ALN 500
VS
Cat 972L
Wheel Loader
ACE ALN 500 vs Cat 972L: the two differ on 72 of 85 listed specs. The main differences are Engine (Cummins 215 HP vs Cat 302 HP), Max Torque (980 Nm @ 1500 rpm vs 1710 Nm @ 1200 rpm), Operating Weight (16000 kg vs 24897 kg), Bucket Capacity (3.0 m³ vs 3.4-9.90 m³). The other 13 specs are the same.
Specs from OEM brochures · comparison updated Oct 2026
ACE ALN 500
Price Available Soon
Cat 972L
Price Available Soon
Particulars
ACE ALN 500
Cat 972L
ACE ALN 500 vs Cat 972L: which wheel loader fits your site?
The ACE ALN 500 is the lighter machine here, at 16000 kg with a 215 HP Cummins engine and a fixed 3.0 m³ bucket. It runs a simple mechanical powershift gearbox, so upkeep stays straightforward, and its 44.5 km/h top speed helps it cover ground fast between loading points and stockpiles. The Cat 972L is the bigger machine, at 24897 kg with a 302 HP Cat C9.3 ACERT engine and a wide 3.4-9.90 m³ bucket range, so one machine can switch between standard loading and high-volume light-material work. Its load-sensing hydraulics run at 310 bar against the ALN 500's 160 bar, giving faster, more controlled bucket cycles.
Choose by the job. For quarry and construction sites that need a straightforward, fast-travelling medium-class loader and want an ACE machine built and priced for Indian sites, the ALN 500 is the steadier pick. For aggregate yards, cement plants and ports that need bucket flexibility and Caterpillar's dealer reach, the 972L covers more jobs with one machine. New to this class? Read the wheel loader guide first.
ACE ALN 500
Pros:
Lighter at 16000 kg, so it is easier to transport between sites
Faster top speed at 44.5 km/h, helpful on long load-and-carry runs
Cummins 6CTAA engine is common across India, so parts and service are easy to find
ACE builds the machine in India, keeping machine cost competitive for mid-size operators
Cons:
Smaller fixed bucket at 3.0 m³, so it cannot switch to bigger loads
Lower hydraulic system pressure at 160 bar against the 972L's 310 bar
Less powerful at 215 HP with less torque
Tier II emission rating, older than the 972L's Tier 4 Final rating
Cat 972L
Pros:
More powerful at 302 HP with more torque at 1710 Nm
Wide bucket range from 3.4 to 9.90 m³ covers standard loading and high-volume light-material work in one machine
Higher hydraulic system pressure at 310 bar for faster, more controlled bucket cycles
Tier 4 Final and EU Stage IV emission rating, newer than the ALN 500's Tier II rating
Caterpillar's dealer network covers major mining and quarry corridors with parts and field support
Cons:
Heavier at 24897 kg, so it needs a bigger trailer to move between sites
Slower top speed at 39.5 km/h against the ALN 500's 44.5 km/h
Planetary powershift transmission with torque converter adds more components to maintain than a simple mechanical gearbox
Depends on Caterpillar's own parts and service network rather than a widely shared engine platform
Pros:
Cons:
Closing Recommendation
The ACE ALN 500 suits contractors and quarry operators who want a lighter, faster loader with one fixed bucket and a Cummins engine that is easy to service across India. The Cat 972L suits aggregate yards, cement plants and ports that need bucket flexibility, higher hydraulic pressure and Caterpillar's parts network to keep one loader running across different jobs. So match the machine to your work: ACE ALN 500 for steady, single-purpose loading with lower upkeep, Cat 972L for mixed material handling that needs bucket flexibility and more power.
ACE ALN 500 Vs Cat 972L Wheel Loader Price, Technical Specifications & Features
The ACE ALN 500 wheel loader offers enhanced lifting capacity, making this wheel loader suitable for India’s heavy-duty construction and industrial tasks.
Aggregate yards, cement plants and ports run on medium wheel loaders like the Cat 972L. A Cat C9.3 ACERT engine rated 302 HP drives it to a 39.5 km/h top speed, useful on long carries and stockpile duty, while bucket options span 3.4-9.90 m³ on a 24897 kg machine. Load-sensing hydraulics meter power to the work instead of burning fuel at idle.
For Indian owners the 972L makes sense where one loader must handle rehandling, truck loading and hopper feeding in a single shift. It meets Tier 4 Final norms, carries GPS as standard, and Cat’s parts network keeps availability high.
