CAT Excavator Size Guide

Caterpillar excavators fall into four main size classes—Mini, Small, Medium, and Large—with specialty and wheeled models that serve unique applications. All major models since 2000 fit within this structure, with the largest (395) weighing over 200,000 lbs and the smallest (300.9D) just over 2,000 lbs146

These excavators are used for various tasks like digging trenches, demolition, and landscaping. Cat excavators are favored for their robustness and efficiency in tough environments.

Excavator Size Catgories

Mini Excavators (2,000 – 22,500 lbs)

Purpose: Tight spaces, landscaping, residential, utility work.

Models: 300.9D, 301.5, 301.7 CR, 301.8, 302 CR, 303.5E2, 304E2, 305E2, 306, 308 CR, 309 CR, 310

Features: Compact, easy to transport, can dig up to 15 feet.

Small Excavators (30,400 – 40,200 lbs)

Purpose: General construction, small-to-midsize jobs, utility.

Models: 313 GC, 313, 315 GC, 315, 316, 318, 320 GC

Features: More power and reach than mini, but still maneuverable.

Medium Excavators (48,000 – 77,000 lbs)

Purpose: Roadwork, large construction, utility, demolition.

Models: 320, 323, 325, 326, 330 GC, 330, 335, 336, 340

Features: Balance of power, reach, and transportability. Dig depths up to 24 feet.

Large Excavators (77,000 – 207,000 lbs)

Purpose: Heavy civil, mining, mass excavation, major infrastructure.

Models: 345 GC, 349, 352, 374, 395

Features: Massive power, up to 542 HP, dig depths up to 32 feet, and advanced technology for productivity

Mini Excavator 

A mini excavator is a compact version of an excavator, designed for use in tight spaces where larger machines cannot operate. It typically features a smaller footprint and lower weight, making it ideal for residential work, including landscaping, digging small trenches, and minor demolition tasks. Mini excavators are also beneficial in urban construction due to their ability to maneuver in confined areas. They generally offer features like rubber tracks to minimize ground damage, and various attachments can enhance their versatility for different projects.

Small Excavators

Small excavators, weighing between 7 to 10 tons, offer a balance between power and maneuverability, making them versatile for various construction projects. Their slightly larger size compared to mini excavators allows for increased power and digging capacity, enabling them to tackle light to medium construction tasks efficiently. Despite their enhanced capabilities, they remain relatively compact, allowing for easy maneuvering in confined spaces or urban construction sites. Contractors often choose small excavators for projects where a mid-size excavator would be too large, yet more efficiency is needed than what a mini excavator can offer. With their ability to handle a wide range of tasks, small excavators are valuable assets in construction fleets for their versatility and performance.

Large Excavator

Large excavators are heavy construction machines designed for demanding earthmoving tasks on industrial-scale projects. These machines typically feature powerful engines, long arms, and sizable buckets, enabling them to efficiently move large volumes of material. They are commonly used in applications such as mining, quarrying, large-scale construction projects, and infrastructure development. Large excavators are crucial for tasks like digging deep trenches, loading trucks with heavy materials, and shaping landscapes. Their advanced hydraulic systems and sophisticated controls allow operators to precisely maneuver and control the machine's movements, maximizing productivity and safety on the job site. To know more bout excavator bucket types and sizes, click here.

Detailed Size Chart

Additional Configurations

Long Reach Excavators

Long reach excavators are specialized excavators equipped with extended booms and arms, allowing them to reach farther and deeper than standard models. They are commonly used in applications where conventional excavators cannot access, such as dredging, deep excavation, and slope grading. These excavators are crucial for projects requiring extended reach, such as shoreline maintenance, canal construction, and deep foundation work. Their extended reach enables them to tackle tasks with precision and efficiency, making them indispensable in various industries, including construction, mining, and environmental remediation.

Wheel Excavators

Wheel excavators are versatile construction machines equipped with a large, rotating wheel instead of tracks, making them highly maneuverable on roads and job sites. They are primarily used for digging, lifting, and moving materials in urban areas or on projects where mobility is essential. With their ability to travel quickly between job sites, wheel excavators are favored for road construction, utility work, and urban infrastructure projects. These machines often feature a hydraulic boom and arm system, allowing for precise digging and efficient material handling. Their mobility and flexibility make them valuable assets in construction projects requiring frequent relocation or work in confined spaces.

Frontless Excavators

Frontless excavators are specialized excavators designed without a traditional front attachment, such as a bucket or blade. Instead, they feature an open frame at the front, allowing for greater flexibility in attaching various tools and attachments directly to the boom. These excavators are commonly used in applications where versatility is paramount, such as material handling, forestry, and scrap handling. The absence of a traditional front attachment enables operators to quickly switch between different tools, enhancing efficiency and productivity on the job site. Additionally, frontless excavators are often equipped with advanced hydraulic systems and reinforced structures to handle heavy loads and demanding tasks effectively.