Top 8 Used CAT Excavators Worth Buying

Used CAT excavators are the top choice for many independent contractors, farmers and small construction teams, thanks to Caterpillar’s worldwide parts and service network and strong resale value. Covering models from 1.8-ton mini excavators up to 23-ton large excavators, CAT’s product line suits nearly all job scenarios for private buyers. The following 8 models are listed by weight from light to heavy to help you quickly find the right unit based on your workload and budget.

Quick Comparison Overview

Model	Weight (Ton)	Approx. Used Market Price	Best Application	Key Highlights
CAT 301.8	1.8 Ton	$15k–25k	Residential Yard / Farm / Indoor Work	Ultra-compact, fits narrow doorways
CAT 303.5 CR	3.5 Ton	$30k–45k	Municipal / Landscaping	Zero Tail Swing, Industry Benchmark
CAT 305.5E2 CR	5.5 Ton	$40k–60k	General Small-Scale Construction	Sweet Spot for Value
CAT 307E2 CR	7 Ton	$50k–75k	Earthmoving / Rental Business	All-Round Midsize
CAT 308 CR	8 Ton	$55k–85k	Municipal / Light Earthmoving	Powerful, Zero Tail Swing
CAT 313D2	13 Ton	$70k–110k	Earthmoving / Foundation Works	Workhorse for Earthmoving
CAT 320D	20 Ton	$90k–150k	All-Round Heavy-Duty	Classic Workhorse
CAT 323	23 Ton	$110k–170k	Heavy Large-Scale Jobs	Mining / Mass Excavation

1.CAT 301.8

The Caterpillar 301.8 is an ultra-compact 1.8-ton excavator powered by the Cat C1.1 diesel engine, delivering approximately 13.5 kW (18 HP) with a maximum digging depth of around 2.3 meters. Its tracks can be retracted to a width of 0.9 meters to pass through standard doorways. As CAT’s smallest used excavator model, the 301.8 can access yards, greenhouses and narrow lanes directly. It serves as an ideal entry choice for family farms and small landscaping jobs, with a used market price of roughly $15,000–$25,000.

Core Advantages

• Ultra-compact body – retractable tracks enable access through gateways and indoor spaces; transportable on small flatbed trailers
• Widely available CAT parts – service accessible even at county-level locations, low downtime costs
• Strong residual value – high resale liquidity for mini excavators, lower depreciation than competing non-premium models

Points to Note

• Limited digging force – struggles with hard soil and rock conditions; not a replacement for larger excavators
• Attachment interface – verify compatibility of the quick coupler with your breakers or grapples

2.CAT 303.5 CR

The CAT 303.5 CR is a 3.5-ton Next Generation mini excavator equipped with the turbocharged Cat C1.8T engine. It outputs around 24.5 kW (33 HP) with a maximum digging depth of approximately 3.1 meters and features a zero tail swing design. Within CAT’s used excavator lineup, the 303.5 CR is the most recognized mini model, balancing jobsite productivity and easy access to spare parts. Its used market price stands at roughly $30,000–$45,000.

Core Advantages

• Strong CAT brand recognition – high liquidity in the used market for easy resale
• Zero tail swing + air-conditioned cab – safe and comfortable operation next to walls and narrow streets
• Stick Steer control – agile handling in tight spaces, beginner-friendly

Points to Note

• High premium per ton – higher unit price compared with equivalent Japanese mini excavators
• Hydraulic attachments to be verified – confirm quick coupler compatibility in advance

3.CAT 305.5E2 CR

The CAT 305.5E2 CR is a 5.5-ton compact excavator powered by the Cat C2.4 diesel engine, delivering around 36.5 kW (49 HP) with a maximum digging depth of approximately 3.8 meters. It adopts standard tail swing design to balance flexibility and stability. Known as the “golden tonnage” among CAT used excavators, the 305.5E2 CR delivers near-midsize productivity at mini-excavator pricing. Its used market price is roughly $40,000–$60,000, making it the most cost-effective option for private buyers seeking CAT equipment on a limited budget.

