Caterpillar 311B
Maintenance schedule, common problems & OEM parts breakdown
The Caterpillar 311B is a mid-size hydraulic crawler excavator in roughly the 11.1 to 12.6 metric ton (24,500 to 27,700 lb) class, with exact operating weight depending on the boom/stick configuration, counterweight, and undercarriage fitted. It runs a Cat 3064T inline four-cylinder, turbocharged, mechanically injected diesel rated at about 59 kW (79 hp) net and 63 kW (85 hp) gross. Caterpillar built the 311B from the late 1990s into the early 2000s as the direct successor to the original 311 (built 1994-1997), and it was later replaced by the 311C generation. Buyers could order three boom-and-stick combinations for different reach and digging-depth targets, a choice of steel-shoe or rubber-pad track undercarriage, and buckets from about 0.38 to 0.84 cubic meters (0.5 to 1.1 cubic yards) depending on the job.
Over the original 311, the B-series added a turbocharged version of the 3064 engine for more usable power while keeping the same mechanical fuel system and simple, non-electronic controls that make the platform straightforward to diagnose and repair in the field. The follow-on 311C moved to a different engine generation and an updated cab and control layout, so the 311B marks the last of Cat's small-excavator line before that transition. Today the 311B shows up mainly in the used and rental market: it is inexpensive to buy, its engine and hydraulic components are well understood by independent shops, and undercarriage, hydraulic, and engine wear parts stay in circulation because the same drivetrain family carried into other compact Cat models. That keeps older 311B units working on utility, landscaping, and site-prep jobs where a low-cost, mechanically simple excavator with solid parts support outweighs the lack of modern emissions controls or electronic diagnostics.
Below: full specifications, fluids & capacities, the factory service schedule, common service parts, verified fault codes, what owners discuss, attachment guidance, the complete assembly directory, and a serial-number reference. Complete parts lists with full OEM part numbers, exploded diagrams, quantities, and fitment data are available free in Heavy Parts AI.
Caterpillar 311B specifications
Engine
| Engine model | Cat 3064T, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel |
| Gross power | 63.4 kW (85 hp) @ 1800 rpm |
| Net power | 58.9-59.0 kW (79 hp) @ 1800 rpm |
| Displacement | 4.2 L (259 cu in) |
| Bore x stroke | 101.6 x 129.6 mm (4.0 x 5.1 in) |
| Emissions tier | Not documented in available spec sheets for this build era - verify with your dealer |
Weights
| Operating weight | Varies by boom/stick configuration: roughly 11,125-12,555 kg (24,527-27,680 lb) |
| Ground pressure | 38 kPa (5.5 psi) with standard 500 mm (19.7 in) track shoes |
| Transport weight | Not separately published - use operating weight for transport/permit planning, confirm exact configuration weight with your dealer |
Dimensions
| Transport length | Approx. 7.26 m (23.8 ft), varies slightly by boom/stick option |
| Transport width (over tracks) | 2.49 m (8.2 ft) |
| Transport height (to cab top) | 2.76 m (9.1 ft) |
| Tail swing radius | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) |
| Track shoe width | 500 mm (19.7 in), standard |
| Ground clearance | 0.44-0.46 m (1.45-1.5 ft) |
| Undercarriage length (track on ground) | 2.61 m (8.6 ft) |
| Track gauge | 1.99 m (6.5 ft) |
Performance
| Max dig depth | 4.7-5.6 m (15.6-18.4 ft), varies by boom/stick configuration |
| Max reach at ground level | 7.3-8.1 m (23.9-26.6 ft), varies by boom/stick configuration |
| Max dump/loading height | 5.3-5.8 m (17.4-19.0 ft), varies by boom/stick configuration |
| Max cutting height | 7.7-8.1 m (25.1-26.7 ft), varies by boom/stick configuration |
| Swing speed | 10.8 rpm |
| Travel speed | 5.5 km/h (3.4 mph) |
| Gradeability | Not documented in available spec sheets - verify with your dealer |
| Drawbar pull | 92.2 kN (20,720 lbf) |
| Swing torque | 30,400 Nm (22,422 lbf-ft) |
| Hydraulic pump flow | 216 L/min (57.1 gal/min) |
| Hydraulic relief valve pressure | 34,336 kPa (4,980 psi) |
Forces
| Bucket digging force | 50-53 kN (11,240-11,915 lbf), figures vary slightly by source/configuration |
| Stick/arm digging force | Not documented in available spec sheets - verify with your dealer |
Service capacities (summary)
| Fuel tank | 250 L (66 gal) |
| Hydraulic system, total | 157 L (41.5 gal) |
| Engine oil | 12.9-13.0 L (3.4-3.5 gal) |
| Cooling system | 15.5-15.6 L (4.1 gal) |
Values vary by configuration, region, and serial range — confirm against your machine before planning transport or lifts.
