The Cat 308 CR is Caterpillar’s mini hydraulic excavator with a Cat C3.3B engine rated at 69.5 hp net. It weighs 18,610 lb in its lightest configuration, digs 161.7 in (13 ft 5.7 in) deep with the standard stick, and 182.8 in with the long stick.
Caterpillar · Mini hydraulic excavator
308 CR
| Operating weight18,610 lb | Max dig depth161.7 in | Net power69.5 hp | Bucket digging force13,946 lbf |
Source: Caterpillar, 308 CR spec sheet. Minimum configuration, standard stick.
Cat 308 CR at a glance
Cat C3.3B engine, Tier 4 Final
69.5 hp net (ISO 9249) and 74.3 hp under ISO 14396, from a 3.33 L engine. Cat states it meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V, and lists auto idle and auto engine shutdown among its fuel-saving features.
Standard or long stick
The 71.7 in standard stick digs 161.7 in deep; the 92.8 in long stick digs 182.8 in, 21.1 in deeper, and adds 146 lb. Stick digging force drops from 9,509 lbf to 8,032 lbf with the long stick.
44 gpm load-sensing hydraulics
A variable displacement piston pump delivers 44 gpm at 2,400 rpm and 4,134 psi. The primary auxiliary circuit is rated at 35 gpm and the secondary at 9 gpm, for attachments such as hammers and augers.
Stick Steer and grade assists
Stick Steer switches travel from levers and pedals to the joystick at the push of a button. Cat’s Ease of Use packages, Indicate or E-Fence, are available from the factory or as an upgrade kit, and Cat Grade can be added after purchase.
Cat 308 CR specifications
US and metric figures below are both as Cat prints them on the spec sheet.
Weight
| Spec | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum operating weight with cab | 18,610 lb | 8,440 kg |
| Maximum operating weight with cab | 20,628 lb | 9,355 kg |
| Added by 250 kg counterweight | 551 lb | 250 kg |
| Added by 500 kg counterweight | 1,103 lb | 500 kg |
| Added by long stick | 146 lb | 66 kg |
| Added by steel tracks with pads | 752 lb | 341 kg |
Engine
| Spec | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Engine model | Cat C3.3B | Cat C3.3B |
| Net power, ISO 9249 | 69.5 hp | 51.8 kW |
| Engine power, ISO 14396 | 74.3 hp | 55.4 kW |
| Rated speed | 2,200 rpm | 2,200 rpm |
| Displacement | 203 in³ | 3.33 L |
| Bore × stroke | 3.7 in × 4.7 in | 94 mm × 120 mm |
Hydraulics and digging force
| Spec | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Pump flow at 2,400 rpm | 44 gpm | 167 L/min |
| Operating pressure, equipment and travel | 4,134 psi | 285 bar |
| Operating pressure, swing | 3,626 psi | 250 bar |
| Auxiliary, primary (flow at pump) | 35 gpm | 131 L/min |
| Auxiliary, secondary (flow at pump) | 9 gpm | 33 L/min |
| Stick digging force, standard stick | 9,509 lbf | 42.3 kN |
| Stick digging force, long stick | 8,032 lbf | 35.7 kN |
| Bucket digging force | 13,946 lbf | 62.0 kN |
Travel, swing and blade
| Spec | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Travel speed, high / low | 3.2 / 1.9 mph | 5.1 / 3.1 km/h |
| Max traction force, low speed | 15,175 lbf | 67.5 kN |
| Ground pressure, min / max weight | 5.4 / 5.9 psi | 36.9 / 40.9 kPa |
| Gradeability | 30° | 30° |
| Swing speed | 10.6 rpm | 10.6 rpm |
| Boom swing, left / right | 60° / 50° | 60° / 50° |
| Blade width, standard / wide | 90.6 / 96.5 in | 2,300 / 2,450 mm |
| Blade height | 17 in | 431 mm |
Fluid capacities
| Spec | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel tank | 39 gal | 147 L |
| Hydraulic system | 29 gal | 110 L |
| Hydraulic tank | 14 gal | 53 L |
| Engine oil | 3.0 gal | 11.2 L |
| Cooling system | 2.6 gal | 10.0 L |
Dimensions
| Spec | Standard stick | Long stick |
|---|---|---|
| Stick length | 71.7 in 1,820 mm | 92.8 in 2,358 mm |
| Overall shipping length | 258.8 to 266.0 in 6,574 to 6,747 mm | 271.0 in 6,872 mm |
| Overall track width | 90.6 in 2,300 mm | 90.6 in 2,300 mm |
| Cab height | 100.0 in 2,541 mm | 100.0 in 2,541 mm |
| Boom height, transport, no tools | 95.7 in 2,430 mm | 89.0 in 2,260 mm |
| Tail swing, no counterweight | 57.1 in 1,450 mm | 57.1 in 1,450 mm |
| Tail swing, 500 kg counterweight | 64.0 in 1,626 mm | 64.0 in 1,626 mm |
| Track shoe width | 17.7 in 450 mm | 17.7 in 450 mm |
| Ground clearance | 13.8 in 350 mm | 13.8 in 350 mm |
How deep can a Cat 308 dig?
With the standard stick, the 308 CR digs 161.7 in, which is 13 ft 5.7 in. The long stick reaches 182.8 in (15 ft 2.8 in). Cat also lists the vertical wall depth, the deepest you can dig with a straight face: 117.8 in with the standard stick and 134.0 in with the long stick.
| Working range | Standard stick | Long stick |
|---|---|---|
| Dig depth | 161.7 in 4,108 mm | 182.8 in 4,643 mm |
| Vertical wall | 117.8 in 2,991 mm | 134.0 in 3,404 mm |
| Reach at ground level | 273.6 in 6,949 mm | 293.7 in 7,460 mm |
| Maximum reach | 281.1 in 7,141 mm | 300.7 in 7,637 mm |
| Maximum dig height | 265.2 in 6,736 mm | 277.1 in 7,039 mm |
| Maximum dump clearance | 187.4 in 4,760 mm | 199.7 in 5,072 mm |
| Max blade depth / height | 16.0 / 14.6 in | 16.0 / 14.6 in |
The 187.4 in dump clearance (15 ft 7.4 in) matters when loading trucks: check it against the side height of the truck you plan to load. To estimate how much dirt a dig will produce, use the Excavation Cost Calculator or the Trench Calculator.
