The Caterpillar 325 hydraulic excavator was introduced in 1991 in Belgium. Production began in the USA and Japan a year later.

[edit] Features

The 325 has a Cat 3116 turbocharged, after-cooled, diesel engine producing 168 flywheel horsepower (FWHP). It comes standard with a variable flow hydraulic system with a power and work mode selector, pilot activated control, horsepower summation control, a high level of operator comfort, large cross-section design for the boom and stick, modified X-shaped carbody, increased stick and bucket pressure, and increased pressure in the travel circuit.

The 325 was manufactured in Belgium, with a 9SG, 9ZK, 2SL, 7LJ, 2SK, or 3LL serial number prefix; in Japan, with a 5WK, 8JG, 8NL, 6KK, 7CJ, or 9KL prefix; and in the USA, with a 6RM, 7TG, 8YK, 2JK, 7LM, or 8NK prefix.

The 9ZK, 2SL, 3LL, 5WK, 8NL, 6KK, 9KL, 6RM, 8YK, 7LM, and 8NK units have a modified cab.

Introduced in 1994, the 8NL, 9KL, 6RM, and 7LM units have fine swing control.

The 2SL, 7LJ, 2SK, 3LL, 6KK, 7CJ, 9KL, 2JK, 7LM, and 8NK units have a long undercarriage. The 2SK and 3LL units also have a narrow track gauge, which allows for better transportability because of its shipping width of 9.8 feet (3 m).

Production of 9SG, 2SK, 7TG, and 2JK ended in 1992.

Production of 7LJ ended in 1993.

Production of 9ZK, 8YK, and 8NK ended in 1994.

Production of 8JG and 7CJ ended in 1995.

Production of 2SL, 3LL, 5WK, 8NL, 6KK, 9KL, 6RM, and 7LM ended in 1996.

The 325 was replaced by the Caterpillar 325B.

Based on data from the sales database of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, it is estimated that more than 10,000 Caterpillar 325 hydraulic excavators have been produced.

Highest Serial #

Belgium
2SK	00450
2SL	01212
3LL	01276
7LJ	00278
9SG	00241
9ZK	N/A
Japan
5WK	01065
6KK	01069
7CJ	00553
8JG	00266
8NL	00206
9KL	00336
USA
2JK	00332
6RM	00091
7LM	01419
7TG	00075
8NK	01146
8YK	00073
Total = 10,088