CAT 304 vs New next gen CAT 306 Mini Excavator "Side by Side Comparison"

[@kendallwillis948]

Thanks for putting the review out great real world insights I’m liking the 306 for sure after seeing size wise the difference is minimal .

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Kendall Willis I’m sure if you try it you will love it. The stick steer is really nice when grading. Thanks for watching. 👍🏻

[@dankruger2890]

can you explain in more detail what are the best years to buy the 304e2 cr I have a 2017

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

The 2011 -2014 E series are the best ones in my opinion. The E2 series are just not built as well. Just my opinion I have owned several of each and got rid of the E2s. I will never part with the 2014 304E that I still have. Thanks for the comment Dan.

[@Adam-xc4wk]

Did they change the 304/306 size recently? I'm debating right in this size range. Cat lists the current 306 as being a foot wider than the 304. Track width 78 vs 67. How smooth is the 304 compared to the 306?

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Yes, they did change the 304. It used to be 78 inches but the new model is now 67 the new 305 and 306 or 78 inches wide I have run all of them and they are very smooth quick machines. I still prefer the E model machines

[@gibsonlandscapeconstructio7984]

That 306 is nice! I had the extra counter weight put on the 303ECR Looking at getting a 308 for my next excavator purchase🤙 Great video guys👍

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

We got the 306 because the 308 was a little to big for what we do. I have videos of us doing work with both 308s they are awesome machines. Thanks for watching buddy 👍🏻

[@outdoorcreations9611]

Did you guys find you had a hard time adjusting to the electronic controls on the new next gen 306 vs the way the e or e2 machines feel?

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Yes it is a lot different! I prefer the old way. I have since bought a 303.5 D. 303.5E and a 308E2

[@outdoorcreations9611]

@@fulltiltgrading8366 thats good to know,i wanted to love the next gens but for me i could not get comfortable with electric pilots.

[@outdoorcreations9611]

@@fulltiltgrading8366 have you ever experienced any drift issues on any of your cats? Dozer blade dropping on its own, stick or boom?

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

@@outdoorcreations9611 I have had four machines crammed in my shop with the booms all up in the air and not one of them drifted at all in two weeks time. I was shocked myself!

[@outdoorcreations9611]

@@fulltiltgrading8366 thanks for the feedback. Love my 304e2 but have struggled to figure out why i have all kinds of drift issues on almost all the cylinders. Even spent months in dealer shop.

[@BAD4U22]

Keep them coming because im in the middle of buying! You make sense!

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

You have to buy what works for you. Take your time it’s a big decision. Thanks for watching 👊

[@BAD4U22]

Muchling?

[@kfelix2934]

That cool but keep in mind blade to bucket is not reliable since if you swing the top chassis 180 you have no blade in the way .

[@kyledailey3457]

i would love to see a friendly competition comparison of you guys on these machines say a long trench pushing a pile an maybe some lifting...

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Kyle Dailey we will see what we can do. Thanks for watching Kyle 👍🏻

[@Jay-tu4rs]

can you haul the 306 without a cdl

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

No you cannot. It weighs 15,000 pounds plus depending on options. The biggest mini you can haul without a CDL is a 303 Open cab as long as your trailer doesn’t weigh more than 3000 pounds

[@Jay-tu4rs]

@@fulltiltgrading8366 A good video would be explaining GVW I have a 304 that Ive been hauling with a class c, f250 gvw 10000 trailer 14000 ( Its 16000 trailer I had them d rate ) 304 10000 lbs 20% trailer weight to truck?

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

@@Jay-tu4rs I would not want to give anybody the wrong information. There is so much that is left to a persons interpretation of the law. You can talk to you one officer and he will tell you something entirely different than another. What I can tell you is you definitely need a CDL to pull a 304 cat and you need to have a combination weight tag on your truck.

[@madratter]

Just bought a used 304e and looking at a 2021 very slightly used 306

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

The 304E is an awesome machine! I loved my 306 but I found it to be too small for my Big work and too big for my small work. I got rid of it and bought a 308. The 306 is a Great machine though!

[@madratter]

@@fulltiltgrading8366 funny I was thinking the exact same thing... Too big but too small. I climbed into a 307 and also looked at a 308. Not sold on the 306 yet. Still looking

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

@@madratter good luck but if you’re thinking what I’m thinking you should try the 308

[@robertlackey3176]

Good comparison great video

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Glad you enjoyed it Robert. We appreciate you watching 👍🏻

[@njonebale7889]

keeping it real! love the video

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Thanks man appreciate you watching 👍🏻

[@genecoppedge5972]

Excellent video, thank you

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Thanks Gene! Appreciate you watching 👍🏻

[@BAD4U22]

Love it! Im in the market, just need more info! Keep it coming

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Thanks for watching we appreciate it 👍🏻

[@Gravattack]

I would love to know why you disliked the newer 304 models, and does it still go for the 2022 models?

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

I have been buying cat mini excavators since 2008 and have owned nine of them. If you compare the 2014 and older models you will see that and the quality in every aspect is better. I have never had a problem with the older models but have had several electronic problems with the newer ones. I recently bought a 303 next GEN 2022 and again I am disappointed in the quality. They have now made the cabs smaller and they just don’t have the same feel. This is all just my opinion so it doesn’t make it right. I still think Cat is better than the other brands just wish they would’ve stuck with the quality from the past. Thanks for watching and the comment Glenn.

