The Caterpillar 320D Excavator is one of the standout models in Caterpillar's lineup, known for its robustness and reliability. In this article, we explore the experiences of a seasoned user, Mr. Sun Xuliang (referred to as Xiao Sun), an experienced excavator operator from Ningxia. With over 7 years of operating experience, Xiao Sun has been an active member in the industry, sharing his insights and contributions online, and has helped others, like a senior member from Ningxia, in selecting the Caterpillar 320D. This review reflects his firsthand experience with the 320D excavator.

The SANY SY215C-8 is one of the best-selling models among domestic excavators and enjoys a high reputation in the market. In this article, we share the experience of Mr. Gao, a seasoned user from Liaoning Province (Member OO8), who has been using this model for his business. This report serves as a representative feedback of the SANY SY215C-8, a widely popular model in the domestic excavator market.

The Caterpillar 307D, a 7-ton excavator, is a fully imported model made in Japan. As the first of its kind in Hubei Province, it has become a significant piece of machinery for local construction projects. This article shares the experience of a user, referred to as "Xiao Hu," who transitioned from an excavator operator to an owner. His experience with the 307D provides valuable insight into its performance and reliability in real-world conditions.

The Caterpillar 336DL is a highly regarded excavator known for its robust performance and reliability. In this article, we will provide a detailed account of its performance, fuel consumption, work efficiency, and other aspects based on real-world usage.

• 1.62 cubic meter rock bucket: 15 bucket loads to fill a 40-cubic-meter dump truck.
  
• Komatsu PC360-7: Struggles with a 1.4 cubic meter bucket, much slower loading times.
  
• Hitachi ZX330-3: Similar performance to the Komatsu PC360-7.
  

• 1.64 cubic meter rock bucket in economic mode: 8-9 liters of fuel per hour, with total consumption (including idle time) ranging between 30-33 liters per hour.
  
• 1.64 cubic meter rock bucket in standard mode: 8 liters of fuel per hour, with total consumption between 33-35 liters per hour.
  

• The engine compartment's handrail fractured, but Qiu had it welded back together.
  
• The air conditioning intake plastic cover was damaged, a common issue with many excavators, highlighting a design flaw.
  
• The cabin's front window seal wasn’t tight, leading to dust infiltration during quarry work. Qiu addressed this by applying adhesive to improve the seal.
  

"Old Truck" is a veteran excavator user based in Shandong, with a wealth of experience in the excavation industry. His journey into the world of excavators started back in 2008, when he bought a second-hand Sumitomo SH280 excavator for 160,000 RMB. However, he soon realized that the machine was faulty and had been sold to multiple users who had also been deceived. After consulting with Sumitomo's after-sales service, he was informed that repairing the machine would cost 170,000 RMB. Without hesitation, Old Truck decided to scrap the excavator, selling it as scrap metal for 75,000 RMB to prevent further harm to others. Just 20 days later, he purchased a brand-new Doosan DH300LC-7, marking the beginning of his "excavator journey." In the following two years, he went on to buy two more DH300LC-7s and two Doosan DH215-7s, becoming a true loyal user of the Doosan brand.
Old Truck has been active on engineering machinery forums since May 2009, sharing his experiences and insights. Today, we take a closer look at his first "hero," the Doosan DH300LC-7 excavator.
Purchase Information
Old Truck purchased the Doosan DH300LC-7 in July 2008 from Doosan’s Sichuan distributor—Chengdu Doosan Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. The purchase price was 580,000 RMB, with a down payment of 20% and the balance to be paid off in installments over six months. As of now, the excavator has been in use for 5,700 hours.
Working Conditions
Old Truck's hometown is located in a mountainous region, so most of the work is focused on road construction or site leveling in the mountains, which presents a significant challenge to the excavator. He primarily uses machines that weigh over 25 tons due to the demanding nature of the work.
Work Efficiency
In terms of work efficiency, the DH300LC-7 performs well, although it is slightly slower compared to other popular brands working on the same site. With the addition of a ripper, the DH300LC-7 can excavate over 1,000 cubic meters of material daily. Together with a Komatsu PC220-8 equipped with a breaker and a loader, they are capable of moving more than 300 cubic meters of rubble, valued at over 10,000 RMB per day. This makes the DH300LC-7 an efficient machine in mountain conditions.
Fuel Consumption
While working in the mountains, Old Truck generally uses the excavator at 80% throttle, with a fuel consumption of 28 liters per hour. This is considered quite fuel-efficient for a 300-series excavator.
Product Performance and Issues
Due to the high-intensity stonework, which sometimes requires over 438 hours of continuous operation in a month, the DH300LC-7 has undergone rigorous testing.

