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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. Initial Purchase and Selection
In 2004, Qiu Yinuo (the user) began his career in the excavation industry, purchasing a second-hand Hitachi EX200 excavator for a brick factory. Over the years, he gained significant experience with various excavators, focusing on quality, performance, control, and comfort. In November 2009, Qiu purchased the Caterpillar 336DL for 2.05 million yuan from Weister in Liaoning. He carefully considered his options and compared the Caterpillar 336DL with other models like the Komatsu PC350-7. Due to the limited availability of the PC350-7 in China and the potential difficulty in finding parts and service, he opted for the more common Caterpillar 336DL, a popular model in local mining operations.
2. Operators and Work Environment
The 336DL is operated by two local 80s-generation machine operators who alternate shifts. Being an experienced excavator operator himself, Qiu pays great attention to the cleanliness and comfort of the cabin. He believes a clean and comfortable working environment is critical for both safety and work efficiency. As a result, the cabin of the 336DL is often praised for its tidiness by others who have seen it.
3. Work Conditions and Efficiency
After purchasing the 336DL, Qiu sent it to a nearby quarry for work, where it primarily handles hard crushed stone produced by explosive blasting. Other mining machines working in the same area include Komatsu PC360 and Hitachi ZX330-3, both of which are also 30-ton class machines.
According to Qiu, the 336DL is equipped with two bucket options: a 1.62 cubic meter rock bucket and a 1.87 cubic meter standard bucket. The 336DL shows clear advantages in work efficiency. For instance, using the 1.62 cubic meter bucket, it typically fills a 40 cubic meter dump truck in just 15 bucket loads, while the Komatsu PC360-7, with a 1.4 cubic meter bucket, struggles to keep up.
Work Efficiency Comparison:
4. Handling Performance and Comfort
As a highly experienced operator, Qiu has a deep understanding of excavator handling. He points out that the 336DL’s control precision is unparalleled compared to other brands. When fully loaded with 4 tons of stone and a 2-ton bucket, the 336DL’s swing stop distance is only 6-7 cm, whereas competitors like Komatsu and Hitachi can reach up to 10-20 cm.
Qiu emphasizes that the 336DL provides an excellent "point-and-shoot" control experience, making it extremely precise and easy to maneuver, a quality that stands out among other machines in the same class.
5. Fuel Consumption
In terms of fuel consumption, Qiu notes that the 336DL performs relatively well. When operating in the "E" (economic) mode, the machine averages 28 liters of fuel per hour. In more demanding work conditions, fuel consumption rises to around 32-33 liters per hour. Overall, Qiu finds the 336DL to be quite fuel-efficient compared to other excavators in the same category.
He shared the following fuel consumption data:
6. Product Performance and Issues
Qiu has been very impressed with the performance of the Caterpillar 336DL. Since purchasing the machine, he has never needed to call for repairs, which he believes speaks to its reliability. In comparison, other excavators in the same quarry have required repairs.
Regarding engine performance, the 336DL occasionally consumes some oil, requiring an additional 12-13 liters after every 500 hours of operation. Qiu initially raised concerns about the engine oil consumption in a forum post, and after consulting with Weister’s service engineers, he received an explanation. Caterpillar engines are designed to use a special type of oil, and slight oil consumption is considered normal due to the engine’s deep cylinder bore design, which helps extend the engine’s lifespan.
Other Observed Issues:
7. Maintenance and User Tips
To ensure the excavator runs smoothly, Qiu spent 6,000 yuan on a fuel filter machine, which he uses before refueling to remove contaminants from the diesel. This practice significantly reduces the wear on fuel filters, extending their service life. With the filter machine, Qiu now only needs to replace the fuel filter every 1,000 hours instead of the previous 250 hours.
Qiu also added an air pre-filter and a computer anti-theft device to the excavator to enhance its reliability and security.
8. Dealer and Spare Parts
Since the 336DL has been trouble-free, Qiu has never required a service call from the dealer. He handles all maintenance himself, as he is very familiar with the machine’s servicing requirements. However, his interactions with Weister, the dealer, have been positive, with their staff displaying a high level of enthusiasm and professionalism.
Regarding spare parts, most of the components for the 336DL are purchased from Weister, as Qiu believes that original parts are essential for maintaining the equipment’s performance. However, for less critical components like buckets and teeth, he occasionally opts for locally sourced parts that offer good quality at a lower price.
Qiu does acknowledge that some of the Caterpillar parts are expensive, especially compared to competitors like Komatsu and Doosan, whose spare parts are more affordable. This pricing difference often influences customers to choose other brands, as discussed in an article about Doosan's DX300LC-7 excavator.
9. Conclusion
In conclusion, Qiu Yinuo is highly satisfied with the Caterpillar 336DL excavator. He appreciates its high performance, excellent fuel efficiency, and superior handling, all of which make it a reliable workhorse for his quarry operations. Despite the higher cost of spare parts, he believes the long-term benefits of owning this machine far outweigh the initial investment. If the company could adjust the spare parts pricing to be more competitive, Caterpillar could capture an even larger market share. For Qiu, the 336DL has proven to be a valuable asset that combines efficiency and durability, making it an ideal choice for his excavation work.
