|
CAT 320C L EXCAVATOR GOES TO TOP OF THE CLASS [October 2006]
The Cat 320C L hydraulic excavator is the industry leader in the 20-ton class, barely six months after entering the local market. Cat dealer Barloworld Equipment became the top excavator supplier in South Africa in October 2006 based largely on the success of this machine.
The 320C L was introduced to southern Africa in April 2006. Customers agree that it looks set to become the benchmark in 20-ton hydraulic excavators, easily beating competing models on specifications and performance.
Weighing in at 21 tons, this machine is built in a wholly Caterpillar-owned facility in China and build quality is described by customers as exceptional. In fact, the factory building the 320C L is proven to have the lowest quality comeback rate of any Caterpillar plant world wide.
“The 320C L includes standard features that make it the best value package in its class,” says Mike Brink, hydraulic excavator product manager in Barloworld Equipment’s Product and Application Group at Isando. Long undercarriage is standard, making for good stability in any work environment. The standard bucket has greater capacity than competitive 20-tonners and the machine is also piped for hammer, an option that adds versatility and enhances resale value.
“This machine also outperforms other excavators in the 20-ton utility and rental markets in terms of reliability, durability, productivity and after sales back-up,” says Brink.
Many customers have taken advantage of a special offer that also includes Caterpillar’s robust, easy to operate hydraulic quick coupler and two buckets for bulk loading and trenching. This package offers exceptional value and has proved so successful that it is being reintroduced in 2007.
A D-series model will be built in 2007 to join the larger capacity D-series Cat HEX models launched world wide in 2006. The 320D L will reportedly come with only minor differences from the C-series model and local customers will have the special quick coupler/extra bucket option.
What do the customers say?
Jannie Lourens, plant manager at BH Plant Hire, Cape Town
“The Cat 320C L outperforms the Cat 318 – it has a lower centre of gravity, better breakout force and faster cycle times.”
Theuns Burger, owner of Burma Plant Hire, Cape Town
“They have got this one right. It is a very nice mid-size machine. Running cost is better than the old 320C model, the stability is good, the balance is right, the price is right.”
Viv Scoccia, owner of La Rocca Construction, Cradock
“The 320C L is more powerful than the similar capacity Cat 318L in hydraulic breakout force. It is almost as powerful as the Cat 322C at a much lower cost per hour – using 280l of fuel in 16 hours as opposed to 500l over the same period in the Cat 322.
Henry van der Walt, owner of Active Plant Hire, Johannesburg
“I have progressed through the Cat 317, 318L, 320C and now the new 320C L. This machine is giving me better fuel consumption than the 320C from Akashi and the undercarriage is more robustly built than either the 318L or the 320C so I expect a greater life span. The build and specs of the machine are ideally suited to the tough conditions associated with plant hire. The hammer piping is a bonus that I will use to try out different tools and attachments.”
This Cat 320C L hydraulic excavator is one of seven ordered by the Bombela Consortium, main contractor for the Gautrain construction project. The machine is pictured on the site of the Marlboro Portal, where work has commenced on the section of the railway linking OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton. The drill is attached using the quick coupler.
|