• Engine: At 1,900 hours of use, the thermostat in the engine failed. After 5,000 hours and regular maintenance, the machine experienced a loss of power. After a diagnosis, the fuel pump was calibrated, and six plungers and six fuel injectors were replaced (totaling 3,900 RMB). The issue was found to be related to the poor quality of fuel at the worksite. After switching to higher-quality fuel, the problem did not recur.
  
• Hydraulic System: The hydraulic system has not experienced any major issues.
  
• Other Issues: The original bucket’s tooth plate seat experienced some problems, which were replaced by the dealer. Due to the harsh stone-working conditions, welding repairs and replacements were common, with costs totaling more than 10,000 RMB.
  

This time, we interviewed boshan55, a member from Shandong, China. He became a member of Doosan in October 2009, during his study in South Korea. Boshan55 has always been passionate about excavators since childhood, influenced by his family. After returning to China in 2010, he chose the path of entrepreneurship and started excavator leasing in his hometown. His family previously owned a Komatsu PC55MR, and upon his return, he purchased the Doosan DH55GOLD. As a young excavator owner with a background in international study, boshan55's mindset is both sharp and open, which has brought him many opportunities in his business.
Purchase Information
The Doosan DH55GOLD was purchased in early April 2023 from Shandong Yonghong Engineering Machinery Company, an official Doosan dealer. The purchase price was 350,000 CNY, with a 20% down payment and the remaining balance financed over three years. The machine has been in operation for 620 hours since its purchase.
Before deciding, boshan55 also considered an 8-ton Kubota KX185, but due to limited funds and the small size of the Kubota KX155 (a zero-tail swing machine), he opted for the 5-ton Doosan DH55GOLD. He chose Doosan mainly because of its affordability, lower maintenance costs, and availability of affordable spare parts.
However, the purchasing process wasn’t without issues. During the contract signing, the dealer quoted one price, but after signing, the final price increased by 8,000 CNY for an undisclosed guarantee fee. This was never mentioned before signing the contract, which left boshan55 feeling very upset. Additionally, the promised delivery date was delayed by half a month, and the agreed-upon compensation for the delay was never honored. This experience made him lose trust in the dealer.
Work Conditions
The Doosan DH55GOLD is primarily used for small-scale site work such as foundation digging, leveling, and waste cleaning on construction sites. Occasionally, it is also used for road repair and agricultural water conservancy construction.
Efficiency
Although the Doosan DH55GOLD has a relatively fast swing speed, its arm and bucket movements are slower compared to other machines. Boshan55 mentioned that this slower movement often gives the impression that the operator is wasting time. He said, “It’s not about trying to delay time; the machine just doesn’t move fast enough.” When comparing it to his family’s Komatsu PC55-MR, the difference in speed is quite noticeable.
Fuel Consumption
At full throttle, the fuel consumption of the Doosan DH55GOLD is around 4.5 liters per hour. With 500 CNY worth of fuel, the machine can work for about two days.
Product Performance & Issues

• Engine: Since it’s a new machine, the only issue so far has been when the machine stalled due to a loose wire. No major problems have occurred.
  
• Hydraulic System: The hydraulic system is functioning well, without any significant issues.
  
• Other Issues: There was a problem with greasing the bucket and boom. After contacting after-sales service, it took a week for the technician to come, and even then, the issue wasn't resolved. The grease gun was damaged during the repair, and the technician mentioned that the part was out of stock. To this day, the issue remains unresolved.
  

