Medium Excavators 326 - TIER 4 / STAGE V

Brand: Cat

Medium Excavator

326 - TIER 4 / STAGE V

The Cat® 326 Excavator brings premium performance with simple-to-use technologies to boost your operator efficiencies. Combine these features with a new cab, longer maintenance intervals, and a power system that reduces fuel and you have a low-cost-per-unit-of-production excavator that’s perfect for medium to heavy-duty applications.

Add To Compare

Up to 10 percent lower fuel consumption. An additional 5 percent reduction without productivity loss when using Smart mode.
12 percent improved swing torque makes working on slopes easier.
Increase operating efficiency up to 45 percent with standard Cat technologies that lower operator fatigue and your operating costs, including fuel consumption and daily maintenance.
C7.1 engine that meets emission standards. An aftertreatment system that requires no maintenance or downtime.
The advanced hydraulic system provides the optimum balance of power and efficiency while giving you the control you need for precise digging requirements.
Match the excavator to the job with power modes; let Smart mode automatically match engine and hydraulic power to digging conditions.
Advansys™ bucket tips increase penetration and improve cycle times. Tip changes can be done quickly with a simple lug wrench instead of a hammer or special tool, improving safety and uptime.
Auxiliary hydraulic options give you the versatility to use a wide range of Cat attachments.
Available SmartBoom™ lets the boom freely travel up and down without using any pump flow so operators can focus on stick and bucket work. The benefits are reduced operator stress and reduced fuel consumption(not available in all regions – consult your local dealer on availability).
Don’t let the temperature stop you from working. The excavator has a standard high-ambient temperature capability of 52° C (125° F) with de-rate and cold start capability of –18° C (0° F). An optional –32° C (–25° F) cold start package is available.

Up to 10 percent lower fuel consumption. An additional 5 percent reduction without productivity loss when using Smart mode.
12 percent improved swing torque makes working on slopes easier.
Increase operating efficiency up to 45 percent with standard Cat technologies that lower operator fatigue and your operating costs, including fuel consumption and daily maintenance.
C7.1 engine that meets emission standards. An aftertreatment system that requires no maintenance or downtime.
The advanced hydraulic system provides the optimum balance of power and efficiency while giving you the control you need for precise digging requirements.
Match the excavator to the job with power modes; let Smart mode automatically match engine and hydraulic power to digging conditions.
Advansys™ bucket tips increase penetration and improve cycle times. Tip changes can be done quickly with a simple lug wrench instead of a hammer or special tool, improving safety and uptime.
Auxiliary hydraulic options give you the versatility to use a wide range of Cat attachments.
Available SmartBoom™ lets the boom freely travel up and down without using any pump flow so operators can focus on stick and bucket work. The benefits are reduced operator stress and reduced fuel consumption(not available in all regions – consult your local dealer on availability).
Don’t let the temperature stop you from working. The excavator has a standard high-ambient temperature capability of 52° C (125° F) with de-rate and cold start capability of –18° C (0° F). An optional –32° C (–25° F) cold start package is available.

Boost productivity up to 45 percent versus traditional grading with standard Cat Grade with 2D system – includes indicate-only and laser capability.
Standard Grade Assist: Stay on grade – simply and effortlessly – with single-lever digging.
Set your desired bucket angle and let Bucket Assist automatically maintain the angle in sloping, leveling, fine grading, and trenching applications.
Keep the tracks on ground in lifting and hard digging with Boom Assist.
Automatically stop excavator swing at operator-defined set points in truck loading and trenching applications with Swing Assist, which will help you use less effort and consume less fuel.
Standard Cat Payload helps you achieve precise load targets to improve your operating efficiency. Pick up a load of material–with a bucket and thumb combination or grapple and clamshell attachments–and get a real-time weight estimate without swinging.
Combine Payload with VisionLink® and remotely manage your production targets, now with the possibility to download on a USB stick.
Upgrade to optional Cat Grade with Advanced 2D: Create and edit grade designs with ease on a second high-resolution 254 mm (10 in) touchscreen monitor.
Want a 3D system to improve your digging results? Caterpillar’s new single antenna global navigation satellite system (GNSS) makes it easy by giving you visual and auditory guidance to grade. Plus you can create and edit designs on the touchscreen monitor while you’re on the job. If your application calls for a dual antenna system, it’s easy to upgrade.
Upgrade to our dual antenna GNSS for maximum grading efficiency. The system lets you create and edit designs on the touchscreen monitor while you’re on the job, or you can have the plan design sent to the excavator to make your work easier. Plus you get added benefits of avoidance zones, cut and fill mapping, lane guidance, and augmented reality along with advanced positioning capability.
All Cat Grade systems are compatible with radios and base stations from Trimble, Topcon, and Leica. Already invested in a grade infrastructure? You can install grade systems from Trimble, Topcon, and Leica onto the machine.
Remote Troubleshoot connects you to a dealer service pro to help solve your problem and quickly get you to work.
Remote Flash works around your schedule to ensure your machine’s software is up to date for optimal performance.
Standard Product Link™ provides location, machine hours, fuel usage, productivity, idle time, diagnostic codes, and other machine data on demand through VisionLink online interface, helping you improve jobsite efficiency with lower operating costs.
Improve your accuracy and safety – Add a new Cat Tiltrotator system upgrade with factory-fit joysticks. The system allows a Tiltrotator to work with standard Cat 2D Grade and E-Fence; it uses the standard cab monitor to display the tool and engage its SecureLock™ so you don’t need spend money on an extra monitor.

