The 330D and 325D have increased in weight progressively since introduction and are now to be rebadged as the 336D and 329D respectively. According to Cat, the new model designations will more accurately communicate the machine operating weight and working capability, and help customers receive the best financial return on their investment. The company says recent research has confirmed the operating weight/model designation relationship was of significant importance to excavator purchasers.The research indicated that accurate model designations simplified machine purchasing evaluations and productivity comparisons, and had a direct impact on customers’ ability to realise the highest possible return on their machine investment – particularly in achieving accurate hire and rental rates. Hire and rental business rates are commonly charged in accordance with an excavator’s weight, as the machine weight generally represents the amount of work a customer can expect the machine to perform. Caterpillar says the new model designations for the 329D and 336D will simplify hire and rental administrative tasks, provide clarity in customer communications and ensure high rental rates are achievable.The newly designated machines share many specifications in common with the superseded models while also offering a range of specification improvements.The 336D will now be fitted with a heavy-duty boom and stick as standard to better match the machine’s working capability, while the 329D is now fitted with a Cat C7 ACERT, 152-kilowatt engine delivering 8.6% more power than the model it replaces, the 325D.The 336D heavy-duty boom and stick is a more durable combination ideally suited to heavy-duty construction and mass excavation applications requiring high productivity and improved stability.The 329D features all the innovations of the popular 325D and will now also offer three fuel modes – High Power for full machine performance, Power Management for reduced power while retaining high productivity, and Eco-mode delivering up to 15% fuel savings. The 329D counterweight has also been increased in mass to provide even better stability while working over the side of the machine, especially in long reach applications. For decades, Caterpillar’s heavy excavator range has satisfied demand for high productivity and profitability. The 330D and 325D enjoyed healthy respect for the performance and value they provided as their operating weight increased over time.Caterpillar’s 300L, released in 1992, weighed about 33.5 tonnes, while the 2001 release 330CL weighed almost 35t. The 336D is now accurately positioned in the 36t class reflecting the machine’s weight and performance characteristics. Caterpillar believes purchasers will now better understand the cost and production advantages the two new Caterpillar machines deliver when making direct comparisons with competitors’ machines.Importantly for Caterpillar customers, both the 329D and 336D will share parts commonality with the previous models and all parts on the 325D and 330D are interchangeable with the new machines. All existing Caterpillar work tools for the 325D and 330D will also be fully interchangeable with the 329D and 336D respectively. The Caterpillar 325D is now the 329D. The 330D has been renamed the 336D.
