Used Caterpillar 320CL Excavator

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Caterpillar 320CL Hydraulic Excavator Detailed Introduction

The Caterpillar 320CL is a globally acclaimed 20-ton class medium hydraulic excavator developed and manufactured by Caterpillar Inc., the world's leading construction equipment brand. As a core model of Caterpillar's C-series excavator lineup launched in the early 2000s, it inherits the brand's consistent advantages of heavy-duty durability, high operating efficiency, and low total cost of ownership, and is widely recognized as one of the most reliable workhorses in the global construction equipment market, adapting to diverse harsh working scenarios.

1. Core Technical Specifications

Parameter	Value
Operating Weight	19,800 – 21,500 kg (depending on configuration)
Standard Bucket Capacity	0.8 – 1.2 m³
Net Rated Power	103 kW (138 hp) @ 2000 rpm
Max Digging Depth (standard boom/arm)	6.7 m
Max Horizontal Reach at Ground Level	9.8 m
Max Dumping Height	6.5 m
Travel Speed	3.5 km/h (low) / 5.5 km/h (high)
Swing Speed	11.5 rpm
Gradeability	70% (35°)

2. Powertrain Performance

The 320CL is equipped with Caterpillar's self-developed 3066T inline 6-cylinder turbocharged air-to-air aftercooled diesel engine, which meets EU Stage II / US EPA Tier 2 emission standards:

It has high low-end torque reserve, excellent fuel efficiency, and strong adaptability to low-quality fuel in remote construction sites; the average overhaul interval exceeds 15,000 hours under standard maintenance.
The high-efficiency independent cooling system supports stable operation even in ambient temperatures up to 52°C (125°F), making it suitable for high-temperature scenarios such as deserts and tropical construction sites.
The built-in cold start device ensures normal ignition at temperatures as low as -18°C (0°F), with optional low-temperature kits for colder regions.

3. Hydraulic System

It adopts Caterpillar's proprietary Advanced Hydraulic Power System (AHPS), a load-sensing hydraulic system with industry-leading control accuracy and efficiency:

Dual main pumps deliver a total flow of 428 L/min, with a system working pressure of 35 MPa, providing strong digging force for hard rock and heavy-duty digging operations.
It supports smooth compound operation: the boom, arm, bucket and swing mechanism can operate simultaneously without obvious speed lag, greatly improving operation efficiency for scenarios such as loading and trenching.
3 optional working modes: Power mode for heavy-duty digging, Economy mode for light works to reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%, and Lifting mode for stable heavy lifting operations.
The fully sealed hydraulic circuit is equipped with a 10-micron high-precision filtration system, extending the service life of hydraulic oil to 4,000 hours, and reducing later maintenance costs.

4. Structural Durability

The 320CL follows Caterpillar's heavy-duty design standard, with a service life of main structural parts exceeding 20,000 hours under normal use:

The boom, arm and X-type lower frame are all made of high-tensile steel, with built-in reinforced rib plates, which can withstand long-term impact loads in scenarios such as quarrying and hard rock excavation.
The undercarriage adopts induction-hardened track links, and the carrier rollers, idlers and travel motors are all designed with lifetime sealed lubrication, reducing daily maintenance requirements. Multiple track shoe options are available (single-grouser for heavy digging, triple-grouser for general works, rubber shoes for road construction) to adapt to different ground conditions.
All welding points of the main structure are subject to non-destructive testing before leaving the factory, avoiding structural cracking under long-term heavy load.

5. Operator Comfort & Safety

The cab is ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) and FOPS (Falling Object Protective Structure) certified, providing comprehensive safety protection for operators.
The fully adjustable suspension seat with lumbar support reduces fatigue during long-term operation; the ergonomic control lever has short stroke and light operating force.
The fully enclosed cab has sound insulation treatment, and the internal operating noise is controlled below 78 dB(A); the high-efficiency HVAC heating and cooling system maintains a suitable internal temperature in extreme weather.
The LCD monitor displays real-time parameters such as engine speed, hydraulic oil temperature, fuel level and fault codes, facilitating operators to grasp the equipment status in time.

6. Maintenance & After-sales

All daily maintenance points (engine oil, filter, air filter, fuel filter replacement) are arranged at ground level, no need to climb the upper frame for routine inspection, reducing maintenance time.
The radiator adopts a tilting design, which is convenient for cleaning dust and debris after long-term operation in dusty environments such as mines and quarries.
Caterpillar's global after-sales network provides genuine spare parts supply and professional technical support, greatly reducing equipment downtime.

7. Application Scenarios

The 320CL is suitable for a wide range of operation scenarios, including municipal construction, road and bridge construction, real estate development, quarrying, water conservancy projects, and forestry development. It can be equipped with various attachments such as hydraulic breakers, timber grapples, augers, rippers and metal shears to expand its operation functions.

Even though it has been discontinued for many years, the 320CL still occupies a large share in the global second-hand excavator market due to its ultra-high reliability, low maintenance cost and strong residual value, and remains the preferred choice for many small and medium-sized construction teams and individual operators.

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Original product

Used Caterpillar 320CL Excavator

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