Cat 304c with cab and air

[ralphccs]

Guys,

I have researched mini excavators for several months and have decided on a New Cat 304c with air and thumb, coupler and 63" tilting grading bucket.

The price was just over 50K with 0% financing...

It was a hard decision between Kubota and Deere and Cat but the Cat dealer is close and the salesperson was excellent. I also feel the 304c was slightly better but any of these mini ex's are great machines.

Do you think this was a fair price?

Thanks and this site has been invaluable for quality information.

Thanks

Ralph

 

[toy1]

Congratulation once you use an excavator you will be hooked! My only suggestion is a 63" drainage bucket is large for that size machine. My KX080 at 18000lbs has a 54" tilting bucket and when it is full working on drainage work you can feel it, it is a lot of weight hanging out there. I am sure your bucket is sized for the machine Istill like to stay in the 48-54" inch range. My KX161 had a 48" and it felt very heavy for the size of the machine while it handled it with no problems I do believe 63" will be difficult on those long reaches. Food for thought

 

[ralphccs]

I agree with you...

I checked with my Cat salesperson and their website...

Cat makes a 47" and 63 tilting buckets... for mini ex's but you can only get the 63" for the 304c and 305c.

The 63" holds 9.5 cubic ft.... It's designed and made by Cat...so only time will tell.

Thanks for the advice.

Ralph

 

[mike69440]

I agree with you...

I checked with my Cat salesperson and their website...

Cat makes a 47" and 63 tilting buckets... for mini ex's but you can only get the 63" for the 304c and 305c.

The 63" holds 9.5 cubic ft.... It's designed and made by Cat...so only time will tell.

Thanks for the advice.

Ralph

I would buy aftermaket and stay at 48" or so. In its former life my 18,000 LB Komatsu had a HD 48" Tilting bucket. It would be able to dig with that bucket. A larger bucket, is only for muck cleanout. I cant imagine that size bucket on a 10,000 lb machine.

 

[ralphccs]

What manufacturer would you recomend for a tilting bucket?

 

[mike69440]

What manufacturer would you recomend for a tilting bucket?

No experience.
What was on mine was a Komatsu bucket and I don't recall what hydraulic wrist.


excavator hydraulic wrist Trenching bucket - Google Search

I should have bought Google stock years ago. Then I would have this as a toy!
Kobelco America North America

 

[mc faulkner]

I'd be interestd in hearing how the 63" bucket worked - I also feel that is very long for that size machine. We make aftermarket tilting grading buckets for most makes and model machines, and we would recommend a 42" bucket, or if the operator is very experienced maybe a 48" for that size machine - once you are loaded and fully extended it really pushes the tipping point. Maine construction equipment attachments, heavy-duty repairs, custom fabrication
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