311B fluids & capacities
| System | Capacity | Recommended fluid |
|---|---|---|
| Engine crankcase (with filter) | 12.9 L (3.4 US gal) | Cat DEO Diesel Engine Oil. Use SAE 15W-40 above -9.5°C (15°F); switch to SAE 10W-30 below that ambient. Meets API CI-4/CH-4/SL performance level. |
| Cooling system | 15.6 L (4.1 US gal) | Cat ELC (Extended Life Coolant) or Cat DEAC (Diesel Engine Antifreeze/Coolant), mixed per Cat's water/glycol ratio. Any coolant used must meet Cat's EC-1 specification (nitrited, OAT-type, low-silicate). Older Cat DEAC is the conventional green option; ELC is the long-service alternative. |
| Fuel tank | 249.9 L (66 US gal) | No. 2-D diesel fuel meeting Cat's fuel specification. Use winterized/blended fuel in cold ambient to prevent gelling; keep biodiesel blend content within Cat's published limit for this engine. |
| Hydraulic system total / hydraulic tank | Total system (incl. tank): 157.1 L (41.5 US gal). Tank alone: 98.1 L (25.9 US gal). | Cat HYDO hydraulic oil preferred, graded SAE 10W, 20W, or 30 by ambient temperature; Cat TDTO (Transmission/Drive Train Oil) is an accepted alternate where a single fluid is wanted across hydraulics and drivetrain. Match viscosity grade to seasonal ambient per Cat's fluid recommendation chart. |
| Final drive (each side) | 2.7 L (0.7 US gal) per side | Cat TDTO (Transmission/Drive Train Oil), SAE 10W, 30, or 50 selected by ambient temperature range. |
| Swing drive | 2.9 L (0.8 US gal) | Cat TDTO (Transmission/Drive Train Oil), same viscosity-by-climate selection as the final drives. |
| Pilot/other circuits | Not separately listed — pilot/servo circuit draws from the main hydraulic tank, no standalone refill figure published. | Same fluid as the main hydraulic system (Cat HYDO or Cat TDTO, matched by viscosity to ambient temperature). |
| Grease (spec only) | Spec only — no reservoir capacity; applied at grease fittings per lube schedule. | Cat Advanced 3Moly Grease (NLGI 1 or 2, factory-fill standard) for pin and linkage points across -20° to 40°C (-4° to 104°F). Cat Extreme Application Grease is the upgrade option for heavier-load, higher-temperature duty cycles. |
Capacities are refill values from factory literature — always fill to the dipstick/sight gauge, not the number.
Caterpillar 311B maintenance schedule
| Service interval | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Every 10 h |
|
| Every 250 h |
|
| Every 500 h |
|
| Every 1,000 h |
|
| Every 2,000 h |
|
| Every 4,000 h |
|
| Every 6,000 h |
|
Servicing the 311B beyond the schedule
Predictive Maintenance & Fluid Analysis
Pull engine, hydraulic, swing drive, and final drive oil samples on the 3064T's service schedule (roughly every 250 hours) and track trends rather than one-off results. Because this engine uses mechanical injection with no exhaust aftertreatment, fuel and coolant contamination shows up early as injector wear and cylinder blow-by in oil analysis. Watch hydraulic oil for water intrusion around cylinder rod seals and for metal fines that signal main pump wear. Catching a rising iron trend in final drive samples before failure avoids replacing planetary gear sets.
