Keywords: midsize excavator, midsize excavator
Caterpillar, also known as CAT, has been a prominent presence in the construction and mining equipment industry since 1925 and holds the title of being the largest manufacturer in the world for such equipment.
With sales and revenues totaling $41.7 billion in 2020, CAT produces a diverse range of heavy machinery suitable for almost any type of job site. Their lineup of excavators combines durability and versatility, making them a viable option for various tasks including landscaping, construction, trenching, and other demanding applications.
For moderately-sized or smaller projects that require increased mobility and the ability to travel on roads between different work sites, a backhoe might be a more suitable choice. Both excavators and backhoes are readily available for rental once you have determined which type of equipment suits your needs.
This article will provide an overview of CAT’s excavator models, examining their dimensions, horsepower, digging depth, and other essential factors to consider when renting an excavator.
Excavator Sizes
Caterpillar offers four sizes and four types of excavators. You will want to consider the size of your job, the configuration of your job site, the amount of horsepower you need, and how deep you need to dig, among other factors, when deciding which one to choose.
Mini Excavators (2,061-22,451 lbs)
Caterpillar offers nearly two dozen CAT mini excavators that range in size from 1 to 10 metric tons and come in standard or compact radius (CR mini) models. The smallest models offer 13 horsepower engines and a digging depth of more than 5½ feet. The biggest engine mini hydraulic excavators can give you nearly 70 hp of net power and the ability to dig nearly three times as far: more than 15 feet.
Mini excavators are an excellent choice when working in cramped spaces or on crowded job sites such as parking lots and indoors. With reduced or zero tail-swing, they’re easier to navigate around obstacles and in tight quarters.
Small Excavators (30,400-40,200 lbs)
Small CAT excavators are designed for fuel efficiency to reduce operating costs and emissions. They can be equipped with a variety of attachments for different kinds of jobs. Caterpillar excavator attachments include hammers, shears, demolition and sorting grapples, compactors, pulverizers, couplers, and thumbs.
Small excavator engine models start where minis leave off, with the smallest providing 73 hp of power, ranging up to the largest at 130 hp. Their hydraulic systems allow you to dig deeper than a compact excavator can, as well: between 19.6 and 21 feet, depending on the model you choose.
The CAT 315, for instance, can dig 19.6 feet and dig, swing, and dump within a working space of under 13 feet. Auxiliary hydraulic options can accommodate a wide variety of attachments, and the engine meets EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards.
Medium Excavators (48,281-77,000 lbs)
Medium excavators allow you to dig deeper — up to nearly 24 feet with some models — supplying significantly more power than small excavators can provide, with up to 273 hp. Their operating weight is heavier, too: up to 77,000 pounds for the largest, compared with half that for the heaviest small excavator.
Like other excavators, these can be equipped with a variety of work tools: attachments that allow you to perform a variety of tasks, from digging to loading to compacting. Jobs well-suited for a medium excavator include sloping, leveling, fine grading, and trenching. They can also be used for demolition projects, drilling shafts, and fairly large-scale industrial projects.
Large Excavators (80,500-207,300 lbs)
Large excavators can weigh as much as 207,300 pounds (103.5 tons) and pack horsepower ranging from 273 to 542. If you’re planning excavations and have room to accommodate these machines, they can be a valuable asset, with a capacity to dig 27 feet to nearly 32 feet down.
These excavators are crawlers, running on tracks rather than wheels. The largest new CAT in this class, the 395, is a next-generation model that’s up to 10% more productive than its predecessor, the 395F. It comes equipped with USB ports and Bluetooth technology, as well as advanced viscous mounts that reduce cab vibration by as much as 50% compared with earlier models.
Large excavators can be used for grading hilly areas, mining, and lifting heavy debris and soil. Because of their size, they need plenty of room to operate and are best suited to outdoor jobs on open worksites.