30–40 Ton, Two Prices: CAT 330 vs 336D2
Both machines are listed in the 30–40 t class. One is a 2021 CAT 330, 7,353 hours, Grade A, at $33,000. The other is a 2014 CAT 336D2, 11,455 hours, Grade B, quoted on request. The 336D2 we hold with a real price is $22,000 FOB.
This is not a “which model is better” question. It is a question of how much you want to pay for a newer, lower-hour machine — and whether the work justifies the difference.
| Field | 2021 CAT 330 | 2014 CAT 336D2 |
|---|---|---|
| Stock number | exy-cate330-197 | exy-cate336d2-142 |
| Year | 2021 | 2014 |
| Hours | 7,353 h | 11,455 h |
| Grade | Grade A | Grade B |
| Class | 30–40 t | 30–40 t |
| FOB | $33,000 | On request |
| Units held | 1 | 2 |
What the $18,000 buys
The 330 is seven years newer, has 4,102 fewer hours and a better grade. Those are the three things the premium buys. It does not buy a guarantee, and it does not buy a different size class; both machines are in the same 30–40 t band.
If you keep the machine for years and the work is steady, the newer unit spreads the premium over a long period. If the work is short-term or the budget is tight, the older unit may be the better economic choice.
One unit vs two units
We hold one 330 and two 336D2 units. That matters for how you buy. With the 330, there is no second unit of the same year and grade to compare. With the 336D2, you can compare two machines and choose the better one.
For a buyer who needs a single machine and wants the newest option, the 330 is the only choice in this pair. For a buyer who wants a comparison or a package, the 336D2 gives you more than one unit to inspect.
The transport bill is part of the price
Both machines are in the 30–40 t class, so both need a heavier transport plan than a 20-ton unit. But the actual port, loading method and route can differ by machine and destination. Ask for the freight quote for each unit, not just the FOB price.
A $33,000 machine with a cheaper freight route can be closer to the 336D2 than the sticker suggests. A lower-priced machine with a difficult route can be more expensive at the destination. The landed cost is the comparison that matters.
What to inspect on both
- Cold-start video: smoke, blow-by and idle.
- Hydraulic cycle: boom, arm, bucket and travel.
- Undercarriage: shoes, links, rollers, idlers and sprockets.
- Pins and bushes: bucket, arm and boom.
- Boom, arm, frame and counterweight: cracks and welds.
- Cab and electronics: monitor, warning lights and joysticks.
Who should choose the 330
The 330 fits a buyer who wants the newest 30–40 ton machine in the yard, values Grade A and lower hours, and can justify the $33,000 price. It suits a contractor with steady production work or a dealer who wants a premium unit.
It is not the right choice if the budget is fixed at the 336D2 level, if the work is short-term, or if the inspection reveals a repair that erases the premium.
Who should choose the 336D2
The 336D2 fits a buyer who wants a 30–40 ton machine at the lowest entry price and can handle the older year and higher hours. It suits a contractor with a workshop, a dealer buying on price, or a buyer in a market where a 2014 machine is acceptable.
It is not the right choice if you need the newest unit or a Grade A machine. In that case, pay for the 330 or wait for another unit.
Two ways to buy the same class
There are two ways to enter the 30–40 t class. Pay $33,000 for the newer, lower-hour, Grade A 330, or choose the older, higher-hour, Grade B 336D2 and keep the difference for repairs, freight and working capital. Neither is wrong; they are different bets.
The newer-unit bet is that lower hours and a better grade will reduce downtime and protect resale. The older-unit bet is that the machine can work reliably enough to justify the lower entry price, and that the repair reserve will not eat the difference.
Ask yourself which bet you can manage. If you have a workshop and a repair budget, the older unit can make sense. If you need availability and cannot tolerate downtime, the newer unit may be worth the premium.
Transport and loading: the equaliser
Both machines need a heavier transport plan than a 20-ton unit. The actual cost depends on the port, the loading method and the destination. Ask for a written freight quote for each unit; a vague estimate is not enough to compare landed cost.
If the 330 can load from a cheaper port or with a simpler method, the price gap may narrow. If the 336D2 has a difficult route, the gap may widen. The FOB price is only the start.
Who should not buy either
Do not buy either machine if the work is small, the site cannot take a 30–40 t unit, or the transport plan is unclear. Do not buy the 330 if the premium erases your working capital. Do not buy the 336D2 if you cannot inspect it and cannot handle a major repair.
The class is the first decision; the unit is the second. Get the class right before you compare prices.
Grade A vs Grade B is not the whole story
The 330 is Grade A and the 336D2 is Grade B. That difference matters, but it does not replace the inspection. A Grade A machine can still have a worn undercarriage or a hydraulic fault that the grade does not capture. A Grade B machine can be mechanically sound with cosmetic wear.
Ask what each grade was based on, then inspect the items that cost the most: undercarriage, hydraulics, engine and pins. The grade tells you where to start; the inspection tells you where to stop.
If the Grade A unit fails the inspection and the Grade B unit passes, the price gap is irrelevant. Buy the machine that passes, not the label that looks better on paper.
Questions buyers ask
Are both machines available?
Both are listed as in stock in China. Confirm availability on WhatsApp before you commit.
Why is the 336D2 so much cheaper?
It is older, has more hours and a lower grade. The price reflects those facts, not a hidden discount. Inspect it before you assume it is a bargain.
Can you quote CIF for both?
Yes. Send the destination port and we will quote the loading method and freight for each machine.
Can I inspect both?
Yes. Ask for the same video and photo set, or send an inspector to the yard in China.
Which one is easier to resell?
The newer 330 usually has a better resale position, but the local market and condition matter. Ask buyers in your country before you decide.
$18,000 separates two 30–40 ton machines.
Ask for the cold-start videos, undercarriage photos and freight quotes for exy-cate330-197 and exy-cate336d2-142. Compare the landed cost, not just the FOB price.