Cat 326

Medium Excavators

About the Cat 326

The Cat® 326 Excavator brings premium performance with simple-to-use technologies to boost your operator efficiencies. Combine these features with a new cab, longer maintenance intervals, and a power system that reduces fuel and you have a low-cost-per-unit-of-production excavator that’s perfect for medium to heavy-duty applications.

Specifications

Engine

Engine Model

Cat C7.1

Hydraulic System

Main System - Maximum Flow

515 l/min (136 gal/min)

Dimensions

Boom	Reach 5.9 m (19'4")
Stick	Reach 2.95 m (9'8")
Bucket	HD 1.54 m³ (2.01 yd³)

Working Ranges & Forces

Boom	Reach 5.9 m (19'4")
Stick	Reach 2.95 m (9'8")
Bucket	HD 1.54 m³ (2.01 yd³)

Features

PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY

Up to 10% lower fuel consumption. An additional 5% reduction without productivity loss when using SMART mode.
12% improved swing torque makes working on slopes easier.
Increase operating efficiency up to 45 percent with standard Cat Technologies that lower operator fatigue and your operating costs, including fuel consumption and daily maintenance.
C7.1 engine that meets emission standards. An aftertreatment system that requires no maintenance or downtime.
The advanced hydraulic system provides the optimum balance of power and efficiency while giving you the control you need for precise digging requirements.
Match the excavator to the job with power modes; let Smart mode automatically match engine and hydraulic power to digging conditions.
Advansys™ bucket tips increase penetration and improve cycle times. Tip changes can be done quickly with a simple lug wrench instead of a hammer or special tool, improving safety and uptime.
Auxiliary hydraulic options give you the versatility to use a wide range of Cat attachments.
Available SmartBoom™ lets the boom freely travel up and down without using any pump flow so operators can focus on stick and bucket work. The benefits are reduced operator stress and reduced fuel consumption(not available in all regions - consult your local dealer on availability).
Don’t let the temperature stop you from working. The excavator has a standard high-ambient temperature capability of 52° C (125° F) with de-rate and cold start capability of –18° C (0° F). An optional –32° C (–25° F) cold start package is available.

TECHNOLOGY THAT GETS WORK DONE

Boost productivity up to 45 percent versus traditional grading with standard Cat GRADE with 2D system – includes indicate-only and laser capability.
Standard Grade Assist: Stay on grade – simply and effortlessly – with single-lever digging.
Set your desired bucket angle and let Bucket Assist automatically maintain the angle in sloping, leveling, fine grading, and trenching applications.
Keep the tracks on ground in lifting and hard digging with Boom Assist.
Automatically stop excavator swing at operator-defined set points in truck loading and trenching applications with Swing Assist, which will help you use less effort and consume less fuel.
Standard Cat PAYLOAD on-board weighing system: Achieve precise load targets and increase loading efficiency with on-the-go weighing and real-time estimates of your payload without swinging.
Combine Payload with VisionLink® and remotely manage your production targets, now with the possibility to download on a USB stick.
Upgrade to optional Cat GRADE with Advanced 2D: Create and edit grade designs with ease on a second high-resolution 254 mm (10 in) touchscreen monitor.
Upgrade to optional Cat GRADE with 3D: Create and edit designs with ease on a second high-resolution 254 mm (10 in) touchscreen monitor. Use 3D designs and GNSS technology to assist the operator in reaching the desired grade faster and accurately.
Improve your accuracy and safety – Add a new Cat Tiltrotator system upgrade with factory-fit joysticks. The system allows a Tiltrotator to work with standard Cat 2D Grade and E-Fence; it uses the standard cab monitor to display the tool and engage its SecureLock™ so you don’t need spend money on an extra monitor.
All Cat Grade systems are compatible with radios and base stations from Trimble, Topcon, and Leica. Already invested in a grade infrastructure? You can install grade systems from Trimble, Topcon, and Leica onto the machine.

