CAT Excavator Sizes: A Comprehensive Guide to Caterpillar's Diverse Range
Caterpillar, also known as CAT, continues to be one of the leading manufacturers of excavators and other heavy machinery. With such a wide range of excavators available, it's no wonder why they are a go-to option for the best construction equipment.
While you certainly won't regret renting a CAT excavator, it's important to pick the right-sized machine for your project. Excavators are a key piece of equipment on any job site because of their versatility and capabilities on site.
CAT Excavators By Size: CAT Excavator Size Charts
Mini excavators, also known as compact excavators, are the smallest machines. They are designed for small-scale projects and tight spaces like residential and community projects. CAT's small excavators are slightly larger than mini excavators, ranging between 10 and 20 tons. They have more power while still fitting in those smaller spaces.
Medium excavators reach the perfect balance between size and power, making them the perfect machine for different construction and excavation tasks. They are great for larger projects while being more cost-effective than the largest models.
CAT's large excavators weigh more, are more powerful, and are designed for more demanding applications. Any model weighing over 35 tons is considered a large excavator.
Caterpillar equips their demolition excavators with specialized attachments that reinforce them to handle heavy demolition tasks. CAT designs demolition excavators to give operators increased power and protection during operation.
Long-reach excavators provide your site with exactly what you think, extended arm and boom configurations. This allows them to reach farther and dig deeper than standard excavators. Wheel excavators have wheels instead of tracks, providing increased mobility and speed, ideal for frequent movement between job sites.
CAT Mini Excavators
CAT mini excavators, ranging from 1 to 10 metric tons, can be used for light demolition, material handling, construction projects, and landscaping. They can also install pools, plant and remove trees, and more. The key features of all CAT mini excavators are that they have fuel-efficient engines, load-sensing hydraulics, and the CAT Stick Steer system.
With their power output ranging from 13 to 69.5 HP and dig depth ranging from 5.7 to 17.1 ft, they can handle a wide range of tasks on a smaller level. Offering excellent digging power and precise control to handle any tasks you need to tackle.
Mini CAT Excavator Size Chart
| Model Number | Operating Weight (lbs) | Max. Dig Depth (ft. and in.) | Max. Dump Height (ft. and in.) | Engine Power (hp) |
| CAT 300.9D | 2,061 - 2,399 | 5' 8" | 6' 6" | 13 |
| CAT 301.5 | 3,913 | 7' 8" | 8' 1" | 21 |
| CAT 301.7 CR | 4,222 | 7' 9" | 8' 3" | 21 |
| CAT 301.8 | 4,473 | 7' 9" | 8' 5" | 21 |
| CAT 302 CR | 4,987 | 7' 9" | 8' 5" | 21 |
| CAT 302.7 CR | 6,725 | 8' 3" | 9' 8" | 23.6 |
| CAT 303 CR | 7,817 | 8' 8" | 10' 5" | 23.6 |
| CAT 303.5 CR | 9,239 | 9' 3" | 11' 5" | 23.6 |
| CAT 304 | 9,867 | 10' 6" | 12' 0" | 45 |
| CAT 305 CR | 12,688 | 11' 3" | 12' 2" | 45 |
| CAT 306 CR | 15,766 | 12' 2" | 14' 2" | 55.9 |
| CAT 307.5 | 17,905 | 13' 5" | 17' 5" | 54.8 |
| CAT 308 CR | 20,077 - 20,385 | 12' 6" - 13' 6" | 11' 4" - 15' 7" | 69.5 |
| CAT 309 CR | 21,091 - 21,477 | 12' 2" - 13' 6" | 11' 6" - 15' 7" | 69.5 |
| CAT 310 | 22,451 | 17' 1" | 19' 2" | 69.5 |
CAT Small Excavators
CAT's small excavators are one jump above mini excavators in almost every aspect. They have a higher weight capacity and they have more dig depth, ranging from 19.8 to 21 ft.
Related: Check out our in-depth excavator brand comparison. Featured manufacturers include Komatsu, John Deere, Caterpillar, Link-Belt, and more.
These small excavators can handle a wider range of excavation jobs, and more substantial projects. This includes road construction, underground utility constriction, and digging on residential construction sites. They also have more power output, ranging from 73 to 130 HP depending on the model you rent.
