Excavatrice d'occasion CAT 320D à vendre

Where this 21.5-ton crawler fits in a working fleet

The CAT 320D occupies a versatile production class: large enough for sustained excavation and loading, yet generally easier to move and support than heavier quarry-scale machines. Fleet managers often examine this size when one excavator must cover several responsibilities rather than one specialized task. It can be considered for subdivision cuts, drainage, road formation, foundation excavation, utility trenches, stockpile management and truck loading. That versatility does not mean it is automatically correct for every project. A narrow urban site may favor reduced-tail-swing equipment, while dense rock, very deep excavation or high-volume mining support may justify another configuration or size. Write down the project’s deepest routine cut, maximum loading height, common lift radius, soil or rock density, target cubic meters per shift and access restrictions. Consider how often the machine will move between sites and whether local low-bed transport is readily available. These questions translate a product search into a job requirement. The final decision should use the actual boom, arm, track shoes, bucket, coupler and auxiliary circuits on the quoted machine because configuration changes working range, weight, stability and attachment compatibility.

Estimate real production from the whole work cycle

Bucket capacity is only one part of output; material, fill factor, swing angle, digging position, truck balance and operator method determine practical production. The 1.0m3 figure displayed on this page is a catalog comparison reference, not a guaranteed payload or output rate. Loose topsoil may fill differently from sticky clay or fractured rock, and dense material can require a smaller bucket to remain within safe loading and stability limits. Ask for current photographs of the installed bucket, its width, visible markings, wear plates, teeth and side cutters. Then map the complete cycle: excavation face, swing path, dumping height, truck position, return swing and any waiting time. A well-positioned machine with appropriately sized trucks may outperform a larger excavator working in a poorly organized loading area. Count practical bucket passes per truck and compare truck arrival intervals with the likely cycle, allowing for site traffic and operator breaks. If trenching is central, consider bedding, pipe handling, spoil placement and the time spent repositioning rather than focusing only on digging speed. Project engineers should validate production estimates using local material and site conditions; online specifications are a starting point, not a productivity promise.

Verify weight, dimensions and configuration by serial identity

Use the serial plate as the anchor for specifications, parts lookup, inspection evidence, quotation and transport planning. A model family can include regional arrangements, different arms, shoe widths, guarding and hydraulic options. Request a readable plate photograph plus a wider photograph that shows its position on the machine. The same identity should appear on the written quotation and, where applicable, the inspection and shipping records. Ask for the serial-range technical information used to describe the offered configuration. The 21.5t operating-weight entry helps define the class, but installed equipment can change actual mass. For freight planning, obtain measured overall length, width and height in the intended shipping state and identify anything that will be removed. Do not derive a lifting decision from a generic operating weight: use the appropriate load chart, working radius, installed equipment and local safety requirements. When year or hours affect valuation, ask what source supports the catalog labels. A monitor image establishes a displayed reading at a moment in time, not total lifetime use by itself. Keeping supported facts separate from reference data makes the page useful to search engines and buyers without creating a false guarantee.

Evaluate engine behavior from a documented cold start

A continuous start-to-working-temperature sequence reveals more useful information than a brief clip recorded after the engine has already been warmed. Ask the seller or inspector to show the machine identity, engine area, monitor and exhaust before starting. Record ambient conditions, cranking duration, warning lights, idle stability and visible exhaust behavior. These observations help frame questions but should not be used to diagnose an engine remotely without qualified interpretation. Inspect for active fluid leaks, damaged hoses, loose mounts, wiring issues, contamination and evidence of cleaning that needs explanation. Examine the radiator and cooler cores for blockage or physical damage, check the fan area, and monitor temperature during sustained operation. A machine may idle acceptably while showing a different response under hydraulic demand, so continue the sequence through warm combined functions. Where the transaction value or symptoms justify it, arrange diagnostic review, pressure checks or fluid analysis with competent technicians. Ask for genuine maintenance records when available and note which serial number they cover. Service documents provide context, but they do not replace present-condition testing. Any significant observation should be translated into a repair scope, local parts availability and estimated downtime before price negotiation.