Corrective & Common Repairs
Weak or drifting final drives and worn swing gear are common complaints on high-hour 311B units; check travel motor gear oil condition and swing bearing bolt torque before assuming a pump or motor has failed. Track sag, worn idlers, and stretched rubber pads or steel links are routine on machines run over rock or demolition debris. Boom, stick, and bucket pin/bushing wear shows up as play at the joints and uneven bucket digging; bushing replacement is cheaper than letting worn pins score the boss bores.
Overhaul & Rebuild Points
Major rebuild points on the 311B center on the hydraulic pump and cylinders, swing motor/reduction gear, and the two travel final drives; all three see heavy load cycling in trenching and grading work. Reseal cylinders showing rod-seal weep or drift before pins and bushings wear further from misalignment. A full undercarriage rebuild (chains, rollers, idlers, sprockets) is typically due around the same wear point as a hydraulic pump overhaul on machines worked in abrasive soil. Budget the mechanically simple 3064T for injector and turbocharger reconditioning rather than a full swap.
Seasonal & Environment Servicing
Cold-weather starts on the 3064T's mechanical fuel system depend on glow plug/ether-start condition and correct-viscosity engine and hydraulic oil; switch to a lighter-grade hydraulic oil and check block heater function before winter. In hot, dusty environments, clean the radiator, hydraulic oil cooler, and air filter more often than the standard interval to prevent overheating and accelerated air filter loading. Wet or muddy sites call for more frequent undercarriage washouts and pin greasing since packed mud accelerates track and bushing wear on this compact excavator's chassis.
311B fault codes & troubleshooting
| Code | Meaning | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECM switch — OFF / backup position | The machine's electronic (pump/power) controller is manually disabled and the machine is running in mechanical backup mode. | Operator moved the ECM switch on the right-hand console to OFF, or the controller was disabled to trace a suspected electronic fault; in this state the dash display also shuts off and pump power is limited. | Confirm switch position first on any electronic-control complaint. Return the switch to ON for normal pump-power control and dash operation; if faults persist with the switch ON, check the controller's wiring and connections. |
| MID 122 – CID 0168 – FMI 00 | System (charging) voltage reported outside its normal range by the machine's electronic control/telematics module. | Failing alternator or voltage regulator, damaged wiring harness conductor feeding the module, or a weak/loose battery connection; not every 311B carries this module — it applies only to units fitted with the optional electronic controller/telematics unit. | Run the engine at high idle for several minutes and check system voltage at the module connector against the normal range; repair the charging circuit or harness if out of range, otherwise clear the code with Cat ET and confirm it does not return. |
| Low Engine Oil Pressure warning lamp (red) | Engine oil pressure has dropped below the monitored safe threshold. | Low oil level, failing oil pump, clogged oil filter, worn bearings, or a faulty oil pressure sender/switch. | Shut the engine down immediately. Check oil level and filter condition, inspect for leaks, and verify the pressure sender before restarting. |
| Engine Coolant Temperature warning lamp (red) / gauge in high zone | Engine coolant temperature is above normal operating range. | Low coolant level, blocked radiator core or debris screen, slipping or broken fan belt, stuck thermostat, or a faulty coolant temperature sender. | Reduce load and let the engine idle down to cool. Check coolant level, clean the radiator core, inspect the belt and thermostat, and verify the sender before resuming full work. |
| Hydraulic Oil Temperature gauge in high zone | Hydraulic system oil temperature is above normal operating range. | Low hydraulic oil level, a clogged or restricted oil cooler, a worn pump generating excess internal heat, a stuck relief valve, or sustained heavy-duty work in high ambient temperatures. | Reduce workload or idle the machine to allow cooling. Check hydraulic oil level, inspect the cooler for blockage, and check relief valve operation before returning to full duty. |
| Charging system / alternator warning lamp (red) | Battery charging circuit voltage is outside normal operating range. | Failed alternator, loose or worn drive belt, bad voltage regulator, corroded battery terminals, or a wiring fault in the charging circuit. | Check belt tension and condition, test alternator output, and inspect battery terminals and wiring before replacing any charging-system component. |
Codes and remedies are general guidance for this model family — always confirm with diagnostic tooling and your dealer before major repairs.
