Komatsu PC30MR-5 vs Cat 303 Excavator:What is Better?
Let me start by saying, I am a big fan of both machines, and I am not going to make things personal between these guys. BUT I can highlight the key differences between these two models and look at the facts before making my decision on whether the Komatsu PC30MR-5 or Cat 303 Excavator are better for you.
PC30MR-5 vs Cat 303 Excavator |Dipper
This is a comparison between the KomatsuPC30MR-5 and the Cat 303 Excavator. Both machines have a maximum reach of over 9 feet, with the PC30MR-5 reaching out to 10.8 feet and the Cat 303 Excavator reaching out to 9.19 feet. In terms of maximum digging depths, both excavators have depths over 6 feet, with the Cat 303 Excavator’s maximum depth being 6.8 feet, and the PC30MR-5 having a maximum depth of 6.67 feet.
| Komatsu PC30MR-5 | Cat 303 | |
| Dipper Length – Minimumft/in | 4 ft 2 in | |
| Dipper Length – Maximumft/in | 4ft | 5 ft 1 in |
PC30MR-5 vs Cat 303 Excavator|Driveline
The new Komatsu PC30MR-5 is one of the newest additions to their fleet. It’s a zero tail swing machine, which means you can work in tight spaces without hitting those pesky obstacles on the job site. The Cat 303 has a fully glazed cab with a wide entrance and excellent visibility. Both machines have EPA Tier 4 Final engines that are powerful and fuel efficient. The Cat 303 has a sealed and pressurized cab with an optional air conditioning system.
The new Komatsu PC30MR-5 is one of the newest additions to their fleet. It’s a zero tail swing machine, which means you can work in tight spaces without hitting those pesky obstacles on the job site. The Cat 303 has a fully glazed cab with a wide entrance and excellent visibility. Both machines have EPA Tier 4 Final engines that are powerful and fuel efficient. The Cat 303 has a sealed and pressurized cab with an optional air conditioning system.
| Komatsu PC30MR-5 | Cat 303 | |
| Emission Rating | Tier 4/Stage V | Tier 4/Stage V |
| Engine Manufacturer | Komatsu | Cat |
| Number Of Cylinders | 3 | 3 |
| Displacement Inches³ | 100.2 | 69 |
| Engine Output – Net hp | 24.4 | 23.6 |
| Track Shoe Width inches | 12 | 11.8 |
PC30MR-5 vs Cat 303 Excavator|Dimensions
The Komatsu PC30MR-5 is the smallest mini excavator that Komatsu has to offer. It’s a great machine for residential projects or for working in confined spaces. For a customer that needs a little more power, the Cat 303 compact excavator is a great choice.
The Cat 303 has slightly more horsepower, but both machines have comparable lift capacity and dig depth.
Where you’ll see the biggest difference is in transport weight. The PC30MR-5 weighs almost 900 lbs less than the Cat 303. This can help if you’re planning on transporting your mini excavator via trailer.
| Komatsu PC30MR-5 | Cat 303 | |
| Transport Height – Maximum ft/in | 8 ft 3 in | 8 ft 1 in |
| Transport Height – Over Boom ft/in | 5 ft 3 in | |
| Overall Undercarriage Length ft/in | 6 ft 11 in | 6 ft 9 in |
| Zero Tailswing | yes | yes |
| Dozer Blade | standard | standard |
| Width over fixed tracks | 5 ft 1 in | 5 ft 1 in |
| Track Gauge ft/in | 4 ft 1 in | 4 ft 1 in |
| Dig depth-2.24m/8ft flat bottom ft/in | 7 ft 5 in | |
| Front Slew Radius – Mono Boom ft/in | 6 ft 9 in | 5 ft 8 in |
PC30MR-5 vs Cat 303 Excavator|Capacities
If you’re looking for a compact excavator, you’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of options available. From digging to demolition and everything in between, it can seem like every manufacturer is developing their own variation. In some cases, the differences are more obvious than others. But what if you’re trying to decide between two different models?
