The Hitachi ZX350 (often ZX350H-5 / ZX350LC-5 class) is the 35-ton workhorse quarry and heavy earthworks buyers shortlist when a 20–22 ton machine is no longer enough. If you are searching for a used Hitachi ZX350 excavator for sale with China origin and Shanghai loading, this guide covers which units to shortlist, what to film before deposit, and how export packing usually works.

Why overseas buyers shortlist the ZX350

In the 33–36 ton band the ZX350 competes with the Komatsu PC350, CAT 336 and Volvo EC350. African mining contractors, LatAm quarry owners and Southeast Asian infrastructure firms like Hitachi because multi-function hydraulics stay smooth with a large rock bucket or a heavy breaker, and Japanese-origin units often hold resale better than unknown local brands. Marketing titles sometimes mix ZX350-5, ZX350H-5, ZX350LC-3 and older ZX330 machines — confirm the serial plate and monitor string in one continuous video.

Browse current stock under Hitachi excavators and all excavators. Related reading: our ZX350 export inspection guide and the ZX200-5 mid-size buyer guide already on the blog — use the same filming script on every candidate.

Match the machine to the job

Quarry / rock loading: prioritise stick reinforcement, boom stress points and breaker piping capacity.
General earthworks / road cuts: a clean ZX350 with honest rail height remains a volume workhorse.
Hammer work: confirm auxiliary return-to-tank, couplers and stick nose wear before deposit.
Budget trap: a cheap ZX350 with worn rails or a welded boom foot can cost more after landing than a slightly higher FOB PC350 or CAT 336 — price undercarriage and boom repairs separately.

Remote inspection checklist

Serial plate + hour meter in one shot — avoids mismatched stickers.
Cold start — smoke colour, idle hunting, blow-by.
Full dig cycle under load — boom, arm, bucket, swing; listen for pump whine.
Travel straightness — skewed travel often means roller or frame issues.
Undercarriage close-ups — rail height, sprocket tips, pad bolts, idler leaks (35-ton rails are a major landed-cost item).
Boom/stick stress points — wipe paint at boom foot and stick nose; look for repair welds.
Cab electrics — lights, A/C, backup camera if fitted, active fault codes.

ZX350 vs PC350 and CAT 336

Hitachi often wins on smooth multi-function feel with a heavy bucket; Komatsu PC350 wins when local filter and rail stocks are already on the shelf; CAT 336 wins where dealer density and residual value matter most. The right choice is the individual machine’s hours-versus-wear story plus the cost of shipping rails and pumps to your port. If two ZX350 units show similar hours, pick the quieter pump and the higher remaining rail height.

Shipping a tired undercarriage to Lagos, Mombasa, Callao or Jakarta usually costs more than paying a slightly higher FOB Shanghai price for a cleaner unit. Compare also against live CAT 336 stock such as this CAT 336 listing when you want a same-class alternative.

Shanghai export: FOB, CIF and packing

YCHS Machinery loads used excavators from the Shanghai area on flat-rack or bulk. A 35-ton class unit usually needs stick and bucket removal confirmed with the forwarder. Typical choices are FOB Shanghai or CIF your port once discharge rules are clear. Request wash photos, a lashing plan and draft commercial documents before sailing. Age limits, emissions and import licences at destination remain the buyer’s responsibility.

Documents and payment discipline

Ask for a commercial invoice draft, packing list draft, and the exact serial before you pay more than a small holding deposit. Prefer bank transfer to the exporting company named on the invoice — not a personal account. YCHS can host a third-party surveyor at the Shanghai yard if your bank or partner requires an independent report.

How to ask for a useful quote

Send your port, preferred year/hours range, rock vs earthworks duty, and whether you need hammer lines. A serious exporter replies with the exact unit, undercarriage estimate and same-day yard video — not only a price number.

Sales WhatsApp / Tel: +86 180 1734 8066

Tell us your country and ZX350 / 35-ton class preference. We will shortlist Shanghai yard units and send inspection video before you decide.

Used Hitachi ZX350 Excavator for Sale: China Export Buyer Guide