326F^Non-Current

Safe and Quiet Cab

The cab contributes to your comfort thanks to special viscous mounts and special roof lining and sealing, that limit vibration and unnecessary sound. Operators will enjoy the quietness and comfort of the all new cab.

Excellent Ergonomics

Wide seats with air suspension and heat/cooling options, include a reclining back, upper and lower slide adjustments, and height and tilt angle adjustments to meet your needs for maximum comfort.

The fully automatic climate control system keeps operators comfortable and productive all day long in either hot or cold weather.

Storage spaces are located in the front, rear, and side consoles of the cab. A drink holder accommodates a large mug, and a shelf behind the seat stores large lunch or toolboxes.

Power supply sockets are available for charging your electronic devices like an MP3 player, a cell phone, or even a tablet.

Controls Just for You

The right and left joystick consoles can be adjusted to improve your comfort and productivity during the course of a day. The right joystick features a button that will reduce engine speed when you are not working to help save fuel. Touch it once and speed reduces; touch it again and speed increases for normal operation.

Easy to Navigate Monitor

The new LCD monitor is easy to see and navigate. Not only can it memorize up to 10 different work tools, it's also programmable in up to 44 languages to meet today's diverse workforce. The monitor clearly displays critical information you need to operate efficiently and effectively. Plus it projects the image from the standard rearview camera to help you see what's going on around you so you can stay safely focused on the job at hand.

Proven Technology

Every Stage IV ACERT engine is equipped with a combination of proven electronic, fuel, air, and aftertreatment components. Applying these time-tested technologies lets us meet your high expectations for productivity, fuel efficiency, reliability, and service life. Following are the results you can expect:
• Improved Fuel Efficiency – up to 10% over Stage IIIB product, including Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) consumption.
• High performance across a variety of applications.
• Enhanced reliability through commonality and simplicity of design.
• Maximized uptime and reduced cost with world-class Cat dealer support.
• Minimized impact on emission systems – with no operator interaction required.
• Durability with long service life.
• Better fuel economy with minimized maintenance costs.
• Same great power and response.

Cat NOx Reduction System

The Cat NOx Reduction System captures and cools a small quantity of exhaust gas and then routes it back into the combustion chamber to drive down temperatures and reduce NOx emissions. The result of more than a decade of Caterpillar engineering research into this technology is the most reliable system of its type.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)

Cat engines equipped with an SCR system inject DEF into the exhaust to reduce NOx emissions. DEF is a precisely mixed solution of 32.5% high purity chemical grade urea and 67.5% de-ionized water. DEF used in Cat SCR systems must meet the requirements outlined in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 22241-1. ISO 22241-1 requirements are met by many brands of DEF, including those that carry the AdBlue or API certifications.

Fuel Savers That Add Up

The 326F consumes less fuel than the previous series model, and the automatic engine speed control contributes by lowering rpm when the machine doesn't need it for work. Automatic engine idle shutdown turns the engine off when it's been idling for more than a specified amount of time that you can set through the monitor. Plus you have a choice of three power modes – high power, standard power, and eco mode. Simply change between modes through the console switch panel to meet the work needs in front of you. Collectively, all of these benefits add up to reduced fuel consumption, reduced exhaust and sound emissions, reduced repair and maintenance costs, and increased engine life for you.

A Cool Design for Any Temperature

A side-by-side cooling system allows you to put the machine to work in extremely hot and cold conditions. The system is completely separated from the engine compartment to reduce noise and heat. Plus it features easy-to-clean cores and an efficient variable-speed fan.

Biodiesel Not a Problem

The C7.1 ACERT engine can run on up to B20 biodiesel that meets ASTM 6751 standards – all to give you more potential fuel-saving flexibility.

A Powerful, Efficient Design

When it comes to moving heavy material quickly and efficiently, you need hydraulic horsepower – the type of ground-breaking power the 326F can deliver. Major hydraulic components like pumps and valves are located close together so shorter tubes and lines can be used. This design leads to less friction loss, reduced pressure drops, and more power to the ground for the work you need to get done.

The heavy lift mode increases machine system pressure to improve lift – a nice benefit in certain situations. Heavy lift mode also reduces engine speed and pump flow in order to improve controllability.

Control Like No Other

Controllability is one of the main attributes of Cat excavators, and one of the key contributors to this is the main control valve. The valve opens slowly when your range of joystick lever movement is small and opens rapidly when movement is high. It puts flow where you need it when you need it, which leads to smoother operation, greater efficiency, and lower fuel consumption.

Auxiliary Hydraulics for Added Versatility

Auxiliary hydraulics give you greater tool versatility so you can take on more work with just one machine, and there are several options from which you can choose. A quick coupler circuit, for example, will allow you to switch from one tool to another in a matter of minutes.