Cat 308 CR lift capacity
Cat publishes a full lift chart for two configurations. The figures below are at ground level (0 m lift point height) for the minimum configuration with the standard stick, no counterweight and no bucket.
| Lift point radius | Over front, blade down | Over front, blade up | Over side |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.8 ft (3 m) | 8,267* lb | 6,586 lb | 5,446 lb |
| 14.8 ft (4.5 m) | 7,790* lb | 3,550 lb | 3,036 lb |
| Maximum, 19.3 ft (5.89 m) | 5,215* lb | 2,421 lb | 2,093 lb |
Capacity falls quickly as the load moves out: from 6,586 lb at 9.8 ft to 2,421 lb at full reach over the front with the blade up. Over the side is lower again. Subtract the bucket and any rigging from these numbers, and use the full chart in Cat’s spec sheet for other heights and the long stick.
How much does a Cat 308 weigh to haul?
- Lightest build: 18,610 lb, about 9.3 US tons.
- Heaviest build: 20,628 lb, about 10.3 US tons, with steel tracks, the 500 kg counterweight and the long stick.
- Footprint: 90.6 in (7 ft 6.6 in) wide over the tracks, and about 258.8 to 271.0 in (21 ft 6.8 in to 22 ft 7 in) long for shipping.
- Height: the cab is 100.0 in (8 ft 4 in); the boom sits at 95.7 in in the transport position with the standard stick and no tools.
Both weights include the operator and a full fuel tank but no bucket, so add the bucket and any attachments, then check the trailer’s rated capacity and your truck’s towing and combined weight ratings.
Cat 308 CR features
- Cab: sealed and pressurized, with air conditioning, adjustable wrist rests and a suspension seat, and the Next Generation Monitor.
- Safety: back-up camera, courtesy work lights and a fluorescent retractable seat belt. Cab certified to ROPS ISO 12117-2:2008 and top guard ISO 10262:1998 (Level I).
- Operating costs: auto idle, auto engine shutdown and a variable displacement pump.
- Blade float for clean-up, and Stick Steer travel control.
- Technology: Ease of Use Indicate or E-Fence (with Swing Assist and Bucket Assist), factory-fitted or as an upgrade kit, plus aftermarket Cat Grade Advanced 2D and 3D. Availability varies by region.
Cat also sells a 308 CR with a variable angle boom, which has its own brochure and specs; this page covers the standard one-piece boom. Older 308 models, such as the 308C, have different specifications.
Cat 308 CR vs. Bobcat E35
The Bobcat E35 is a much smaller machine. The 308 CR is about 2.4 times heavier, digs about 40 in deeper with its standard stick and delivers about twice the auxiliary flow, while the E35 is narrower and far easier to haul.
| Spec | Cat 308 CR | Bobcat E35 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 18,610 lb | 7,659 lb |
| Dig depth, standard | 161.7 in | 121.2 in |
| Engine power | 69.5 hp net | 24.8 hp |
| Bucket digging force | 13,946 lbf | 7,284 lbf |
| Auxiliary flow | 35 gpm | 16.9 gpm |
| Width | 90.6 in | 69.7 in |
| Fuel tank | 39 gal | 13.7 gal |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cat 308 CR weigh?
Cat lists 18,610 lb (8,440 kg) in the minimum configuration with a cab, and up to 20,628 lb (9,355 kg) with steel tracks, the 500 kg counterweight and the long stick. Neither figure includes a bucket.
How deep can a Cat 308 dig?
161.7 in (13 ft 5.7 in) with the standard stick and 182.8 in (15 ft 2.8 in) with the long stick.
How much horsepower does a Cat 308 CR have?
The Cat C3.3B engine is rated at 69.5 hp net under ISO 9249 and 74.3 hp under ISO 14396.
How much can a Cat 308 CR lift?
At ground level with the standard stick in the minimum configuration, Cat lists 6,586 lb at a 9.8 ft radius over the front with the blade up and 5,446 lb over the side. Capacity drops to 2,421 lb over the front at full reach. The bucket is not included.
What is the fuel tank capacity of a Cat 308 CR?
39 gal (147 L).
How wide is a Cat 308 CR?
90.6 in (2,300 mm) over the tracks. The standard blade is also 90.6 in wide, and the wide blade is 96.5 in.
Is the Cat 308 CR zero tail swing?
No. Cat lists a tail swing of 57.1 in without a counterweight and up to 64.0 in with the 500 kg counterweight. Half the 90.6 in track width is 45.3 in, so the rear extends past the tracks as the machine turns.
Sources
- Caterpillar, 308 CR Mini Hydraulic Excavator spec sheet AEHQ8163-06 (09-2024), checked September 26, 2026.
- Caterpillar, 308 CR Mini Excavator product page.
- Bobcat, E35 Compact Excavator specifications, for the comparison.
- Feet-and-inch conversions and tons by BucketMath: 12 in = 1 ft; 1 US ton = 2,000 lb.
Cat and Caterpillar are trademarks of their owner. BucketMath is independent and not affiliated with Caterpillar or Bobcat. The machine image on this page is AI-generated. Confirm specifications with a dealer before you buy, haul or lift; see our disclaimer.