That’s where we come in. We’ve been comparing Komatsu to Caterpillar for years, and when it comes to mini excavators, we’re still not seeing a clear winner. That’s why today we’re taking another look at one of our most popular comparisons: the Komatsu PC30MR-5 vs the Cat 303E CR and 303.5E CR.
If you’re not familiar with these models, they’re both great choices for anyone looking to add a compact model to their fleet or replace an older unit. They have similar operating weights and dig depths, so let’s take a closer look at the details to see how they stack up.
| Komatsu PC30MR-5 | Cat 303 | |
| Fuel Tank gallons (US) | 10.8 | 11.9 |
| Hydraulic Tank gallons (US) | 4.8 |
PC30MR-5 vs Cat 303 Excavator | Performance
This is a comparison video of the PC30MR-5 vs Cat 303 excavator, both have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on your application.
Cat 303 Excavator Performance:
1. The Cat 303 has a more powerful engine than the PC30MR-5.
2. The Cat 303 can be equipped with a hydraulic thumb for material handling.
3. The Cat 303 has a more powerful hydraulic system for operating attachments than the PC30MR-5.
4. The Cat 303 has longer fuel tank run time than the PC30MR-5 because it has a larger tank.
5. The Cat 303 has better lifting capacity than the PC30MR-5 because it is heavier and has greater tipping load at the bucket pin than the PC 30 MR-5 (PC 30 MR-5 has a higher tipping load at the hinge pin).
6. The Cat 303 is narrower and more compact than the PC30MR-5 for working in tight areas such as trenches.
7. The Cat 303 does not have a power mode switch to increase engine horsepower when needed, but it does have better performance in standard mode for most applications than the PC30MR-5 does in power mode (except for when working at high altitudes where.
| Komatsu PC30MR-5 | Cat 303 | |
| Ground Bearing Pressure PSI | 3.87 | 4 |
| Swing Speed rpm | 9 | 9 |
| Tractive Force lbf | 7495 | 7059 |
| Dipper Tearout lbf | 3979 | 3732 |
| Bucket Breakout lbf | 6631 | 6385 |
| Lift – Quoted With Bucket? | yes | no |
| Total Flow gallons (US) / min | 16.6 | 26 |
PC30MR-5 vs Cat 303 Excavator|Weights
Weight is an important factor when choosing between two or more excavators. A heavy duty excavator can be used for large construction projects, but it’s harder to move around the job site than a lighter duty model. This can add time and cost to your project.
When you’re trying to decide which Caterpillar excavator is right for you, it’s important to compare the operating weights of all the models in question. The operating weight of an excavator refers to the total weight of the machine when it’s equipped with a front bucket and other tools, fuel, coolant, lubricants and a 150-pound operator. It doesn’t include the weight of any optional equipment or attachments.
So what is the difference between Cat 303 Excavator vs Cat 304? The Cat 304E CR weighs about 28,828 lbs., while the Cat 305E CR only weighs about 27,935 lbs. That means the Cat 304E CR is approximately 900 pounds heavier than its counterpart. Although 900 pounds may not sound like much at first glance, that extra weight means that you have to apply more force while digging or moving heavy objects with your excavator.
| Komatsu PC30MR-5 | Cat 303 | |
| Operating Weight | 6505 | 6670 |
| Counterweight | 518 | 551 |
You Choose PC30MR-5 vs Cat 303 Excavator Large excavator
At first glance, you might think that the Cat 303.5E CR and the PC30MR-5 are similar when it comes to excavators. In fact, they’re actually very different machines. Even if you’re a first time buyer yourself or your company has used only Caterpillar equipment in the past, we invite you to check out You Choose PC30MR-5 vs Cat 303 Excavator Large excavator. We’re confident that once you see all the advantages that YouChoose offers over other brands of used mini excavators for sale, that you’ll never want to buy another brand of excavator again!
The cost of owning and operating an excavator can be very high. The cost of buying an excavator can be very high as well. If you’re looking at buying a new or used mini excavator, there is no better choice than a used mini excavator from Komatsu’s KB Series. The Komatsu KB Series of mini excavators provides outstanding value with their combination of powerful performance and fuel efficiency. With their wide range of attachments and hydraulic accessories available, they are one of the most versatile pieces of equipment on the market today!
