Caterpillar 320 Excavator For Sale – 162 HP Medium Excavator
The Caterpillar 320 excavator for sale at Farmers Equipment is a mid-size hydraulic excavator trusted by contractors worldwide Cat diesel engine (Tier 4 Final / Stage V), Smart mode hydraulics, and Cat Grade 2D standard. Used units from $35,000. Worldwide shipping available.
The Cat 320 is the benchmark mid-size excavator the machine most site managers reach for when planning general excavation, foundation work, trenching, and material handling on medium to large construction projects. Its Smart mode automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to digging conditions, reducing fuel consumption by up to 25% versus previous 320 models without requiring any operator input. For buyers looking for a used Cat 320 excavator for sale at a practical export price, Farmers Equipment has inspected units available with export documentation handled.
All units are inspected before listing. We provide walkaround videos, real photos, and condition reports on request. Browse all excavators for sale, see our used construction equipment, or compare with the Case 580 Super M for sale for a backhoe loader alternative.
📋 Check available Cat 320 units — photos, hours, and inspection reports on request
Best Caterpillar 320 Excavator For Sale – Key Highlights
- Cat 162 HP diesel engine — Tier 4 Final / EU Stage V
- Smart mode — automatically matches power to digging conditions
- 22 ft (6.72 m) maximum dig depth
- 32 ft (9.86 m) maximum horizontal reach
- Cat Grade 2D standard — real-time depth and slope guidance
- High ambient rating 52°C / cold start rated to -32°C
- Inspected used units from $35,000 — typical hours 2,000–10,000
What Makes the Cat 320 the Industry Standard
The 320 sits at the centre of the medium excavator market for a reason. At 22.5 metric tons it is large enough for serious production excavation but light enough to transport on a standard lowboy without specialist permits in most jurisdictions. That balance genuine digging capacity without logistical complexity is why contractors keep coming back to this model.
Smart mode is the feature most operators notice first. The machine reads digging resistance and automatically adjusts hydraulic flow and engine output to match — no manual mode switching required. On a full dig cycle this reduces fuel consumption significantly compared to running a fixed high-power mode all day. Over a 10-hour shift on a large project the fuel savings are material.
Cat Grade with 2D is standard on current production models real-time depth, slope, and horizontal distance to grade displayed on the cab monitor. Operators cut and fill to specification without overcutting. No grade checker required on the ground. For contractors who regularly work to tight grade tolerances, this system pays for itself quickly in reduced rework and survey costs.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | Cat twin-turbocharged diesel — electronically controlled |
| Net Horsepower | 162 HP (121 kW) at rated RPM |
| Emissions | Tier 4 Final / EU Stage V |
| Operating Weight | ~49,600 lbs (22.5 metric tons) |
| Max Dig Depth | 22 ft 2 in (6.72 m) |
| Max Reach (horizontal) | 32 ft 4 in (9.86 m) |
| Bucket Capacity | 1.19 m³ (1.56 yd³) |
| Swing Speed | 360° continuous rotation |
| Hydraulics | Smart mode — load-sensing, electronically controlled |
| Transport Length | 31 ft 4 in (9.53 m) |
| Transport Width | 10 ft 5 in (3.17 m) |
| Transport Height | 9 ft 11 in (2.96 m) |
| Track Width | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Temperature Rating | Operating up to 52°C / cold start to -32°C |
| Grade System | Cat Grade with 2D — standard |
| Rearview Camera | Standard — upgradable to 360° visibility |
| Typical Hours | 2,000 – 10,000 hours depending on unit |
| Starting Price | From $35,000 depending on hours and condition |
| Location | USA — export shipping to Africa, Europe, and Asia available |
Contact us to confirm current unit availability — hours, configuration, and attachments vary by unit. Full specifications at Cat.com.