Small CAT Excavator Size Chart
| Model Number | Operating Weight (tons) | Max. Dig Depth | Max. Dump Height | Max Reach | Bucket Capacity (cubic yards) | Engine Power (hp) |
| CAT 313 GC | 15.2 | 19' 8" | 21' 0" | 28' 4" | 0.69 | 73 |
| CAT 313 | 15.2 | 19' 8" | 21' 0" | 29' 4" | 0.69 | 108 |
| CAT 315 GC | 17.0 | 19' 6" | 23' 6" | 28' 5" | 0.69 | 98 |
| CAT 315 | 17.0 | 19' 6" | 23' 6" | 28' 5" | 0.69 | 108 |
| CAT 317 GC | 19.0 | 21' 0" | 20' 6" | 29' 6" | 0.99 | 121 |
| CAT 317 | 20.1 | 21' 0" | 20' 6" | 29' 6" | 0.99 | 130 |
CAT Medium Excavators
Caterpillar medium excavators are the perfect balance between large and small excavators. They are a great option for projects where you have lots of space to maneuver but want to save costs. From site preparation to highway or interstate projects to any other general earthmoving project, CAT's medium excavators are the perfect fit.
Medium excavators dig deeper, ranging from 22 to 23.9 ft, but the main improvement is the increase in power. While small excavators' net powers range from 73 to 130 HP, medium ones have a range of 146 to 273 HP.
Medium CAT Excavator Size Chart
| Model Number | Operating Weight (tons) | Max. Dig Depth | Max. Dump Height | Max Reach | Bucket Capacity (cubic yards) | Engine Power (hp) |
| CAT 320 GC | 24.2 | 22' 0" | 21' 3" | 32' 3" | 1.31 | 146 |
| CAT 320 | 24.8 | 22' 1" | 21' 4" | 32' 4" | 1.56 | 172 |
| CAT 323 | 27.5 | 22' 1" | 12' 3" | 32' 4" | 1.71 | 172 |
| CAT 326 | 28.2 | 22' 4" | 21' 1" | 33' 2" | 2.01 | 201 |
| CAT 325 | 31.4 | 22' 0" | 25' 9" | 32' 1" | 1.56 | 172 |
| CAT 330 GC | 34.0 | 23' 8" | 22' 8" | 35' 1" | 2.01 | 201 |
| CAT 330 | 34.6 | 23' 9" | 22' 8" | 35' 1" | 2.30 | 273 |
| CAT 335 | 38.5 | 22' 11" | 26' 1" | 34' 11" | 2.01 | 273 |
CAT Large Excavators
CAT's big diggers are great at lifting heavy things and moving tough materials, even in difficult conditions. These machines are very powerful, with net powers ranging from 300 to 542 HP, and can handle big and challenging tasks.
With dig depths ranging from 25.1 to 31.9 ft, CAT's large excavators are great for major construction projects. From roadworks and bridge construction to infrastructure removal and industrial facilities to land reclamation, they are ready to tackle any job. For big demolitions, it's best to use a CAT demolition excavator for added safety features.
Large CAT Excavator Size Chart
| Model Number | Operating Weight (tons) | Max. Dig Depth | Max. Dump Height | Max Reach | Bucket Capacity (cubic yards) | Engine Power (hp) |
| CAT 336 | 40.6 | 26' 11" | 24' 6" | 38' 7" | 2.77 | - |
| CAT 340 | 41.4 | 26' 11" | 24' 6" | 38' 7" | 3.08 | 346 |
| CAT 349 | 52.6 | 25' 1" | 24' 4" | 38' 5" | 4.03 | 424 |
| CAT 350 | 52.6 | 26' 11" | 24' 3" | 39' 1" | 4.03 | 413 |
| CAT 352 | 55.3 | 23' 7" | 23' 1" | 37' 1" | 3.27 | 424 |
| CAT 374 | 79.1 | 28' 1" | 27' 7" | 43' 2" | 4.32 | 484 |
| CAT 395 | 103.7 | 31' 9" | 30' 4" | 48' 3" | 6.80 | 542 |
CAT Demolition Excavators
CAT designed their demolition excavators for power, control, and safety. They have a maximum pin height ranging from 40.8 to 90.75 ft. Additionally, they have a maximum weight at the stick nose ranging from 8,157 to 10,570 lb.
One benefit of the extended reach is that it allows operators to maintain a safer distance from hazardous areas. This reduces the need to be too close to the edge of the excavation, enhancing the safety of the job site.
