Cat 302 too small? or just right!

The Bros visit local Cat dealer H.O Penn to investigate a new possible machine to add to the fleet. Watch as we look at the differences and similarities of a Cat 302 CR and a Cat 303 CR. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but we hope that this video can help anyone in the slightest way with their decision when looking and comparing these two excavators. If you like what we do and possibly want us to work with your home or business, contact us at [e-mail].

[@andyl2221]

I have a301.8 next gen. I love it and it does everything small. It was the smallest mini excavator that can actually do some work, in my opinion. Stick steer is awesome.

[@esexavo]

I have a 300.9 its awesome but i live in California we work in places with 36 inc gates i have no purpose for a bigger matching i wish i did commercial so i could get a big boy

[@Biltwel1]

I just bought a 303, and I love it.

[@flytwin1772]

I never had an excavator and the 302 seems fine to me also because it has longer tracks as the 301.8 (301.6), but anyway there will be always something which we miss or we don´t need. It is unpossible to built one machine and that would fit exactly everyones wishes, right!

[@hoffpauirconcrete.semperfidCC]

We are looking at the 302 as well

[@meyerpropertymaintenance4462]

The stick steer is a great feature but only for straight lines on stone or dirt it likes to jerk around regardless.

[@felixcat9318]

The guy kept complaining about the lack of foot room, but there was a cardboard box taking up a lot of the floor space that he failed to notice, in addition to him not having adjusted the sliding seat correctly. Even after he adjusted the seat, he still failed to notice the large box obscuring the cab floor! Talk about a lack of observation!

[@nate390]

The cabs are too small, with or without the cardboard box. I'm also 6'2 and the new next gen 303 has the same leg room as my 2004 303. This would be fine except every other brand besides Yanmar has more room in the cabs of their minis.

[@felixcat9318]

@@nate390 CAT apparently spent two years soliciting commercial users to discover what features, upgrades and improvements they'd like to see in the Next Generation machines. Presumably, a larger cab or improved leg room wasn't requested. No machine can be perfect for everyone, everything is a compromise, but I can see how the absence of leg and/or foot clearence will be a problem on a machine operated for many hours each day.

[@josephfalcojr.5412]

I bought both the 302cr and the 302.7cr both 2021 machines full cabs. Honestly the 302cr is a great machine but pretty much the same as the 301.8 in weight, however the 302.7cr is twice the size at 7500lbs with expandable undercarriage..so another words i feel the 302cr is a bit small and the 302.7cr is a bit big for me.i wish cat came out with something around 6k lbs like tbe kubota u27-4 that i have also full cab ..

[@simonevans4966]

I run a 302cr here in the uk, its the heaviest mini i can tow legally, didn’t have a thumb on mine that took another 4 months, but put hydraulic hitch, 2nd hydraulic line and work a 5 tine grab with rotation on it, i put extra lights on the cab pointing down on the sides, when working with the boom offset in dark I couldn’t see anything

[@genecoppedge5972]

I just got my 302.7 and it’s plenty big when working right along the walls of my house, at times seems a little too big. It all depends on what you’re doing. I haven’t tried digging out a tree stump yet.

[@Forestryman707]

What about the next gen 303? Still small but more powerful than the 302

[@meyerpropertymaintenance4462]

I have the 302.7 it’s awesome

[@koas8478]

Thinking about getting one..still love it?

[@meyerpropertymaintenance4462]

Yeah it’s solid machine plenty of power for what it is. Very comfy to run on long days as well

[@marcoa2222]

Does 302.7 have retractable tracks like 302?

[@marcoa2222]

Do you prefer Standard boom or Long Boom?

[@meyerpropertymaintenance4462]

@@marcoa2222 mine does I believe you can get it without

[@rontopping2048]

302 to small , 303 has less reach than any other brand that size