Choose between Comfort, Deluxe and Premium cabs – all with automatic climate control (consult your local dealer on availability in your region).
The Comfort cab is equipped with a mechanical suspension seat. The Deluxe seat is heated and air adjustable. The Premium seat is heated and cooled and adjusts automatically.
Tip up console on the Deluxe and Premium cab improves ingress/egress by approximately 45 percent.
Advanced viscous mounts reduce cab vibration up to 50 percent over previous excavator models.
Control the excavator comfortably with easy-to-reach controls all located in front of you.
Stow your gear with plenty of in-cab storage beneath and behind the seat and in the consoles. A cup holder, document holder, bottle holder, and coat hook are also provided.
Use the standard radio’s USB ports and Bluetooth® technology to connect personal devices and make hands-free calls.

Start the engine with a push button or the unique Operator ID function.
Program your power mode and joystick preferences using Operator ID; the excavator will remember what you set each time you go to work.
Make moving the excavator much easier with optional Cat Stick Steer. Simply push a button and use one hand to travel and turn instead of both hands or feet on levers or pedals.
Make operating easier with the touch of a joystick button. Additional auxiliary relays allow you to power on or turn off a CB radio, beacon light, and even a dust suppression watering system without taking your hands off the joysticks.
Navigate quickly on the standard high-resolution 203 mm (8 in) touchscreen monitor, or with the optional 254 mm (10 in) touchscreen monitor (available on the Deluxe and Premium cabs only), or with the aid of the jog dial control.
Not sure how a function works or how to maintain the excavator? Always have the operator’s manual at your fingertips in the touchscreen monitor.
Find the tool you need – even if it’s hidden beneath overgrowth or debris. The excavator’s onboard Bluetooth reader can locate any work tool equipped with Cat asset tracking devices up to a range of 60 m (200 ft).
Auto Dig Boost increases power by up to 8% for better bucket penetration, shorter cycle times, and greater payloads.
Make moving the excavator much easier with Cat Stick Steer. Simply push a button and use one hand to travel and turn instead of both hands or feet on levers or pedals.
The Cat PL161 Attachment Locator is a Bluetooth device that makes finding your attachments and other gear quick and easy. The Cat App on your phone will locate the device automatically.
Tiltrotator attachments–ours or other brands–work seamlessly with Cat 2D Grade, Assist, Payload, and E-Fence . With no additional hardware required, all you have to do is simply select “Third Party Tiltrotator System Installation” in the monitor, do the calibration, and get to work.

Expect up to 20 percent less maintenance cost than the 326F/326D2 (savings calculated over 12,000 machine hours).
Boost productivity with proactive service reminders. The new Integrated vehicle health management system alerts the operator with step-by-step service guidance along with parts needed so you don’t experience any unnecessary downtime.
Do all daily maintenance at ground level.
Check engine oil level quickly and safely with the new ground-level engine oil dipstick; fill and check engine oil on top of the machine with a conveniently located second dipstick.
Track your excavator’s filter life and maintenance intervals via the in-cab monitor.
No required maintenance on the Cat Clean Emissions Module.
Using Cat genuine oil and filters and doing your typical S·O·S^SM monitoring will double the current service interval to 1,000 hours, giving you greater uptime to do more work.
Expect the new air intake filter with precleaner to last up to 1,000 hours – a 100 percent increase over the previous filter.
The new hydraulic oil filter provides improved filtration performance, anti-drain valves to keep oil clean when the filter is replaced, and longer life with a 3,000 hour replacement interval – 50 percent longer than previous filter designs.
High-efficiency cooling fans run only when needed; you can program intervals so they automatically reverse to keep cores clean without interrupting your work.
S·O·S ports are on ground level, simplifying maintenance and allowing for quick, easy extraction of fluid samples for analysis.