General Overview

The Caterpillar 320 Excavator is a medium-sized excavator with a wide range of capabilities. It is designed for both general excavation and precision digging. It is equipped with a powerful engine, a heavy-duty boom and arm, and a 360-degree swing radius. The machine is capable of digging trenches and foundations, loading and unloading materials, and performing other excavation tasks.

Caterpillar 320: Key Features

 High Performance with Lower Fuel Consumption

• Use up to 25% less fuel than the 320F excavator.

• Increase operator efficiency by up to 45% with a suite of Cat Connect technologies that lower operator fatigue and your operating costs, including fuel consumption and daily maintenance.

• Match the excavator to the job using power modes including new Smart mode that automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to your digging conditions.

• The advanced hydraulic system provides the optimum balance of power and efficiency while giving you the control you need for your precise digging requirements.

• The electronically controlled, twin-turbocharged engine meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage IV emission standards using a transparent aftertreatment system that requires no operator input or downtime

• Auxiliary hydraulic options give you the versatility to use a wide range of Cat attachments.

• Don't let the temperature stop you from working. The excavator has a standard high ambient temperature capability of 52º C (125º F) and cold start capability of -18º C (0º F). An optional -32º C (-25º F) cold start package is available.

Boost Efficiency and Boost Productivity with Integrated Cat Connect

• Boost productivity up to 45% versus traditional grading with the standard Cat GRADE with 2D system — includes indicate-only and laser capability.     

  • Dig with real-time guidance on depth, slope, and horizontal distance to grade.

  • The 2D system is upgradable to Cat GRADE with Advanced 2D or Cat GRADE with 3D.

• Standard Grade Assist:     

  • Stay on grade — simply and effortlessly — with single-lever digging. 

  • Set your desired bucket angle and let Bucket Assist automatically maintain the angle in sloping, leveling, fine grading, and trenching applications for easy, accurate, and fast jobs.

  • Keep your tracks on the ground in lifting and hard digging with Boom Assist.

  • Automatically stop excavator swing at operator-defined set points in truck loading and trenching applications with Swing Assist, which will help you use less effort and consume less fuel.

• Standard Cat PAYLOAD on-board weighing system:     

  • Achieve precise load targets and increase loading efficiency with on-the-go weighing and real-time estimates of your payload without swinging. 

  • Track your daily productivity such as truck target weights and load/cycle counts.

  • Calibration can be performed in a matter of minutes.

  • Combine Payload with VisionLink® and remotely manage your production targets.

• Upgrade to optional Cat GRADE with Advanced 2D:   

  • Create and edit grade designs with ease on a second high-resolution 10 in (254 mm) touchscreen monitor.

• Upgrade to optional Cat GRADE with 3D:          

  • Create and edit designs with ease and see the front linkage's full range of motion on a second high-resolution 10 in (254 mm) touchscreen monitor.    

  • Know the excavator's exact position relative to GPS and GLONASS systems. 

  • The machine automatically compensates for excavator pitch and roll caused by sloping ground conditions.

• Standard Product Link™ provides location, machine hours, fuel usage, productivity, idle time, diagnostic codes, and other machine data on demand through VisionLink® online interface, helping you improve jobsite efficiency with lower operating costs.

Work in Comfort in the All-New Cab

• Cab options let you choose the level of comfort you need.

• Enjoy wide spacing between consoles for a more spacious comfortable environment.

• Sit in new, wide seats that adjust for operators of all sizes (heated and heated/cooled options are available).

• Get in and out of the cab easier using the tip-up left console (in Deluxe and Premium cabs only).

• Control the excavator comfortably with easy-to-reach controls located in front of you.

• Standard automatic climate control keeps you at the right temperature throughout your shift.

• Improved viscous mounts reduce cab vibration by up to 50% over our previous excavator models.

• Stow your gear with plenty of in-cab storage behind the seat, overhead, and in the consoles.

• A cup holder, document holder, bottle holder, and coat hook are included.

• The standard radio has USB ports and Bluetooth® technology enabled to connect your device and make hands-free calls.

Built for Long Life

• Protect hydraulic components in cold weather. The auto warm-up feature speeds hydraulic oil warming in cooler temperatures.

• The fuel system is protected from contamination of fuel by three levels of filtration.

• Bottom guarding protects engine and hydraulic components from damage while swinging and traveling.

• The hydraulic tank with a new oval shape designed to improve stress resistance.

• The strong X-structure lower frame carries loads from the excavator's upper structure to the track.

• Travel motor hydraulic lines are routed inside of the frame to protect them from damage.

• The sloped track frame design prevents mud and debris from accumulating and damaging tracks.

• The grease lubricated tracks have grease sealed between the pin and bushing to prevent debris from entering and reducing life.

• The track rollers are rebuild-able and sealed to prevent dirt and debris causing wear of internal components.

• A bolt-on track guiding guard helps maintain track alignment while traveling or working on slopes.

