Detailed Technical Specifications Comparison of Cat® 320 GX & 320 GC

At first glance, these two 20-ton hydraulic excavators appear similar, as both use the Cat® C4.4 engine and have nearly equivalent hydraulic system specifications. However, the Cat® 320 GX and Cat® 320 GC are designed around two distinctly different operating philosophies, targeting different types of work and business priorities for construction contractors.

Technical Specification	Cat® 320 GX	Cat® 320 GC
Engine Model	Cat® C4.4	Cat® C4.4
Net Power	103,6 kW / 139 hp	107 kW / 143 hp
Boom	5,7 m	5,7 m
Stick	2,7 m	2,9 m
Bucket Capacity	0,93 m³	1,0 m³
Bucket Digging Force (ISO)	136 kN	129 kN
Stick Digging Force (ISO)	106 kN	99 kN
Swing Speed	11,07 vòng/phút	11,3 vòng/phút
Maximum Digging Depth	6430 mm	6630 mm
Maximum Reach at Ground Level	9580 mm	9770 mm
Maximum Loading Height	6450 mm	6580 mm

Digging Power: The Mechanical and Technological Advantage of the Cat® 320 GX

At first glance, the Cat® 320 GC appears more powerful, with a rated engine power of 107 kW compared with 103.6 kW for the Cat® 320 GX. However, the digging force figures tell a different story:

Bucket digging force: The 320 GX leads with 136 kN, compared with 129 kN for the 320 GC.
Stick digging force: The 320 GX continues to lead with 106 kN, compared with 99 kN for the 320 GC.

The reason for this apparent “paradox” comes from two key factors:

Mechanical advantage (decisive factor): The Cat® 320 GX is equipped with a shorter 2.7 m stick. Physically, a shorter stick acts as a shorter lever arm, allowing the hydraulic cylinders to generate significantly greater force at the bucket. This is the most direct and important reason behind the 320 GX’s superior digging power.
Technological efficiency (supporting factor): This mechanical advantage is further enhanced by the 320 GX’s advanced electro-hydraulic system. The system helps optimize hydraulic flow and minimize energy losses from the engine to the working mechanisms, ensuring that nearly all available power is efficiently transferred to the bucket.

Conclusion: The Cat® 320 GX is genuinely the more powerful machine for heavy digging applications. Its digging performance comes from the smart combination of mechanical design—a shorter stick—and modern hydraulic technology.

Reach and Versatility: The Role of the “Versatile Specialist” Cat® 320 GC

If the 320 GX focuses on digging power, the 320 GC is optimized for versatility and extended reach.

This difference comes from the Cat® 320 GC’s longer 2.9 m stick. This provides a direct advantage across all working-range specifications:

Maximum digging depth: 6,630 mm, 200 mm deeper than the 320 GX.
Maximum reach: 9,770 mm, 190 mm farther than the 320 GX.
Maximum loading height: 6,580 mm, 130 mm higher than the 320 GX.

Conclusion: The Cat® 320 GC excavator is an ideal choice for applications requiring a wide working range and greater versatility. It excels in applications such as deep trenching for sewer or underground cable installation, grading and finishing large slopes, or loading material into high-sided trucks without frequent machine repositioning.

Technical Factor	Cat® 320 GX	Cat® 320 GC	Meaning & Application for Contractors
Digging Power & Force	SUPERIOR	Standard	320 GX is the first choice for breaking hard ground and rock, large-scale earthmoving, and applications requiring high productivity.
Reach & Versatility	Optimized for POWER (shorter stick)	Optimized for VERSATILITY (longer stick)	320 GC is a versatile tool, ideal for deep trenching, slope finishing, and jobs requiring an extended working range.

Choose the Cat® 320 GX if your work primarily involves high-volume production, digging hard materials, and prioritizing maximum digging power.
Choose the Cat® 320 GC if you need a versatile and flexible machine that frequently performs tasks requiring greater reach and digging depth.

Comparing Cat® 320 GX and 320 GC Excavators: Which Model Should You Choose?

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Comparing Cat® 320 GX and 320 GC Excavators: Which Model Should You Choose?

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Comparing Cat^® 320 GX and 320 GC Excavators: Which Model Should You Choose?

Comparing Cat^® 320 GX and 320 GC Excavators: Which Model Should You Choose?