Core Advantages

• Favorable price-to-productivity ratio – significantly cheaper than 7-ton models with comparable output
• Wide versatility – suitable for municipal trenching, rural infrastructure and light earthmoving
• Interchangeable spare parts – shares many components with mini excavators of the same generation for hassle-free maintenance

Points to Note

• Standard tail swing – rear overhang limits close-to-wall work compared with zero-tail models
• High demand in used market – quality units sell fast; advance reservation recommended

4.CAT 307E2 CR

The CAT 307E2 CR is a 7-ton midsize excavator powered by the Cat C2.4 diesel engine, delivering approximately 42 kW (56 HP) with a maximum digging depth of around 4.1 meters. It is available with standard and long reach boom configurations. Among CAT’s used excavator lineup, the 307E2 CR is a true workhorse capable of handling a wide range of jobs, covering earthmoving, equipment rental and rural infrastructure projects. Its used market price is roughly $50,000–$75,000.

Core Advantages

• Midsize productivity – superior digging depth and lifting capacity versus mini excavators for both large and small tasks
• Transport-friendly – shippable on standard flatbed trailers without special permits
• Stable used demand – consistently sought-after in rental markets for easy resale

Points to Note

• Higher fuel consumption – greater daily fuel costs compared with mini excavators for budget calculation
• Pricier genuine OEM parts – reliable aftermarket alternatives recommended for out-of-warranty maintenance

5.CAT 308 CR

The CAT 308 CR is an 8-ton zero tail swing midsize excavator equipped with the Cat C3.3 diesel engine, delivering around 50 kW (67 HP) and a maximum digging depth of approximately 4.3 meters. It stands as the most powerful model within the CR series. As one of the rare heavy-duty zero tail swing options in CAT’s used excavator lineup, the 308 CR delivers midsize productivity for jobs against walls and in narrow lanes. Its used market price is roughly $55,000–$85,000.

Core Advantages

• Zero tail swing paired with midsize power – enables full-capacity operation on tight job sites
• Surplus lifting capacity – compatible with heavy attachments for stable breaking and grappling
• Strong CAT residual value – high liquidity among 8-ton models with reliable resale value

Points to Note

• Relatively heavy machine – check axle load for over-length transportation; permits may be required on certain roads
• High price premium – the combination of zero tail swing and larger tonnage leads to higher used unit costs

6.CAT 313D2

The CAT 313D2 is a 13-ton earthmoving excavator powered by the Cat C4.4 diesel engine, generating approximately 74 kW (99 HP) with a maximum digging depth of around 5.2 meters. The long-reach version extends this figure to 5.8 meters. Within CAT’s used excavator lineup, the 313D2 serves as the entry model for dedicated earthmoving work, ideal for foundation excavation, trenching and site leveling. Its used market price is roughly $70,000–$110,000.

Core Advantages

• Workhorse for earthmoving – sufficient output to undertake medium and small earthmoving projects independently
• Robust undercarriage – long service life for heavy-duty travel and swing operations
• Mature parts ecosystem – large existing fleet of D2 series; wear parts widely available

Points to Note

• Upgraded transport requirements – compliant flatbed trailers mandatory; higher fuel and shipping costs
• Steeper learning curve – operators need time to adapt to the handling and counterweight of larger excavators

7.CAT 320D

The CAT 320D is a 20-ton all-round excavator powered by the Cat C6.4 diesel engine, delivering approximately 103 kW (138 HP) with a maximum digging depth of around 6.7 meters. It ranks among Caterpillar’s best-selling medium-to-large excavators in history. Known as an evergreen model among CAT used excavators, the 320D is celebrated for its reliability and massive population, capable of handling nearly all earthmoving, municipal and demolition applications. Its used market price is roughly $90,000–$150,000.