Related: Check out our excavator spec guide for every brand including John Deere, Komatsu, Sany, Caterpillar, Hitachi, and more.
Specifically designed for demolition tasks they have specialized cabs that reduce vibrations by up to 50%. The cabs can also adjust and tilt to give the operators a better view of what they're demolishing. In the cab, there is also a touchscreen monitor that saves settings up to 10 attachments for each boom configuration.
CAT Demolition Excavator Size Chart
| Model Number | Operating Weight (tons) | Max. Dig Depth | Max. Dump Height | Max Reach | Bucket Capacity (cubic yards) | Engine Power (hp) |
| CAT 340 Straight Boom | 44.3 | 21' 8" | 33' 6" | N/A | N/A | 314 |
| CAT 340 UHD | 64.0 | 24' 8" | 25' 2" | 39' 1" | 2.97 | 314 |
| CAT 352 UHD | 75.7 | 21' 8" | 24' 6" | 38' 9" | 4.08 | 425 |
CAT Long Reach Excavator
CAT's long-reach excavators have further reach and dig deeper than standard excavators. This makes them more suitable for tasks such as dredging, deep excavation, and working in areas with limited accessibility. They can avoid using expensive and time-consuming methods like sheet piling or soil stabilization by going further and digging deeper.
Caterpillar offers 2 distinct long-reach excavators, 352 LRE and 340 Long Reach. The 352 LRE has a 424 HP engine. The 340 Long Reach has a 311 HP engine. Both machines are capable of handling any challenging project.
When comparing the maximum torque swings, model 352 has 138,000 ft lbf while model 340 has 106,228 ft lbf. Knowing the max torque swing lets the operators know the working range of the machine without having to reposition it. One of the key factors to consider when deciding on your excavator.
CAT Long Reach Excavator Size Chart
| Model Number | Operating Weight (tons) | Max. Dig Depth | Max. Dump Height | Max Reach | Bucket Capacity (cubic yards) | Engine Power (hp) |
| CAT 340 Long Reach | 48.4 | 42' 8" | 41' 9" | 59' 3" | 1.22 | 314 |
| CAT 352 LRE | 64.4 | 42' 8" | 39' 4" | 64' 4" | 1.56 | 425 |
CAT Wheel Excavators
Caterpillar has a total of 7 wheeled excavators that are optimal for projects that require mobility and speed. These machines have engines that range from 134 to 174 HP and can reach speeds of 18.6 to 23 miles/h. They can handle tasks like digging and grading.
Most commonly used in urban areas, such as road construction, utility, municipal maintenance, landscaping, and site development. Their mobility and ability to be fitted for attachments enhance their capabilities and versatility.
CAT Wheel Excavator Size Chart
| Model Number | Operating Weight (tons) | Max. Dig Depth | Max. Dump Height | Max Reach | Bucket Capacity (cubic yards) | Engine Power (hp) |
| CAT M314 | 19.8 | 13' 11" | 23' 0" | 28' 4" | 0.99 | 134 |
| CAT M315 | 19.8 | 15' | 25' 2" | 29' 6" | 0.99 | 148 |
| CAT M316 | 18.2 | N/A | N/A | 29' 4" | 1.05 | 148 |
| CAT M318 | 22.0 | 15' 1" | N/A | 30' 2" | 1.19 | 174 |
| CAT M319 | 23.2 | 14' 7" | N/A | 30' 2" | 1.19 | 174 |
| CAT M320 | 23.2 | 13' 10" | N/A | 30' 5" | 1.28 | 174 |
| CAT M322 | 26.5 | 21' 9" | 24' 7" | 33' 4" | 1.70 | 174 |
Choosing the Right CAT Excavator Size
Choosing the correct excavator is crucial for a successful job site. Understanding the different sizes and categories of CAT excavators is essential for making the right choice. Being aware of factors including project scope, working space, and budget, will help you to choose the excavator best for your projects.
Making informed decisions is important when considering investments for your job site. Excavators have many of the same capabilities but it's possible to uniquely tailor to your job site. It's worth exploring options for Caterpillar excavators to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, or better sizing to suit your specific needs.
To find the right excavator rental and other equipment rentals, you can search the DOZR Marketplace. Alternatively, you can call a DOZR sales representative for help.
