Mini excavator · Caterpillar
CAT 305 CR: transport dimensions, weight and how it ships overseas
The CAT 305 CR (17 ft 6 in × 6 ft 6 in × 8 ft 4 in (5.34 × 1.98 × 2.55 m), 12,700 lb (5,754 kg)) fits a 40 ft high-cube container as it is. A container is usually the cheapest way to ship it and reaches the most ports, with the machine sealed inside.
- Transport length
- 17 ft 6 in / 5.34 m
- Transport width
- 6 ft 6 in / 1.98 m
- Transport height
- 8 ft 4 in / 2.55 m
- Weight
- 12,700 lb / 5,754 kg
CAT 305 CR transport drawing
Scroll sideways to read the drawing, or turn your phone.
1920 × 1240 px. Free to use with a link to this page.
Side elevation, end elevation against a 40 ft high-cube door opening, and plan, all at one scale from Caterpillar's published transport dimensions. Red hatching marks what stands outside the door opening. Schematic; not for lifting or engineering.
CAT 305 CR transport specifications
| Specification | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Transport length | 17 ft 6 in / 5.34 m | boom, stick and bucket installed, transport position |
| Transport width | 6 ft 6 in / 1.98 m | over the tracks, 16 in (400 mm) shoes |
| Transport height | 8 ft 4 in / 2.55 m | in transport position |
| Weight | 12,700 lb / 5,754 kg | operating weight |
| Tail swing radius | 3 ft 11 in / 1.2 m | sets the clearance behind the swing centre on a flat rack |
| Track length | 8 ft 6 in / 2.58 m | |
| Ground clearance | 1 ft 1 in / 0.34 m | |
| Machine type | Mini excavator | |
| Configuration | Cat's heaviest listed build with the cab and the long stick. Height to the cab. | |
Manufacturer documents
Links and figures checked October 2026. Linked from the manufacturer; we do not host them.
Published figures for the configuration shown. Shoes, tyres, buckets, counterweights and options change them, so we confirm the dimensions on your machine before booking.
Every way to ship a CAT 305 CR, best first
Cheapest first: the shipping cost ladder
We price every machine from the bottom rung up. A machine only moves up a rung when a measurement rules out the cheaper method.
CAT 305 CR fits a container in one piece, the cheapest way to ship it.
- Rung 1
Container
Lowest cost
Best fit for CAT 305 CR
When: Fits through a 7 ft 8 in / 2.34 m × 8 ft 6 in / 2.58 m door and under 59,500 lb / 27,000 kg, whole or after we take off the bucket, boom, cab or wheels.
- Rung 2
Flat rack
Mid cost
When: Too wide or tall for a container door, but within 14 ft 9 in / 4.5 m wide, 13 ft 1 in / 4 m tall and 86,000 lb / 39,000 kg on one rack.
- Rung 3
RoRo
Mid cost
When: Drives or tows aboard, under 19 ft 8 in / 6 m tall and 110 US tons / 100,000 kg, going to a port with regular RoRo sailings.
- Rung 4
Breakbulk
Highest cost
When: Past flat-rack and roll-trailer limits, or shipped as modules lifted aboard piece by piece.
Worked out from the dimensions above against container, flat rack and RoRo limits. RoRo depends on a regular sailing to your port.
| # | Best method | Fit | Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40 ft high-cube containerBest fit | Fits as is | Ships as it is, blocked and lashed. |
| 2 | 40 ft flat rack | Out-of-gauge | Ships assembled, blocked and lashed; out-of-gauge surcharge applies (2 ft / 0.6 m over height). |
| 3 | RoRo | Where a RoRo lane serves the destination | Drives on assembled where a RoRo lane serves the destination. |
| 4 | Breakbulk | Fits as is | Lifted aboard by crane as breakbulk; used when no flat rack or RoRo option suits the port. |
Comparable mini excavators from other brands
| Machine | L × W × H (transport) | Weight | Ships |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 305 CR | 17 ft 6 in × 6 ft 6 in × 8 ft 4 in (5.34 × 1.98 × 2.55 m) | 12,700 lb / 5,754 kg | 40 ft high-cube container |
| Kubota U55-5 | 17 ft 10 in × 6 ft 5 in × 8 ft 4 in (5.44 × 1.96 × 2.55 m) | 12,500 lb / 5,650 kg | 40 ft high-cube container |
Same machine type within 20% of the weight. Each links to its own page with its published dimensions and verdict.
Where machines like the CAT 305 CR go
NigeriaTransit 21-30 daysImport duty 5%HS 8429.52 · 2023
Form M must be opened through a Nigerian bank before the machine ships.
Quote to Nigeria
Saudi ArabiaTransit 18-25 daysImport duty 5%HS 8429.52 · 2023
Shipments need SABER conformity certificates arranged before arrival.
Quote to Saudi Arabia
AustraliaTransit 28-35 daysImport duty 0–5%HS 8429.52 · 2023
Strict biosecurity cleaning; dirty undercarriages are re-cleaned at the importer's cost.
Quote to Australia
ChileTransit 16-32 daysImport duty 6%HS 8429.52 · 2023
Quote to Chile
Duty rates (most-favoured-nation, averaged across the HS lines of the machine class): UNCTAD TRAINS via World Bank WITS: MFN applied tariff
Preparing a CAT 305 CR for export
- Tier 4 Final and Stage V engines need ultra-low-sulfur diesel (15 ppm or less) and DEF. Where only high-sulfur diesel is sold, the after-treatment clogs, so check fuel quality or source a lower-tier export machine.
- Telematics (such as Cat Product Link, Komtrax or JDLink) may stop working abroad; the dealer can transfer or end the subscription before export.
CAT 305 CR shipping questions
Does a CAT 305 CR fit in a shipping container?
The CAT 305 CR (17 ft 6 in × 6 ft 6 in × 8 ft 4 in (5.34 × 1.98 × 2.55 m), 12,700 lb (5,754 kg)) fits a 40 ft high-cube container as it is. A container is usually the cheapest way to ship it and reaches the most ports, with the machine sealed inside.
How much does a CAT 305 CR weigh for shipping?
Caterpillar lists the CAT 305 CR at 12,700 lb (5,754 kg) (operating weight); the bill of lading uses your machine's own weight.
What are the shipping dimensions of a CAT 305 CR?
17 ft 6 in × 6 ft 6 in × 8 ft 4 in (5.34 × 1.98 × 2.55 m) (length × width × height) in transport position, from Caterpillar's published specifications for the CAT 305 CR.
Can a CAT 305 CR ship RoRo?
Yes, where a RoRo lane serves your destination port. It drives on under its own power. RoRo from the U.S. reaches fewer countries than containers and flat racks, so we check your port first.