Caterpillar is rolling out two new mini excavators, the 2.4-ton 302.4 Compact Radius and 2.6-ton 302.6, designed for easy transport and improved travel, lifting and trenching performance.
The 302.4 and 302.6 are replacing the 302.7CR Fixed Undercarriage in Cat’s lineup, but the 302.7CR Expandable Undercarriage will remain an offering.
“We focused on four key areas to help deliver customer value with these units — cost-effective transportability, stability when lifting heavy loads, high ground clearance for working on trails with the fixed undercarriage and an easy to operate, smoother, more efficient hydraulic system,” said Caterpillar Commercial Director Zach Waite.
The 302.4CR is powered by a 21.6-horsepower Cat C1.1 diesel engine, while the 302.6 gets a 23.9-horsepower C1.1 Turbo.
High auxiliary hydraulic flow offers compatibility with a wide range of work tools, including hammers and demolition attachments. The 302.4 provides 10.6 gallons per minute of auxiliary flow, and the 302.6 offers 17 gpm.
Compared to the 302 CR, Cat says, a wide fixed undercarriage for both the 302.4 CR and 302.6 mini excavators results in higher lift capacities, with the 302.6 offering more than 1,000-pound higher lift capacity than the 302.7 CR.
For simplicity, Cat has moved to a single stick option, which will be the Long Stick as standard. Two counterweight choices are available: 220 or 550 pounds.
The new Cat 302.4 CR and 302.6 mini excavators deliver “user-friendly operation and enhanced machine performance for a range of applications,” the company says.
The 302.4 CR has a wider 59-inch track width than the 302 CR and offers a higher lift capacity of 2,160 pounds.
The 302.4 CR has a top-end travel speed of 3 mph, compared with 2.8 mph on the 302.7 CR.
The 302.6 has a lower, 6,681-pound operating weight than the 6,725-pound 302.7 CR, allowing for transport without a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
There is a 40% higher lift capacity for the 302.6 compared to the 302.7 CR fixed undercarriage.
The 302.4CR’s lifting capability at ground level is 2,160 pounds.
Cat 302.6CaterpillarCab Features and Options
The mini excavators come with a choice of open canopy or a sealed, pressurized cab. The cab offers reduced noise and dust intrusion, as well as heat, air conditioning and an available suspension seat.
The standard next-gen LCD monitor provides intuitive controls and machine information. All next-gen Cat mini excavators from the 301.7 to the 310, including the new 302.4 and 302.6, come with standard Stick Steer, Auto Idle and Auto Engine Shutdown.
Additional upgrades from the previous generation Cat 302.7 CR include:
Common components with other Next-Generation mini excavators
Tilt-up cab offers access to all components
Extended service intervals
Increased uphill swing torque and lifting performance
Increased travel speed and turning
Improved hydraulic system
Fixed undercarriage design
Consistent layout across Next-Generation mini excavator range
The new 302.4 and 302.6 follow several other recent compact machine launches in Caterpillar's lineup. Check out the latest models in Equipment World's previous coverage below:
Mini excavators are the second-highest selling type of construction equipment, behind compact track loaders, according to Fusable’s EDA equipment finance data. More than 32,500 new financed units were sold from June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026, making up more than one-fifth of all construction equipment sales.
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Cat 302.6Caterpillar
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