Hello, We are looking into buying either a new CAT 330, 330gc or deer 300g. Primary task would be tree removal and loading a horizontal grinder. I’m looking for opinions on those 3 models as well as potentially a different similar model. Our Cat and deer dealers are both good. Also, are the GC cats lower quality or just less electronics? I’d appreciate any advice.
With my history with all things breaking, the Deere is dead last. DTAC is worthless, built in problems seem to take forever to get resolved, and the quality is gone. All my 14 ton and bigger excavators are Caterpillar now, and I don't regret it one bit. Again, they all have issues and quirks, but uptime has been far greater on my Cats than any of my Deeres since around 2005.
Summary of 330 vs 330gc https://www.machinerytrader.com/blo...cat-330-and-330-gc-next-generation-excavators
Now that the Hitachi/Deere relationship is coming to an end it would be interesting to see how the Deere designed and built excavators will be. Unfortunately it may be a few years until that happens unless they bring over their Chinese units (which are designed and built by Deere). Agreed on DTAC, however they are sometimes at the mercy of Hitachi and that never goes well. Hitachi response make snails look like lightning.
What ? Not to hijack but please explain what happened or why ?
My DTAC issues have all been with wheel loaders (no Hitachi involved). I have 3 544G with over 20k hours. TC54H ride control never worked right, transmission control was possessed, and it ate differential bearings. 2 544J with major steering problems right out of the box. Extreme delayed brake response after a couple hundred hours each. Injection pump issues from the start, and new pumps every 8k hours or so. Still electrical gremlins to this day. 544K spent 5 months of its first year st dealer. Software upgrades led to fault code, that took over a year to rewrite. Overcrimped terminals in EGT harness that failed before 500 hours. I could go on and on, and on.
If your not looking for production could save a bit with the 330cg less bells and whistles also it doesn’t have a horse power mode just standard and eco. Between the tow cars breakout force etc is the same. Can’t comment on the Deere been a while since I’ve been in one. Have a 100hr on are new 330 and it’s pretty awesome when u get use to it
Thank you all. Another thing, how has the parts availability been on the Deer / Hitachi excavators?
https://www.equipmentworld.com/busi...-deere-hitachi-to-end-joint-excavator-venture