Used Caterpillar 308C Excavator

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Detailed Introduction to CATERPILLAR 308C Crawler Excavator

The Caterpillar 308C is an 8-ton class compact crawler excavator belonging to Caterpillar's classic C-series small excavator lineup. It is designed for high versatility, durability and operating efficiency, and is widely used in narrow-space, fine-operation scenarios, with both standard tail-swing and CR (Compact Radius) short-tail swing versions available for different working condition demands.

1. Core Specifications

Category	Parameters
Operating Weight	7,800 – 8,600 kg (varies by configuration: cab/canopy, steel/rubber track, boom/stick length, attachments)
Engine	4-cylinder direct-injection turbocharged engine (Caterpillar C3.4 or Mitsubishi 4M40 for regional variants), net power 41.5 kW (55.6 hp) at 2200 rpm, compliant with Tier 3/Stage IIIA emission standards
Digging Performance	Max digging depth: 4.1 m (standard stick) / 4.6 m (extended stick); Max digging height: 7.2 m; Max dumping height: 5.0 m; Bucket digging force: 56.9 kN; Arm digging force: 39.2 kN
Bucket Capacity	0.22 – 0.52 m³
Travel Performance	2-speed travel: 2.8 km/h (low) / 4.8 km/h (high); Swing speed: 11 rpm; Max traction: 62 kN
Ground Pressure	~33 kPa (steel track) / ~28 kPa (rubber track)

2. Core Performance & Design Features

(1) High-Efficiency Power & Hydraulic System

It is equipped with Caterpillar's proprietary load-sensing, flow-sharing hydraulic system, which supports smooth synchronous operation of multiple actions (e.g. boom lifting + swing + bucket curling) without stuttering, delivering precise control for fine operations such as trench digging and terrain shaping. The built-in auto-idle function and optional eco mode reduce fuel consumption by 10-15% compared to older models of the same class, while lowering engine wear.

(2) Heavy-Duty Structural Durability

The boom, stick and upper frame adopt reinforced high-strength steel plates, with stress relief treatment at all welding points, adapting to long-term heavy-load operations. The heavy-duty undercarriage supports optional steel tracks (for harsh construction sites) and rubber tracks (for municipal road and lawn operations without damaging the ground). The 308C CR version has a tail swing radius of only 1.6 m, which can operate freely in narrow spaces such as indoor demolition sites, urban alleys and tunnels.

(3) Operator Comfort & Safety

The cab is ROPS/FOPS certified (rollover and falling object protection), with a fully adjustable suspension seat and low-effort pilot control joysticks, reducing operator fatigue during long hours of work. The noise level inside the cab is controlled below 75 dB(A), and it is equipped with a high-performance heating and cooling air conditioning system. The large-area frameless glass design eliminates blind spots, allowing operators to clearly observe the working status of the bucket and surrounding tracks. The LCD monitor displays real-time parameters such as fuel consumption, water temperature, oil temperature and fault codes for easy status monitoring.

(4) Easy Maintenance

All daily maintenance points (air filter, fuel filter, oil filter, lubrication points, etc.) are accessible from the ground, eliminating the need to climb the upper frame, which greatly saves maintenance time. The optional Caterpillar Product Link™ system supports remote monitoring of equipment location, working hours, fuel consumption and fault alerts, which is convenient for fleet management. The long maintenance interval (500 working hours for oil change, 4000 working hours for hydraulic oil change) reduces downtime and long-term operating costs.

3. Versatility & Applications

The 308C supports optional quick couplers, which can quickly switch between a variety of attachments to meet diverse working needs:

General purpose buckets, trenching buckets for earthwork
Hydraulic breakers, hydraulic shears for demolition work
Augers for tree pit and pile hole digging
Grapples for bulk material handling
Plate compactors for ground compaction, snow plows for de-icing operations

Its typical application scenarios include:

Urban municipal construction (pipe trench digging, road repair)
Landscaping and horticultural construction
Small civil building foundation excavation
Interior and small structure demolition
Agricultural farmland renovation and irrigation ditch digging
Confined space construction projects

4. Market Reputation

The Caterpillar 308C is widely recognized in the global market for its ultra-high reliability, low failure rate and high residual value of used equipment. Caterpillar's global after-sales service network ensures sufficient spare parts supply and timely maintenance support, making it a preferred choice for both individual equipment owners and large engineering fleets, despite its slightly higher initial purchase cost than similar products of other brands.

Non flooded

No accident

Original product

Used Caterpillar 308C Excavator

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