311B attachments & work tools
Buckets
Factory general-duty (GD) buckets for the 311B's size class range roughly 0.35–0.78 m³ (0.46–1.02 yd³) across 600–1200 mm (24–48 in) widths. Heavy-duty (HD) and severe-duty (SD) rock buckets run slightly less capacity at the same width because of thicker wear plates, typically about 0.31–0.65 m³ at 600–1050 mm widths — varies by configuration and ground-engaging tooth setup. Bucket pin diameter is 65 mm, and buckets are offered pin-on or hinged for a pin-grabber quick coupler.
Hydraulic hammers
The 311B's roughly 11–11.5 t operating class lines up with the smallest Cat performance-hammer size, the H110-class breaker: about 950–1080 kg (2,090–2,376 lb) service weight, 100 mm (4 in) tool diameter, 2,712 J (2,000 ft-lb) energy class, rated for carriers of 11–18 t. Hydraulic demand for that class is 60–120 L/min (16–32 gal/min) at 13,000–16,000 kPa (1,885–2,320 psi), matching a standard medium-pressure attachment circuit; the next size up, the H115-class breaker (12–20 t carrier range), also suits the upper end of this machine's weight.
Quick couplers
Pin-grabber couplers sized for this excavator class pick up any standard-pin bucket or work tool with no modification, using a spring-loaded redundant lock so the tool stays secured if hydraulic pressure is lost. A dedicated hook-style coupler (manual or hydraulic-actuated) is also offered as an alternative, mainly for hammers, compactors and multi-processors. The exact linkage-family designation for the 311B isn't consistent across sources — verify against the machine's actual stick and pin dimensions before ordering.
Thumbs/grapples
Pin-on mechanical (stiff-link) thumbs and stick-face-mounted hydraulic utility thumbs are used on this class; progressive-tooth thumb kits sized for roughly 750 mm (30 in) buckets are built specifically for the 311/312/314 family in pin-on style. Rock and demolition grapples matched to the 311B's 65 mm pin diameter and 225 mm ear spacing run about 750–800 mm (30–32 in) wide in the roughly 700 kg (1,500 lb) class; confirm exact pin and ear-spacing fitment before ordering, since grapple hinge dimensions vary by manufacturer.
Rippers
Single-tooth rippers built to the 65 mm pin diameter and 225 mm ear spacing shared by the 311/311B/312/312B/313/314 linkage family are available for light scarifying and ripping duty. Factory Cat ripper work tools are generally cataloged starting at the larger 315 size class and up, so ripper coverage at 311B scale is mainly a pin-matched aftermarket offering rather than a factory Cat model.
Hydraulic-kit notes
The 311B's auxiliary/attachment circuit draws off the same variable-displacement piston pumps that serve the boom, stick, swing and travel circuits, with a factory hammer-mode pressure switch and boom-priority control logic for one-way tools such as breakers. This standard medium-pressure circuit covers hammer-class tools up to H110/H115 class without needing a high-flow kit. Two-way flow for a rotating thumb, grapple, or tilt bucket is typically added through a factory- or dealer-installed auxiliary hydraulic kit rather than being standard equipment; no dedicated high-flow (mulcher-class) circuit is documented for this machine.
All 311B assemblies by section
Every catalogued assembly group for the Caterpillar 311B. Open an assembly to preview the parts inside — full OEM part numbers are available in Heavy Parts AI.
