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Reviews Excavators Caterpillar

4.3

Average score of Caterpillar

193 reviews

3.9

3.9 Price

4.4

4.4 Reliability

4.2

4.2 Maintenance

4.5

4.5 Operation

4.3

4.3 Convenience

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4.4

Excavator Caterpillar 424

2017 Year

5.0 Price

4.0 Reliability

5.0 Maintenance

4.0 Operation

4.0 Convenience

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Used the CAT 424 a lot lately, mostly for load shifting and digging. The engine got some tweaks, you can feel it's a bit smoother than before and there's less vibration. Love that the service cost is way down now - engine oil and transmission oil amounts are less, so I don’t dread oil changes like before. That said, some stuff could be easier to access, especially the battery since it's on the side now. The dual pump system is handy, but I wish the electric activation felt less laggy. Comfort level is good, seat’s alright for long hours but still kinda stiff after half a day, not gonna lie. Overall, not a bad update, just don’t expect everything to be perfect right out the gate.

4.0

Excavator Caterpillar 304

2022 Year

3.0 Price

4.0 Reliability

4.0 Maintenance

5.0 Operation

4.0 Convenience

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Recently rented the Caterpillar 304 for a landscaping project, and it performed decently. Transitioning from my usual 303.5, it offered slightly greater capacity, which was handy. However, without a tilt rotator attachment, some angle work took longer than anticipated. The engine was responsive, and fuel economy felt standard for its class. One minor setback was the manual bucket change mechanism; it's serviceable but slows efficiency. Despite these hitches, it’s a capable mini excavator.

4.2

Excavator Caterpillar M318

2011 Year

4.0 Price

4.0 Reliability

5.0 Maintenance

4.0 Operation

4.0 Convenience

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I switched to this wheeled excavator for some street utility jobs. It's decent, main thing is the quick swap for attachments, really saves a mess of time. Coupler is pretty straightforward, the lines are there for extra gear. Tech's mostly the same as the tracks, so don't need a separate operator. The ride is ok but not as solid when you're working on uneven ground. Got to watch your stability, especially compared to tracks. Not crazy about the width either, but that's only a hassle on tight spots. Haven't run into any real mechanical hiccups yet and maintenance is down thanks to fewer oil changes and easier access. I’d say it’s a good all-rounder for city jobs.

4.0

Excavator Caterpillar 428F

2014 Year

3.0 Price

5.0 Reliability

4.0 Maintenance

4.0 Operation

4.0 Convenience

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I've been running the 428F for a couple of weeks now. Overall, it's dependable. Controls feel smooth and precise though they might slightly falter under heavy strain. Price seemed fair, but you may find alternatives with similar performance at a lower cost. Service intervals are reasonable and maintenance's straightforward. Comfort's alright, but there's room for improvement. If you're after reliability, this machine ticks the boxes.

4.6

Excavator Caterpillar 305

2019 Year

3.0 Price

5.0 Reliability

5.0 Maintenance

5.0 Operation

5.0 Convenience

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I've run Cats for years and got time on the 305CR recently. Cab is quiet and comfortable - aircon, good seat and space for tools. Keyless start with code is ok but slows you down at first if you're used to keys. Controls are the standout; Cat Stick Steer and the left joystick make steering low-effort and precise. Hydraulics feel strong, good breakout force on the bucket and the aux lines/quick-disconnects make swapping attachments easy. Fuel use seems improved vs older models thanks to auto idle and shutdown. Price is the only sore point - it's a premium machine, you pay more up front. Still, panels look tough and the build suggests lower repair bills down the line.

4.0

Excavator Caterpillar 315F

2019 Year

4.0 Price

3.0 Reliability

4.0 Maintenance

5.0 Operation

4.0 Convenience

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Used the Caterpillar 315F extensively on a few projects. What stood out was its ability to switch attachments quickly, enhancing project flexibility. The engine performance is solid too, handling heavy tasks without hesitation. But bear in mind that it's sorta necessary to keep up with those maintenance checks-let those slip and you might find downtime cropping up. Overall, dependable but keep it well looked after.

4.0

Excavator Caterpillar 305

2022 Year

4.0 Price

4.0 Reliability

3.0 Maintenance

5.0 Operation

4.0 Convenience

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Operating the Caterpillar 305 for daily tasks has given me a mixed impression. The storage space within the cabin is practically nonexistent, forcing creative solutions for personal items. On the positive side, visibility is top-notch, facilitating safe navigation and operation. The hydraulic's performance is consistently reliable, and the compact radius design frequently comes in handy. Engine maintenance feels a bit constrained, owing to limited access, but the overall reliability mitigates this inconvenience.

4.6

Excavator Caterpillar M318

2014 Year

4.0 Price

5.0 Reliability

5.0 Maintenance

4.0 Operation

5.0 Convenience

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I've used the Caterpillar M318 a few times, and overall, it's a solid machine. The articulated design lets you move efficiently, which is a big plus. The 140 HP engine does a good job powering through tasks. It's got a comfortable enclosed cab with working A/C, which is really appreciated on warmer days. However, the size of the machine means it’s not always ideal for tighter spots. But the hydraulic functions are strong and responsive, which compensates. The 21 mph speed is decent when moving between sites, saving some time.

4.2

Excavator Caterpillar 304

2020 Year

4.0 Price

5.0 Reliability

4.0 Maintenance

5.0 Operation

3.0 Convenience

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Coming from experience operating the Caterpillar 304E, I've found the control layout intuitive and the general build reliable over extended use. Yet, I consider room for improvement in seating comfort, especially in prolonged operations. Its fuel efficiency meets expectations, which is significant.

4.2

Excavator Caterpillar 428F

2013 Year

4.0 Price

4.0 Reliability

3.0 Maintenance

5.0 Operation

5.0 Convenience

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Been running these machines for years. Cab is comfy - seat turns 180°, height and fore/aft adjust, armrests, good padding. Heater and AC do their job and there are useful storage spots and phone holder, so long shifts are easier. Controls are intuitive: paddle for forward/neutral/reverse, two brake pedals, diff lock settings and separate front/bucket levers - you get fine control of the bucket and travel. Few annoyances: hazard switch placed awkwardly, some small trim and wiring needed tape to stop rattling, radio is basic. Tire issue happened - patched yesterday then had to go back under warranty, and tyre shop timing wasted time. Overall I like its ergonomics and control, but expect minor fit-and-finish work.