Caterpillar (CAT) is renowned across the globe for manufacturing durable, reliable and high-quality construction equipment. If you are looking for great value for money with your construction equipment, CAT is the brand of choice.

Caterpillar produces a range of mini excavators, ranging from 18-horsepower, 3,500-pound machines to the 54-horsepower, 18,000-pound units. As you will come to learn, CAT has a size and feature-set to meet your specific excavator requirements, but how much does a Caterpillar excavator cost?

On average, new CAT excavators are priced between $100,000 and $800,000. While most small and medium-sized excavators by this manufacturer are priced below $600,000, there are several additional costs you need to consider as well.

In this regard, the cost should also factor in the taxes, shipping and transaction fees associated with every CAT excavator purchase. Throughout this article, you will get to know the pricing of CAT excavators as well as what affects their cost.

Average Cost of a New CAT Excavator

As mentioned above, the cost of buying a CAT excavator outright ranges from $100,000 to slightly above $800,000. The pricing of each new models by this provide is mainly determined by its size, weight, horsepower, as well as features and capabilities.

Here is a basic breakdown of the pricing of the various Caterpillar excavators:

• Small CAT Excavators

The manufacturer produces several mini excavator models with a power rating of between 79 and 188 horsepower. All models within this range weigh between 26,000 and 55,000 pounds. The cost of models within this range, especially the 40-ton cat excavator cost, is between $100,000 and $230,000.

• Medium-Sized CAT 320 Excavator Cost

Just like the CAT 320, the various medium-sized excavator models by this provider are priced between $230,000 and $270,000. Such models weigh between 65,000 and 80,000 pounds and have a power rating of 204 to 268 horsepower.

• Large CAT Excavator Cost

Large excavator models by this manufacturer range in weight between 100,000 and 200,000 pounds. Depending on the intended application, you can get a large excavator model by CAT with a power rating of between 380 and 523 horsepower. Such models are often priced between $400,000 and $830,000 on average.

• Demolition CAT Models

These are the largest of excavators by Caterpillar, weighing 105,000 to 218,000 pounds. Most of the demolition models by CAT are rated 270 to 530 horsepower and priced between $387,000 and $850,000.

Used CAT Excavator Cost

If you are working with a limited budget, you should consider getting a used CAT excavator, often sold at lower price points. For instance, you can get a 2004 CAT 330CL unit with a meter reading of 6,424 hours. For such a used excavator, you should expect to pay about $55,000 to but it outright.

Recently, a CAT 374FL excavator with a meter reading of 868 hours was sold by a dealer for about $750,000. As you can see, you can get an excavator that is in good condition at a comparatively low price with this option.

Other CAT Excavator Cost Factors

In addition to the purchase price, there are several other costs and fees you will be required to pay while purchasing an excavator by CAT. Although the additional costs will vary from one purchase to another, they will impact on the CAT excavator buying cost.

Besides the purchase cost, these are some of the additional costs you will incur while buying CAT excavators:

Transaction Fees

With CAT, you will be required to pay a certain percentage of the purchase price as transaction fees. While there are times when this does not apply, some dealers may add transaction fees to your purchase. A purchase that costs $1 to $10,000 normally attracts a transaction fee of 10 percent.

For transactions worth $10,000 to 33,500, you will be charged a transaction fee of 3.85 percent. And if the selling price is more than $33,500, transaction fees may go up to $1,290.

Taxes

When purchasing, please take note of the sales taxes that may be added to your Caterpillar excavator prices. Sales taxes would usually depend on the state where you bought the Cat excavator from. It is advisable to know the applicable taxes in your state so that you can budget appropriately.

Ready to Buy a CAT Excavator?

Caterpillar is known to offer a variety of insurance products, from extended warranties on CAT machines and engines to casualty and risk management insurance. The company offers insurance products for both customers and dealers.

These, in addition to the durable, versatile and reliable equipment make CAT a preferred brand among contractors and construction companies. As you have learned throughout this guide, the cost of any CAT excavator model depends on its size, weight, and power rating.

Holding other factors constant, CAT excavators is an industry-leading name, competing with brands like Hitachi and John Deere.

If you prefer renting an excavator before buying it, check our excavator rental guide.