Boom and Stick Oil Re-Circulation for Added Efficiency

The 326F regenerates the flow of oil from the head end of the boom and stick cylinders to the rod end of the boom and stick cylinders during the work cycle to save energy and improve fuel efficiency. It's optimized for any dial speed setting you select, which results in less pressure loss for higher controllability, more productivity, and lower operating costs for you.

Robust Frame

The 326F is a well-built machine designed to give you a very long service life. The upper frame has mountings made specifically to support the heavy-duty ROPS cab; it is also reinforced around key areas that take on stress like the boom foot and skirt. Massive bolts are used to attach the track frames to the body, and additional bolts are used to increase the machine's digging force, which leads to more productivity for you.

Stable Undercarriage

Long (L) and Long Narrow (LN) undercarriages contribute significantly to outstanding stability and durability. Track shoes, links, rollers, idlers, and final drives are all built with long-lasting, high-tensile-strength steel. Cat Grease Lubricated Track 2 (GLT2) track link protects moving parts by keeping water, debris, and dust out and grease sealed in, which delivers longer wear life and reduced noise when traveling. Optional guide guards help maintain track alignment to improve the machine's overall performance – whether you're traveling on a flat, heavy bed of rock or a steep, wet field of mud.

Great Weight

Counterweights are built with thick steel plates and reinforced fabrications to make them less susceptible to damage, and both have curved surfaces that match the machine's sleek, smooth appearance along with integrated housings to help protect the standard rearview camera.

Built to Last

The 326F L and 326F LN are offered with a range of booms and sticks. Each is built with internal baffle plates for added durability, and each undergoes ultrasound inspection to ensure weld quality and reliability. Large box-section structures with thick, multi-plate fabrications, castings, and forgings are used in high-stress areas such as the boom nose, boom foot, boom cylinder, and stick foot to improve durability. The boom nose pin is a captured flag design for enhanced durability.

Booms, Sticks and Bucket Linkage for Any Job: R = Reach

The Reach boom R5.9 m is best used for reach applications where conditions are optimal such as excavating basements, trenching for utility lines, and working in sewer applications.

Booms, Sticks and Bucket Linkage for Any Job: VA = Variable Angle

This configuration offers superb flexibility and versatility in the working envelope. Boom position can be adjusted from 90° when fully retracted to 165° and fully extended. With full extension, the working range gives maximum reach. When retracted, it can work closer to its tracks, increase lifting capacity, and work in confined areas.

Longer sticks are better when you need to dig deep or load trucks. Shorter sticks provide greater breakout force.

Booms, Sticks and Bucket Linkage for Any Job: SLR = Super Long Reach

This configuration offers 18.4 m horizontal reach with 14.7 m digging depth. It is perfectly suited for forming slopes and cleaning settlement tanks and ponds.

Talk to your Cat dealer to pick the best front linkage for your specific line of work.

Cat Connect makes smart use of technology and services to improve your job site efficiency. Using the data from technology-equipped machines, you'll get more information and insight into your equipment and operations than ever before.

Cat Connect technologies offer improvements in these key areas: Equipment Management – increase uptime and reduce operating costs. Productivity – monitor production and manage job site efficiency. Safety – enhance job site awareness to keep your people and equipment safe.

LINK Technologies

LINK technologies, like Product Link™, are deeply integrated into your machine and wirelessly communicates key information, including location, hours, fuel usage, idle time and event codes.

Product Link/VisionLink®

Easy access to Product Link data via the online VisionLink user interface can help you see how your machine or fleet is performing. You can use this information to make timely, fact based decisions that can boost job site efficiency and productivity, and lower costs.

GRADE Technologies

Grade technologies combine digital design data and in-cab guidance to help you reach target grade quickly and accurately, with minimal staking and checking. That means you'll be more productive, complete jobs faster, in fewer passes, using less fuel, at a lower cost.

Cat Grade Control Depth and Slope

The factory integrated Cat Grade Control system delivers 2D bucket tip elevation guidance to the cab to help operators create precise planes and slopes with ease. Real-time bucket tip elevation guidance on the easy-to-read standard cab monitor indicates how much to cut or fill. Fast response sensors deliver immediate feedback, while optional integrated joystick buttons help operators make quick adjustments to maintain consistent, quality grades. Built-in alerts can be set to warn the operator if the linkage or bucket approaches a predefined elevation or depth, such as when working in areas with low ceilings, or digging near water lines. Staking and checking is minimized, which reduces ground crews and enhances job site safety.

Works best in simple 2D applications, such as digging basements or grading steep embankments. Easily upgrade to AccuGrade™ when 3D control is required.

Cat AccuGrade

The dealer-installed AccuGrade system provides 3D guidance for making complex cuts and contours, eliminating the need for staking and checking. A dedicated monitor displays a digital design plan with 3D bucket tip positioning and elevation guidance, indicating precisely where to work and how much to cut or fill.

