320F L^Non-Current

A Logical Layout

All major hydraulic components are strategically located close together. This positioning leads to reduced friction loss and pressure drops, and the result is more hydraulic horsepower for the heavy-lifting, ground-breaking work you need to get done.

A Forceful, Responsive Design

The 320F L features a negative flow control hydraulic system. In layman's terms, negative flow control decreases pump flow when oil pressure increases and vice versa. The net result is the pump and valve operate in harmony with less energy and less wear and tear.

Valves For Added Efficiency

The 320F L is built with a back-to-back main control valve, and the benefit to you is reduced pressure loss and fuel consumption due to the shorter distance oil has to travel. The machine also features special boom and stick valves that recirculate oil flow in the cylinders during work instead of going all the way back to the tank. The valves contribute to energy savings, but their primary benefit is allowing more oil to flow to other functions so you can experience faster cycle times and more production.

Tool Control For Enhanced Performance

Tool control is a distinct Cat excavator advantage that adds incredible convenience and enhanced performance to your everyday work. The electronic system stores flows and pressures for up to 20 work tools right in the cab monitor, eliminating the need to calibrate tools every time you make a change out front. It works with both one- and two-way-flow tools, and it can be outfitted with a third pump and medium-pressure circuit so you can use tools like shears, grapples, and tilt buckets. Standard high-pressure circuits make the tools open and close; medium-pressure circuits enable them to rotate. Adding an optional quick coupler circuit makes tool changes even faster for maximum productivity.

Other Cat Exclusive Hydraulic System Advantages

The capsule filter is designed to take out impurities and help you avoid system contamination and accidental spilling. The self-contained, maintenance-friendly filter is easy to remove with a simple wrench. It can take out impurities as small as beta 10 – particles so tiny you cannot see them with the eye. A sensor lets you know if there is a clog or if pressure exceeds a certain level so you can take action.

The drain filter is one extra level of contamination prevention Cat excavators offer. Located in the pump compartment behind the pilot filter, the drain filter purifies the case drain from the main pumps, swing motor, and travel motors – all to enhance the life of the pumps and motors and increase uptime for you.

Proven Technology

Every U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final 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 fluid efficiency of up to 5% over Tier 4 Interim products, 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.

Less Fuel, Same Power

The 320F L consumes up to 8.5% less fuel than a same-size Tier 4 Interim machine with no loss in power. How's that possible? Simple. Advanced engine technology and system control. Isochronous control, for example, permits the engine to run at a constant lower speed but at an optimum point in the power curve for maximum efficiency. Automatic engine speed control also contributes by lowering rpm when the machine isn't calling for it. Plus you have a choice of two power modes – standard and eco mode. Simply change between modes through the switch panel to meet the work needs in front of you. Collectively, all of these benefits add up to reduced fuel consumption, reduced repair and maintenance costs, and increased engine life for you.

Biodiesel Not A Problem

The C4.4 ACERT engine can run on up to B20 biodiesel that meets ASTM 6751 standards – all to give you more potential fuel-saving flexibility.

Cat Connect

The smart use of technology and services will improve your job site efficiency. In fact, using data from technology-equipped machines give you more information and insight into your equipment and operations than ever before.

LINK Technologies

LINK technologies like Product Link™ wirelessly connect you to your equipment, giving you valuable insight into how your machine or fleet is performing. The system comes as standard equipment on the 320F, and it tracks location, hours, fuel usage, productivity, idle time, and diagnostic codes through the online VisionLink® interface so you can make timely, fact-based decisions to maximize efficiency, improve productivity, and lower operating costs.

A Safe, Quiet Cab

The ROPS cab provides you with a safe working environment. 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 today's top pickup trucks.

Comfortable Seat

An air suspension seat comes standard on the 320F. The seat features a reclining back, upper and lower slide adjustments, and height and tilt angle adjustments to meet your needs for maximum comfort.

A Cool and Warm Environment

The automatic climate control system features multiple air outlets with filtered ventilation. Air flows on the floor, behind the seat, and in front of you to make your work in either hot or cold weather much more pleasant and productive.

Controls Just For You

The joystick consoles adjust to improve your comfort and productivity during the course of a day. The armrests telescope up and down just like a bicycle seat. Joysticks for tool control have buttons to make working with a two-way-flow grapple, thumb, and shear simple. 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.

Ample Storage and Auxiliary Power

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. Two 12-volt power supply sockets are conveniently located near the key storage areas for charging your electronic devices like an MP3 player, a cell phone, or a tablet.

A Helpful Monitor

The LCD monitor is easy to see and navigate. 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.

Link and Pins

The power link between the stick and bucket is designed for long-term heavy-duty lifting. With an integrated lifting eye, the power link helps enhance the machine's lifting capability by lowering your load point and maximizing the power built into the boom cylinders. All pins used in the front linkage have thick chrome plating to give them high wear and corrosion resistance. The large diameter pins distribute load weight to ensure long pin, boom, and stick life.

