Cat 320 vs John Deere 350P excavator: what Florida dirt work actually tells you

The Cat 320 and John Deere 350P sit in the same weight class and chase the same contracts: utility trenching, residential foundations, light demolition, and retention pond work. On paper, they look close enough that price should decide. In practice, operators have strong opinions. We sell both at floridahilliard.reviews and hear those opinions daily.

Florida dirt is its own variable. Sandy soils in Northeast Florida behave differently from the muck and clay you hit around Tampa or the Everglades fringe. An excavator that feels balanced in Georgia clay can feel twitchy in Florida sugar sand. Both the 320 and the 350P handle sand well, but they handle it differently — and the difference matters to operators running ten-hour shifts.

Hydraulic flow and cycle times

The Cat 320 runs Caterpillar's electrohydraulic system with independent metering valves. This means each cylinder gets exactly the flow it needs — no wasted energy. The result is smooth multi-function operation: boom up, stick in, and swing simultaneously without the hesitation older hydraulic architectures produce. In trench work, this translates to faster cycles because operators can combine movements without fighting the machine.

The Deere 350P uses John Deere's Precise Hydraulic System (PHS), which takes a similar approach but through a different architecture. The 350P runs load-sensing variable displacement pumps that adapt flow based on demand. Operators report the 350P feels “heavier” through the joysticks — not in a bad way, but in a way that gives more tactile feedback. For operators who prefer to feel the load, this is a feature. For operators who want lighter, gaming-style responsiveness, the Cat wins.

Fuel burn in Florida sand

Both machines run Tier 4 Final engines with DPF and DEF systems. In Florida's warm climate, regen cycles are less frequent than in northern states because the exhaust stays hotter naturally. Both will burn between 4 and 6 gallons per hour depending on intensity. In our yard experience, the Cat 320 sips roughly 5% less fuel in light-duty grading work, while the Deere closes that gap (and sometimes beats it) in heavy digging where the larger-displacement Deere engine can run at lower RPMs.

Resale and parts availability in Florida

Cat has more dealer locations in Florida, period. Ring Power is the Cat dealer for most of the state, and their parts network is deep. Deere construction dealers are present but fewer — Nortrax and similar operations cover the state without the same density. For resale, both machines hold value well in the Southeast market. We list both at floridahilliard.reviews and typically see Cat excavators sell within 10% of comparable Deere units — neither brand commands a dramatic premium over the other in this size class.

Bottom line: if your operators grew up on Cat, the 320 will feel natural. If they came from an ag background, the Deere controls and monitor layout will be familiar. Both are excellent machines. Browse current inventory at floridahilliard.reviews to compare what we have in stock.