ACE ALN 500 vs Cat 972L: which wheel loader fits your site?
The ACE ALN 500 is the lighter machine here, at 16000 kg with a 215 HP Cummins engine and a fixed 3.0 m³ bucket. It runs a simple mechanical powershift gearbox, so upkeep stays straightforward, and its 44.5 km/h top speed helps it cover ground fast between loading points and stockpiles. The Cat 972L is the bigger machine, at 24897 kg with a 302 HP Cat C9.3 ACERT engine and a wide 3.4-9.90 m³ bucket range, so one machine can switch between standard loading and high-volume light-material work. Its load-sensing hydraulics run at 310 bar against the ALN 500's 160 bar, giving faster, more controlled bucket cycles.
Choose by the job. For quarry and construction sites that need a straightforward, fast-travelling medium-class loader and want an ACE machine built and priced for Indian sites, the ALN 500 is the steadier pick. For aggregate yards, cement plants and ports that need bucket flexibility and Caterpillar's dealer reach, the 972L covers more jobs with one machine. New to this class? Read the wheel loader guide first.
ACE ALN 500
Pros:
Lighter at 16000 kg, so it is easier to transport between sites
Faster top speed at 44.5 km/h, helpful on long load-and-carry runs
Cummins 6CTAA engine is common across India, so parts and service are easy to find
ACE builds the machine in India, keeping machine cost competitive for mid-size operators
Cons:
Smaller fixed bucket at 3.0 m³, so it cannot switch to bigger loads
Lower hydraulic system pressure at 160 bar against the 972L's 310 bar
Less powerful at 215 HP with less torque
Tier II emission rating, older than the 972L's Tier 4 Final rating
Cat 972L
Pros:
More powerful at 302 HP with more torque at 1710 Nm
Wide bucket range from 3.4 to 9.90 m³ covers standard loading and high-volume light-material work in one machine
Higher hydraulic system pressure at 310 bar for faster, more controlled bucket cycles
Tier 4 Final and EU Stage IV emission rating, newer than the ALN 500's Tier II rating
Caterpillar's dealer network covers major mining and quarry corridors with parts and field support
Cons:
Heavier at 24897 kg, so it needs a bigger trailer to move between sites
Slower top speed at 39.5 km/h against the ALN 500's 44.5 km/h
Planetary powershift transmission with torque converter adds more components to maintain than a simple mechanical gearbox
Depends on Caterpillar's own parts and service network rather than a widely shared engine platform
Pros:
Cons:
Closing Recommendation
The ACE ALN 500 suits contractors and quarry operators who want a lighter, faster loader with one fixed bucket and a Cummins engine that is easy to service across India. The Cat 972L suits aggregate yards, cement plants and ports that need bucket flexibility, higher hydraulic pressure and Caterpillar's parts network to keep one loader running across different jobs. So match the machine to your work: ACE ALN 500 for steady, single-purpose loading with lower upkeep, Cat 972L for mixed material handling that needs bucket flexibility and more power.
ACE ALN 500 Vs Cat 972L Wheel Loader Price, Technical Specifications & Features
The ACE ALN 500 wheel loader offers enhanced lifting capacity, making this wheel loader suitable for India’s heavy-duty construction and industrial tasks.
Aggregate yards, cement plants and ports run on medium wheel loaders like the Cat 972L. A Cat C9.3 ACERT engine rated 302 HP drives it to a 39.5 km/h top speed, useful on long carries and stockpile duty, while bucket options span 3.4-9.90 m³ on a 24897 kg machine. Load-sensing hydraulics meter power to the work instead of burning fuel at idle.
For Indian owners the 972L makes sense where one loader must handle rehandling, truck loading and hopper feeding in a single shift. It meets Tier 4 Final norms, carries GPS as standard, and Cat’s parts network keeps availability high.