Doosan is one of the most popular excavator brands in the Chinese market, known for its strong presence and market share. Among its models, the DH220LC-7 is one of the best-selling excavators in Doosan's lineup. In this interview, we feature an experienced excavator user, "Henan Excavator Rental" — Mr. Wang Zipan, who has an impressive background in the construction machinery industry. After his retirement from the armed police force, Mr. Wang entered the industry, starting with wheel loaders. Over the years, his business has grown substantially, and now he operates several pieces of construction machinery. He also holds the regional exclusive agency for a well-known breaker brand (his company is called Henan Jiaozuo Yuyou Engineering Machinery). Mr. Wang is not only expanding his excavator business towards large-scale and professional operations but is also exploring the future direction of the industry in the "post-excavator" era. His insights are valuable for other excavator users.
Purchase Information
The Doosan DH220LC-7 was purchased on September 20, 2006, through a financing plan at a price of 780,000 RMB, with a 20% down payment and the remaining balance to be paid over two years. When deciding on the purchase, Mr. Wang considered three brands: Caterpillar, Volvo, and Doosan. Since this was his first excavator purchase, he was cautious of the risks involved. Ultimately, he chose Doosan, as it offered the lowest price, which allowed for a faster return on investment and lower risk. Later, he also purchased the Doosan DH225LC-7, Caterpillar 320D, and Komatsu PC220-8.
Working Conditions
The DH220LC-7 is used for both earthmoving and rock work. It is commonly employed in road construction projects for earthmoving tasks and is frequently used in the local aluminum mines for rock work.
Work Efficiency
According to Mr. Wang, the DH220LC-7 is a bit slower than other excavators, such as the Caterpillar and Komatsu models working on the same site. While the overall performance is acceptable, its speed is not as fast as some other competitors.
Fuel Consumption
Most of the work is done on a contract basis, where the construction site covers fuel costs. Under full load conditions, the fuel consumption is around 17-18 liters per hour, which is about 5-6 liters less than his Komatsu PC220-8. This demonstrates the DH220LC-7’s good fuel efficiency.
Performance

• Engine: There have been no major issues with the engine since the excavator was purchased. It continues to operate smoothly and reliably.
  
• Hydraulic System: The hydraulic system has also performed well with no significant problems reported.
  

This interview features a user named "Komatsu-8" from Tangshan, Hebei, who owns three excavators: a Caterpillar 345D, a Komatsu PC200-8, and a Caterpillar 320C. The focus of this article will be on the PC200-8, which has accumulated over 6,000 hours of usage, providing insights into its performance and user experience.
Purchase Information
Komatsu-8 purchased the Komatsu PC200-8 in January 2008 from the Hebei dealer, Shijiazhuang Tianyuan Company. The full price of the excavator at the time was 985,000 RMB, and it has now been in use for 6,080 hours.
Working Conditions
The Komatsu PC200-8 has mainly been used for earthmoving tasks, including road construction and foundation digging. It is rarely used for rock work. The excavator has shown good adaptability for daily tasks and operates efficiently in regular construction environments.
Work Efficiency
During operation, Komatsu-8 has been satisfied with the excavator’s speed. For example, when loading soft soil into a 23-cubic-meter dump truck, it takes just 3-4 minutes to complete the task. When compared to other excavators on the same site, only the Sumitomo brand excavators are slightly faster. Other brands cannot match the speed of the Komatsu PC200-8.
Fuel Consumption
Under full load, the fuel consumption in A mode is 19 liters per hour, while in economy mode (E mode), it drops to 17 liters per hour. Due to the electric fuel injection (EFI) engine, the machine is more sensitive to fuel quality and requires high-quality fuel.
Performance

• Engine: At 3,681 hours, three of the fuel injectors malfunctioned. The after-sales service explained that the issue was caused by poor fuel quality. Each injector cost 5,690 RMB to replace, which is quite expensive. Due to urgency, Komatsu-8 opted to replace the injectors through the dealer’s service station.
  
• Hydraulic System: The hydraulic system has generally performed well with no major issues. However, the small arm and bucket cylinders have become severely discolored. Despite the service station’s efforts, they have not provided a satisfactory explanation. The hydraulic oil was changed at 4,950 hours, and the service station recommended changing it at 5,000 hours. Filters and oil are regularly replaced, and all parts are from the original manufacturer. The issue with the cylinders is still under negotiation with the dealer.
  

