Caterpillar Equipment — Key Facts
- Founded: 1925 (merger of Holt and C.L. Best)
- Headquarters: Irving, Texas (USA)
- US Manufacturing: East Peoria IL, Decatur IL, Mossville IL, Victoria TX, and 10+ other US plants
- OEM Financing: Caterpillar's captive finance program
- 3-Year Residual Value: 68–75% (highest in industry)
- 5-Year Residual Value: 52–60%
- Down Payment (established business): 10–15% typical
- Best promotional offer: 0% for 48–60 months on qualifying new equipment
Caterpillar OEM Captive Financing — The Advantage
Caterpillar's captive finance program operates separately from the equipment manufacturing division and manages tens of billions in assets globally — making it one of the largest manufacturer financing operations in the world.
The program's 0% promotional offers are among the most valuable in construction equipment — when available, they represent real interest savings of $15,000–$80,000 over the loan term compared to market rates. These promos typically run on new equipment for limited periods (often model year-end or quarterly pushes by dealers).
The Cat Certified Used program is a significant advantage for used equipment buyers. Machines undergo a 140+ point inspection, receive necessary repairs, and come with an extended powertrain warranty (12–36 months). Manufacturer financing provides better rates on Certified Used than on standard used Cat equipment. For buyers who prefer new-equipment financing confidence with used-equipment pricing, Cat Certified Used is often the best option available in the construction equipment market.
The manufacturer's online tools let buyers shop and get pre-approved before visiting a dealer, and seasonal and deferred payment structures are available for contractors with seasonal revenue patterns. Independent lenders may win on older used Cat equipment (8+ years) or when business credit doesn't meet the captive program's standards — compare both options before committing. For independent financing across credit profiles, Axiant Partners matches you with competitive lenders.
CAT Excavator Models — Complete Pricing
Mini Excavators (Under 6 Ton)
| Model | Operating Weight | Engine HP | New Price | Used (5–7 yr) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300.9D VPS | 0.9T | 13 HP | $28,000–$38,000 | $12,000–$18,000 | Tight access residential |
| 301.4 | 1.4T | 15 HP | $32,000–$42,000 | $14,000–$21,000 | Small landscaping |
| 301.6 | 1.6T | 16 HP | $36,000–$46,000 | $16,000–$23,000 | Utility trenching |
| 301.8 | 1.8T | 20 HP | $40,000–$52,000 | $18,000–$26,000 | General residential |
| 302.7D CR | 2.7T | 24 HP | $45,000–$58,000 | $20,000–$30,000 | Zero tail swing |
| 303.5E2 CR | 3.5T | 30 HP | $52,000–$68,000 | $23,000–$35,000 | Popular compact |
| 304 CR | 4.0T | 35 HP | $60,000–$78,000 | $27,000–$40,000 | Versatile mid-compact |
| 305E2 CR | 5.0T | 42 HP | $68,000–$88,000 | $30,000–$46,000 | Utility/landscaping |
| 305.5E2 CR | 5.5T | 42 HP | $72,000–$92,000 | $32,000–$48,000 | Compact full-spec |
| 306 | 6.0T | 48 HP | $80,000–$102,000 | $36,000–$53,000 | Full-size compact |
Small/Medium Excavators (6–30 Ton)
| Model | Operating Weight | Engine HP | New Price | Used (5–7 yr) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 308 | 8.0T | 56 HP | $108,000–$135,000 | $48,000–$70,000 | Urban construction |
| 310 | 10T | 74 HP | $135,000–$165,000 | $60,000–$86,000 | General contractor |
| 312 GC | 12T | 84 HP | $155,000–$192,000 | $68,000–$100,000 | Value model |
| 312 | 12T | 93 HP | $165,000–$205,000 | $73,000–$107,000 | Standard spec |
| 315 GC | 15T | 93 HP | $195,000–$242,000 | $86,000–$126,000 | Economy model |
| 316 | 16.6T | 120 HP | $210,000–$262,000 | $93,000–$137,000 | Mid-range |
| 320 GC | 20T | 152 HP | $245,000–$295,000 | $108,000–$154,000 | Economy 20-ton |
| 320 | 20T | 163 HP | $258,000–$320,000 | $114,000–$167,000 | Best-selling model worldwide |
| 323 | 23T | 160 HP | $272,000–$338,000 | $120,000–$176,000 | Mid-large |
| 325 | 25T | 184 HP | $302,000–$375,000 | $134,000–$195,000 | |
| 330 GC | 30T | 215 HP | $342,000–$425,000 | $151,000–$221,000 | Economy large |
| 330 | 30T | 227 HP | $358,000–$445,000 | $159,000–$233,000 | Full spec 30-ton |
Large Excavators (30+ Ton)