[@Gravattack]

@@fulltiltgrading8366 Thanks mate, i'd call that a wealth of knowledge. I was about to purchase a new 304 based on a few things they offer, but maybe I will look for an older model instead, I appreciate the reply

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

@@Gravattack I just bought a 2014 Cat 303.5 two weeks ago and canceled the next Gen 303.5 I had ordered six months ago. Good luck with your search. It’s not easy to find nice used ones. My 2014 304 is by far my favorite machine. I got rid of my 2020 304E2. Check out my video comparing the two.

[@sirsparksalot]

Pride of ownership is quite obvious by the looks of your equipment. What’s the process and time spent between jobs to keep them looking new? I have the one 303eCR that tends to go from one job to the next much the same as your schedule. Great videos and by BTW I caught a shot of Ed with a shovel in his hands, it does happen. Take care

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Any free moment I get I wipe the excess grease off of the joints with my finger and every time it comes back to the shop it gets washed and waxed. I can’t stand to look at dirty equipment. Your customers will take notice you just have to be diligent at staying up with it. Thanks for watching Chris have fun cleaning LOL 👍🏻

[@JSomerled]

Would be nice to see them compared doing same task to get an idea of how capable they are

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

I’ll see if we can make that happen James. When things slow down a little bit we will try to do something like that. Thanks for watching we appreciate it 👍🏻

[@yobrady]

What tilt bucket quick coupler would you guys buy? I got a 305E2 CR and am interested in the most heavy duty tilt bucket setup for grading and rock buckets.

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Shaun Brady I would look into the one that Chris from Letsdig18 has. I’m not sure what brand it is but if you look at some of his videos with his mini it seems to work pretty good. I’m pretty sure Cat makes one for your machine as well.Thanks for watching.

[@robtw1983]

Full Tilt Grading I think the one letsdig18 has is a helac tilt coupler. The ones cat makes only tilt 45 degrees either side vs 90 degrees with the helac. I got a helac quoted for our 303.5 a couple weeks ago and it was $5500. The cat coupler was around $3k.

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

robtw1983 I think Cat just came out with a different one for the 305 and up models that goes 90 but if you’re running a trio 3.5 the helac might be the way to go

[@ikeybmg]

Amulet tilts are built really tough. Has a replaceable cutting edge also

[@Jay-tu4rs]

keep up the great videos

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Thanks Jay we appreciate you watching buddy 👍🏻

[@Jay-tu4rs]

@@fulltiltgrading8366 was ready to buy a 304e2cr now Im re thinking? What would you buy? I need lift to set steps and build boulder walls but small to move without cdl, I have a 307 e2 looking to get into smaller city jobs, Kubota kx 40-4?

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

@@Jay-tu4rs if you’re looking for new I really don’t know what I would get. If you’re looking for used I would get a 303.5 E or a 304E if you can find one. You might like the E2. Try one and see for yourself. It might work for you

[@aaronrice1260]

How long is your trailer for the 306

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Aaron Rice it is 19’ flat with a 5’ tail. Thanks for watching

[@chasekelsey9773]

Do u still have the 306 or was it a demo

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Still have it. It’s a great machine we just have more work for the 304 right now. We have a video not to long ago working at a horse farm with it Thanks for watching we appreciate it 👍🏻

[@chasekelsey9773]

@@fulltiltgrading8366 appreciate the videos keeps me entertained when I am bored ur the first people I go to

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

@@chasekelsey9773 thanks Chase. We do our best to put out good content but right now we seem to be doing the same type of job over and over so it’s been a few weeks since we put anything out. We appreciate your support and comments. Should have a new video up this week. 👊

[@1powerwagon1]

What do you have to pay for a new 306?

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

90-100k depending on the buckets and options you get.

[@1powerwagon1]

Thanks for the quick response and great videos! I'm thinking of trading my low hour 2014 305e for a slightly used 306 for a little more reach and power. I do a little bit of everything with my machines in mostly rocky ground and love the 305. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

@@1powerwagon1 I would highly recommend keeping the 305 show that when the 306 breaks down do you still have a machine to work with! I know it sounds crazy but that’s what I would do.🤷🏻‍♂️

[@makingithappen9722]

Interesting. Thank You.

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Making it Happen Thank you for watching. 😁

[@makingithappen9722]

@@fulltiltgrading8366 Jeupp.

[@zouheir70]

Nice video bravo

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed it. We appreciate you watching 👍🏻

[@excavatortv1071]

Nice brother 👍👍

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Thanks buddy 👍🏻

[@kimsatran9853]

The third runway

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@46rambo49]

I keep using the 320 more and more, I'll rent a mini if there is no other way

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

46Rambo i used to have a 320. It was a 2004 CL. It was a great machine but once the housing market crashed in 08 I didn’t really have a need for it anymore. With the type of work I do the mini excavators run every day. Thanks for watching we appreciate it 👍🏻

[@19772001corey]

Cat has come out with a modle 304 xtc hafe excavtor hafe skidssteer with a skid loader 4 way bucket on the front

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

corey wallace Yeah I have seen that but it’s too heavy for what it is and it is still built on the E2 platform which I do not like. Thanks for watching

[@19772001corey]

The new 304 is a cr

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

corey wallace i’ll look into it. Thanks 👍🏻

[@jonathanharrington9648]

Personally i love my 305e2 it has me at the limit of needing a cdl with the way were set up truck trailer and machine were tipping the scales at 25890 with fuel tank and slip tank full. Im cons8the 306 but id prolly need a bigger truck to haul. Thanks for the video

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Jonathan Harrington I have never ran the 305e2. I have had two 303.5s and when I got the new E2 I was very disappointed in how much horsepower they took away from that model and how the cab felt very cheaply built. If you are in the US be careful moving that 305. It weighs over 10,000 pounds so you cannot move it without a class a CDL. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻

[@ahmetselimkara1295]

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