A used CAT 320 should be approved through an exact-machine procurement file, not by model name, paint, hour-meter photo or listing price alone. The file should connect the quoted serial or PIN area, configuration, cold start, hydraulic and travel tests, undercarriage wear, attachments, agreed repairs, documents and loading proof to one machine.
Buyer Summary: Use this page to control the buying decision. Use the detailed CAT 320 inspection guide for the test procedure, then carry the approved evidence into the contract, payment and shipment file.
Why is “CAT 320” not a complete machine identity?
CAT 320 is a model family, not a complete condition statement. Used units can differ by generation, sales region, engine and emissions package, boom and stick, undercarriage width, track shoes, counterweight, auxiliary hydraulic arrangement, bucket and previous application. Caterpillar’s own product pages note that standard and optional equipment can vary by market, so a buyer should never transfer one specification sheet to every used unit.
Start with clear photos of the serial or PIN area, model plate, engine and emissions labels, hour meter, monitor startup screen and full machine from all sides. Ask the seller to state which details are verified, which are based on previous records and which remain unknown. A missing record is a risk item; it should not be filled with an assumption.
| Identity checkpoint | Evidence to save | Decision use |
|---|---|---|
| Exact unit | Serial/PIN area, model plate, hour meter and dated walkaround | Prevents a listing or shipment mismatch |
| Configuration | Boom, stick, bucket, track shoes, cab, guards and auxiliary lines | Confirms job and transport fit |
| History | Service records, repair notes, diagnostic or fluid records when available | Separates documented history from seller statements |
For the machine-test sequence, use PRIMA’s used CAT 320 inspection guide. For a broader risk file, compare it with the used excavator inspection checklist.
What should be recorded during a cold start and operating test?
A credible test begins before the engine is warmed for the camera. Request a continuous video that shows the machine, ambient condition when practical, engine area, monitor, startup, exhaust and sound. After warm-up, the operator should demonstrate boom, arm, bucket, swing and both travel directions under safe conditions. The buyer should be able to link the video to the same serial-area evidence saved in the quote file.
Photos cannot show pressure, drift, noise under load or weak travel. Video also does not prove internal condition by itself. Record visible leaks, warning codes, smoke behavior, unusual noise, cylinder-rod condition, hose damage, swing play and whether the machine tracks consistently. If a seller cannot perform a requested test, record the limitation instead of converting it into a pass.
| System | Minimum evidence | Do not infer |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and monitor | Cold start, exhaust, sound, warning screen and idle-to-working response | A clean exterior does not prove engine health |
| Hydraulics and swing | Full function video, drift observation, leaks, cylinder rods and swing play | Fast unloaded movement does not prove pressure under work |
| Travel and final drives | Both directions, straight travel, turns, noise and final-drive leak views | One short movement does not prove equal travel strength |
How should undercarriage and attachment risk affect the offer?
Undercarriage condition can materially change the landed repair budget. Ask for close views of track links, pins and bushings, shoes, rollers, carriers, idlers, sprockets, guards and track frames on both sides. Measurements are stronger than distant photos, but the measurement method and reference limit must also be stated. Uneven wear can indicate alignment, tension or application history that deserves further review.
Inspect the bucket, teeth, adapters, cutting edge, linkage, pins, bushings, quick coupler and visible welds. Confirm whether the quoted attachment is included and whether its width, pin size and hydraulic needs match the intended work. Agreed replacements should be written into the commercial file with completion evidence before release.
What belongs in the CAT 320 commercial file before payment?
The quotation should identify the exact machine and included attachment, state known condition and exclusions, list agreed repairs, define the inspection acceptance process, identify the delivery term and show what documents and loading proof will be supplied. Avoid broad phrases such as “excellent condition” unless the contract points to a dated evidence file and a practical remedy for a mismatch.
Review the seller through the used excavator supplier evidence guide. Keep current stock, warranty, genuine-parts status, lead time and certification as quote-specific facts. A website page is not proof that a particular machine is available or certified.
| Commercial item | What should be written | Buyer control |
|---|---|---|
| Machine and scope | Exact identity, configuration, attachment and included accessories | Stops substitution or scope drift |
| Condition and repairs | Evidence references, known defects, agreed work and acceptance boundary | Makes repair promises reviewable |
| Delivery and payment | Incoterms rule/location, loading method, documents and release milestones | Connects money to evidence |
How should inspection evidence continue into shipment?
Before shipment, compare the final machine with the approved file. Save a new walkaround, serial-area view, attachment record, repair-completion evidence and loading sequence. The shipping file should identify any dismantled components, drained fluids, protected openings, loose parts, container or flat-rack plan and document references.
Use the pre-shipment inspection guide for the release gate and the used excavator shipping checklist for loading and document handoff. Receiving staff should get the same file so they can compare the arrived unit with what was approved.
CAT 320 buyer decision table
| Decision question | Pass evidence | Hold condition |
|---|---|---|
| Is this the quoted machine? | Identity evidence matches the offer, inspection and loading file | Serial/PIN or configuration mismatch |
| Is condition understood? | Cold start, operation, wear and defect evidence is reviewable | Warm-only video, missing side or unsupported condition claim |
| Is landed risk controlled? | Repairs, attachments, delivery, documents and parts route are written | Unpriced wear, unclear scope or missing import/shipping plan |
Buyer FAQ
Is the model name CAT 320 enough to approve a used excavator?
No. Buyers should match the exact serial or PIN area, generation, regional configuration, boom and stick, undercarriage, attachment circuit, engine and emissions labels to the quoted unit.
What evidence should be requested before a deposit?
Request an uncut walkaround, serial-area and hour-meter photos, a true cold-start video, operating tests, undercarriage close-ups, service or repair records, attachment details and a written condition boundary.
Does PRIMA claim Cat dealer authorization or Cat Certified Used status?
No. CAT and Caterpillar are descriptive model-identification terms. Any certification, warranty or dealer status must be proven by the party that actually issues it.
When should final payment be released?
Release timing should follow the contract and agreed risk controls. Buyers should first verify the approved machine, agreed repairs, loading evidence, document pack and shipment details.
Limitations
PRIMA is an independent supplier and sourcing-support business. This guide does not claim Caterpillar authorization, Cat Certified Used status, current stock, a fixed price, a universal specification, a warranty or fitness for a job. Final approval depends on the exact machine, contract, destination rules and buyer review.
Official references
- Caterpillar Certified Used inspection process — an official benchmark showing why configuration review, walkaround, operational tests, condition ratings and photo evidence matter.
- Caterpillar 320 GC product page — official evidence that equipment and configurations can vary by market.