On this episode of The Dirt, operator and host Bryan Furnace gets some seat time in Caterpillar’s 306 CR compact excavator.
The next–generation machine, first introduced in 2019, boasts some handy features like E–Fence, Swing Assist – even cruise control in which the excavator can travel forward on its own while the operator can still control swing, boom, stick and attachment. This can be particularly helpful on mulching operations in which the machine slowly advances forward.
The roomy cab includes multiple air conditioning and heat vents for the operator. As for power and performance, Bryan gives his views on how it handled in the hard, red clay of North Carolina, where he tested it.
So to find out more about why Bryan calls the 306 CR “a fantastic little machine,” check out this week’s episode of The Dirt.

Here are some quick specs on the 306 CR:

Here are some quick specs on the 306 CR:
Engine Cat C2.4 Turbo
Net power 55.9 hp
Operating weight 15,766 lbs.
Tail swing 58 in.
Standard dig depth 146 in.
Dig depth, long 162 in.

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In This Episode:
00:00 Caterpillar 306 CR Mini Excavator Review
01:40 Exterior
02:21 Interior
03:25 EFence
04:56 Swing Assist
05:53 Joystick Steering
07:06 Cruise Control
09:48 Performance & Accessibility
10:39 Room For Improvement
15:00 Final Verdict

Video Transcript:
Bryan Furnace:
Today, we’re here to talk about the CAT 306. If you are familiar with CAT's lineup, you'll know that they traditionally haven't had a six ton excavator, and so after talking with some of the cat personnel, they decided this was a gap that needed filling, and so the 306 is here. Now, before we really dive into this review, there are a few things that I'd like to discuss with you. First of all, the CAT nextgen machines, if you will, have been here for a little while, but unfortunately I haven't really gotten any seat time in those machines, so there are going to be some features I'm going to cover that a lot of you in the industry have probably already seen. You're well versed in and it's like Brian, we already know, but to me they're new, so bear with me. Number two is after talking again with some of the CAT personnel, it's come to my attention that what we've been seeing over the last 10 years in the equipment industry is OEMs reacting to emission standards.
That's really what updates two machines have been for the last decade. As manufacturers have struggled to cram different engines with more emissions components into these machines, the vast majority of R&D has been going into that side of the equation as opposed to going into changing and improving the actual machine itself. Well, now that we've finally arrived at Tier 4 final, Caterpillar's starting to make some advances in let's improve the machine, not just build a machine around an engine. And so that brings us to the nextgen machines and specifically for today, the CAT 306.
Now walking around the eyesight of the machine, you're going to notice the new body style that fits with all of the other nextgen equipment. It's got that kind of boxier feel to it, but still some nice subtle rounded corners. They're very goodlooking machines in my opinion. The new mini excavators are shipping with fourway blades, which I'm a huge fan of. If you've ever dug in a sump line and then tried to go backfill it with a old school single way blade on, a mini excavator, takes forever. So having the fourway blade on these machines is a game changer. And in all honesty, the next biggest thing you're going to notice is the cab size.
For a mini excavator, this does not feel like a mini excavator. This is a very comfortable, spacious, roomy cab. I will not hold back. I hate running mini excavators because they always feel cramped and claustrophobic. This CAT 306 is not that way at all. It feels like a full excavator sized cab when you get in the machine. It's very comfortable, and that brings me to my next point that you're not going to notice visually, but you are going to notice from a comfort standpoint and that is the air conditioning system.
CAT has finally done what we've all wanted manufacturers to do for a long time and they've put HVAC vents on both sides of the operator, so now you have vents on your left side as well as your right side. Now we actually have a really nice ventilated cab. You actually have gray airflow so that you're comfortable on all parts of your body. That's such a small thing, and yet at the same time, it's not a small thing and I'm glad to see CAT has finally improved the HVAC system on these machines. Now, this is where we start to dive into machine technology...