Used CAT 320 or CAT 330: differences and reference FOB price

First define whether you need the 20‑ton class or the 30‑ton class

This is not just a small-versus-large distinction. The 20-ton class usually fits changing tasks in confined spaces, trenches, utilities, roadworks and general earthmoving; the 30-ton class has greater operating weight, bucket size and reach, suiting continuous high-volume excavation, quarry loading or loading larger trucks. Which class fits depends on how much material you need to move each day, whether the site has enough swing space, and transport and downtime costs.

Using the site’s two representative models as examples, the difference between CAT 320D2 and Caterpillar 330 is more than weight. The 330 has larger bucket range, digging depth, ground-level reach and discharge height. It is not automatically more economical for every job; if daily volume is limited, the site is narrow or trucks are small, a larger machine may not convert capacity into effective output.

How to read 320, 330, D2, GC, GX and Next Generation

The 320 and 330 help you identify the class, but they do not replace a configuration spec for a specific machine. This site’s 320 series includes CAT 320CL, CAT 320D, CAT 320D2, CAT 320 GC, CAT 320GX and CAT 323 Next Generation; the 30-ton class also shows CAT 329D and Caterpillar 330. These are representative models, not a promise that every version shares the same parameters or is interchangeable.

Letters and suffixes should be treated as part of the model name, not as automatic indicators of year, emissions level or condition. Caterpillar’s archived 320D2 page corresponds to a 2017 configuration with emissions Tier 3 / Stage IIIA; its engine and operating weight may not match the same name in another market or a specific used machine. When you request a quote, ask for photos of the nameplate, the serial number, year, engine model, operating hours, and boom/arm/bucket configuration.

GC and GX should not be read as a sequence of new/old or better/worse. On the 320 GC page, Caterpillar positions it for general-duty use, simpler operation and lower ownership cost; on the 320 GX page it targets municipal and general construction with simplified features, easy maintenance and fuel efficiency. Those are the manufacturer’s product positions for the configurations shown on those pages, not performance guarantees for any used unit.

Next Generation is a product-generation name used by Caterpillar. It does not prove a used machine is newer, has fewer hours or a higher specification; always confirm year, serial number, configuration and inspection records. Available configurations and functions may also vary by country.

ImportantModel name, catalogue photos and spec sheet are for initial screening. When buying a used machine, the final comparison should be between specific units with verifiable data, not between generic model names.

Choose by job and truck, not only by bucket size

Break the project into answerable questions: is the main material loose soil, wet clay, sand and gravel, or rock; what is the daily target volume; will you be loading trucks continuously; what are the truck’s payload, box volume and box height; and can the site accommodate safe positioning of machine and truck. The 320 series, 20-ton class, is common for trenches, foundations and general earthmoving; the 330, 30-ton class, suits larger-volume excavation and continuous cycles with larger buckets. Caterpillar’s 330 product page also lists site preparation, municipal works and large-volume excavation among its applications.

Don’t match the truck only by box volume. For a 15 m³ box, you also need material density and allowed payload to decide how much to load per pass, how many passes are required and whether you will overload. The ranges 0.8 – 1.2 m³ for the 320 series and 1.2 – 1.9 m³ for the 330 are representative ranges on this site; the actual bucket, fill factor and material must be confirmed for each machine and jobsite.

When calculating operating cost, estimate per shift the effective volume, fuel, operator, undercarriage wear, maintenance, transport and downtime risk. Larger machines have higher cycle capacity but require separate budgets for purchase, transport, fuel and large components. Do not replace an actual used machine’s fuel-consumption record with a fuel-saving claim from a new-machine manufacturer page.

• If the work is mainly trenches, foundations, site grading and moves between multiple sites, first assess whether the 320 series 20-ton class is sufficient.
• If you will do sustained high-volume excavation, quarry loading or loading of larger trucks, compare the cycle capacity and total cost of the 330 30-ton class.
• Ask the seller to specify the bucket, quick coupler and attachments, since they change actual performance, weight and transport dimensions.
• Have the site manager confirm truck positioning, swing space, ground bearing capacity and work organization rather than deciding by model alone.

Transport and FOB quotation: confirm the unit’s exact dimensions and weight first

Do not quote international transport simply as “320” or “330.” The carrier and port need the specific machine’s operating weight, transport length, width and height, bucket and attachments, whether parts are removed, and the unit’s lashing plan. Maersk treats cargo exceeding the length, width or height of a standard flat rack or open-top container as out-of-gauge, and stresses that declaring exact dimensions and correct lashing is related to safety and voyage planning.

Therefore container, flat rack, ro-ro or other shipping method should be confirmed from the actual machine, loading port, destination port, route and carrier. The representative 30-ton class model weighs 29,900 – 30,500 kg versus 20,000 – 22,000 kg for the representative 20-ton class, so it is especially important to provide accurate data early. Do not treat site photos or a previous shipment’s method as a promise for the next unit.

For basic FOB procedures, maritime documents and customs clearance at destination, see this site's articles “How to import heavy machinery from China: step-by-step guide” and “How to prepare an FOB quotation request for machinery”. Before payment and shipment, confirm with your local customs broker and carrier whether used machinery is permitted for import, the required permits, tariff classification and your country’s low-bed transport requirements.

Used CAT 320 and CAT 330: inspection focus changes with the class

Evaluate each machine by the actual unit, not only the hour meter or a generic spec sheet. In the 20-ton class, besides engine, hydraulics and undercarriage, confirm that the bucket, quick coupler, hammer lines and other attachments suit the trenches or earthmoving work you plan. In the 30-ton class, pay special attention to the large bucket and boom/arm configuration, hydraulic motions, swing and undercarriage performance under full load to ensure they match your truck-loading or excavation requirements.

Ask the seller for videos of cold starts, all hydraulic functions, travel, swing and loading. Put serial number, engine number, year, hours, known repairs, included attachments and missing parts into the written quotation. If you require a third-party or your technician’s inspection, specify scope, timing and how findings will be handled in advance.

For a full ID and inspection checklist—hours versus wear, undercarriage, engine and hydraulics—see this site’s article “What to check before buying a used excavator”. This guide does not repeat that checklist; it helps you decide whether to start searching in the 20-ton class or the 30-ton class.

Site representative models and reference FOB prices

The table below shows representative models currently listed on this site and reference FOB prices, not final quotations. It is intended to show relative positions within a model family and does not represent market prices for all years, hours or configurations. The actual price of a used machine depends on that unit’s year, hours and condition, and varies with configuration, loading port and quotation date.

ImportantCAT and Caterpillar excavators are other-brand equipment: this site shows representative models, mainly used, that YUYAN supplies on request and that are not YUYAN-made; availability, the specific unit and lead time are confirmed by written quotation. CAT and Caterpillar are registered trademarks of Caterpillar Inc.; this site is not affiliated with Caterpillar Inc.