Test warm hydraulic response under realistic combinations

The hydraulic review should cover single and combined movements, cylinder condition, holding behavior, sound, temperature and leakage after the system reaches a representative working state. Cycle boom, arm and bucket through safe operating ranges, then observe travel and swing on suitable ground. Include combinations such as boom-up with arm-in and swing because a single fast function can hide poor response when oil demand is shared. Watch for delay, hesitation, irregular movement and a marked change after warming. Listen for unusual pump, relief or cavitation sounds without attempting unsafe stall procedures. Inspect cylinder rods for scoring, corrosion or impact damage and look around glands, hose crimps, valve areas, pump compartment and center swivel for fresh oil. Measure attachment pin and bushing movement where practical; words such as tight or minor are less comparable than a stated method and visible reference. Boom or arm drift should be assessed using correct technical limits and safe positioning. If concerns remain, pressure, flow and case-drain testing should be performed by trained personnel using serial-appropriate service information. A remote operating video is excellent for screening and documenting questions, but it cannot certify internal component condition.

Turn undercarriage measurements into an ownership-cost forecast

Running gear can represent a substantial future expense, so evaluate measured components and replacement timing instead of accepting a visual percentage. Request straight, well-lit views of both track assemblies and close images of chains, shoes, sprockets, front idlers, top rollers, bottom rollers, guards and adjuster areas. The inspection should record representative measurements and compare them with the correct service limits for the installed components. Ask how any stated remaining-life figure was calculated. Note uneven left-to-right wear, seized or dry links, sharp sprocket profiles, loose or broken shoes, leaking rollers, abnormal tension and packed material that prevents a clear view. Travel forward and backward, test steering response and observe whether one side behaves differently. Listen near each final-drive area from a safe position and inspect for leaks. Establish whether the running gear contains matched components, mixed replacements or recent work and request supporting invoices if offered. Finally price the expected work at the destination, including parts, international or inland freight, labor, special tooling and lost operating time. This converts wear evidence into a commercial comparison and prevents fresh paint from carrying more weight than an expensive mechanical system.

Read structure and linkage condition as evidence of previous duty

High-load joints and frame areas should be clean enough to inspect, photographed in context and assessed professionally when repairs or distortion are visible. Examine boom foot mounts, cylinder brackets, arm ends, bucket linkage, pin bosses, upper-frame connections and the crawler carbody. Look for cracks, displaced metal, uneven gaps, added plates, heat marks, non-uniform welds and paint differences. These signs deserve explanation; they do not automatically establish whether a repair is good or bad. Ask for both close photographs and wider views so an inspector can understand the exact location. Observe alignment through a safe working sequence and check whether pins, retainers and lubrication points appear complete. Measure linkage movement where possible, especially at the bucket and arm connection, and price pins, bushes and line boring locally if wear is material. Inspect the swing-drive region for leakage and observe acceleration, stopping and directional changes. Any swing-bearing movement should be measured using a suitable procedure rather than judged from a camera shake. Where a structural repair affects the decision, request its history if available and have a qualified specialist evaluate workmanship and intended-duty suitability. The goal is to identify risk and cost, not to describe every repair as disqualifying.

Confirm attachment compatibility, controls and operator needs

An excavator is only useful when its hydraulic circuits, coupler, attachment, controls and protection suit the work planned at the destination. List the primary bucket or tool and any future breaker, grapple, compactor or other attachment before requesting a quote. Confirm pin dimensions, coupler type, hydraulic line arrangement and the flow or pressure requirements through correct technical sources. Presence of pipework does not by itself prove compatibility with a particular tool. Ask whether valves, controls and return arrangements are installed and operational, then include them in the working demonstration. For the cab, inspect the seat and belt, joysticks, pedals, monitor, gauges, warning indicators, windows, wipers, mirrors or cameras, horn, work lights and travel alarm. Test heating and air conditioning under stated conditions if climate or long shifts make them commercially important. Examine access steps, handrails, guards and cab mounting areas for damage or modification. The buyer should determine which local safety, guarding, fire-suppression or object-protection rules apply to the intended work. Recording included tools and non-working items in the quotation helps avoid a dispute when the delivered machine is prepared for service.

