Odd request I know. I’m not a pro, just a homeowner looking for a machine for my property. Went to look at this today, seller listed as a 304 and the decal says 304…but the serial is: CAT00303KCAR03789 Does that serial not signify a 303? Here’s a photo:
Also, any idea what year it might be? It has 1742 hrs on it as well.
It is indeed a 303, a very early one in fact. Built 31st October 2005.
I figured it must be based on the serial…either the owner is ignorant to it or he stuck a 304 sticker on and is misrepresenting it. Am I correct in assuming it’s about 8000 lbs?
Decals lie constantly, it's the oldest contractor trick in the book to install a decal that misrepresents the size of the machine. Be very wary of dealing with any individual who does that. Here are the 303 specifications. https://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/Caterpillar/CM20210401-a36e7-875c5 It's also a good idea to check with law enforcement as to whether the machine serial number is on any stolen register, and try to track down any ownership record trail.
I'm awful weary of this machine I have a 303 of the same vintage and this thing just looks bigger and there's a lot of details of the design that look different to me too
The decals in the cab were pretty worn/ripped etc but what I could see was all in Japanese characters…would it be normal to see that in a US machine? I thought it was odd but not having much experience with equipment is it normal to see that?
If the decals in the cabin were in Japanese characters, the machine is likely to an independent "gray" import, produced for the Japanese market, and not sold through any U.S. Cat dealer. Machines built for specific countries are fitted with decals and equipment/accessories required for that country, and the common language of the country. Check with Cat whether this is likely to present any problem, as machines are often built differently to each countrys requirements or specifications, and sometimes it's difficult to acquire parts for "gray" import machines. Of course, this doesn't stop the huge market in "gray" imports, because the pricing or availability is often better for "gray" imports, than locally-produced machine pricing and availability.
Can you post a photo of the data plate please.
To the OP. What are known as grey market machines were built in Japan for the internal Japanese market only and were never intended for sale outside Japan. They were known as ISJ (inside Japan) models. With the downturn in the Japanese construction industry a lot of these machines became surplus to requirements and were exported across the World. Because all this was done outside the official Cat network the online parts/service information for these machines was never made accessible outside Japan. This caused problems which Cat somewhat addressed by producing charts of corresponding "World" model equivalents to the ISJ machines but the mini-ex product line was never part of any chart AFAIK. In many cases it is impossible to access data in the online system for grey market machines, and this one is no different. There is no detailed parts & service information available online for a CAR-prefix 303 excavator. It appears that the DMA-prefix 303 machine is the "World" model that corresponds to the CAR-prefix ISJ machine. However all is not lost. Paper, CD, or pdf download versions of Parts & Operation/Maintenance Manuals are available from Cat Publications. XEBP7479 ($124) is the Parts Manual, SEBU7452 ($52) is the Operation & Maintenance.
But the question still remains, is this a 303 or 304? Based on the photos posted above it definitely appears to be a 304 I’d say? He's asking $32k so it isn’t like it’s an absolute steal of a deal in my opinion…is it worth the potential headache of parts at that price? I do really like that it has steel tracks and low hours though…and assuming it’s a 304 it’s a perfect weight for my needs.
As I said further above, please post a photo of the S/N plate if you can get one. That in itself can reveal a lot. Plates can be altered or adulaterated and many of us here have seen plenty of them to know instantly if a plate appears dodgy. Based purely on the PIN you gave in your OP it's a 303. Always remember - "If it sounds too good to be true it probably is". What "potential headache" regarding parts.? I already posted that a Parts Manual is available for that specific S/N prefix. That enables an owner to go into a Cat dealer (or buy aftermarket) based on Part Number. Cat parts are universal, they don't care what the machine Serial Number is. Before going too far the $64k question that must be answered is at this time - "Is it ACTUALLY what the decals say, OR what it says it is on the PIN plate.?"
Never assume that an hourmeter reading is accurate without lots of service history to back it up, and even then treat it with scepticism.
@Tyler d4c - Is your 303 machine a DMA-prefix.?
Also please check if there is a data plate on the engine and get a photo of that if possible.
Yes dma 2614 mine is a open rope the photo I found on the web
Its a grey market 303 built in Japan . Stay away from it