Core Advantages

• Massive fleet population – abundant service records, affordable spare parts, widely familiar to technicians
• All-round rugged build – globally proven productivity and stability at the 20-ton class
• Benchmark residual value – fast resale liquidity and strong market acceptance

Points to Note

• Older emission standards – certain year models comply with Tier 3; retrofitting should be assessed for exports to developed regions
• Large footprint – transport and jobsite access require advance planning; high fuel consumption

8.CAT 323

The CAT 323 is a 23-ton large excavator equipped with the Cat C7.1 diesel engine, delivering approximately 118 kW (158 HP) and a maximum digging depth of around 7.0 meters. It is the largest model on this list. Within CAT’s used excavator lineup, the CAT 323 targets heavy excavation applications such as mine stripping, large trenching and commercial foundation work. Its used market price stands at roughly $110,000–$170,000, representing a heavy-capital investment for individual buyers.

Core Advantages

• High large-scale productivity – outperforms medium and small machines in deep digging and high-volume earthmoving
• Reinforced structure – heavy-duty boom and stick for durable continuous heavy-load operation
• Strong residual value for large CAT excavators – steady second-hand demand and predictable resale value

Points to Note

• High entry cost – substantial expenses for machine purchase, transport, fuel and operator labour
• Strict site requirements – adequate access roads and working space are necessary; not recommended for small independent operators

5 Key Factors When Buying a Used Excavator

1.Work Condition Matching

Tonnage serves as the primary decision point for model selection. 1–2 ton micro excavators specialize in yard and farm work; 3–5 ton mini/compact units handle municipal and landscaping projects; 7–8 ton midsize machines take on general engineering tasks; models above 13 tons are built for formal earthmoving and heavy-duty jobs. Incorrect tonnage selection can cut efficiency by 30% and hurt resale value. Browse inventory by tonnage to narrow down your options first.

2.Budget & Residual Value

CAT models carry a higher per-ton premium compared with equivalent Japanese alternatives, yet they deliver the most stable residual value. After three years of operation, CAT machines typically depreciate 10–15 percentage points less than lesser-known brands upon resale. Buyers on a tight budget may opt for sweet-spot tonnage models such as the 305.5E2, while those planning long-term ownership gain better value from proven workhorses like the 320D.

3.Maintenance & Spare Parts

CAT’s global service network stands as its biggest advantage, with spare parts and support accessible even at county-level locations. That said, genuine OEM parts come at a premium, so reliable aftermarket suppliers are recommended for out-of-warranty repairs. Before purchase, confirm lead times for common wear components (filters, track pads, hydraulic seals) to prevent costly downtime waiting for parts delivery.

4.Operating Hours & Machine Condition

Operating hours are central to valuing a used excavator. For mini excavators with 8,000–10,000 operating hours, focus inspections on the undercarriage and swing assembly. For units above 20 tons with 15,000 hours, pay close attention to structural fatigue. For the same model and year, a 2,000-hour difference can translate to an 8–12% price gap. Always retrieve ECU data and service records to avoid machines with undisclosed working histories.

5.Certification & Emissions Compliance

Certifications offer the most reliable risk mitigation for used equipment procurement. JUMVEA certification covers over 150 inspection items with grading from 1 to 5 points. Exports to developed regions require compliance with EU Stage V emission standards. Uncertified “as-is” machinery lacks third-party validation; low pricing may conceal substantial hidden repair costs. The premium for certified units is far lower than potential repair risks.

Summary

These 8 CAT used excavators span from the 1.8-ton micro model up to the 23-ton large unit: the CAT 301.8 for maximum compactness, 303.5 CR for top brand recognition, 305.5E2 CR for best cost performance, 307E2 CR as the versatile midsize workhorse, 308 CR as the powerful zero-tail model, 313D2 for dedicated earthmoving tasks, 320D the legendary all-rounder, and 323 built for heavy-duty jobs. Start by selecting the right tonnage based on your project requirements, then compare budgets, operating hours and certifications.

If you are evaluating machine conditions and quotations, browse our certified inventory or contact us to request inspection reports and machine status updates. We provide full inspection certification and third-party grading for a secure purchase.