CAT 336 vs Komatsu PC200 — Sizing Up Your Excavator
Not a like-for-like comparison — a class comparison. The CAT 336 is a 30-ton excavator; the Komatsu PC200 is a 20-tonner. If you're deciding whether to step up, this is the numbers-driven answer.
Caterpillar 336
The CAT 336 is the 36-ton mining and heavy civils excavator of choice — big enough to load 40-ton ADTs in three passes, robust enough for quarry duty. IronYard lists 336D, 336E, 336F and 336 Next Gen stock with hours, service history and finance available.
Komatsu PC200
The Komatsu PC200 is the CAT 320's toughest rival in the 20-ton class — arguably better on fuel, with strong SA dealer support through Komatsu South Africa. IronYard lists PC200-6, PC200-7, PC200-8, PC200-10 and PC200-11 stock with hours, service records and finance available.
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Caterpillar 336 | Komatsu PC200 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 36 400 – 37 500 kg | 19 800 – 21 400 kg |
| Engine | CAT C9.3 / C9.3B ACERT | Komatsu SAA6D107E-1 / -3 |
| Net power | 232 kW (311 hp) | 110 kW (148 hp) |
| Max dig depth | 7.5 m (standard stick) | 6.62 m |
| Max reach | 11.16 m | 9.87 m |
| Bucket capacity | 1.6 – 2.5 m³ | 0.8 – 1.2 m³ |
| Fuel tank | 620 L | 400 L |
| Typical fuel burn | 22 – 30 L/hr | 11 – 15 L/hr |
| Travel speed | — | 5.5 km/h |
The verdict
Step up to the CAT 336 if you routinely move >2000 m³/day, work in quarries, or load 30-ton ADTs — the payback in trucks-per-hour beats the extra fuel and finance cost. Stay with the Komatsu PC200 (or a CAT 320) for civils, pipeline and general earthworks — you'll spend 40-60% less per hour and lose only 20-25% productivity on typical trench-and-load work.
Quarry work, 30-ton ADT loading, bulk earthworks >2000 m³/day.
Civils, pipeline, plant hire, sub-2000 m³/day operations.
Live stock — both machines
Caterpillar 336
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Komatsu PC200
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