Bobcat 331 vs Cat 305 CR

The Cat 305 CR is the heavier machine, at 5.7 t against 3.27 t, and the Bobcat 331 has more power (29.9 kW against 27.2 kW).

The Bobcat 331 is ahead on: more power, faster, lower to transport. The Cat 305 CR is ahead on: digs deeper, reaches further, dumps higher, more digging or pushing force, more hydraulic flow, bigger fuel tank.

Below, every figure both makers publish sits side by side, with the Bobcat 331 and the Cat 305 CR drawn to the same scale from their dimension drawings.

Bobcat · mini excavator
Bobcat 331
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Cat · mini excavator
Cat 305 CR
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At a glance

Bold is the machine ahead on each figure, with its lead.

Figure	Bobcat 331	Cat 305 CR
Operating weight	3,273 kg	5,695 kg
Net powerHigher is better	29.9 kW+10%	27.2 kW
Max digging depthHigher is better	3.101 m	3.42 m+10%
Max reach at ground levelHigher is better	4.874 m	5.59 m+15%
Max dumping heightHigher is better	3.089 m	3.7 m+20%
Bucket digging forceHigher is better	31 kN	49 kN+58%
Pump flowHigher is better	91 L/min	133 L/min+46%
Fuel tankHigher is better	57.9 L	63 L+9%
Travel speed (high)Higher is better	5.6 km/h+24%	4.5 km/h
Overall height (to top of cab)Lower is better	2.391 m+6%	2.55 m
Overall length	4.88 m	5.305 m

All specifications

Every figure the makers publish. Search for one, or show only those that differ.

Differences only(96)

FigureBobcat 331 Cat 305 CR

Dimensions

Overall length4.88 mTravel position; 4,882 mm in the O&M manual5.305 m

Overall height (to top of cab)2.391 m2,394 mm in the O&M manual2.55 mOverall shipping height

Swing centre to front (transport)3.493 mNot published

Engine cover height1.476 mNot published

Ground clearance, counterweight0.511 m532 mm in the O&M manualNot published

Blade height0.378 m0.415 mStraight blade

Overall width1.54 mOver tracksNot published

Shoe width0.32 mRubber track0.4 mTrack belt/shoe width

Tail swing radiusNot published1.095 mTail swing without counterweight

Tail swing radius, with counterweightNot published1.2 m

Max blade heightNot published0.4 mBlade raised, above ground

Max blade depthNot published0.65 mBlade lowered, below ground

Overall height (to top of boom)Not published1.82 m

Overall height (to top of boom), long stickNot published1.895 m

Swing bearing heightNot published0.619 m

Track lengthNot published2.585 mOverall undercarriage length

Overall length, long stickNot published5.34 m

Width of crawlerNot published1.98 mTrack width

Ground clearance (minimum)Not published0.335 mGround clearance

Performance

Max digging height4.539 m5.215 m

Max dumping height3.089 m3.7 mMaximum dump clearance, standard stick

Max digging depth3.101 m3.42 m

Max vertical wall digging depth2.202 m2.335 mVertical wall, standard stick

Max reach at ground level4.874 m5.59 m

Stick length1.2 m1.351 m

Bucket digging force31 kN49 kN

Rated lift capacity602 kgNot published

Swing speed9.2 rpm9.0 rpmMachine swing speed

Minimum swing radius1.4 mNot published

Boom swing, left90°72°

Boom swing, right50°50°

Travel speed (high)5.6 km/h4.5 km/h

Travel speed (low)2.1 km/h2.8 km/h

Ground pressure29.4 kPaNot published

Max digging depth, long stickNot published3.67 m

Max vertical wall digging depth, long stickNot published2.56 m

Max reach at ground level, long stickNot published5.835 m

Max digging reachNot published5.755 mMaximum reach, standard stick

Max digging reach, long stickNot published5.99 m

Max digging height, long stickNot published5.355 m

Max dumping height, long stickNot published3.845 m

Boom-in reachNot published2.57 mBoom in reach, standard stick

Boom-in reach, long stickNot published2.58 m

Boom swing offset, rightNot published0.865 mBoom swing right (plan view)

Boom swing offset, leftNot published0.615 mBoom swing left (plan view)

