Bobcat 331 vs Cat 303 CR

The Cat 303 CR is the heavier machine, at 3.55 t against 3.27 t, and the Bobcat 331 has more power (29.9 kW against 17.6 kW).

The Bobcat 331 is ahead on: more power, digs deeper, reaches further, more digging or pushing force, bigger fuel tank, faster, lower to transport. The Cat 303 CR is ahead on: dumps higher, more hydraulic flow.

Below, every figure both makers publish sits side by side, with the Bobcat 331 and the Cat 303 CR drawn to the same scale from their dimension drawings.

Bobcat · mini excavator
Bobcat 331
Change modelFull specs PDF
Cat · mini excavator
Cat 303 CR
Change modelFull specs PDF
Add a modelUp to four

At a glance

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

Figure	Bobcat 331	Cat 303 CR
Operating weight	3,273 kg	3,545 kg
Net powerHigher is better	29.9 kW+70%	17.6 kW
Max digging depthHigher is better	3.101 m+17%	2.65 m
Max reach at ground levelHigher is better	4.874 m+1%	4.83 m
Max dumping heightHigher is better	3.089 m	3.17 m+3%
Bucket digging forceHigher is better	31 kN+10%	28 kN
Pump flowHigher is better	91 L/min	100 L/min+10%
Fuel tankHigher is better	57.9 L+29%	45 L
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+4%	2.48 m
Overall length	4.88 m	4.51 m

All specifications

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

Differences only(97)

FigureBobcat 331 Cat 303 CR

Dimensions

Overall length4.88 mTravel position; 4,882 mm in the O&M manual4.51 m

Overall height (to top of cab)2.391 m2,394 mm in the O&M manual2.48 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 m0.35 m

Overall width1.54 mOver tracksNot published

Shoe width0.32 mRubber track0.3 mTrack belt/shoe width

Tail swing radiusNot published0.775 mTail swing without counterweight

Tail swing radius, light counterweightNot published0.845 m

Tail swing radius, extra counterweightNot published0.89 m

Max blade heightNot published0.385 mBlade raised, above ground

Max blade depthNot published0.535 mBlade lowered, below ground

Overall height (to top of boom)Not published1.6 m

Overall height (to top of boom), long stickNot published1.92 m

Swing bearing heightNot published0.57 m

Track lengthNot published2.07 mOverall undercarriage length

Overall length, long stickNot published4.56 m

Width of crawlerNot published1.55 mTrack width

Ground clearance (minimum)Not published0.31 mGround clearance

Performance

Max digging height4.539 m4.51 m

Max dumping height3.089 m3.17 mMaximum dump clearance, standard stick

Max digging depth3.101 m2.65 m

Max vertical wall digging depth2.202 m1.82 mVertical wall, standard stick

Max reach at ground level4.874 m4.83 m

Stick length1.2 m1.26 m

Bucket digging force31 kN28 kN

Rated lift capacity602 kgNot published

Swing speed9.2 rpm9.0 rpmMachine swing speed

Minimum swing radius1.4 mNot published

Boom swing, left90°75°

Boom swing, right50°50°

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

Travel speed (low)2.1 km/h2.6 km/h

Ground pressure29.4 kPaNot published

Max digging depth, long stickNot published2.95 m

Max vertical wall digging depth, long stickNot published2.07 m

Max reach at ground level, long stickNot published5.11 m

Max digging reachNot published4.98 mMaximum reach, standard stick

Max digging reach, long stickNot published5.24 m

Max digging height, long stickNot published4.65 m

Max dumping height, long stickNot published3.31 m

Boom-in reachNot published1.75 mBoom in reach, standard stick

Boom-in reach, long stickNot published1.91 m

Boom swing offset, rightNot published0.87 mBoom swing right (plan view)

Boom swing offset, leftNot published0.64 mBoom swing left (plan view)