Who Should Buy the Cat 320 Excavator
- General contractors — residential, commercial, and civil earthmoving where 20-ton class capacity covers most site requirements
- Utility and pipeline crews — 22 ft dig depth handles most utility trenching including deep sewer and stormwater installations
- Demolition contractors — Cat hammer, grapple, and shear attachments are well matched to the 320’s hydraulic flow
- Mining and quarry operations — mid-size loading and face work where a 50-ton machine is too large for the bench
- Export buyers in Africa and Asia — Cat dealer and parts network is the largest in the world; the 320 can be serviced in virtually every country where construction work happens
What to Check Before Buying a Used Cat 320
- Undercarriage wear — tracks, rollers, and idlers are the most expensive wear items on any crawler excavator; check track pad thickness and roller play before buying
- Hydraulic system — check cycle speeds on boom, stick, bucket, and swing; slow cycles indicate pump wear or system pressure issues
- Boom and stick pins — play in attachment pins affects dig accuracy and accelerates bucket and stick wear; inspect carefully
- Engine hours and service records — Cat engines are long-lived but maintenance history matters; ask for service records or Cat Product Link data if available
- Cab and controls — check monitor function, joystick response, and Smart mode operation; electronic system faults can be expensive to diagnose and repair
- Emission system — Tier 4 Final machines have DPF systems; check for regeneration warning history and any fault codes related to the aftertreatment system
Cat 320 vs Komatsu PC210 — Which Do You Need?
| Feature | Caterpillar 320 | Komatsu PC210 |
|---|---|---|
| HP | 162 HP | ~159 HP |
| Operating Weight | ~49,600 lbs | ~47,500 lbs |
| Max Dig Depth | 22 ft 2 in | ~21 ft 8 in |
| Grade System | Cat Grade 2D standard | Komatsu iMC optional |
| Dealer Network | Largest globally | Strong — second tier |
| Parts Availability | Worldwide — largest aftermarket | Good — major markets |
| Starting Price (used) | From $35,000 | Similar range |
Both are capable mid-size excavators. The Cat 320 has the advantage in dealer network coverage and global parts availability particularly relevant for export buyers. For projects in regions with strong Cat dealer coverage, the 320 is typically the lower-risk choice for long-term support.
Why Buy From Farmers Equipment?
All units are inspected before listing we provide walkaround videos, real unit photos, and export documentation on request. We have been serving farm and export buyers since 1987 and handle all shipping and export paperwork on our end. Multiple Cat 320 configurations available contact us to confirm current hours and condition.
Why Buyers Choose the Cat 320 Over Other Excavators
Three things consistently come up when contractors and export buyers explain why they choose the 320 over competing mid-size excavators.
Parts and dealer coverage. The Caterpillar dealer network is the largest in the world. In most countries where construction and mining work happens, there is a Cat dealer within reach. That matters when a hydraulic pump fails on a remote site the difference between a 2-day repair and a 3-week wait for parts is often just which machine is parked on the job.
Resale value. Cat 320 excavators hold value better than most competing models at comparable hours. On the used market, a well-maintained 320 consistently commands a premium over Komatsu, Doosan, and Hitachi equivalents from the same year. For buyers who plan to resell or trade up within 5 years, that residual value advantage is real money.
Smart mode and fuel efficiency. The automatic power matching system is genuinely effective — not just a marketing claim. Operators who switch from older machines consistently report lower fuel burn on the same tasks. On large projects running the machine 10 hours a day, the fuel saving compounds into a meaningful operating cost advantage over a season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What horsepower is the Caterpillar 320 excavator?
162 HP (121 kW) from the Cat diesel engine meeting Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V emissions standards.
What is the Cat 320 excavator price?
Used units at Farmers Equipment start from $35,000. Older higher-hour units typically sell for $25,000–$30,000. Newer low-hour units in good condition range from $40,000–$80,000. Contact us for current pricing and hours on available units.
How deep does the Cat 320 dig?
Maximum dig depth is 22 ft 2 in (6.72 m) with standard boom and stick configuration. This covers most utility trenching, foundation, and drainage excavation requirements on typical construction sites.
What is Smart mode on the Cat 320?
Smart mode automatically adjusts engine and hydraulic power to match digging resistance reducing fuel consumption without operator input. It replaces manual mode selection and is the default operating mode for most applications. Cat reports up to 25% fuel reduction versus earlier 320 models when using Smart mode.
Is worldwide shipping available?
Yes — export documentation handled on our end. Contact us with your location for a shipping quote and container or flat-rack options.
Ready to Buy?
Inspected used units available from $35,000. Typical hours 1,000–7,000. Located in the USA export shipping to Africa, Europe, and Asia available.
📩 Get current price, hours, configuration, and photos for available Cat 320 units










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