Used Caterpillar 308E2 Excavator

Reading: 2129

Caterpillar 308E2 CR Compact Crawler Excavator Detailed Introduction

The Caterpillar 308E2 CR is an 8-ton class compact-radius (short-tail swing) crawler excavator, a core model in Caterpillar’s globally acclaimed E2 series of small excavation equipment. It is engineered to balance high work efficiency, fuel economy, maneuverability and extreme durability for tight-space operations, and is widely favored by rental fleets, independent contractors and municipal maintenance teams worldwide.

1. Core Specifications Overview

Parameter	Metric	Imperial
Operating Weight	7800 – 8600 kg	17196 – 18960 lb
Rated Net Power	49 kW @ 2200 rpm	66 hp @ 2200 rpm
Standard Bucket Capacity	0.22 – 0.52 m³	0.29 – 0.68 yd³
Maximum Digging Depth	4510 mm	14 ft 10 in
Maximum Digging Reach	7010 mm	23 ft 0 in
Tail Swing Radius	1640 mm	5 ft 5 in
Maximum Travel Speed	5.1 km/h	3.2 mph

2. Powertrain & Fuel Efficiency

The 308E2 CR is equipped with a Caterpillar original C2.4 DI turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engine, compliant with U.S. EPA Tier 4 Interim and EU Stage IIIB emissions standards:

It adopts an electronically controlled high-pressure common rail fuel injection system, cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) aftertreatment, eliminating the need for a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to reduce long-term maintenance costs.
The standard adjustable Eco working mode optimizes engine speed and hydraulic output matching, cutting fuel consumption by up to 10% without obvious performance loss, greatly reducing operating costs for long-hour construction scenarios.
It has excellent low-temperature startup performance, supporting reliable operation at -15°C (5°F) without extra cold-start accessories.

3. Hydraulic System & Operational Performance

The model is fitted with Caterpillar’s industry-leading load-sensing flow-sharing hydraulic system, delivering consistent, responsive power regardless of load size:

Proportional pilot joystick controls provide smooth, precise operation for fine grading, heavy lifting and delicate demolition tasks, with adjustable joystick sensitivity to match different operator preferences.
Standard auxiliary hydraulic lines deliver up to 100 L/min (26.4 gpm) of flow, enabling full compatibility with a wide range of work tools including hydraulic hammers, augers, grapples, tilt buckets and plate compactors.
The standard boom offset system allows the boom to pivot 70° to the left and 55° to the right, enabling efficient digging and operation alongside walls, curbs and in narrow trenches without repositioning the whole machine, which is highly suitable for narrow urban job sites.

4. Durability & Structural Design

All core structural components are designed and tested to Caterpillar’s strict 10,000-hour durability standards:

The X-frame chassis is welded with high-strength low-alloy steel, offering excellent resistance to impact and torsional stress when operating on uneven terrain.
The undercarriage supports optional heavy-duty steel tracks or wear-resistant rubber tracks (to avoid damage to asphalt and paved surfaces), with reinforced track chains, rollers and idlers for extended service life.
The boom and stick are reinforced with thickened steel plates at high-stress points, with built-in guard plates to protect hydraulic lines from flying debris and collision damage.

5. Operator Comfort & Ergonomics

The sealed and pressurized cab is ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) and FOPS (Falling Object Protective Structure) certified, with user-centric designs for long-shift comfort:

Interior noise levels are as low as 74 dB(A), with effective dust isolation for a clean, quiet working environment.
The fully adjustable suspension seat with lumbar support fits operators of different heights, with standard automatic climate control, Bluetooth radio, USB charging port and ample storage space.
The full-color LCD monitor displays real-time operating data including fuel level, hydraulic oil temperature, fault codes and maintenance reminders, with multilingual support for global users.
Large glass areas and narrow cab pillars provide 360° all-round visibility, eliminating blind spots especially when operating in crowded job sites.

6. Maintenance & Total Cost of Ownership

The 308E2 CR is designed to minimize routine maintenance time and costs:

All routine maintenance points (engine oil, fuel filters, hydraulic oil filters, air filter) are accessible from ground level, eliminating the need to climb on top of the machine for daily checks, reducing routine maintenance time by up to 20% compared to older-generation models.
Extended service intervals: engine oil and filter change every 500 operating hours, hydraulic oil and filter change every 3,000 hours, greatly reducing downtime.
Supported by Caterpillar’s global 24/7 after-sales network, with original parts supply and on-site technical services, and optional extended warranty plans for commercial users.

7. Typical Applications

Thanks to its compact size and strong versatility, the 308E2 CR is suitable for a wide range of scenarios:

Urban municipal works: road repair, pipe laying, trench digging, landscaping
Residential and commercial construction: site preparation, foundation digging, material handling
Small-scale demolition: interior and exterior demolition when paired with hydraulic hammers
Agriculture and forestry: land clearing, irrigation ditch digging, nursery stock transplanting
Rental fleet operations: its high reliability and low operating cost make it one of the most popular rental products in the 8-ton class.

Optional Configurations

Customers can customize the machine for specific needs with optional upgrades:

Rubber tracks or steel tracks with rubber pads
Long stick configuration for extended digging depth
Quick coupler for 30-second work tool changes
High-flow auxiliary hydraulic circuits for heavy-duty tools
2D/3D grade control system for precision grading works
Cold weather package (engine block heater, heated cab, heated seat) for low-temperature environments
Anti-theft system for unattended job sites

Non flooded

No accident

Original product

Used Caterpillar 308E2 Excavator

RELATED PRODUCTS

Caterpillar 307.5

Caterpillar 308E2

Caterpillar 326D2

Caterpillar 320GC