Arm digging forceNot published28 kNStick digging force, standard stick

Arm digging force, long stickNot published25 kNStick digging force, long stick

Weight

Operating weight3,273 kg5,695 kg

Operating weight, cab (minimum)Not published5,035 kg

Operating weight, canopy (minimum)Not published4,936 kg

Operating weight, canopy (maximum)Not published5,596 kg

Weight increase, counterweightNot published242 kg

Weight increase, long stickNot published34 kg

Weight increase, steel tracks with padsNot published375 kg

Weight increase, angle bladeNot published92 kg

Engine

Engine modelKubota V2203-EBCat C1.7 Turbo

Cylinders4D-series O&M manualNot published

Displacement2.2 L1.7 L

Net power29.9 kW (40.0 hp)SAE net at 2,400 rpm27.2 kW (36.5 hp)ISO 9249, 80/1269/EEC, at 2,400 rpm

EmissionsNot publishedBrazil MAR-1 (equivalent to EU Stage IIIA)

Gross powerNot published29 kW (38.9 hp)SAE J1995:2014, at 2,400 rpm

BoreNot published84 mm

StrokeNot published100 mm

Hydraulics

Pump flow91 L/minTotal capacity; imperial 24 gpm133 L/min

Auxiliary circuit flow62 L/minNot published

Auxiliary circuit relief172 barNot published

Max pressureNot published265 barOperating pressure, equipment

Operating pressure, travelNot published265 bar

Operating pressure, swingNot published200 bar

Auxiliary circuit flow, primaryNot published80 L/min

Auxiliary circuit flow, secondaryNot published28 L/min

Service capacities

Fuel tank57.9 L63 L

Hydraulic tank29.5 L60 L

Engine oil, with filter7.1 LNot published

Cooling system15.1 LWithout heater, including recovery tank11 L

Final drive oil, each side1.6 LNot published

Engine oilNot published6 L

Hydraulic systemNot published75 L

Final drive (each)Not published1 L

Service intervals

Engine oil and filter250 hoursFirst change at 50 h500 hoursor 6 months

Fuel filters250 hoursNot published

Hydraulic filter500 hoursAlso at first 100 hNot published

Hydraulic oil1,000 hoursWith the filter; also at first 100 h2,000 hours

Final drive oil1,000 hours2,000 hoursor 12 months

Coolant1,000 hoursOr every 6 months12,000 hoursor 72 months

Swing circle and pinion grease50 hoursThree fittingsNot published

Pivot points grease10 hours21 placesNot published

Travel

Max traction force, high speedNot published25 kN

Max traction force, low speedNot published51 kN

Ground pressure, minimum weightNot published26.9 kPa

Ground pressure, maximum weightNot published31.8 kPa

Gradeability (maximum)Not published30°

Blade

Blade widthNot published1.98 mStraight blade

Blade width, angle bladeNot published1.98 m

Blade height, angle bladeNot published0.4 m

Blade angle, left / rightNot published25°Angle blade, each side

Boom and stick

Stick length, long stickNot published1.601 m

Sources: Bobcat D-Series Excavators brochure (322, 325, 328, 331, 331E, 334, 337, 341), Machine.Market copy of the Bobcat Company brochure · Cat 305 CR Mini Excavator small Specalog AEHQ8406 (05-2022)

Drawn to scale

Side views measured off each maker's dimension drawing, front edges and ground lined up.

Bobcat 331Cat 305 CRSame scale, front edges and ground lined up.

Bobcat 331 vs Cat 305 CR: questions

Which is bigger, the Bobcat 331 or Cat 305 CR?

By operating weight the Cat 305 CR is the biggest at 5.7 t, then the Bobcat 331 at 3.27 t.

Which has more power, the Bobcat 331 or Cat 305 CR?

The Bobcat 331: Bobcat 331 29.9 kW (40.0 hp), Cat 305 CR 27.2 kW (36.5 hp) (net power), a 10% difference.

Which digs deeper, the Bobcat 331 or Cat 305 CR?

The Cat 305 CR: Bobcat 331 3.101 m, Cat 305 CR 3.42 m (max digging depth), a 10% difference.

Which reaches further, the Bobcat 331 or Cat 305 CR?

The Cat 305 CR: Bobcat 331 4.874 m, Cat 305 CR 5.59 m (max reach at ground level), a 15% difference.

Which has the bigger fuel tank, the Bobcat 331 or Cat 305 CR?

The Cat 305 CR: Bobcat 331 57.9 L, Cat 305 CR 63 L (fuel tank), a 9% difference.

Where do these figures come from?

Each model's own published spec sheet or brochure, linked under the table. Builds differ by market and year, so confirm the figures for a particular machine with its dealer.

Can I rent or buy these machines in the UAE?

Each model's page lists the ones for hire and for sale on EquipmentsFinder now, with typical prices in AED.