The dirt is already spoken for on the next project, and the CAT 323 is the machine that moves it efficiently. Sitting a step above the 320 in the Cat lineup at approximately 23 metric tons, the 323 brings extra digging force and a slightly longer reach that matters on deeper utility trenches, heavier foundation work, and commercial site development where the 320 sometimes comes up short. We finance 323s for site development contractors, pipeline crews, and earthwork operators who need the machine performing before the mobilization day arrives.
Our minimums start at $50,000 and we work through deals from there up to seven figures for fleet transactions. Application-only approval up to roughly $400,000, with bank statements for larger tickets. Typical close time is one to two weeks from completed application.
The CAT 323 in the Field
The 323 runs roughly 50,800 to 54,000 pounds depending on arm and bucket selection, producing about 162 net horsepower. That extra weight over the 320 shows up as increased breakout force at the bucket, which translates to faster production in tougher material like hardpan clay, rocky overburden, or compacted fill. The standard arm on the 323 delivers a maximum digging depth of approximately 23 feet, making it a genuine player for deeper utility work.
Cat's Grade with 2D assist is available on the 323 and reduces the rework loops that eat into production on grade-sensitive jobs. The machine also accepts Cat's hydraulic thumb and quick coupler system natively, which lets operators swap between a digging bucket, a grading bucket, and a hydraulic thumb without leaving the cab. Contractors running underground and sewer work particularly value this versatility because the job changes between digging, laying pipe, and backfilling multiple times per shift.
- Operating weight: approximately 50,800-54,000 lbs depending on configuration
- Net power: approximately 162 hp (121 kW)
- Max digging depth: approximately 23 feet on standard arm
- Supports full range of Cat hydraulic attachments including breakers and pulverizers
What a 323 Financing Package Looks Like
New 323s are priced in the $280,000-to-$320,000 range depending on configuration and dealer location. Used machines, particularly the G-series and earlier Next Gen units, trade between $120,000 and $200,000 depending on hours, undercarriage, and attached equipment. Both price points fit neatly in our program, with the used end often qualifying for application-only financing and the new end requiring bank statements.
We typically structure terms from 36 to 72 months. Longer terms lower the monthly outlay but increase total interest paid, while shorter terms build equity faster and cost less overall. The right term depends on what the machine earns and how long you plan to keep it. For a contractor running the 323 on a two-year infrastructure contract, a 60-month term with a balloon option at the end of the contract can make the cash flow math work cleanly. We model these scenarios before you commit.
Refinancing a 323 You Already Own
If you own a 323 outright or carry an older note with unfavorable terms, two options deserve a look. A straight equipment refinance replaces the existing note at better terms, reducing the monthly payment or shortening the remaining term. A Sale-Leaseback sells the machine to a financing company and immediately leases it back to you, converting the equity in the machine to working capital while keeping the machine in your yard and the depreciation on your books.
Both strategies suit contractors who have capital tied up in their iron but face a project requiring cash, a bond requirement, or an opportunity to add another machine. The key question is whether you need the equity liquid or just the payment reduced. We walk through both options so you know the tradeoff before signing anything.
Who Typically Finances a 323
The 323 is not a starter machine. Contractors who buy one have already proven out a business model that needs this size machine regularly. We see applications from established excavating firms picking up a second production unit, from site developers who outgrew their 320, and from utility contractors whose scope has grown from residential laterals to larger commercial main extensions requiring deeper trenches and heavier daily yardage.
Contractors in markets like Dallas, TX and Atlanta, GA, where commercial and mixed-use development is producing large site development contracts, frequently finance 323s as their primary production unit. The machine is capable of working alongside a wheel loader on large sites to handle both the excavation and material movement roles efficiently.
The 323 also earns its keep on general contractor crews who do their own site work rather than subbing it out. Having the iron in-house gives these contractors tighter schedule control and keeps the margin on the dirt work inside the business rather than going to a sub. Financing makes the entry point realistic without draining the working capital that carries the rest of the project. We work with both established operations adding capacity and contractors making the transition from hired equipment to owned fleet.
Start Your CAT 323 Financing Quote
Send us the machine specs and purchase price and we will put together options within the business day. Fast close means the machine is working when the project kicks off.
