Used CAT 349 Excavator for Sale: 349D2, 349E, 349F and 349GC Export Guide

The Caterpillar 349 is the 49-ton class excavator that quarry, mining and large earthmoving contractors buy when a 336 is too small but a 374 is too heavy to move between sites. Shanghai yards regularly hold the 349D2, 349E, 349F and the newer 349GC, so it is one of the most practical sources for a used CAT 349 excavator for sale for Africa and South America. This guide compares the generations, lists the checks to run on video, and explains how a machine this size is shipped.

349D2, 349E, 349F or 349GC?

• 349D2 / 349D2L: simpler electronics and the easiest to repair in remote areas, with a lower entry price. Example: Used CAT 349D2 (2020, 3200 h).
• 349E: a strong middle option with proven hydraulics and good parts support worldwide. Example: Used CAT 349E (2021, 1100 h).
• 349F: newer engine and better fuel economy for long quarry shifts. Example: Used CAT 349F (2021, 3500 h).
• 349GC: the latest generation, built for low running cost, with a modern cab and monitor. Example: Used CAT 349GC (2024, 934 h).

Browse all current units under used Caterpillar excavators. Emission level and fuel quality matter: in markets with high-sulphur diesel, ask which engine and after-treatment the machine has before you commit.

Where a 49-ton excavator pays off

• Quarry and mine loading with a 2.5–3.0 m³ rock bucket into 30–40 ton trucks.
• Mass excavation for dams, ports, rail and highway cuts.
• Heavy hydraulic breaker work: check whether auxiliary piping is fitted.

Inspection checklist on video

1. Serial plate, hour meter and monitor screen (including active fault codes) in one uncut clip.
2. Cold start and smoke colour, then blow-by at the oil filler at working temperature.
3. Main pumps: lift a full bucket at full stick reach; the boom should not slow down or stall.
4. Swing: full rotations both ways, and check slew ring play with the bucket lifted off the ground.
5. Boom, stick and bucket linkage: cracks and re-welds at the boom foot, stick nose and bucket ears are common on rock machines.
6. Undercarriage: sprockets, rollers, idlers and shoe height. On this class a full undercarriage is a major cost, so include it in your price.
7. Travel: straight-line tracking test and full-speed travel both directions.

The same approach applies to the smaller machines in our CAT 336 guide and to the Komatsu PC450-8 guide if you are comparing brands.

Shipping a CAT 349 from Shanghai

At around 49 tons, a 349 does not fit in a closed container. The usual options are RoRo where car carriers call, flat rack with the bucket removed, or break bulk. Removing the bucket and sometimes the counterweight can reduce freight cost. Ask for FOB Shanghai and CIF to your port, and confirm local age limits and inspection rules with your customs broker.

Get a live walk-around video

Tell us which 349 generation, your budget and destination port, and we will send available units with a live video. WhatsApp / Tel: +86 180 1734 8066 · www.ychs-machinery.com