Arm digging forceNot published17 kNStick digging force, standard stick

Arm digging force, long stickNot published15 kNStick digging force, long stick

Weight

Operating weight3,273 kg3,545 kg

Operating weight, cab (minimum)Not published3,140 kg

Operating weight, canopy (minimum)Not published3,025 kg

Operating weight, canopy (maximum)Not published3,425 kg

EU CE plate weight, canopyNot published3,080 kg

EU CE plate weight, cabNot published3,180 kg

Weight increase, cabNot published115 kg

Weight increase, counterweight (light)Not published100 kg

Weight increase, counterweight (extra)Not published250 kg

Weight increase, long stickNot published25 kg

Weight increase, steel tracksNot published125 kg

Engine

Engine modelKubota V2203-EBCat C1.1 Turbo

Cylinders4D-series O&M manualNot published

Displacement2.2 L1.1 L

Net power29.9 kW (40.0 hp)SAE net at 2,400 rpm17.6 kW (23.6 hp)ISO 9249, 80/1269/EEC, at 2,400 rpm

EmissionsNot publishedU.S. EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage V

Gross powerNot published18.4 kW (24.7 hp)Engine power, ISO 14396

BoreNot published77 mm

StrokeNot published81 mm

Hydraulics

Pump flow91 L/minTotal capacity; imperial 24 gpm100 L/min

Auxiliary circuit flow62 L/minNot published

Auxiliary circuit relief172 barNot published

Max pressureNot published245 barOperating pressure, equipment

Operating pressure, travelNot published245 bar

Operating pressure, swingNot published176 bar

Auxiliary circuit flow, primaryNot published65 L/min

Auxiliary circuit flow, secondaryNot published25 L/min

Service capacities

Fuel tank57.9 L45 L

Hydraulic tank29.5 L18 L

Engine oil, with filter7.1 LNot published

Cooling system15.1 LWithout heater, including recovery tank4 L

Final drive oil, each side1.6 LNot published

Engine oilNot published4 L

Hydraulic systemNot published35 L

Final drive (each)Not published0.6 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 h3,000 hours

Final drive oil1,000 hours1,000 hoursor 12 months

Coolant1,000 hoursOr every 6 months12,000 hours

Swing circle and pinion grease50 hoursThree fittingsNot published

Pivot points grease10 hours21 placesNot published

Travel

Max traction force, high speedNot published15 kN

Max traction force, low speedNot published31 kN

Ground pressure, minimum weightNot published27.6 kPa

Ground pressure, maximum weightNot published32.3 kPa

Gradeability (maximum)Not published30°

Blade

Blade widthNot published1.55 m

Boom and stick

Boom lengthNot published2.2 mOne-piece boom

Stick length, long stickNot published1.56 m

Sources: Bobcat D-Series Excavators brochure (322, 325, 328, 331, 331E, 334, 337, 341), Machine.Market copy of the Bobcat Company brochure · Cat 303 CR (07A) Mini Excavator Specalog AEHQ8350-04 (09-2025, Global excluding China and Japan)

Drawn to scale

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

Bobcat 331Cat 303 CRSame scale, front edges and ground lined up.

Bobcat 331 vs Cat 303 CR: questions

Which is bigger, the Bobcat 331 or Cat 303 CR?

By operating weight the Cat 303 CR is the biggest at 3.55 t, then the Bobcat 331 at 3.27 t.

Which has more power, the Bobcat 331 or Cat 303 CR?

The Bobcat 331: Bobcat 331 29.9 kW (40.0 hp), Cat 303 CR 17.6 kW (23.6 hp) (net power), a 70% difference.

Which digs deeper, the Bobcat 331 or Cat 303 CR?

The Bobcat 331: Bobcat 331 3.101 m, Cat 303 CR 2.65 m (max digging depth), a 17% difference.

Which reaches further, the Bobcat 331 or Cat 303 CR?

The Bobcat 331: Bobcat 331 4.874 m, Cat 303 CR 4.83 m (max reach at ground level), a 1% difference.

Which has the bigger fuel tank, the Bobcat 331 or Cat 303 CR?

The Bobcat 331: Bobcat 331 57.9 L, Cat 303 CR 45 L (fuel tank), a 29% 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.