CAT 305 series... Your thoughts.

voltage1256 · Jan 17, 2015

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted some feedback from those of you who have a 305.

As my business progresses over the next few years I want to eventually pick up a 305C CR or D CR. I plan on using it for Hardscaping, Drainage, Storm Water Systems, Grading, Small Pools, etc...

How do you like yours?

Do you find it to be more stable than a 304 or 303.5?

Do they have decent power?

Fair to service?

Do you regret your purchase?

bigbob · Jan 18, 2015

I have owned a 305C CR for about 4 years now. Great machine. Large enough to work out of a 10 wheeler, but small enough to fit in most places, yet large enough so it doesn't feel like you are digging with a spoon. I got it with a 30" HDR bucket. I also have the 63" Cat tilt bucket along with a 16", 12', and a 24' buckets with teeth. It also has the manual cat coupler. Don't get a 305CR, they had some issues...

voltage1256 · Jan 18, 2015

bigbob said:
I have owned a 305C CR for about 4 years now. Great machine. Large enough to work out of a 10 wheeler, but small enough to fit in most places, yet large enough so it doesn't feel like you are digging with a spoon. I got it with a 30" HDR bucket. I also have the 63" Cat tilt bucket along with a 16", 12', and a 24' buckets with teeth. It also has the manual cat coupler. Don't get a 305CR, they had some issues...

I am looking at a 2007 unit. On the machine it says 305C CR. On the item description they put 305CR. I could have sworn that all 2007+ units with the newer paint style, and the newer cab were all C -CR models am I correct?

bigbob · Jan 18, 2015

What is the serial number of the machine you are looking at?

voltage1256 · Jan 18, 2015

bigbob said:
What is the serial number of the machine you are looking at?

Not sure going to ask them tomorrow/ tues. This is the exact machine... Also take note of the in cab shot... is that the right hour meter that is supposed to be there? I wasn't sure if that should be digital and this was a replacement meter. Want to make sure it truly has the hours it claims to have. Not sure why the cab pic is so tiny, but the hour meter is analog just wasnt sure if that is standard in 06+ or I should be concerned.

bigbob · Jan 19, 2015

Looks like my 305C CR! My hour meter is electronic. Perhaps a Cat dealer could check the hours via the computer to verify. Tell the dealer he pays if the meter is wrong, see what kind of reaction you get!

toomuchtime · Jan 19, 2015

I would go 305.5 if possible same foot print more power. We have 303.5E and 305.5D both have there place but the 305 is a different animal. Much more stable machine,more power and way more lifting capacity. The only reason I would go 303.5 is if you do work in a lot of real tight spaces. The 305 size machine is a lot bigger then the 303.5. I personally would say the 305 hands down.

Nige · Jan 19, 2015

From the photos it is a 305C CR, at least that's what the decals say. If that is true it should be S/N prefix either GYZ or HWJ. According to the Operator Manual the hour meter is the circular analogue type mounted in the console down below the LH joystick, so you should be looking straight at it as soon as you open the cab door.

voltage1256 · Jan 19, 2015

Nige said:
From the photos it is a 305C CR, at least that's what the decals say. If that is true it should be S/N prefix either GYZ or HWJ. According to the Operator Manual the hour meter is the circular analogue type mounted in the console down below the LH joystick, so you should be looking straight at it as soon as you open the cab door.

Well so much for that one. It was already sold. The guy took the deposit 20 mins before I called. Which is fine... it had a replacement hour meter and the local CAT dealer hadnt seen it since Hour 24.

I am now looking at a 2011 305.5D CR, it was in my budget. It has a hydraulic thumb, 2 speed, Auto Idle, EROPS Heat/ AC, 24" Bucket with quick coupler. Paint is Decent, Interior Decent, Tracks 65% and 2200 hours. It was a one owner machine trade in, was put into the CAT rental program for the past 6 months and has been kept up to date on service by CAT at CAT intervals since it was in the program. REALLY thinking about it, since I can still use a 15k GVW trailer.