Boom and Stick

The 320F is offered with a reach boom and stick. This combination allows for excellent all-around versatility. Your Cat dealer can help you equip the machine with the right attachments for your specific line of work.

Built To Last

The boom and stick are built with internal baffle plates for additional durability, and they undergo ultrasound inspection to ensure 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, and boom and stick cylinders to enhance durability for the tough work you do.

Robust Frame

The 320F L 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 cab; it's 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 throughout to increase the machine's digging force, which leads to more productivity for you.

Durable Undercarriage

The long undercarriage contributes significantly to the 320F's 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.

Huge Counterweight

The counterweight weighs nearly 3700 kg (8,000 lb) to help enhance lift capability – out front and over the side. Rounded to minimize the amount of overhang, the weight is bolted directly to the main frame using four massive bolts to ensure maximum rigidity. Plus the counterweight has an integrated housing to help protect the machine's standard rearview camera.

Get The Most Out Of One Machine

You can easily expand the performance of your machine by utilizing any of the variety of attachments offered by Cat Work Tools.

Change Jobs Quickly

A quick coupler brings the ability to quickly change attachments and switch from job to job. The Cat Pin Grabber coupler is the secure way to decrease downtime and increase job site flexibility and overall productivity.

Dig, Rip, Finish and Compact

Cat buckets dig everything from top soil to harsh, abrasive material. Add a ripper to get through hard rock. For finishing and grading work, compact and shallow ditch cleaning buckets fit the need. A Cat compactor prepares the area for the next phase of construction.

Break, Demolish, Scrap, Move and Handle

A hydraulic hammer equips your machine for breaking rock in quarries, preparing trenches on construction sites, or taking down bridge pillars and reinforced concrete on road jobs. Multi-processor, pulverizer, and shear attachments take your machine into structure demolition jobs and process the debris for reuse and recycle. Add a thumb to move and handle brush, rocks, and debris. For constant material handling, a grapple is your solution. Choose from three different styles for picking, sorting, and loading trash, demolition debris, or recyclables.

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 profits. All Cat Work Tool attachments are supported by the same Cat dealer network as your Cat machine.

Safe, Convenient Access

You can see the service hour meter inside the cab and reach most routine maintenance items like fluid taps and grease points from the safety and convenience of ground level. Filters are banked together for higher service efficiency. Compartments feature wide service doors and heavy-duty hardware to keep them open – all to make service work simpler and more secure.

A Fresh Idea

The fresh air filter is conveniently located on the side of the cab to make it easy for you to reach and replace. It's protected by a lockable door that can only be opened with the engine key.

A Priming Solution

Located in the pump compartment, an electric fuel priming pump eliminates the need for you to manually prime after filter changes. It also eliminates the risk of fuel contamination by preventing unfiltered fuel from being backfilled during filter changes.

More Service Benefits

Drain tubes beneath the machine make it easy and simple for you to remove water and sediment during routine maintenance. They also make it easy to change oil without special tools or the risk of spilling. Same goes for an integrated fuel level indicator that pops up to help you reduce the possibility of fuel tank overfilling.

On-Board Monitoring

The 320F has a pre-start monitoring system that allows you to check coolant, hydraulic oil, and engine oil levels right inside the cab. The monitor also tells you fluid and filter change intervals to ensure you keep the machine in top-performing condition.

A Safe, Quiet Cab

The ROPS 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 top pickup 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 gives you excellent visibility out front and to the side, and the available rearview camera gives you a clear field of view behind the machine through the cab monitor. The available split-configuration windshield features an upper window with handles that make it easy to slide and store above you and a lower window that can be removed and stored on the inside wall of the cab. The large skylight also serves as an emergency exit and provides you with enhanced overhead visibility.

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.

Guard Options

The 320F can be equipped with several guarding options. Following are just a few offered by your local Cat dealer that will help protect you and your machine:
• Falling Object Guarding System (FOGS)
• Vandal guards
• Swivel guard

Expert Advice You Can Trust

What are the job requirements and machine attachments? What production is needed? Your Cat dealer can provide recommendations to help you make the right machine choices.

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.

Parts When And Where You Need Them

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

Operating Techniques To Boost Your Profits

Improving operating techniques can boost your profits. Your Cat dealer has videos, literature, and other ideas to help you increase productivity. Caterpillar also offers simulators and certified operator training to help maximize the return on your investment.

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.

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 C4.4 ACERT engine is miserly on fuel and meets Tier 4 Final emission standards.
• The engine can run on either ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel with 15 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 machine is built to be rebuilt with major structures and components capable of being remanufactured to reduce waste and replacement costs.
• The 320F L is an efficient, productive machine that's designed to conserve our natural resources for generations ahead.