Build a remote evidence package that answers buyer questions

Good remote sourcing connects current identity, visual condition, operating behavior and commercial terms in a traceable sequence. Begin with a dated walk-around showing the plate, complete machine and monitor, followed by close views of the engine bay, cooling package, pumps, valves, cylinders, structure, bucket and both track frames. Continue with a cold start and an uninterrupted warm operating sequence covering combined digging movements, travel in both directions and swing. Ask the operator to show known faults plainly and to repeat a test when the angle or sound is unclear. Still photographs are valuable for detailed wear, while continuous video helps establish that the media relates to one asset. Keep file names or a simple index so findings can be referenced in the quotation and inspection discussion. If third-party inspection is required, agree on access, tests, reporting format, liability limits and costs before booking it. The report should identify the same serial-numbered unit. Evidence reduces uncertainty but does not eliminate it, and no generic checklist can certify future reliability. Buyers should decide which unresolved findings require repair, price adjustment, a specialist test or rejection before making a deposit.

Compare quotations by landed cost and readiness, not headline price

Normalize every offer to the same delivery point, attachment scope, evidence level and expected repair condition before ranking it. Create a cost sheet containing machine price, included bucket or tools, inspection, preparation, inland transport, dismantling, cleaning, port handling, export services, ocean freight, insurance when requested, destination charges, taxes or duties, broker fees, inland delivery and reassembly. Use current quotations from responsible providers because freight and import costs can change. Add a separate readiness budget for maintenance and defects identified during inspection: fluids, filters, hoses, pins, bucket wear parts, track components, electrical work or cab repairs. Keep firm amounts separate from allowances so uncertainty remains visible. Then add non-price factors, including expected production, local parts availability, technician familiarity and likely downtime. A higher-priced unit with clearer identity, measurable wear and fewer immediate needs can be a better purchase than a low-priced listing with unanswered questions. The written quotation should identify the exact asset, state inclusions and exclusions, define the delivery term and validity period, and explain any preparation promised. Fixed online prices without a serial-specific condition basis are rarely enough for a responsible comparison.

Prepare transport and destination handling before payment

Shipping planning begins with measured cargo dimensions and the exact route, not with nominal tonnage or a universal container claim. Provide the freight partner with origin, destination, measured length, width, height and weight in the agreed shipping configuration. Ask the responsible parties to evaluate appropriate Ro-Ro, flat-rack or other arrangements and confirm carrier requirements. If the bucket, arm, handrails or additional components will be removed, define dismantling, lifting, packing, weather protection, labeling and reassembly responsibility. Photograph hose routing, pins, shims and connection points before separation, and reconcile loose parts against a packing list. Confirm that the machine can travel and steer safely for loading or plan alternative handling. Cargo declarations and lifting decisions must use verified values, not the 21.5t catalog reference alone. The destination broker should determine current eligibility, documents and charges for the importing country before payment; these rules vary and may change. Keep plate images, loading photographs, invoice details and transport documents tied to the same identity. A clear handover record helps both parties locate responsibility if an accessory is missing or transport damage is discovered on arrival.

Use a pass-or-fail shortlist before negotiating

A written decision framework keeps familiar branding or an attractive price from outweighing project fit, evidence and support. Set mandatory requirements first: maximum transport width, minimum working range, bucket or auxiliary circuit, destination timing, inspection access and acceptable unresolved repair budget. Reject candidates that cannot document identity or satisfy the core job. Score the remaining machines in four groups. Job fit covers material, production target, access, attachment and truck matching. Condition evidence covers cold start, warm hydraulic response, leaks, structure, undercarriage measurements, controls and known faults. Ownership support covers parts sources, technician capability, diagnostic access and lead times. Commercial fit covers normalized landed cost, payment terms, delivery basis and preparation scope. Compare neighboring CAT variants and cross-brand options on this same sheet rather than assuming a similar name means identical specifications. Give unknown facts an explicit penalty until verified. Before deposit, write every material promise into the quotation or contract and confirm beneficiary details through an independently verified business channel. This disciplined process gives the inquiry a clear answer: suitable for the project, sufficiently evidenced, supportable at destination and commercially understandable.

CAT 320D buyer FAQ

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