| Model | Weight | Engine HP | New Price | Used (5–7 yr) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 335 | 35T | 258 HP | $388,000–$482,000 | $172,000–$251,000 | Heavy site work |
| 340 | 40T | 275 HP | $432,000–$537,000 | $191,000–$280,000 | |
| 349 | 49T | 345 HP | $495,000–$615,000 | $219,000–$320,000 | Large production |
| 374 | 74T | 475 HP | $755,000–$938,000 | $334,000–$489,000 | Major earthworks |
| 390 | 90T | 575 HP | $958,000–$1,190,000 | $424,000–$620,000 | Large production |
| 395 | 95T | 617 HP | $1,010,000–$1,250,000 | $447,000–$654,000 | Largest hydraulic production |
Mining Excavators
| Model | Weight | Engine HP | New Price | Used Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6015B | 150T | 1,565 HP | $2,800,000–$3,500,000 | $1,100,000–$1,600,000 |
| 6018 | 180T | 1,800 HP | $4,000,000–$5,000,000 | $1,600,000–$2,300,000 |
| 6030 | 300T | 2,685 HP | $7,000,000–$9,000,000 | $2,800,000–$4,100,000 |
| 6040/FS | 400T | 3,360 HP | $10,000,000–$14,000,000 | $4,000,000–$6,400,000 |
| 6060/FS | 600T | 4,400 HP | $18,000,000–$24,000,000 | $7,200,000–$11,000,000 |
| 6090 FS | 900T | 4,500 HP | $35,000,000–$45,000,000+ | N/A (rarely sold used) |
CAT Dozer Models
| Model | Engine HP | Config | New Price | Used (5–7 yr) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | 46 HP | LGP/GP | $75,000–$95,000 | $33,000–$48,000 | Small utility work |
| D2 | 63 HP | GP/XL | $95,000–$120,000 | $42,000–$62,000 | Light dozing |
| D3 | 84 HP | GP/LGP | $130,000–$165,000 | $57,000–$84,000 | Residential grading |
| D4 | 104 HP | GP/LGP/XL | $155,000–$195,000 | $68,000–$100,000 | Site prep |
| D5 | 133 HP | LGP/GP | $195,000–$245,000 | $86,000–$126,000 | Standard production |
| D6 | 175 HP | LGP/GP/XL | $290,000–$362,000 | $128,000–$187,000 | Contractor workhorse |
| D7 | 215 HP | LGP/GP | $385,000–$480,000 | $170,000–$249,000 | Large land clearing |
| D8T | 310 HP | LGP/GP | $505,000–$628,000 | $223,000–$326,000 | Heavy production |
| D9T | 436 HP | LGP/GP | $685,000–$852,000 | $303,000–$443,000 | Major earthworks |
| D10T2 | 580 HP | LGP/GP | $905,000–$1,130,000 | $400,000–$585,000 | Coal/large mine support |
| D11 XE | 850 HP | LGP/GP | $2,200,000–$2,800,000 | $880,000–$1,280,000 | World's largest production dozer |
CAT Wheel Loader Models
| Model | Bucket Size | New Price | Model | Bucket Size | New Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 906 | 1.5 yd³ | $75,000–$95,000 | 910 | 1.7 yd³ | $105,000–$135,000 |
| 914 | 2.0 yd³ | $125,000–$160,000 | 918 | 2.4 yd³ | $145,000–$185,000 |
| 924 | 3.0 yd³ | $195,000–$248,000 | 930M | 3.5 yd³ | $242,000–$308,000 |
| 938M | 4.0 yd³ | $282,000–$355,000 | 950M | 5.0 yd³ | $342,000–$430,000 |
| 966M XE | 6.5 yd³ | $532,000–$665,000 | 972M XE | 7.5 yd³ | $652,000–$820,000 |
| 980M | 8.5 yd³ | $762,000–$960,000 | 988K | 11.0 yd³ | $1,200,000–$1,500,000 |
| 990K | 14.0 yd³ | $1,600,000–$2,000,000 | 992K | 16.0 yd³ | $2,200,000–$2,800,000 |
| 993K | 18.0 yd³ | $3,200,000–$4,000,000 | 994K | 21.0 yd³ | $5,000,000–$7,000,000 |
Cat 320 vs Komatsu PC210LCi vs John Deere 210G — Comparison
| Feature | Cat 320 | Komatsu PC210LCi | John Deere 210G |
|---|---|---|---|
| New price (approx.) | $258K–$320K | $278K–$348K | $252K–$315K |
| Operating weight | 20 ton | 21 ton | 21 ton |
| Engine HP | 163 HP | 158 HP | 161 HP |
| Grade control (standard) | Optional (Cat Grade) | Standard (iMC 2.0) | Optional |
| Telematics | Cat Product Link | KOMTRAX (free) | JDLink Ultimate |
| 3-year residual | 68–75% | 63–70% | 60–68% |
| OEM financing | Captive program (0% promos) | Captive program | Captive program |
| US dealer density | Excellent (180+ US dealers) | Good (130+ US dealers) | Good (1,600+ US ag/construction) |
| Parts availability | Best in industry | Excellent | Excellent in Midwest/ag areas |
| Best for | Overall value, financing ease, resale | Grade control, telematics | Ag-adjacent contractors, seasonal payments |
The Cat 320 wins outright on resale value — at 3 years, Cat holds 68–75% of new value vs 63–70% for Komatsu. For financing, this means lower effective carrying costs despite similar list prices. The Komatsu PC210LCi's iMC automatic grade control is a genuine competitive advantage on grading-intensive work. The John Deere 210G's captive seasonal payment program (no payments in winter months) is uniquely valuable for contractors with agricultural revenue patterns.
