Pushing past the standard mid-size into the upper range of productive excavators, the Komatsu PC290 fills the gap between the 21-ton PC210 and the larger PC360 for contractors whose work scope has outgrown one but does not yet demand the other. At approximately 29 metric tons, the PC290 handles commercial foundation excavation, heavy utility main installation, rock-cap work, and large site development cycles where the PC210 would extend the schedule and the PC360 would be underutilized. We finance PC290s for utility and pipeline contractors and commercial site developers who need a genuine step up in production capacity without jumping to full large-excavator costs.
Used PC290 transactions typically fall under our application-only threshold and close fastest. New units require bank statements. Funding in one to two weeks either way.
Komatsu PC290 in Commercial Site Work
The PC290 runs at approximately 64,000 to 68,000 pounds of operating weight, producing roughly 204 net horsepower. That power band positions it in the same tier as Cat's 323 and makes it a direct comparison in competitive bids. Maximum digging depth on the standard arm sits around 23-24 feet, handling deep utility work and commercial basement excavation that shallower mid-size machines cannot reach in a single pass.
The PC290 LC (long-carriage) configuration provides an extended undercarriage for improved stability on side slopes and soft ground. For underground and sewer contractors working in soft urban soils, the LC undercarriage reduces the tipover risk during swing loading and maintains machine position through repeated digging cycles without constant re-tracking.
- Operating weight: approximately 64,000-68,000 lbs depending on configuration
- Net power: approximately 204 hp (152 kW)
- Max digging depth: approximately 23-24 feet
- LC configuration available for improved stability in soft or sloped ground
Financing the PC290: What the Process Looks Like
A new PC290 from a Komatsu dealer prices between $280,000 and $340,000 depending on spec. Well-maintained used PC290s trade from $110,000 to $200,000 depending on hours and configuration. The used range fits our application-only financing program on clean files, making the used route the fastest path to closing.
For new units, we add three months of bank statements to the application. We look at the cash flow trend and the ratio of revenue to total debt service, including the proposed payment. A commercial site contractor running $2 million or more in annual revenue typically has no problem supporting a PC290 note at any reasonable term.
Term options run 48 to 72 months on mid-size excavators in this range. An equipment loan is the most common structure, but we also work with contractors who prefer an equipment lease to preserve capital or maintain upgrade flexibility at the end of the term.
Related Equipment and Financing Options
The PC290 sits between the PC210 and the PC360 in Komatsu's lineup. If you are still evaluating size, the PC210 financing page covers the lower-end option in detail, and the PC360 financing page addresses what the step up in size delivers. The right answer depends on the typical depth, breakout requirement, and daily yardage targets on your most common project type.
Alongside an excavator, many contractors who operate in the PC290's working size also run a wheel loader for material stockpile management and truck loading. Financing both as part of a fleet build-out is straightforward and we can structure the two notes with terms that spread the monthly obligation across both assets sensibly.
Credit Requirements and Documentation
B and C credit is considered for PC290 transactions. The machine commands enough secondary market value that lenders are willing to look at imperfect credit histories when the collateral is solid and the cash flow supports the payment. We work with bad-credit equipment financing programs specifically designed for construction contractors who have had a rough period but are running real work.
Standard documents: completed application, machine details, three months of business bank statements for deals over $200,000. Tax returns are not required on most transactions this size. If your business structure involves multiple related entities, bring statements for the entity that primarily holds the operating cash flow.
Contractors in markets like Nashville, TN and Raleigh, NC where commercial development has been active often have strong bank statements even with imperfect credit history, and that combination closes deals that would stall elsewhere.
One additional point on the PC290 that comes up regularly in conversations with utility contractors: the machine's heavier weight compared to the PC210 means it requires a larger haul truck for mobilization. That mobilization cost is worth factoring into the total project cost comparison. On large utility main contracts where the machine stays on-site for weeks at a time, the extra mobilization cost is absorbed quickly. On shorter contracts that require frequent moves, it is a real cost consideration. We mention it not to steer the decision but because understanding the full operating cost picture makes the financing structure decision clearer.
Start Your Komatsu PC290 Financing Quote
Give us the machine details and your business information. We review fast, structure options the same day, and you decide which terms fit the project cash flow best.
