The new Cat 302.7 CR, 303 CR and 303.5 CR hydraulic mini excavators, which increase operating efficiency, ease of maintenance and operator comfort, present industry-first features for the 2.7-3.5-ton class. Built on a Next Generation platform that provides consistent operator comfort across the 1.5- to 10-ton capacity range, each new model features exclusive steering controls, cruise control, adjustable operator settings and a tilting canopy or cab as standard equipment.
Expanded use of common parts throughout the line, as well as a rugged exterior design, help reduce investment in spare parts and lower repair costs. Daily preventive maintenance checks are performed quickly from ground level through side doors, and the upward tilting cab provides unprecedented access to components for maintenance. Extended service intervals mean these excavators spend more time on the job and less time in the shop. Combined, these features reduce total cost of ownership by up to 5 percent compared to previous models.
At the same time, design improvements to the new 302.7 CR, 303 CR and 303.5 CR have improved moving and trenching productivity by up to 10 percent. Upgrades to the hydraulic system improve lift performance and cycle times, and customizable operator settings improve efficiency.
The turbocharged Cat C1.1 Turbo engine is fitted to the 302.7 CR and 303 CR models, and the Cat C1.7 engine is fitted to the 303.5 CR transmission. Both engines meet EU Stage V emission standards and offer a usable output of 17.6 kW. Standard automatic idle and automatic engine shutdown help reduce on-site fuel consumption and make the job more affordable.
Flexibility increases productivity
These new-generation hydraulic mini excavators have a compact turning radius that reduces outreach when working sideways, allowing the machines to optimize productivity in tight spaces. A fixed undercarriage width for the 302.7 CR, 303 CR and 303.5 CR of 1500, 1550 and 1780 mm, respectively, provides the right balance of job site accessibility and stability for lifting performance. The expandable undercarriage option for the 302.7 CR allows the operator to hydraulically retract the track width to 1355 mm for confined space installations, and then increase the width to 1780 mm for superior digging and lifting stability.
Interchangeable counterweight packages allow customers to tailor machine weight to job requirements, offering a balance between low ground pressure and lifting performance. The “light” counterweight option increases machine weight by 100 kg, and the “extra” option increases machine weight by 250 kg.
All three Next Gen models have both standard and long arm configurations for increased versatility. Standard digging depths range from 2450 mm to 2810 mm, while the long stick configuration allows the machines to work at depths from 2650 mm to 3110 mm. The standard dozer blade further increases the machine’s flexibility in backfilling and grading operations. It has ample travel above and below the ground and has a standard float function for easy cleanup. The angled blade option on the 303.5 CR provides additional flexibility in backfilling for increased productivity.
Comfortable experience.
The new 302.7 CR, 303 CR and 303.5 CR offer advanced machine security features, with a password and Bluetooth key. A large Next Generation display with an advanced touch screen provides intuitive control of machine functions and easy monitoring of critical operating parameters such as fuel level, coolant temperature and maintenance records.
The industry-exclusive Cat Stick steering system makes it easy to operate the machine, and with the push of a button, the operator switches from a conventional lever/pedal control to an effortless joystick. Two travel ranges, with speeds up to 4.5 km/h, help ease movement around the job site, and standard cruise control minimizes operator interaction when traveling long distances between jobsites.
These new next-generation excavators, unique in their class, offer a choice of canopy or cab. The pressurized, sealed cab provides a clean, quiet environment for the operator and can be equipped with heating and/or air conditioning to provide all-weather climate control. With a front window that slides upward for convenient overhead storage, the cab’s large glass areas and ceiling window provide an all-around view.
ADDITIONAL MACHINE: New hydraulic mini-excavator.
Caterpillar has also launched the new 308 CR fixed-boom hydraulic mini-excavator. The 308 delivers maximum power and performance to effectively handle a wide range of applications. Its fixed boom and compact reach limit outreach when working sideways, allowing this next-generation excavator to excel in tight spaces. Compared to the swivel boom design, the fixed boom provides increased vertical wall digging depth and dumping height, as well as improved load capacity when working within a short radius of the machine.
The 308 CR fixed boom is part of the Caterpillar Next Generation line and offers more excavation solutions to perfectly match the requirements of 8-ton machines. It offers industry-leading performance, an unparalleled operator experience and simplified maintenance. Increasing the arm length from 1,670 to 2,210 mm, the long arm option increases digging depth from 4,150 to 4,690 mm and maximum reach from 6,390 to 6,900 mm.
The new machine is equipped with the proven Cat C3.3B engine, rated at 51.8 kW, which meets Stage V emissions standards. Improvements to the hydraulic system, combined with standard features of automatic idling and automatic engine shutoff increases machine efficiency, reduces operating costs and increases the availability of the machine.
Simplified High Performance
Providing up to a 20 percent increase in vertical wall digging depth over the 308 CR swing arm, the 308 CR fixed boom requires less repositioning when trenching, further improving efficiency and reducing fuel consumption. With a familiar control layout, like on other Cat mini excavators, making it easy to learn, the machine’s new LCD monitor offers intuitive operation, provides easy-to-understand information and features a rotary switch for easy screen navigation. Its standard control layout changer allows operators to quickly adapt the excavator to their preferred joystick movement.
Efficient load-sensing hydraulics with a variable capacity pump provide up to 167 l / min oil flow. The machine’s electro-hydraulic control system makes it easy to adjust operator settings based on preference or application, both in terms of the machine’s lever mechanism and the operator’s choice of work tools. The standard auxiliary system, complete with quick-release lines, allows you to select single-, double- or continuous flow.
The new 308 CR fixed boom model features a standard straight shovel for increased digging accuracy when working with utilities. For unmatched versatility, contractors can equip the machine with the TiltRotate System and the Cat TRS8 connection, which allows the work tools to rotate 360 degrees and tilt 40 degrees from side to side. This allows the excavator to efficiently traverse more areas from one position, maneuvering the tools over, under and around obstacles when the job is complete.