Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/489028
EquipmentWorld.com | April 2015 33 Undercarriage: Overall score 8.5 out of 10 Undercarriage garnered the lowest overall score of all the categories assessed, with reviewers noting particu- lar issues with the 336E L's press fit master pin reten- tion system. "I had to realign tracks a few times over the years and to split open and pin back is impossible now without a track press," one reviewer noted. Telematics: Overall score 9.2 out of 10 Telematics was the standout aspect of the machine op- tions category. It was the only machine option each of our reviewers had equipped on the 336E L and scored an 8.4. While half of the reviewers rated Cat's Product Link telematics a 9 or 10, the remaining reviewers had mixed feelings. "Product Link is a handy option that Cat is still perfecting," one reviewer says. "Occasionally readings are false, stating machine is running over the course of a weekend or 24-hour period when, in fact, machine is off." Machine options: Overall score 9.2 out of 10 More than half of the reviewers had the hydraulic quick coupler and the HID lights installed on the machine with score of 9 and 9.5 respectively. Dealer/service: Overall score 9.7 out of 10 Nabbing the highest overall score of all categories, each aspect of dealer/service scored a 9.7. "I would buy another 336 if given the choice," wrote one re- viewer. "Uptime and parts availability make Cat the only choice I would make. Very high quality." Rate your dealer and the support you've received after the sale: Rating Support after sale 9.7 Parts availability 9.7 Warranty 9.7 Dealer representative/salesperson 9.7 Dealer/service overall score (out of 10): 9.7 Rate the undercarriage of your Cat 336E L: Rating Three piece track-guiding guard 8.9 Slotted final drive seal 8.9 Press fit master pin retention system 7.9 Undercarriage overall score (out of 10): 8.5 Rate the operator features of your Cat 336E L: Rating Cab size, roominess 9.0 Standard controls, ease of use 9.1 Ease of entry and exit 9.0 Standard seat comfort, ergonomics 9.0 Visibility forward 9.1 Visibility rear and sides 7.6 Dash displays, instrumentation panel 9.0 In-cab storage 8.4 Footroom 9.0 Rear view camera (standard) 9.1 Operator features overall score (out of 10): 8.8 Machine description C ompared to the D Series, the Cat 336E L excavator boasted a 12-percent increase in machine horsepower, 5 percent more hydraulic pressure and a 2-percent boost in fuel economy (note fuel economy may change depending on engine type, Tier 4 Interim or Tier 4 Final). As previously noted, the Cat 336E L has been replaced by the Cat 336F L, introduced at ConExpo in March last year. There are two versions, one with a 6-ton machine counterweight with a heavy duty boom and sticks, and the other with a 7-ton coun- terweight with reinforced extreme service boom and sticks. The 7-ton version offers a 6-percent lift advantage over the heavy duty version. An electric boom regeneration valve recirculates oil on the cylinder rather than sending it all the way back to the pump, saving on hydraulic horsepower. The cooling system is 20 percent larger and a step platform has been added to the engine compartment for con- venience during maintenance. The DPF regeneration system can be set to regenerate automatically, or the operator can choose manual regens if he's working in areas with flammable materials. A new ROPS structure was designed for the E Series and the control pattern selector switch (SAE or backhoe) has been moved from the air filter area to under the mat in the cab. Center lock pin grabber coupler expands the range of attachments and boom- stick options. A look at our reviewers W e found our reader reviewers through Randall-Reilly's Equip- ment Data Associates division, which tracks financed pur- chases of construction equipment, and verified each reviewer owned a Caterpillar 336E L. Our reviewers have put between 500 and 5,000 hours on this machine. How many hours do you have on your Cat 336E L? 500 - 1,000 hours 2 1,001 - 2,000 hours 2 2,001 - 3,000 hours 2 5,000 hours 1 Total number of respondents: 7 For more details on individual reviews go to equipmentworld.com. Which of these options are on your Cat 336E L: Percent Rating Grade control 100 NA Product link telematics 57.1 8.4 HID lights 14.3 9.5 Control pattern quick coupler 57.1 10 Hydraulic quick coupler 57.1 9.0 Machine options overall score (out of 10): 9.2