Plug and play capability on the 326F L/LN simplifies upgrading. Choose from satellite (GNSS) control for large projects with complex designs or total station (UTS) systems in areas with limited reception.

Get the Most from One Machine

The 326F L/LN is a versatile machine that packs a lot of performance into a small package. You can easily expand that performance by utilizing a variety of attachments offered by Cat Work Tools.

Change Jobs Quickly

Cat quick couplers bring the ability to quickly change attachments and switch from job to job. The Cat Universal or the Cat Pin Grabber couplers are the secure way to decrease downtime and increase job site flexibility and overall productivity.

Dig, Rip and Load

A wide range of buckets dig everything from basic top soil to extreme, harsh material like ore and high quartzite granite. Rip through rock as an alternative to blasting in quarries. High-capacity buckets load trucks in a minimum number of passes for maximum productivity.

Break, Demolish and Scrap

A hydraulic hammer ably equips your machine for breaking rock in quarries. It will also make taking down bridge pillars and heavily reinforced concrete on road demolition jobs no problem.

Multi-processor and pulverizer attachments make your machine ideal for demolition jobs and processing the resulting debris. Shears with 360° rotation mount to the machine for processing scrap steel and metal.

Set Up Your Machine for Profitability

Your Cat dealer can install hydraulic kits to properly operate all Cat Work Tool attachments, maximizing the machine's uptime and your profit.

Ground-Level Access

You can reach most routine maintenance items like fluid taps and grease points from the safety and convenience of ground level. Not only do compartments feature wide service doors designed to help prevent debris entry, but they also securely latch in place to help make your service work simpler.

Quick and Convenient Fluids Service

The fuel tank's drain cock makes it easy and simple for you to remove water and sediment during routine maintenance. Plus an integrated fuel level indicator pops up to help you reduce the possibility of fuel tank overfilling.

A Smart Cooling Design

The high-ambient cooling system features a fuel-saving variable-speed fan and a side-by-side-mounted radiator and oil and air coolers for easy cleaning. Wider clearance between the two make blowing off debris easy for you, which can help improve your machine's reliability and performance.

A Fresh Idea

When you select ventilation inside the cab, outside air enters through the fresh air filter. The filter is conveniently located on the side of the cab to make it easy to reach and replace, and it is protected by a lockable door that can be opened with the engine key.

A Safe, Quiet Cab

The ROPS-certified cab provides you with a safe working environment when properly seated and belted. It also contributes to your comfort because it's attached to a reinforced frame with special viscous mounts that limit vibration and unnecessary sound. Add in special roof lining and sealing and you have a cab that's as quiet inside as any of today's highway trucks.

Secure Contact Points

Multiple large steps get you into the cab as well as a leg up to the compartments. Extended hand and guard rails allow you to safely climb to the upper deck. Anti-skid plates reduce your slipping hazards in all types of weather conditions, and they can be removed for cleaning.

Great Views

Ample glass coupled with the standard parallel wiper system, gives you excellent visibility out front and to the side, and the standard rearview camera gives you a clear field of view behind the machine through the cab monitor.

Smart Lighting

Halogen lights provide plenty of illumination, and the cab and boom lights can be programmed to stay on for up to 90 seconds after the engine has been turned off to help you safely exit the machine.

Worldwide Parts Availability

Cat dealers utilize a worldwide parts network to maximize your machines' uptime. Plus they can help you save money with Cat remanufactured components.

Financial Options Just For You

Consider financing options and day-to-day operating costs. Look at dealer services that can be included in the machine's cost to yield lower owning and operating costs over time.

Support Agreements To Fit Your Needs

Cat dealers offer a variety of customer support agreements and work with you to develop a plan to meet your specific needs. These plans can cover the entire machine, including attachments, to help protect your investment.

What's Best For You Today…And Tomorrow

Repair, rebuild, or replace? Your Cat dealer can help you evaluate the cost involved so you can make the best choice for your business.

• The C7.1 ACERT engine meets Stage IV emission standards.
• The 326F performs the same amount of work as the previous E Series machine while burning less fuel, which means more efficiency, less resources consumed, and fewer CO2 emissions.
• The 326F has the flexibility of running on either ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel with 10 ppm of sulfur or less or biodiesel (up to B20) fuel blended with ULSD.
• A ground-level overfill indicator rises when the tank is full to help the operator avoid spilling.
• The QuickEvac™ option ensures fast, easy, and secure changing of engine and hydraulic oil.
• The 326F is built to be rebuilt with major structures and components capable of being remanufactured to reduce waste and replacement costs.
• An engine oil filter eliminates the need for painted metal cans and aluminum top plates. The cartridge-style spin-on housing enables the internal filter to be separated and replaced; the used internal element can be incinerated to help reduce waste.
• The 326F is an efficient, productive machine that's designed to conserve our natural resources for generations ahead.