CAT 315

Used CAT 315: What Import Buyers Should Check

CAT 315 should not be treated as a generic used excavator purchase. It’s mostly for a buyer wanting extra reach and a nicer cab, yet needing the compact tail profile for work near roads, utilities and walls. Any decent quote should break down year and generation, working hours, any attachment package, the condition of undercarriage, shipping options and then look at price.

You will often find a mix of 315, 315F LCR, 315 GC models on any list, so buyers have to ask about tail swing, blade type, hydraulic coupler, thumb, controls, before comparing pricing. A common decision factor for this machine vs. other machines (such as CAT 310, CAT 320) is whether to size up or down. A low yard purchase price will quickly balloon when you factor in any additional hydraulic issues, undercarriage costs or shipping expenses after you place a deposit.

Best Jobs for the CAT 315

CAT 315 is the best size for municipal trenching, roadside repair, ditch and drainage work, foundation digging and contractors that move around on sites where they may need to be close to the wall, buildings or have a lot of other equipment or obstacles. You’d be better off to match the machine to the kind of work and not choose only by model number. Match it to what the bucket capacity, lifting needs, width requirements and job limitations are.

It’s also easier to transport than a 20 ton unit, but the blade, set of buckets and counterweight should still be assessed before container, flat-rack or low-bed planning. Request fresh, real-time photos and a video of the unit actually working, before considering any of the listing prices or ranges a confirmed buying number.

Inspection Points That Change the Quote

When looking at this machine specifically, it would be advisable to pay close attention to the condition of the blade, auxiliary hydraulic ports, quick coupler play, wear on rubber pad tracks, condition of the swing bearing, the pins in the boom, arm and cylinders, the cleanliness of the cooling package, and the general condition and number of hours shown on the meter (beware of too low a number on older machines that are listed in some listings). Get a video of a cold start, hydraulic cycles, swing, and travel, as well as photos of the undercarriage up close.

Repainting and clean photos on a low hour listing are not proof of the working condition of the pumps, final drives, linkages, etc. For most export buyers, the cheapest, cleanest purchase will come with the clearest condition reports rather than the lowest initial cost.

Quote Checklist Before Payment

• Confirm the exact CAT 315 year, serial plate and meter photo.
• Ask whether the quoted unit is the same generation shown in the photos.
• Check cold start, engine smoke, idle sound and hydraulic cycle speed on video.
• Review undercarriage, sprockets, rollers, track chain and track shoe condition.
• Confirm bucket size, coupler, thumb, breaker lines and spare attachments.
• Separate repainting, inland trucking, port handling and ocean freight from the base FOB quote.
• Ask for boom, arm, cylinder rod and weld repair close-ups before deposit.
• Confirm loading method, shipping documents and destination-port requirements.

Reference Specs for Quote Comparison

This list is for comparative purposes for model type only, actual inventory stock can differ based on machine availability.

Estimated FOB Price and Next Step

Estimated FOB reference: US$25,000-48,000. This is a B2B used-machine reference range, not a checkout price. Final quotation depends on year, hours, undercarriage percentage, attachment package, repainting request, current stock and destination port.

We can provide you with the latest photos, walkaround videos, and a full inspection report for the actual unit, along with FOB or CIF shipping options. Please also see our other used Caterpillar Excavator offerings.