Carl Peter · Jan 19, 2015

I have a 305.5D and love it. Very capable machine I bought it new have not had any problems at ALL! 500 Hrs has a 24inch extra capacity bucket and Cat manual dual lock quick coupler .

voltage1256 · Jan 19, 2015

Carl Peter said:
I have a 305.5D and love it. Very capable machine I bought it new have not had any problems at ALL! 500 Hrs has a 24inch extra capacity bucket and Cat manual dual lock quick coupler .

Not to sound stupid but a unit I'm waiting for more info has a manual quick coupler. How exactly does a manual quick coupler work? I have only seen the hydraulic ones like on a 320DL :beatsme

toomuchtime · Jan 19, 2015

Manual coupler depending on the year will ether have a pry bar type coupler or ratchet wrench and a nut that you spin to manually lower a piston.
You will happier with a 305.5 but there's no way you will be legal on a 15gvw trailer. The machine itself if it's a enclosed with bucket is right around 12500 if I remember correctly

nzpatch · Jan 20, 2015

Hi guys , I have a 07 305ccr. ( hwj) . I got it new and just ticked over 5000hrs with very litle problems. Track chains at about 4000 hrs and top rollers at 3000hrs and needs a set soon again. Alternater and a few hoses , 2 ram seals .
Had a 305cr befor this one, 3300hrs ( don't go there ,they are not good! ) . The wee Mitsubishi engine is good and dig power is very good. The "d" is a bit smother in the hyds I think so that 305.5 d wood be very good.
Good luck.

Carl Peter · Jan 20, 2015

voltage1256 said:
Not to sound stupid but a unit I'm waiting for more info has a manual quick coupler. How exactly does a manual quick coupler work? I have only seen the hydraulic ones like on a 320DL :beatsme

Go to youtube search cat dual lock manual coupler..

voltage1256 · Jan 20, 2015

toomuchtime said:
Manual coupler depending on the year will ether have a pry bar type coupler or ratchet wrench and a nut that you spin to manually lower a piston.
You will happier with a 305.5 but there's no way you will be legal on a 15gvw trailer. The machine itself if it's a enclosed with bucket is right around 12500 if I remember correctly

The 305.5D is 11,958lbs with an average american male, full fuel, and oils. according to the dealer. So on a trailer with a load capacity of 12,500 and a 2500lbs hitch load, I'm pretty positive an F550+ can haul it.

voltage1256 · Jan 20, 2015

bump sorry but wont let me edit...

PS. The D series should come standard with a pattern changer correct? I learned Standard but girlfriends father learned on ISO... want to make sure we can both hop in and out of this machine.

Nige · Jan 20, 2015

voltage1256 said:
The D series should come standard with a pattern changer correct? I learned Standard but girlfriends father learned on ISO... want to make sure we can both hop in and out of this machine.

Not necessarily. The "Joystick Control Selector" (aka pattern changer) is an "if equipped" attachment on the 305.5D. The pattern changer control is on the floor of the cab at the LH Side right next to the door. If you want to change joystick patterns don't buy one without it..............

It's arrowed on the diagram below.

voltage1256 · Jan 20, 2015

Nige said:
Not necessarily. The "Joystick Control Selector" (aka pattern changer) is an "if equipped" attachment on the 305.5D. The pattern changer control is on the floor of the cab at the LH Side right next to the door. If you want to change joystick patterns don't buy one without it..............

It's arrowed on the diagram below.

View attachment 129812

Good thing you told me! I would have assumed it was standard since the 305C CR I looked at over the summer had one, and so do all the other CAT mini C series I had seen... Guess 305.5 becomes a different animal.

Nige · Jan 20, 2015

The fact it's listed as an attachment means it's not standard. You'll just have to keep an eye out.........

The thing is that to keep list prices low lots of bits & pieces you'd expect to be standard aren't, but every machine you see for sale has them fitted. Go figure.

voltage1256 · Jan 20, 2015

Nige said:
The fact it's listed as an attachment means it's not standard. You'll just have to keep an eye out.........

The thing is that to keep list prices low lots of bits & pieces you'd expect to be standard aren't, but every machine you see for sale has them fitted. Go figure.

As you typed that I got the phone call confirming it has one lol.

CAT 305 series... Your thoughts.

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