Used Caterpillar 320C Excavator

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🏗️ Overview

The Caterpillar 320C is a medium-sized hydraulic excavator belonging to Caterpillar's C-Series lineup. It was manufactured from approximately 1998 to 2006, succeeding the 320B and later replaced by the 320D. It is one of the most popular and widely used excavators in the 20-ton (20,000 kg) class, known for its versatility, reliability, and strong resale value.

📐 Key Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	Caterpillar Inc.
Model	320C
Series	C-Series (1998–2006)
Class	Medium (20-ton)
Operating Weight	~20,000 kg (44,090 lbs)
Engine Model	Cat® 3176C TA (6-cylinder turbocharged diesel)
Engine Displacement	7.2 L (439 in³)
Rated Power	125 hp (93 kW) @ 2,000 rpm
Fuel Tank Capacity	~400 L (106 gal)
Hydraulic System Flow	~2 × 118 L/min (62 gpm)
Track Width	600 mm (23.6 in) — standard
Ground Pressure	~43 kPa (6.2 psi)

🪣 Digging Performance

Parameter	Standard Boom & Stick	Long Reach
Max Digging Depth	6.57 m (21.6 ft)	7.84 m (25.7 ft)
Max Reach (Ground Level)	8.68 m (28.5 ft)	10.08 m (33.1 ft)
Max Digging Height	8.82 m (28.9 ft)	10.31 m (33.8 ft)
Max Dump Height	6.12 m (20.1 ft)	7.49 m (24.6 ft)
Bucket Capacity	0.84 m³ (1.1 yd³)	0.54 m³ (0.71 yd³)
Boom Length	5.75 m (18.9 ft)	7.24 m (23.8 ft)
Stick Length	2.95 m (9.7 ft)	3.40 m (11.2 ft)

& Engine — Cat 3176C TA

Feature	Detail
Type	6-cylinder, 4-stroke, turbocharged & aftercooled diesel
Displacement	7.2 L
Power Output	125 hp (93 kW) @ 2,000 rpm
Torque	~520 Nm (384 lb-ft) @ 1,400 rpm
Emissions	EPA Tier 1 / EU Stage I
Cooling	Water-cooled
Fuel System	Electronic unit injection (EUI)

The 3176C is renowned for its durability, fuel efficiency, and ease of maintenance — a hallmark of Cat engines.

🖥️ Operator Cab & Comfort

The 320C features an enclosed, pressurized cab with:

Feature	Description
✅ Air Conditioning / Heating	Full climate control
✅ Suspension Seat	Adjustable, air-suspended
✅ Joystick Controls	Smooth proportional hydraulic controls
✅ LCD Monitor	Engine diagnostics, hour meter, fuel level
✅ Excellent Visibility	Large glass area, sloped hood design
✅ Low Noise Level	~73 dB(A) at operator ear
✅ ROPS/FOPS Certified	Rollover & falling object protection

🔧 Hydraulic System

Feature	Specification
Type	Closed-center, load-sensing hydraulic system
Pump Flow	2 × 118 L/min (62 gpm) variable displacement
System Pressure	34,500 kPa (5,000 psi)
Auxiliary Flow	44 L/min (11.6 gpm) — for attachments
Attachment Options	Hydraulic breaker, grapple, ripper, thumb, auger, shears, etc.

🏗️ Undercarriage

Component	Detail
Track Type	Steel, 600 mm (23.6 in) wide
Track Shoes	600 mm triple-grouser (standard)
Rollers (per side)	5
Carrier Rollers (per side)	2
Sprocket	Final drive with motor
Travel Speed	4.8 km/h (3.0 mph)
Gradeability	70% (35°)

📊 Performance Summary

Metric	Value
Fuel Consumption	~15–20 L/hr (4–5.3 gal/hr)
Swing Speed	10.2 rpm
Swing Torque	23.4 kNm (17,260 lb-ft)
Tail Swing Radius	2.74 m (9.0 ft)
Dozer Blade Option	Available (3.7 m / 12.1 ft wide)

✅ Strengths & Advantages

Advantage	Explanation
💪 Reliability	Cat's legendary build quality; low breakdown rate
⛽ Fuel Efficient	One of the best in its class for fuel economy
🔧 Easy Maintenance	Ground-level service points, wide-opening hood
💰 Strong Resale Value	Highly sought after in the used equipment market
🔄 Versatility	Works in construction, mining, demolition, landscaping, road building
🛠️ Parts Availability	Massive global Cat dealer network

⚠️ Limitations

Limitation	Detail
& Not for ultra-heavy work	Rated at 20 tons; not suitable for large-scale mining
🔊 Older emissions	Pre-Tier 4 Final; may face restrictions in some regions
📏 Limited reach vs. larger models	Compared to 325C/330C

🆚 Comparison with Similar Models

Model	Weight	Power	Bucket
318C	18,500 kg	110 hp	0.7 m³
⭐ 320C	20,000 kg	125 hp	0.84 m³
325C	24,500 kg	164 hp	1.0 m³
330C	29,500 kg	197 hp	1.2 m³

🌍 Common Applications

Industry	Use Cases
🏗️ Construction	Foundation excavation, trenching, grading
🛣️ Road Building	Ditching, pipe laying, road maintenance
🏚️ Demolition	Building tear-down (with hydraulic breaker)
🌳 Landscaping	Tree planting, pond digging, grading
⛏️ Mining (Light)	Small-scale quarry work
🔌 Utilities	Cable/pipe installation

📌 Summary

Category	Rating (out of 5)
🔧 Reliability	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
💪 Power	⭐⭐⭐⭐
⛽ Fuel Efficiency	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🪑 Operator Comfort	⭐⭐⭐⭐
💰 Value for Money	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔄 Versatility	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Caterpillar 320C is widely regarded as one of the best mid-size excavators ever built. Its combination of power, efficiency, durability, and versatility has made it a workhorse across the globe for over two decades. Even today, used 320Cs command strong prices in the secondary market.

Would you like more details on any specific aspect — such as maintenance schedule, common problems, pricing, or attachment compatibility? 🚜