Comparison · Excavator

Caterpillar 323 vs Volvo EC220E

The Caterpillar 323 is about 8% heavier than the Volvo EC220E (25,000 vs 23,115 kg), which usually means more stability and lifting capacity but higher transport weight.

Engine output is effectively the same on both machines.

Beyond the numbers, compare local dealer support, parts availability and resale value for Caterpillar and Volvo Construction Equipment in your region: over the life of a machine they often matter more than small specification differences.

	Caterpillar Caterpillar 323	Volvo Construction Equipment Volvo EC220E
Operating weight	25,000 kg (55,100 lb)	23,115 kg (51,000 lb)
Engine power	129 kW (173 hp)	128 kW (172 hp)
Net power (ISO 9249)	128.5 kW (172 hp) Tier 4 Final / Stage V; 117 kW (157 hp) Tier 3	128 kW (172 hp) at 1,800 rpm
Max. digging depth	6.73 m (22 ft 1 in), R2.9 m stick	≈6.73 m (22 ft 1 in)
Max. reach at ground level	9.87 m (32 ft 4 in)	—
Bucket digging force (ISO)	140 kN (31,505 lbf); 152 kN (34,205 lbf) with Auto Dig Boost	—
Bucket capacity	up to ≈1.30–1.38 m³ (1.70–1.80 yd³) HD	—
Engine model	Cat C7.1, six cylinders	—
Displacement	7.01 L (428 in³)	—
Gross power (ISO 14396)	129.4 kW (174 hp) Tier 4 Final / Stage V	129 kW (173 hp)
Emissions	US EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage V; Tier 3-equivalent version for less regulated markets	US EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage V
Renewable fuels	Biodiesel blends and 100% HVO renewable diesel	—
Main system max. flow	429 L/min (113 gal/min), 2 × 215 L/min	—
Max. pressure – equipment	35,000 kPa (5,075 psi); 38,000 kPa (5,510 psi) Heavy Lift / Auto Dig Boost	—
Max. pressure – travel / swing	34,300 kPa (4,974 psi) / 27,500 kPa (3,998 psi)	—
Stick digging force (ISO)	107 kN (24,050 lbf); 116 kN with boost, R2.9 m stick	—
Swing speed	11.3 rpm	—
Max. swing torque	82 kN·m (60,300 lbf·ft)	—
Max. travel speed	5.7 km/h (3.5 mph)	—
Max. drawbar pull	204 kN (45,861 lbf)	—
Max. cutting height	9.45 m (31 ft 1 in)	—
Max. loading height	6.48 m (21 ft 3 in)	—
Max. vertical wall digging depth	5.62 m (18 ft 5 in)	—
Depth for 2.44 m (8 ft) level bottom	6.56 m (21 ft 6 in)	—
Counterweight	5,400 kg (11,900 lb)	—
Tail swing radius	2.83 m (9 ft 3 in)	—
Cab height	2.96 m (9 ft 9 in)	—
Track shoes	600 mm (24 in) standard; 700 or 790 mm (28 or 31 in) optional	—
Fuel tank	345 L (86.6 US gal)	≈360 L (95 US gal)
Hydraulic system / tank	234 L / 115 L (61.8 / 30.4 US gal)	—
Engine oil	25 L (6.6 US gal)	—
Sound in cab (ISO 6396)	70 dB(A)	—
Max. digging reach	—	≈9.93 m (32 ft 7 in)
Bucket breakout force	—	141 kN normal; 33,500 lbf (149 kN) SAE J1179 with boost
Engine	—	Volvo D6J, 6-cylinder, 5.7 L
Aftertreatment	—	DOC + SCR (Tier 4 Final); DPF added for Stage V
Main pumps	—	2 × variable-displacement axial piston, ≈2 × 207 L/min (2 × 55 US gal/min)
Working modes	—	ECO mode plus I (idle), F (fine), G (general), H (heavy), P (power max)
Arm and bucket boost	—	Power Boost and Hydraulic regeneration on boom and arm
DEF/AdBlue tank	—	≈30 L (8 US gal)
Hydraulic tank	—	≈140 L (37 US gal)
Telematics	—	Volvo CareTrack / ActiveCare (market dependent)
Operator assistance	—	Volvo Co-Pilot with Dig Assist 2D/3D (option)
Strengths	+ Heavier counterweight (5.4 t) and frame give more lift capacity and stability than the 320 + Six-cylinder C7.1 engine with strong low-speed torque + Same factory Cat Grade, Payload, E-fence and Lift Assist technologies as the 320 + Still transportable like a 20-tonne machine in many regions + Excellent resale and dealer support	+ One of the quietest, best-laid-out cabs in the 20-tonne class + ECO mode and electro-hydraulic controls cut fuel without killing performance + Dig Assist on the Co-Pilot touchscreen gives factory 2D and 3D grade guidance + Volvo D6J six-cylinder with good low-speed torque + Wide choice of configurations from 20.5 to almost 26 tonnes
Watch-outs	− Same hydraulic flow (429 L/min) as the 320, so cycle-time gains come mainly from stability and bucket size − Higher price and fuel burn than the 320 − Heavier: closer to transport limits with a large bucket and wide shoes − Tier 4 Final / Stage V aftertreatment needs good DEF and fuel management	− Volvo dealer coverage is thinner than Cat or Deere in parts of North America − Factory grade technology (Co-Pilot, Dig Assist) is a cost option − Resale values generally trail Cat and Komatsu − Electronic complexity means a good dealer technician matters
	Full 323 review	Full EC220E review

Specifications are typical figures for standard configurations and may be measured differently by each manufacturer (for example net vs gross power). Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer. Build another comparison.