Simple to Operate

• You can navigate quickly on the standard, high-resolution 8 in (203 mm) touchscreen monitor or with the optional 10 in (254 m) touchscreen monitor or with the aid of the jog dial control.

• A second 10 in (254 mm) monitor is available for the advanced grade control.

• Easy keyless push-to-start engine using your Bluetooth key fob, or your smartphone to enable the pushbutton start feature.

• Match the excavator's operation to your digging style by adjusting the joystick response and programming the function of each joystick button.

• Not sure how a function works or how to maintain the excavator? Always have the operator's manual at your fingertips in the touchscreen monitor..

• Easily use the monitor to change the joystick pattern from the cab. You can choose two-way or four-way patterns options. Store your pattern preference and let the machine automatically set the pattern when you log in with your unique Operator ID.

Maintenance

• Extended maintenance intervals reduce maintenance costs by 15% over the Cat 320F excavator. (15% savings calculated over 12000 machine hours.)

• Reversing electric cooling fans make it easy to clean radiator, oil coolers, and condensers.

• An all-new engine air cleaner with integrated pre-cleaner has twice the life of radial seal air cleaners.

• The new hydraulic oil filter provides improved filtration performance, anti-drain valves to keep oil clean when the filter is replaced, and longer life with a 3000 hour replacement interval – 50% longer than previous filter designs.

• Track your excavator's filter life and maintenance intervals can via the in-cab monitor.

• Check engine oil level quickly and safely with the new engine oil dip stick located on ground level.

• S·O·S℠ ports with extended sampling intervals are on ground level, simplifying maintenance and allows for quick easy extraction of samples for fluid analysis.

Safety

• Work safely under structures or near traffic with the standard 2D E-fence feature integrated right out of the factory, which prevents any part of the excavator from moving outside operator-defined set points, avoiding hazards and jobsite accidents.

• Access 100% of daily maintenance points from ground level – no need for you to climb on top of excavator.

• The standard ROPS cab meets ISO 12117-2 2008 requirements.

• Enjoy great visibility into the trench, in each swing direction, and behind you with the help of smaller cab pillars, larger windows, and a flat engine hood design.

• The standard hydraulic lockout lever isolates all hydraulic and travel functions in the lowered position.

• Ground level shut-off switch stops all fuel to the engine when activated and shuts down the machine.

• A rearview camera is standard and upgradable to an optional 360° visibility camera for visibility all around the excavator, allowing the operator to easily visualize objects and personnel around the excavator in a single view.

• New right-hand service platform design provides easy, safe, and quick access to upper service platform; the service platform steps use anti-skid punch plate to prevent slipping. The handrails comply with ISO 2867 requirements.

Cat 320 Specs: A Closer Look

Engine

Net Flywheel Power 162 HP

Bore 4 in

Stroke 5 in

Displacement 269 in³

Gross Power - SAE J1995164 HP

Net Power - SAE J1349162 HP

Engine RPM - Operation 1650 r/min

Engine RPM - Travel1800 r/min

Hydraulic System

Main System - Maximum Flow - Total 113 gal/min

Maximum Pressure - Equipment - Normal 5075 psi

Maximum Pressure - Swing 3886 psi

Maximum Pressure - Travel 4974 psi

Common Uses

The Caterpillar 320 Excavator is a popular choice for general excavation, landscaping, construction, and demolition. It's also used for digging foundations, trenches, and other precision digging tasks. The machine is also used for loading and unloading materials, as well as for clearing debris.

Pricing

The Caterpillar 320 Excavator has a purchase price of $250,500. It can also be rented for a day for $1,390, for a half-day for $695, or for a week for $3,460.

Operating Weight

The Caterpillar 320 Excavator has an operating weight of 50,100 lbs.

Estimated Costs

The estimated monthly maintenance costs for the Caterpillar 320 Excavator are around $500. This includes oil changes, filter replacements, and other routine maintenance. The estimated fuel cost per month for the Caterpillar 320 Excavator is around $1,000. This includes fuel for operation, as well as for idling. The estimated hourly fuel cost for the Caterpillar 320 Excavator is around $2.50. This includes fuel for operation, as well as for idling.

Similar Models

The Caterpillar 320 Excavator is similar to other models in the Caterpillar line. These include the Caterpillar 324 Excavator, the Caterpillar 323 Excavator, the Caterpillar 330 Excavator, and the Caterpillar 336 Excavator. You can have a look at this model Caterpillar 320DL.

Conclusion

The Caterpillar 320 Excavator is a powerful, reliable, and versatile machine. It is designed for general excavation, landscaping, construction, and demolition. It is also well-suited for precision digging tasks. The machine has a purchase price of $250,500, and can be rented for a day, a half-day, or a week. The operating weight is 50,100 lbs, and the estimated monthly maintenance costs are around $500. The estimated fuel cost per month is around $1,000, and the estimated hourly fuel cost is around $2.50. Similar models include the Caterpillar 324 Excavator, the Caterpillar 330 Excavator, and the Caterpillar 336 Excavator.