I get this question at least twice a week from buyers in Africa and Latin America: should I buy a CAT 320D or a Komatsu PC200? The honest answer is: it depends on where you are, what you are doing, and how you plan to maintain it. Both are excellent machines. Both have been widely deployed globally. And both are available in the Chinese used market at prices that make either one accessible. Let me break down what actually matters when you are standing in front of two comparable machines in our yard.
Raw Specifications: How They Compare
The CAT 320D and Komatsu PC200 are in the same weight class — 20-22 tons operating weight — and have similar bucket capacities around 0.8-1.0 cubic meters. Both are standard hydraulic excavators designed for general construction, quarry work, and medium-scale earthmoving.
The CAT 320D typically runs a Cat C6.4 ACERT engine producing around 122-140 horsepower. The Komatsu PC200 uses a Komatsu SAA6D107E-1 engine producing around 140 horsepower. On paper, they are near-identical in power.
The real difference is in the hydraulic systems. CAT is known for its heavy-duty hydraulic architecture — the 320D series handles high-demand attachments like breakers and shears better than the PC200. The Komatsu, however, has a smoother hydraulic response that some operators prefer for precision work like loading trucks.
Both models are widely available in our inventory from 2018-2025 with under 5,000 working hours. The CAT 320D commands a slight price premium — typically $2,000-4,000 more than a comparable PC200 — because the CAT brand carries more resale value in most markets.
Maintenance: Which Is Cheaper to Own?
This is where the PC200 often wins on pure maintenance cost. Komatsu parts are generally 15-25% cheaper than CAT parts globally. CAT parts carry a brand premium, and in markets where you are importing parts from either the US or third-party suppliers, the cost difference compounds over time.
However — and this is important — CAT parts are easier to find in more markets. If you are operating in East Africa, West Africa, or South America, a CAT parts supplier is more likely to exist near you than a Komatsu specialist. The PC200 might be cheaper to maintain in Japan or Southeast Asia, but once you are in Lagos or Lima, parts availability shifts the math.
Our maintenance team has 10+ years of experience with both CAT and Komatsu machines. We inspect every machine before shipping and provide a full service record. When you buy from us, you get our recommendation on which machine is better suited to your specific operating environment and parts access situation.
For clients operating in remote African locations with limited parts access, we sometimes recommend the PC200 specifically because its simpler hydraulic system is more forgiving of less-than-perfect maintenance conditions. The CAT 320D is a more complex machine that rewards good maintenance but punishes neglect more severely.
Resale Value: CAT Holds More
In virtually every market we operate in, the CAT 320D holds resale value better than the Komatsu PC200. If you buy a CAT 320D for $28,000 today and operate it for two years, you can reasonably expect to resell it for $20,000-22,000 in most markets. The equivalent PC200 might resell for $17,000-19,000.
This matters if you view your excavator as a business asset that needs to maintain value. African construction buyers, in particular, tend to prefer CAT — it is the brand they recognize, trust, and will pay a premium for in the resale market. We have seen this consistently across Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria where CAT is synonymous with reliability.
Our Honest Recommendation
Here is the framework we give every buyer who asks this question:
Choose CAT 320D if: You operate in a market where CAT brand recognition matters, you plan to resell the machine within 3-5 years, you have access to CAT parts suppliers, or you frequently use hydraulic attachments like breakers or shears.
Choose Komatsu PC200 if: You are cost-sensitive on the initial purchase, you operate in a region with good Komatsu parts access, you prioritize smooth hydraulic operation for precision work, or you plan to keep the machine long-term without resale concerns.
We stock both models in our Baoding yard. Every machine is inspected by our maintenance supervisor before listing. You can request a video inspection call before purchase — we will walk you through the specific machine you are considering, point out any wear items, and give you an honest assessment of its current condition. We published a guide on choosing excavator brands for Africa that covers this topic in more detail.
What is the price difference between CAT 320D and Komatsu PC200?
In our current inventory, a CAT 320D from 2019-2022 with under 4,000 hours typically runs $26,000-32,000 depending on condition. A comparable Komatsu PC200 in the same age and hour range typically runs $23,000-28,000. The $2,000-4,000 premium for CAT reflects brand value and better resale, not superior engineering.
Which machine is better for mining applications?
For mining-adjacent work — loading shot rock,搬运 Heavy materials — the CAT 320D is generally preferred due to its heavier duty hydraulic system and more robust undercarriage. The Komatsu PC200 handles general quarry work well but is not designed for the sustained high-demand cycle that mining imposes. If you are doing actual mining, consider a larger machine class.
Can I get parts for these machines in Africa easily?
Caterpillar has dealer networks in most African countries. Komatsu also has dealer presence, though less extensive in some regions. For both brands, we can connect you with spare parts suppliers in your region before the machine ships. We also carry a basic spare parts kit with every export shipment — filters, seals, and common wear items — so you have a maintenance buffer when the machine first arrives.
The Machine That Serves Your Business Is the Right Choice
Neither machine is objectively better for every situation. The CAT 320D offers brand prestige, better resale, and a more robust hydraulic system. The Komatsu PC200 offers lower purchase cost, cheaper parts, and smooth operation. Both are reliable machines that will serve you well with proper maintenance. Tell us about your operation — your site, your workload, your maintenance capability, and your timeline — and we will help you make the right call.