WORK IN COMFORT

Choose between Comfort, Deluxe and Premium cabs – all with automatic climate control (consult your local dealer on availability in your region).
The Comfort cab is equipped with a mechanical suspension seat. The Deluxe seat is heated and air adjustable. The Premium seat is heated and cooled and adjusts automatically.
Tip up console on the Deluxe and Premium cab improves ingress/egress by approximately 45%.
Advanced viscous mounts reduce cab vibration up to 50 percent over previous excavator models.
Control the excavator comfortably with easy-to-reach controls all located in front of you.
Stow your gear with plenty of in-cab storage beneath and behind the seat and in the consoles. A cup holder, document holder, bottle holder, and coat hook are also provided.
Use the standard radio’s USB ports and Bluetooth® technology to connect personal devices and make hands-free calls.

SIMPLE TO OPERATE

Start the engine with a push button; use a Bluetooth key fob*, or the unique Operator ID function.
Program your power mode and joystick preferences using Operator ID; the excavator will remember what you set each time you go to work.
Navigate quickly on the standard high-resolution 203 mm (8 in) touchscreen monitor, or with the optional 254 mm (10 in) touchscreen monitor (available on the Deluxe and Premium cabs only), or with the aid of the jog dial control.
Not sure how a function works or how to maintain the excavator? Always have the operator’s manual at your fingertips in the touchscreen monitor.
Find the tool you need – even if it’s hidden beneath overgrowth or debris. The excavator’s onboard Bluetooth reader can locate any work tool equipped with Cat asset tracking devices up to a range of 60 m (200 ft).
Auto Dig Boost increases power by up to 8% for better bucket penetration, shorter cycle times, and greater payloads.
Make moving the excavator much easier with Cat Stick Steer. Simply push a button and use one hand to travel and turn instead of both hands or feet on levers or pedals.
Need more lift during your shift? Turn on Auto Heavy Lift and get 8% more power exactly when you need it for as long as you need it.

* Not available with the Comfort cab.

LOWER MAINTENANCE COSTS

Expect up to 25 percent less maintenance cost than the 326F/326D2 (savings calculated over 12,000 machine hours).
Do all daily maintenance at ground level.
Check engine oil level quickly and safely with the new ground-level engine oil dipstick; fill and check engine oil on top of the machine with a conveniently located second dipstick.
Track your excavator’s filter life and maintenance intervals via the in-cab monitor.
No required maintenance on the Cat Clean Emissions Module.
Using Cat genuine oil and filters and doing your typical S∙O∙S monitoring will double the current service interval to 1,000 hours, giving you greater uptime to do more work.
Expect the new air intake filter with precleaner to last up to 1,000 hours – a 100 percent increase over the previous filter.
The new hydraulic oil filter provides improved filtration performance, anti-drain valves to keep oil clean when the filter is replaced, and longer life with a 3,000 hour replacement interval – 50 percent longer than previous filter designs.
High-efficiency cooling fans run only when needed; you can program intervals so they automatically reverse to keep cores clean without interrupting your work.
S·O·S ports are on ground level, simplifying maintenance and allowing for quick, easy extraction of fluid samples for analysis.

BUILT-IN SAFETY FEATURES

Lift Assist helps you avoid tipping. With visual and auditory alerts, you’ll know if your load is within the excavator’s safe working range limits.
Access 100 percent of daily maintenance points from ground level – no need for you to climb on top of the excavator.
The standard ROPS cab meets ISO 12117-2:2008 requirements.
Enjoy great visibility into the trench, in each swing direction, and behind you with the help of smaller cab pillars, larger windows, and a flat engine hood design.
The standard hydraulic lockout lever isolates all hydraulic and travel functions in the lowered position.
Ground-level shut-off switch stops all fuel to the engine when activated and shuts down the machine.
A rearview camera and a right-side-view camera*are standard. Upgrade to 360° visibility and you’ll easily visualize objects and personnel around the excavator in a single view.
New right service platform design provides easy, safe, and quick access to upper service platform; the service platform steps use anti-skid punch plate to prevent slipping.
Optional boom and stick lowering check valves prevent reverse flow, keeping your front linkage securely in place should the hydraulic system unexpectedly lose power.
Brightly colored seatbelts allow easy recognition of properly utilized safety restraints.

* Not standard in all regions.