Big yardage days start with the right machine, and the CAT 336 delivers the kind of production numbers that justify a large excavator on a commercial site. At roughly 36 metric tons, the 336 handles heavy foundation excavation, mass grading on large land development, rock and hard material, and deep utility installation where smaller machines struggle to maintain pace. We finance 336s for commercial construction firms, heavy earthwork contractors, and site developers who need large production iron without tying up cash that is better deployed elsewhere on the job.
Our minimum is $50,000 and we work deals through seven figures. Application-only approval applies up to roughly $400,000. A new 336 typically exceeds that, so three months of bank statements will be part of the package. Funding in one to two weeks from a complete application.
CAT 336 Specs That Matter on the Bid
The 336 operates at approximately 79,800 to 83,000 pounds depending on stick and counterweight configuration, producing around 270 net horsepower. That power-to-weight ratio keeps the machine productive on tougher assignments: ripping rock cap with a hydraulic breaker, handling concrete rubble on a demolition site, or cycling heavy clay on a cut-and-fill job where a 20-ton machine would bog down. Maximum digging depth on the standard arm is approximately 25-26 feet, reaching well beyond the 323 and making the 336 the first serious option for large commercial utility trenches.
The Next Gen 336 incorporates Cat's advanced Grade with assist, offering both 2D and 3D grade guidance depending on how the machine is spec'd. Contractors running large subdivision development or industrial pad work use grade assist to reduce passes and improve compaction quality without the traditional stakes-and-surveyor loop every few hours. For road and highway contractors, the 336 is a common choice for cut work on highway projects where mass excavation must keep pace with grading crews.
- Operating weight: approximately 79,800-83,000 lbs depending on configuration
- Net power: approximately 270 hp (201 kW)
- Max digging depth: approximately 25-26 feet
- Handles hydraulic breakers, pulverizers, and multi-processors natively
Financing a Large Machine Like the 336
The 336 price point, typically $380,000-$450,000 new and $180,000-$280,000 for a well-maintained used unit, puts most transactions above the application-only threshold. That means we look at three months of business bank statements alongside the application. We want to see consistent revenue deposits that cover the proposed payment with reasonable margin. A contractor turning $2 million a year in excavation revenue is a strong candidate even with imperfect credit history.
Structuring options for the 336 include a straightforward equipment loan with terms from 48 to 84 months, or a dollar buyout lease that provides the same ownership outcome at term end but structures the obligation differently on your balance sheet. Some contractors prefer the lease treatment because of how it interacts with their bonding capacity. Others simply want the loan because it is simple and they plan to run the machine for ten years.
For contractors with existing iron and a need to pull capital out, a cash-out refinance on a paid-off or equity-rich 336 can fund a down payment on a second machine or bridge cash flow on a large project without a separate working capital loan.
Where the 336 Works Most
Markets with dense commercial construction activity keep the 336 busy. Cities like Houston, TX and Phoenix, AZ both run large volumes of commercial foundation and site work that requires large production excavators. In Houston, the petrochemical corridor and industrial expansion around the Ship Channel keep heavy excavators in steady demand. In Phoenix, the sustained pace of industrial, logistics, and mixed-use development produces consistent work for contractors running 336-class machines.
The 336 also appears regularly in mining support and quarry applications where contractors need more production capacity than a mid-size excavator provides. Aggregate and quarry operators value the 336 for its ability to load trucks at a competitive cycle time without the operating cost of a true 50-ton class machine.
Credit Profile and What We Need
The 336 is a six-figure asset with a deep secondary market, and that works in your favor on underwriting. Lenders treat established Cat iron as strong collateral. Contractors with a few blemishes on credit but solid bank statements and real contracts in hand close 336 deals regularly. We also have programs for B/C credit equipment financing that can bridge situations where the traditional bank channel has said no.
Documents needed for a typical large-excavator deal: one-page application, three months of business bank statements, machine details (year, serial, hours, dealer or seller), and a copy of any existing note if you are refinancing. We do not require audited financials or tax returns in most cases.
Contractors considering the 336 should also evaluate how it fits alongside other fleet assets. Running the 336 as the primary excavator on a large project alongside a pair of articulated trucks creates a production cell where daily yardage targets are achievable without adding more machines. The financing on each piece can be structured to match the expected useful life of the asset and the project cash flow schedule. We work through these multi-asset scenarios regularly and can structure the 336 note independently or as part of a larger fleet package depending on what your business needs.
