Choosing between a CAT 336 and Komatsu PC360 for heavy rock excavation (long term)

I'm currently working on a road widening and slope stabilization project where we're dealing with a mix of hard clay, weathered rock, and some sections of fractured limestone. We're in the planning stage for the next phase, and management is debating whether to bring in another Caterpillar 336 or go with a Komatsu PC360LC-11 for the heavier excavation work. Most of our current fleet consists of a CAT 320 GC , a couple of Volvo EC220Ds , and a Hitachi ZX350LC-6 . The ZX350 has been reliable, but it's tied up on another section of the project, so we're looking at adding another machine that can consistently handle rock excavation, ditch cutting, and loading Volvo A40G articulated dump trucks. The main concerns are: Fuel consumption during long 10-12 hour shifts. Hydraulic performance when running a hydraulic breaker for several hours a day. Ease of maintenance in dusty jobsite conditions. Parts availability and dealer support. Operator comfort, since our excavator operators spend almost the entire shift in the cab. I've looked at the published specs, but brochures don't always reflect what happens after 4,000-6,000 operating hours. I'm more interested in hearing from people who've actually run these machines on infrastructure, quarry, or mining projects. For those with experience on both the CAT 336 and Komatsu PC360LC-11 , which one has given you fewer downtime issues and lower operating costs over the long run? Have you noticed significant differences in hydraulic responsiveness, fuel burn, or maintenance requirements?

The 1 thing Cats do very well at is burning fuel. Even when Cat says they have improved so have the others. On that alone, Go Komatsu IMHO.

Yeah, the operators we've talked to like how responsive the CAT hydraulics are, but I still feel fuel efficiency is something you can't overlook when the machine is putting in long hours every day. Thanks for the input

Why limit your search to just Cat and Komatsu? What about Hitachi, Volvo, Kobelco or other brands that have dealers where you are.

Welder Dave said: Why limit your search to just Cat and Komatsu? What about Hitachi, Volvo, Kobelco or other brands that have dealers where you are. Click to expand... Scrub Kobelco off the list, they are barley better than a Chinese brand.

Fuel savings per day is the same as payment amount per day. Hitachi does have a long reputation for good fuel consumption and durability. Not sure the Komatsu would be better on fuel than a Hitachi. In the end service and parts in your neighbourhood need to be part of the decision. $50 per day is $1500 per month or enough for extra maintenance, just saying well worth taking into consideration. Simon C

They all break. Which dealer can get you back up and running the quickest? How many days of fuel does one day's downtime buy?

Tones said: Scrub Kobelco off the list, they are barley better than a Chinese brand. Click to expand... Funny being we have hundreds of Kobelco's in this area and very few problems and very little down time.

I was just mentioning more options. I haven't seen a lot of complaints about Kobelco excavators. Dealer support is probably the biggest thing to be concerned with.

My first experience with Kobelco was a machine that was provided by the dealer for demonstration. It was up against a UH083 with several thousand hrs, both the same size. The job was digging and stockpiling gravel out of a river. The cycle times were near identical but kicker was the bucket on the Hitachi was twice the size so effectively achieving twice as much. Both used Isuzu engines but different models, the Kobelco burnt more fuel. Years later I was operating a 14ton Kobelco with just under 1000hrs on the clock. There was a heck of a growling noise coming from the slew gearbox that I logged on the running sheet for ages. Finally the owner came out to check, agreed with what I had noted and left saying he'd get it checked out and keep it working. Oil level in the gearbox was good, plenty of grease on the slew ring. Well that thing turned over 1000hrs and the warranty ran out and by this time the upperworks was shaking badly when slewing. For other reasons I pulled the pin on that job and a few days later the gearbox went to lunch, no dealer support who bunged the failure back on the operators. My experience with Hitachi has been totally the opposite, they appreciated the feedback and did everything thing possible to do repairs which were very few. All that information went back to Japan with modifications made if necessary. The beauty of quality machines from a quality manufacturer.

Komatsu makes a solid machine and like everything else once you understand them there easy to maintain. The fuel burn on my 220 Komatsu is just barely more than my cat 314s and that 220 does almost double the work parts don't seem to be over priced I have always liked Hitachi the dam things just run from my experience Cat makes a good excavator they would not sell so many if they didn't while I am not the biggest fan of the modern cats there decent machines Its probably reasonable to figure service and price of acquisition cause if there is more than a 5 percent price gap and both dealers are decent its a big factor

I've never owned Cat but a former associate swore them off and stuck to Komatsu only. His claim was that after a few thousand hours, it was a non stop hydraulic sprinkler system on the Cat due to o-rings and seals giving out. My Komatsu has been solid for the most part. Hoses age but everything else has been good. Now having electrical issues after 30 years of ownership due to aged insulation or mice. Still runs good but hydraulic controls have an issue with pump controller. No regrets.

As you already use a Hitachi ZX350LC-6 would another Hitachi 350 be considered? Either a good used dash-6 or new -7, just for the interchangeability of service parts and knowledge.

I was wondering the same thing as the above poster? If it ain’t broke,don’t fix it so to speak?

One thing that apparently nobody has taken into account, unless I missed it, is the OP's location. I have no idea what the parts/service situation is in the Philippines compared to wherever anyone else is posting from. This may have some bearing on the situation regarding continuing with Hitachi machines.