Excavator
Base Frame Assembly
Carrier Roller Group
Fastener Group
Final Drive Group
Front Idler Group
Motor Cover
Motor Group
Relief Valve Group
Roller Arrangement--Track & Carrier
Sprocket Group
Swivel
Swivel Guard
Track 700mm Triple Grouser Shoe
Track 800mm Apex Shoe
Track 800mm Triple Grouser Shoe
Track 900mm Apex Shoe
Track 900mm Triple Grouser Shoe
Track Adjuster & Recoil Group
Track Guide Guard Group
Track Motor Piping
Track Roller Group
Under Carriage Frame Assembly
311B serial number reference
The PIN/serial plate is a riveted metal tag on the machine frame, most commonly on the right-hand exterior of the operator's cab below the window; older machines can carry a second plate inside the cab near the operator's right foot or seat base. Read the first three characters as the serial prefix (letters and numbers) and the remaining digits as the sequence number, e.g. 8GR00001 and up.
| Prefix | Identifies | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2LS | 311B standard/export configuration | Machine serial run 2LS00001 and up. Cat 3064 (3064T) engine. Factory service literature covers this prefix together with 8GR and 9MR as one family. Fluid-spec guides list roughly 1996-2002 for this prefix run; the 311B line is generally dated from 1997, so treat the early end of that window as approximate - confirm exact build year with dealer. |
| 8GR | 311B standard/export configuration | Machine serial run 8GR00001 and up. Cat 3064 (3064T) engine. Described in field discussion as the export-market counterpart of the 8HR Japan-market unit, same base machine with a different cab arrangement. Fluid-spec guides list roughly 1996-2001 for this prefix run. |
| 8HR | 311B Japan-domestic-market configuration | Machine serial run 8HR00001 and up. Same 3064-family engine and driveline as the 8GR export unit; cab arrangement differs. Built for the Japan domestic market only and not officially exported by Cat, so units outside Japan are grey-market; factory literature for this prefix is issued in Japanese. Owners cross-reference the 8GR equivalent serial when the 8HR number does not return parts data. |
| 9MR | 311B standard/export configuration | Machine serial run 9MR00001 and up. Cat 3064 engine. Grouped with 2LS and 8GR in the same factory service manual, indicating a parallel or later production run of the same base configuration. Exact production-year window is not separately documented in available sources - confirm with dealer. |
| 2MS | 311B configuration | Machine serial run 2MS00001 and up. Cat 3064 engine. Covered by its own factory Operation and Maintenance Manual. How this run differs from 2LS/8GR/9MR and its exact production years are not clearly documented in available sources - confirm with dealer. |
Frequently asked questions
What engine does the Caterpillar 311B use?
The 311B is powered by a Cat 3064T inline four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine rated at about 59 kW (79 hp) net and 63 kW (85 hp) gross. It uses a mechanical, non-electronic fuel injection system typical of Caterpillar's small excavators from this era.
What is the operating weight of the Caterpillar 311B?
Operating weight runs roughly 11.1 to 12.6 metric tons (about 24,500 to 27,700 lb), varying by boom/stick configuration, counterweight, and undercarriage. Most standard-configuration references cite a working weight near 12.6 t (27,680 lb).
What replaced the Caterpillar 311B?
Caterpillar replaced the 311B with the 311C, which moved to a newer engine generation along with an updated cab and control layout. The 311B itself had succeeded the original 311 (built 1994-1997), making it the middle generation in Cat's small hydraulic excavator line before the C-series update.
What 311B owners discuss
What engine powers the Cat 311B, and is it considered a dependable unit?
Why do the boom, stick, and bucket slow down after the machine has been working a while, while travel and swing stay normal?
The swing hesitates for several seconds before it starts turning, or the brake seems to grab mid-swing. What causes that?
One track seems to pull noticeably weaker than the other, or travel feels weak overall. What's the usual cause on a 311B?
What undercarriage wear pattern should I expect on a 311B, and how do owners manage it?
The dash lights up and the startup alarm sounds, but nothing happens when the key is turned to crank. Where do owners look first?
What should I check before buying a used Cat 311B?
Compiled from owner and technician discussions across the industry — experiences vary by serial range and machine history.
Need a specific 311B part?
Search live OEM part data, check fitment, and cross-reference alternatives with Heavy Parts AI.