Size and jobsite selection
20 ton vs 30 ton used excavator
A 20-ton machine digs faster than most small jobs need; a 30-ton machine earns its cost on volume work. Here is how buyers usually decide.
The step from a 20-ton class to a 30-ton class is one of the most common decisions. A 20-ton crawler such as a CAT 320 is agile, cheaper to move and easy to place. A 30-ton machine such as a CAT 330 or 336 digs and lifts more per pass and stays stable under heavy load, but it costs more to buy, move and run.
Work through three questions before you choose:
- Volume. Are you moving large quantities every day, or doing varied smaller jobs?
- Access and transport. Can a 30-ton machine reach the site and be moved affordably?
- Attachments and support. Can you get the buckets, hammers and parts a larger machine needs locally?
If the answer points to volume, step up. If it points to flexibility, a clean 20-ton machine usually wins. Compare real units: 20-30 t class and 30-40 t class.
Have a specific machine in mind?
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