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Final decision time.... Cat 349 vs Volvo 480
- Thread starter mxsledder
- Start date
JimBruce42
Senior Member
The creature comforts and room in the cab of the Volvo would make you want to choose that, but if the 349 and 480 compare the way the smaller 336 (NOT the hybrid) and 340 do, I'd take the cat for better balance and power. Have you been able to demo or test run the two? How's the dealer support in your area for each?
tctractors
Senior Member
In the U.K. the Better bit of Iron on Backup Support and Digging ability would be the Volvo, I have driven about every make of Excavator other than John Deere as this brand is not sold within the U.K. Volvo dig Muck and control the best of anything on the market, between the Volvo and the CAT the Volvo is smoother,digs better, loads better, we have nothing bad to say about them against the other Excavators on the Market today, Hitachi can build a fair Excavator that also can stick a bit of work, best of luck
tctractors
tctractors
jprefect
Well-Known Member
I've ran only a couple Volvo's they are nice but I didn't care for the balance or the speed. They seem jerky at times. We are sewer and water contractor so we need the finesse sometimes. The Cats seem to have all three balance(unless I'm being dumb and pick up more than I should), speed and finesse. Cats are a little more but you will get it back out of it in the future. Ether in resale or life. Go with the 349
Last edited:
tctractors
Senior Member
Why???
tctractors
tctractors
tctractors
Senior Member
It might be time to look at what is happening in the Global picture?? Oil even in the U.K. is cheaper than Bottle Water what a change, the Euro and £ is low against the U.S. Buck, so Europe and the U.K. are avoiding spending on Yank stuff, China is looking for a few Dollars with big wheels like CAT heavy into products and parts from China, I would love to know what percentage of CAT Excavators is U.S. Built, I sort of know where Volvo Swingers are built, with the unknown looming over us all and stability ahead not looking good due to World changing and terror groups that are outside this Forum scope, the Head needs scratching when shelling out good Coins, Sir I wish you Good Luck with your New Excavator and hope things work out well.
tctractors
tctractors
Graham1
Senior Member
Having operated a lot of Cat and Volvo excavators (not those models admittedly), Volvo's would be my choice. Much nicer operating environment and precise control. Both seem good build quality, but Volvo' here in the UK seem to last longer.
Graham
Graham
JimBruce42
Senior Member
Most 349's are either built in the USA or Belguim from what I've seen. $60 grand is a lot, but keep in mind, who has better parts support. If a hoe breaks down and needs a part, and one can get that part in a day or two instead of weeks, you'll make or break that $60K in production pretty fast.
mikebramel
Senior Member
If the parts took weeks to get I don't think the loaders or trucks would be as popular as they are but maybe you have more experience with that?
tctractors
Senior Member
This Back Up issue is something that I can only script from my own experience within the U.K. Volvo would beat CAT in Parts and Service near every time, I often find that people think CAT equipment is totally built in the U.S.A. the % of parts from China that go into equipment is growing constantly, even CAT Socks are made in "Ting Tong" the Grimbergen Factory has boom sections made in Ireland now, so it is better to call things " Assembled " in the USA or ? I do like CAT kit but just a few months ago a new 330 landed on a site that would only tick over and would struggle to dig Cotton Wool, it took CAT over 2 weeks with a lap top to sort its running data.
tctractors
tctractors
Truck 505
Well-Known Member
Have you compared prices of parts yet for each machine.
What about resale value. You will get your 20% back plus more I suspect when it is time to trade.
What about resale value. You will get your 20% back plus more I suspect when it is time to trade.
CM1995
Administrator
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As a business man I agree, $60K is a lot of money up front and I don't think the Cat is worth the premium. That's coming from a Cat guy.
On the flip side when I've compared purchase prices for equipment locally, Cat has always come in at the same price or cheaper - the difference is the dealer.