72 differ · 13 identical
Key highlights: ACE ALN 500 vs Cat 972L Wheel Loader
ACE ALN 500
Cat 972L
Engine Make
Cummins 6CTAA-C215
Cat C9.3 ACERT
Max Torque
980 Nm @ 1500 rpm
1710 Nm @ 1200 rpm
Fuel Tank
297 L
303 L
Hydraulic System
NA
360 L/min
Min. Ground Clearance
NA
434 mm
Payload
NA
NA
Steering Angle
±35°
±40°
Drive Type
4-wheel drive (4WD)
4-wheel drive (4WD)
Wheelbase
NA
3550 mm
Tyres
23.5-25-20PR
26.5R25 L3
Max. Breakout Force
NA
196 KN
Overall Length
NA
9315 mm
Warranty
1 Year
1 Year
AC Cabin
Standard
Standard
GPS
NA
Standard
Key highlights: ACE ALN 500 vs Cat 972L Wheel Loader
ACE ALN 500
Cat 972L
Engine Make
Cummins 6CTAA-C215
Cat C9.3 ACERT
Max Torque
980 Nm @ 1500 rpm
1710 Nm @ 1200 rpm
Fuel Tank
297 L
303 L
Hydraulic System
NA
360 L/min
Min. Ground Clearance
NA
434 mm
Payload
NA
NA
Steering Angle
±35°
±40°
Drive Type
4-wheel drive (4WD)
4-wheel drive (4WD)
Wheelbase
NA
3550 mm
Tyres
23.5-25-20PR
26.5R25 L3
Max. Breakout Force
NA
196 KN
Overall Length
NA
9315 mm
Warranty
1 Year
1 Year
AC Cabin
Standard
Standard
GPS
NA
Standard
Full specifications: ACE ALN 500 vs Cat 972L Wheel Loader
Engine
ACE ALN 500
Cat 972L
Engine Make
Cummins 6CTAA-C215
Cat C9.3 ACERT
Engine Type
Direct Injection; Diesel Engine; Watercooled
4-stroke; turbocharged; inline 6-cylinder diesel engine with ACERT™ technology
Aspiration
Turbocharged and aftercooled (air-to-air)
Turbocharged-Aftercooled
Emission
Tier II
U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage IV
Max Torque
980 Nm @ 1500 rpm
1710 Nm @ 1200 rpm
Max Power
215 HP (160 kW) @ 2200 rpm
302 HP (242 kW) @ 1800 rpm
Piston Displacement
8.3 L
9.3 L
No Of Cylinders
6 Cylinders
6 Cylinders
Battery
24V
2 x 12V / 1400 CCA
Alternator
NA
24V / 145A
Power Train
ACE ALN 500
Cat 972L
Transmission
Mechanical Power Shift & Constant Mesh Transmission
Cat Planetary Power Shift Transmission
Drive Type
4-wheel drive (4WD)
4-wheel drive (4WD)
Torque Converter
NA
Single-stage torque converter with lock-up clutch
Brakes
ACE ALN 500
Cat 972L
Service
Caliper disc brakes.
Wet; multi-disc; hydraulic-actuated; oil-cooled brakes on both axles.
Questions buyers ask about the ACE ALN 500 vs Cat 972L
Ans.
The Cat 972L is more powerful. It has 302 HP against the ALN 500's 215 HP, and more torque too, at 1710 Nm against 980 Nm. The 972L is also the heavier machine, so it carries that extra power into bigger buckets and tougher loading cycles.
Ans.
The Cat 972L. Its bucket range runs from 3.4 to 9.90 m³, so the same loader can handle standard quarry loading and high-volume light-material work. The ACE ALN 500 comes with one fixed 3.0 m³ bucket, so it suits a steady, single-purpose loading job rather than mixed material work.
Ans.
The ACE ALN 500. It has a top speed of 44.5 km/h against the 972L's 39.5 km/h, so it covers ground faster on load-and-carry work over longer distances between the face and the stockpile or hopper. On sites where the loading point sits far from the dump or crusher, that extra speed adds up to more finished cycles in a shift.
Ans.
The Cat 972L's load-sensing hydraulic system runs at 310 bar against the ALN 500's 160 bar system pressure. That higher pressure, together with its larger pump flow, gives the 972L quicker and more controlled bucket movement, especially with the bigger bucket fitted.
Ans.
The ACE ALN 500 runs a Cummins 6CTAA engine, a well-known industrial engine with parts and service available across India, and ACE builds the machine locally. The Cat 972L runs on Caterpillar's own dealer and parts network, which covers major mining and quarry corridors but depends on Cat's service points.
Ans.
The Cat 972L. It carries 303 litres against the ALN 500's 297 litres. The difference is small, so fuel tank size will rarely be the reason to pick one machine over the other; bucket flexibility and power matter more here.
ACE ALN 500 Vs Cat 972L - Compare Price & Availability Across 600+ Locations in India
Compare ACE ALN 500 Vs Cat 972L price and availability across all major cities in India including Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Indore, Jaipur, Guwahati, and 600+ more locations.
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