Caterpillar releases new 336 hydraulic excavator

Deerfield, Illinois-based Caterpillar Inc. has released its new 336 hydraulic excavator, with a hydraulic system designed to deliver strong digging forces and swing torque to boost production in demanding applications.  

“Our new Cat 336 model delivers the right balance of power and payload,” says Brian Abbott, Caterpillar global product manager for large hydraulic excavators. “The result is a rugged and reliable machine that delivers excellent production along with low owning and operating costs.” 

The 336 excavator features three engine modes designed to match excavator power to the demands of the job while saving fuel, according to the manufacturer. Power mode delivers maximum power in demanding tasks. Smart mode automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to digging conditions to lower fuel consumption. Eco mode minimizes fuel consumption by reducing engine speed to a constant 1,500 rpm. 

Engine oil and fuel filters are synchronized for service at 1,000 hours, increasing uptime and reducing parts and labor costs compared with the 336F Series excavator, Cat says. 

High-ambient temperature capability of 52 Celsius degrees (125 Fahrenheit), cold-start capability at -18 C (0 F) and the ability to work at up to 4,500 meters (14,764 feet) above sea level enable the 336 to work in various climates. Auto hydraulic warmup in cold temperatures gets the machine to work faster and prolongs the life of machine components, the company says. The air intake filter with pre-cleaner features high dust capacity, and a high-efficiency hydraulic fan offers optional automatic reverse to keep cores free from debris.  

The company’s Product Link tool collects data automatically. Information including hours, fuel usage, idle time, maintenance alerts, diagnostic codes and machine health can be viewed online through web and mobile applications. Remote troubleshoot and remote flash allow dealers to remotely connect with the machine to diagnose fault codes and update operating software. 

Deluxe and premium cab trim levels are available: Deluxe cabs come with a heated air-suspension seat, and premium cabs come with a heated and ventilated air-suspension seat. Both have a tilt-up left-hand console for easier access in and out of the machine. 

A touchscreen monitor and jog dial offer quick navigation through machine controls and provide access to the machine’s digital operator’s manual. Keyless pushbutton start is standard, and a Bluetooth key fob is also available. An operator ID passcode allows for engine starting, and operator ID can quickly save and restore joystick button, response and patter preferences for individual operators, the company says. 

Optional Cat Stick Steer makes travel and turning much easier, according to Cat. A host of standard technologies—Cat Payload on-board weighing, Grade Assist for maintaining grade and 2D Grade with depth and slope indication—focus on operator efficiency and machine productivity. All Cat Grade systems are compatible with radios and base stations from top third-party technology suppliers. Operators can store up to four depth and slope offsets to cut to grade without a grade checker. Auto hammer stop warns operators after 15 seconds of continuous firing and then shuts off the hammer after 30 seconds to prevent wear and tear. Auto dig boost and auto heavy lift increase bucket penetration and lift capacity by 8 percent, and Cat Lift Assist helps operators avoid tipping the machine, the company says.