Financing Options for Caterpillar Equipment
- Caterpillar OEM captive financing: Best for new equipment purchases, especially during promotional periods (0% for 48–60 months). Apply through your Cat dealer. The captive program also does used financing on Cat Certified Used inventory.
- Cat Certified Used: Provides better rates than non-certified used Cat. Worth paying the slight premium for the Cat Certified Used designation — the warranty and rate benefits typically offset the cost.
- Independent specialty lenders: Competitive on used Cat (non-certified) and situations where the manufacturer's finance arm declines. Many independent lenders specifically have CAT model collateral values memorized — they know the residuals well.
- SBA 7(a) loans: For startup contractors, SBA 7(a) enables financing of Cat equipment when business history is limited. Caterpillar's strong brand reassures SBA lenders on collateral risk.
See our Excavator Financing, Bulldozer Financing, and Construction Equipment Financing guides for payment examples and lender details.
Finance Your Caterpillar Equipment
Manufacturer financing, independent lenders, and SBA programs — we match you with the right financing for your specific CAT purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Cat 320 excavator cost?
A new Cat 320 excavator (2021+ model, 20-ton, 163 HP) costs $258,000–$320,000. A used Cat 320 (5–7 years old) sells for $114,000–$167,000. The Cat 320 is the best-selling excavator model worldwide, meaning there is a massive and liquid secondary market — this translates directly to better financing terms because lenders have high confidence in collateral recovery. Manufacturer financing programs offer 0% for 48–60 months on qualifying new 320 purchases when promotions are available.
How does Caterpillar's OEM captive financing work?
Caterpillar's captive finance program provides equipment loans, leases, and rental-purchase agreements through authorized Cat dealers. It regularly offers promotional rates including 0% for 48–60 months on select new equipment — these promotions are time-limited and model-specific, so ask your dealer what's currently available. Cat Certified Used provides inspected used equipment with extended warranties and better financing rates than non-certified used Cat. For independent financing across credit profiles, Axiant Partners matches you with competitive lenders.
Can you get Cat equipment financing with bad credit?
Caterpillar equipment can be financed with challenged credit through independent specialty lenders, though OEM captive financing itself has stricter standards. Independent lenders who regularly finance CAT will consider credit scores as low as 550+ with larger down payments (25–35%) and strong business revenue documentation. CAT's exceptional resale value (68–75% at 3 years) means lenders are more willing to work with challenged credit than they would be for less established brands — the collateral risk is lower.
What is Cat Certified Used equipment?
Cat Certified Used is Caterpillar's pre-owned equipment program. Machines undergo a 140+ point inspection at an authorized Cat dealer, receive necessary repairs and updates, and come with an extended powertrain warranty (12–36 months depending on the program selected). Manufacturer financing provides preferential rates for Certified Used vs non-certified used Cat — typically 0.5–2% lower rates. The combination of warranty coverage and better financing rate often makes Cat Certified Used the best value in the used excavator market.
Where is Caterpillar equipment manufactured?
Caterpillar (Irving, Texas — founded 1925) manufactures equipment at 13+ US plants: East Peoria, Illinois (excavators, motor graders); Decatur, Illinois (large mining equipment, large dozers); Mossville, Illinois (engines and powertrain); Aurora, Illinois (small construction equipment); and Victoria, Texas (wheel loaders). Caterpillar employs approximately 55,000 US workers. Despite being a global manufacturer with facilities in 25+ countries, a significant portion of Cat construction equipment sold in North America is manufactured in the United States.
Why does Caterpillar have the best resale value?
Caterpillar's exceptional resale values (68–75% at 3 years) stem from: universal brand recognition (every contractor and lender worldwide knows the yellow CAT), the densest dealer service network in the industry (parts available everywhere quickly), decades of proven durability data, and self-reinforcing demand (high resale makes contractors willing to pay more new, which justifies high resale, in a virtuous cycle). For buyers, this means CAT equipment has the lowest effective ownership cost when you account for both operating costs and resale recovery.