1. Initial Purchase and Selection
In 2004, Qiu Yinuo (the user) began his career in the excavation industry, purchasing a second-hand Hitachi EX200 excavator for a brick factory. Over the years, he gained significant experience with various excavators, focusing on quality, performance, control, and comfort. In November 2009, Qiu purchased the Caterpillar 336DL for 2.05 million yuan from Weister in Liaoning. He carefully considered his options and compared the Caterpillar 336DL with other models like the Komatsu PC350-7. Due to the limited availability of the PC350-7 in China and the potential difficulty in finding parts and service, he opted for the more common Caterpillar 336DL, a popular model in local mining operations.
2. Operators and Work Environment
The 336DL is operated by two local 80s-generation machine operators who alternate shifts. Being an experienced excavator operator himself, Qiu pays great attention to the cleanliness and comfort of the cabin. He believes a clean and comfortable working environment is critical for both safety and work efficiency. As a result, the cabin of the 336DL is often praised for its tidiness by others who have seen it.
3. Work Conditions and Efficiency
After purchasing the 336DL, Qiu sent it to a nearby quarry for work, where it primarily handles hard crushed stone produced by explosive blasting. Other mining machines working in the same area include Komatsu PC360 and Hitachi ZX330-3, both of which are also 30-ton class machines.
According to Qiu, the 336DL is equipped with two bucket options: a 1.62 cubic meter rock bucket and a 1.87 cubic meter standard bucket. The 336DL shows clear advantages in work efficiency. For instance, using the 1.62 cubic meter bucket, it typically fills a 40 cubic meter dump truck in just 15 bucket loads, while the Komatsu PC360-7, with a 1.4 cubic meter bucket, struggles to keep up.
Work Efficiency Comparison:
- 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.
4. Handling Performance and Comfort
As a highly experienced operator, Qiu has a deep understanding of excavator handling. He points out that the 336DL’s control precision is unparalleled compared to other brands. When fully loaded with 4 tons of stone and a 2-ton bucket, the 336DL’s swing stop distance is only 6-7 cm, whereas competitors like Komatsu and Hitachi can reach up to 10-20 cm.
Qiu emphasizes that the 336DL provides an excellent "point-and-shoot" control experience, making it extremely precise and easy to maneuver, a quality that stands out among other machines in the same class.
5. Fuel Consumption
In terms of fuel consumption, Qiu notes that the 336DL performs relatively well. When operating in the "E" (economic) mode, the machine averages 28 liters of fuel per hour. In more demanding work conditions, fuel consumption rises to around 32-33 liters per hour. Overall, Qiu finds the 336DL to be quite fuel-efficient compared to other excavators in the same category.
He shared the following fuel consumption data:
- 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.
6. Product Performance and Issues
Qiu has been very impressed with the performance of the Caterpillar 336DL. Since purchasing the machine, he has never needed to call for repairs, which he believes speaks to its reliability. In comparison, other excavators in the same quarry have required repairs.
Regarding engine performance, the 336DL occasionally consumes some oil, requiring an additional 12-13 liters after every 500 hours of operation. Qiu initially raised concerns about the engine oil consumption in a forum post, and after consulting with Weister’s service engineers, he received an explanation. Caterpillar engines are designed to use a special type of oil, and slight oil consumption is considered normal due to the engine’s deep cylinder bore design, which helps extend the engine’s lifespan.
Other Observed Issues:
- 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.
7. Maintenance and User Tips
To ensure the excavator runs smoothly, Qiu spent 6,000 yuan on a fuel filter machine, which he uses before refueling to remove contaminants from the diesel. This practice significantly reduces the wear on fuel filters, extending their service life. With the filter machine, Qiu now only needs to replace the fuel filter every 1,000 hours instead of the previous 250 hours.
Qiu also added an air pre-filter and a computer anti-theft device to the excavator to enhance its reliability and security.
8. Dealer and Spare Parts
Since the 336DL has been trouble-free, Qiu has never required a service call from the dealer. He handles all maintenance himself, as he is very familiar with the machine’s servicing requirements. However, his interactions with Weister, the dealer, have been positive, with their staff displaying a high level of enthusiasm and professionalism.
Regarding spare parts, most of the components for the 336DL are purchased from Weister, as Qiu believes that original parts are essential for maintaining the equipment’s performance. However, for less critical components like buckets and teeth, he occasionally opts for locally sourced parts that offer good quality at a lower price.
Qiu does acknowledge that some of the Caterpillar parts are expensive, especially compared to competitors like Komatsu and Doosan, whose spare parts are more affordable. This pricing difference often influences customers to choose other brands, as discussed in an article about Doosan's DX300LC-7 excavator.
9. Conclusion
In conclusion, Qiu Yinuo is highly satisfied with the Caterpillar 336DL excavator. He appreciates its high performance, excellent fuel efficiency, and superior handling, all of which make it a reliable workhorse for his quarry operations. Despite the higher cost of spare parts, he believes the long-term benefits of owning this machine far outweigh the initial investment. If the company could adjust the spare parts pricing to be more competitive, Caterpillar could capture an even larger market share. For Qiu, the 336DL has proven to be a valuable asset that combines efficiency and durability, making it an ideal choice for his excavation work.
