{"id":26439,"date":"2019-05-30T13:42:14","date_gmt":"2019-05-30T03:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/?p=26439"},"modified":"2022-08-25T14:07:30","modified_gmt":"2022-08-25T04:07:30","slug":"cat-excavator-sizes-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/cat-excavator-sizes-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Cat Excavator Sizes: A Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying or hiring the right excavator for your job will depend on the size and scope of the work you\u2019re doing. To help you get started, we\u2019re going to take a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/mining-machines\/excavator-143\/caterpillar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cat excavator sizes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, how they\u2019re classed and what they\u2019re most suited for. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cat Mini Excavators (1-10 tons)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-26441\" src=\"\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Cat-300.9D.jpg\" alt=\"Cat 300.9D\" width=\"454\" height=\"366\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The smallest of the four, the mini excavator range consists of excavators ranging from 1t to 10t. In fact, the smallest Caterpillar excavator available, currently, is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/brand\/caterpillar\/300-9d\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">300.9D<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> weighing in at just 935 kg. It\u2019s a tiny workhorse with a punchy Yanmar engine putting out a net 13HP.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And yet the largest of the mini range, the 310, weighs in at 10,182 kg (9,601 with no counterweight or bucket) and the Cat C3.3B engine brings a net 70.3HP to your worksite. So Caterpillar really gives you a wide variety of choice in their mini excavator range.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excavators in the mini range are great for tighter work spaces or for smaller tasks that don\u2019t need heavy or overly powerful machines. Mini excavators are also a great option for those tight-access areas. Being a compact size, these excavators are easier to transport and get onto the worksite.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cat Small Excavators (11-18 tons)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-26442\" src=\"\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Cat-311LFR.png\" alt=\"Cat 311F L RR\" width=\"347\" height=\"365\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 8pt;\">Credit: Cat.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving up from the mini excavator range, we\u2019re going to take a look at Caterpillar\u2019s range of small excavators. Weighing from 11t to 18t, these machines bring the focus back from getting into the smallest possible space, to bringing a good balance of power for a reduced size and weight. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Currently the smallest excavator in this range is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/brand\/caterpillar\/311flrr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">311F L RR<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, weighing in at 13t and packing 70HP, it is touted by Caterpillar as the machine you\u2019re looking for if \u201cyou want a machine with the power to match your jobs but owning and operating costs to fit your business.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Or, if you need a larger operating weight and a more powerful engine, then the 318F L may be what you\u2019re after. It\u2019s the largest of the small excavators Cat has on offer and features a C4.4 ACERT engine with 117HP net power. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like the medium and large <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/mining-machines\/excavator-143\/caterpillar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cat excavator sizes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the small range comes with CAT Connect technology and compatibility with a selection of Cat attachments. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cat\u2019s small excavators boast increased versatility, power and flexibility when compared to the mini excavator range. They are suited for much of the same work that the mini range is, as well as larger and more varied tasks. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cat Medium Excavators (20-35 tons)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-26443\" src=\"\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Cat-320D.jpg\" alt=\"Cat 320D\" width=\"563\" height=\"461\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving up another bracket, we hit the medium excavator range. Weighing in at 20t to 35t, these excavators are where the real power really kicks in. Featuring patented Cat technology and compatible with a huge variety of attachments, Cat\u2019s medium excavators showcase the best of what the company has to offer. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The baby of the range, the Cat 320, has an operating weight of 22,500 kg, while the Cat C4.4 ACERT engine provides 162 HP of net power. Of course, that\u2019s just the start, the <\/span><a href=\"\/mag\/equipment-focus-cat-320-excavator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">320<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has a few variants, including the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/brand\/caterpillar\/320d\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">320D<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/brand\/caterpillar\/320dl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">320DL<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/brand\/caterpillar\/320drr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">320DRR<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the biggest of the medium range is the 335F L. It has a maximum operating weight of 38,180 kg, and a minimum of 34,330 kg (which is why it\u2019s in the medium category). <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medium excavators bring more power than the mini or small excavator range. And, in some cases, may provide a more affordable alternative for larger projects than a large excavator, as they are generally cheaper and easier to transport than the large range. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cat Large Excavators (36-90 tons)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-26444\" src=\"\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Cat-336D.jpg\" alt=\"Cat 336D\" width=\"493\" height=\"394\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While they may be the heaviest, excavators of the lot, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/mining-machines\/excavator-143\/caterpillar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caterpillar\u2019s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> large excavator range brings more than enough power to make up for it. Ranging from 36t to 90t, this is the largest range for weight and HP. It has the biggest difference between the smallest and largest model (though it has the least selection of models available). <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weighing in at 37,200 kg, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/brand\/caterpillar\/336d\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">336<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the smallest of the large excavators, though you can get the 336 GC, which is a lighter version of the 336, weighing in at 33,900 kg. And, while you may think 33-37t isn\u2019t light, the 390F L dwarfs the 336. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 390F L has an operating weight of 86,840 KG, a Cat C18 ACERT engine packing 543 HP, and a 12,230 mm reach at ground level. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like the small and medium range, large excavators come with exclusive Cat Connect technology and are compatible with a variety of Cat attachments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to their size, power and fuel-efficiency, large excavators are ideal for large, bulky earthmoving and heavy lifting. While they may not be able to fit into tight spaces, they bring unrivalled power that the smaller models simply can\u2019t match. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing Between Cat Excavator Sizes<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making sure you get the right excavator is important. Generally, picking the right excavator is going to be based off the size and scope of the work required. Of course, factors like work area, maneuverability, versatility and reusability may play a role as well. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news is, Caterpillar has an excavator size for almost any project scope. With plenty of models within each size range, you\u2019re sure to find the machine that will get your job done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, you can always consult with your Cat dealer to get more information about any particular model. Or, have a look at our other article:<\/span> <a href=\"\/mag\/excavator-sizes-7-tips-get-right\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excavator Sizes: 7 Tips to Get It Right<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking to buy an excavator? Browse through available <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/mining-machines\/excavator-143\/caterpillar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caterpillar excavator listings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get started, or try your luck at an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/mining-machines\/excavator-143\/excavator-auctions-4957\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">excavator auction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Sources: Cat.com<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Buying or hiring the right excavator for your job will depend on the size and scope of the work you\u2019re doing. To help you get started, we\u2019re going to take a look at Cat excavator sizes, how they\u2019re classed and what they\u2019re most suited for. Cat Mini Excavators (1-10 tons) The smallest of the four, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":26445,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7838],"tags":[20736,123],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-26439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-construction","tag-caterpillar-excavators","tag-construction"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26439"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29562,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26439\/revisions\/29562"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26439"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=26439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}