Cat E Series Mini Excavators

Mini excavators get a new electronic monitor and features, refined auxiliary hydraulics and Eco-Mode savings with emissions-compliant new engines

Created: February 2, 2012

Five buttons on a new color monitor offer access to auto idle, economy mode, the hydraulic bucket, coupler, pattern changer, auxiliary flow control and security
Five buttons on a new color monitor offer access to auto idle, economy mode, the hydraulic bucket, coupler, pattern changer, auxiliary flow control and security
Here's how Cat squeezes two less-than-3-ton excavators through standard residential doorways and gates and packs productivity onto a no-CDL load
Here's how Cat squeezes two less-than-3-ton excavators through standard residential doorways and gates and packs productivity onto a no-CDL load
See three benefits of being able to turn the bucket around into front-shovel mode using Cat's quick coupler
See three benefits of being able to turn the bucket around into front-shovel mode using Cat's quick coupler
Caterpillar 305E CR Mini Excavator
Caterpillar 305E CR Mini Excavator
Both main-line and optional secondary auxiliary-hydraulic systems can be adjusted on a scale of 1-15 through the monitor for added control when handling, for example, a tilting bucket coupler or...
Both main-line and optional secondary auxiliary-hydraulic systems can be adjusted on a scale of 1-15 through the monitor for added control when handling, for example, a tilting bucket coupler or thumb. (303.5ECR shown)
Caterpillar 304E CR Mini Excavator
Caterpillar 304E CR Mini Excavator

With new emissions-compliant engines, the five compact-radius Cat E Series mini excavators -- 303.5E CR, 304E CR, 305E CR, 305.5E CR and 308E CR SB -- get new features such as the upgraded COMPASS control panel, standard high-ambient-temperature cooling package, more efficient auxiliary hydraulics, and redesigned controls. An anti-theft system, which requires five-digit alphanumeric passwords to start the machine, are built into the control system, and the new Economy Mode (for the 3.5- to 5.5-ton machines) can slash fuel use up to 20%. Caterpillar has cleared the cab floor of all controls except the travel levers, moving the two-speed travel switch to the blade lever, putting the secondary auxiliary hydraulic engagement in the left joystick and the manual pattern changer into the COMPASS monitor. The 308E CR carries many of the features of the smaller E-Series machines, but represents more structural redesign of its D-Series predecessor. Other features of the line include:

Continuous-auxiliary-hydraulic flow adjustment
Four-post canopy (3.5- to 5.5-ton machines)
End-damping hydraulic cylinders to reduce shock loads and improve material retention
Thumb-mounting brackets on dipper sticks and necessary relief valves are standard

See videos on Cat's new COMPASS monitoring system's capabilities, retractable undercarriage and front-shovel capability below.