In this article, we share the experience of a user named “罩的住,” an engineering supervisor, who has been using the Sumitomo SH210A5 excavator. After graduating from university, he started working in the construction supervision industry, which sparked his interest in excavators commonly found at construction sites. In 2008, he purchased a second-hand Hitachi ZX225US tail-less excavator, but due to numerous small issues, he sold it for 280,000 RMB. In 2010, he decided to purchase a brand-new Sumitomo SH210A5 and began his journey in the excavator rental business.
Purchasing Decision:
When it came time to purchase an excavator, “罩的住” considered three models: the Kato HD820-R (his first choice), Kobelco SK200 Ultra 8, and the Sumitomo SH210. Due to the high down payment required for the Kato excavator and the inflexible financing policies, he decided to abandon it. He was also concerned about the quality of the domestic engine and hydraulic components of the Kobelco SK200 Ultra 8. After considering these factors, he chose the Sumitomo SH210A5, whose core components were all imported from Japan and had more flexible purchasing policies.
Purchase Details:

• Financing: Down payment of 270,000 RMB
  
• Remaining balance: 60,000 RMB (due one year later)
  
• Total price: 1.09 million RMB
  

• Mode A: Light mode, offering the best fuel efficiency.
  
• Mode H: Speed mode, suited for faster operations.
  
• Mode SP: Balanced mode, offering a mix of speed and power.
  

1. Engine: No issues reported.
   
2. Hydraulic System: No failures experienced.
   
3. Undercarriage: No issues reported.
   
4. Cab: The cab is designed with luxury and practicality in mind. It features large glass windows for a wide field of view, additional seating for apprentices, hooks for clothes, and even a refrigerator, all contributing to a user-friendly design. However, the user noted that the cab’s shock absorption and sealing performance were not as good as those of Hitachi or Caterpillar machines, and the operator felt significant impact when working with rock. The seat also lacked the same level of comfort as the other brands.
   
5. Sound System: The sound system was noted as having low volume, making it difficult to hear clearly at times.
   

In certain challenging terrains, such as mountains or steep slopes, standard excavators might not have the capability to navigate efficiently. This is where excavators equipped with cables and winches come into play. These systems enhance the excavator's ability to climb slopes and work in difficult conditions. This article explores how cable and winch systems help excavators climb slopes and their application and advantages.
1. The Role of Cables and Winches
Cables and winches are primarily used to assist excavators in climbing slopes or performing tasks in tough, uneven terrain. They provide additional traction, allowing the excavator to move on slippery, muddy, or unstable surfaces, especially on steep inclines. The winch pulls the excavator up the slope, preventing it from losing traction and avoiding slipping or tipping over.
2. Enhanced Slope Climbing Capability
Standard tracked excavators might struggle with sufficient traction on steeper inclines. Cables and winches improve the excavator's climbing ability, especially on slopes exceeding a 30-degree angle. The additional support from cables allows the excavator to overcome challenging grades, ensuring it can move up the slope without sliding down or becoming stuck.
3. Real-World Applications
Cable and winch systems are especially useful in industries where steep terrain is common, such as mining, forestry, and disaster recovery. For example, in mountain construction, these systems help excavators overcome steep hills, ensuring they can reach the work site and perform excavation or other tasks. Additionally, they are vital for working in unstable or slippery environments where regular machines might struggle to operate effectively.
4. Safety and Stability
Excavators with cable and winch systems provide enhanced safety and stability compared to standard machines. The winch offers strong pulling power, ensuring the excavator remains stable during operations. This reduces the risk of tipping over or sliding, especially in precarious environments like muddy areas or steep slopes. In high-risk areas, such as mountains or wet conditions, this added security is essential for safe operation.
5. Equipment and Modification
Not all excavators come with built-in cables and winches. Typically, this functionality is available as an option from manufacturers or can be added later through aftermarket modifications. These systems often come with heavy-duty steel cables and electrically or hydraulically powered winches to ensure reliable operation in challenging terrains.
6. Advantages and Challenges
Advantages:

• Increased Traction: Cables and winches provide additional pulling force, allowing the excavator to ascend steep slopes without losing traction.
  
• Versatility: These systems enable the excavator to perform in more varied environments, including mountain and wet conditions.
  
• Enhanced Safety: By supporting the excavator with cables, the risk of the machine losing traction and tipping is minimized.
  

• Maintenance and Cost: The cable and winch systems require regular maintenance, and adding them to the excavator increases the initial investment.
  
• Operational Difficulty: Using cables and winches requires specific skills and experience, which can increase the complexity of operations.
  
• Terrain Limitations: While the system enhances slope climbing, it may still have limitations when faced with extremely steep or unstable ground.