There is no single dependable Cat 395 excavator price: the quote depends on whether the machine is new or used, its configuration, included attachments, location, and condition. A purchase figure is only a starting point. Buyers also need to allow for delivery, financing, fuel, maintenance, wear parts, and the cost of keeping the machine productive. In New Zealand, ask for a written quote in the relevant currency that clearly identifies GST and delivery charges. Then compare the ready-to-work cost and expected ownership cost with the hours and work your projects can realistically provide.
A dealer quote is tied to a particular machine and scope of supply, not just the model name. A new Cat 395 and a used one can have very different prices, and two machines offered in similar condition may still differ in equipment, attachments, hours, service history, and included support. Location and currency also matter, so an overseas listing is not a reliable substitute for a current local quote.
Configuration is another major variable. Ask the seller to identify the machine’s build and any options that affect how it will work on your sites. Depending on the job, the relevant details may include the boom and stick arrangement, undercarriage, cab options, guarding, and hydraulic provisions for attachments. Confirm that the proposed setup is available for the machine being quoted rather than assuming every option can be fitted to every unit.
For a used Cat 395, condition and maintenance records can matter as much as the advertised hours. Check the machine identity and hour-meter reading against available service records, and arrange an inspection by a qualified heavy-equipment technician. A lower asking price may not represent a lower total cost if the machine needs substantial repair or component work.
Ask each seller to quote the same configuration and list inclusions and exclusions separately. This makes it easier to see whether a price difference reflects the machine itself or simply a different delivery, attachment, or support package.
| Cost or quote item | Why it changes the budget | What to confirm | Buyer’s check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base machine and configuration | Options and build can affect the purchase figure and suitability for the work. | Model year, machine identity, configuration, and condition for used units. | Does this match the specification your job actually requires? |
| Attachments and tooling | A bucket or other attachment may be included, optional, or priced separately. | Which attachments are included and whether their connection and hydraulic requirements match the machine. | Are the required tools ready to work, or will additional equipment be needed? |
| Delivery and preparation | Moving a large excavator to site and preparing it for work can add costs. | Transport, unloading, commissioning, and any site or route requirements. | For a New Zealand site, ask the carrier whether route restrictions or permits apply. |
| Taxes and currency | Tax treatment and exchange rates can change the amount payable. | Quote currency, GST treatment, and any applicable import-related charges. | Is the stated figure the amount you will actually need to fund? |
| Finance and trade-in | Deposit, fees, interest, and trade-in credits affect cash flow and the financed balance. | Repayment schedule, fees, any final payment, and trade-in value shown separately. | Compare total finance charges as well as the initial payment. |
| Support and service package | Included services and warranty terms can differ between offers. | What is covered, for how long, and which services or repairs are excluded. | Get the terms in writing and check they suit your expected hours. |
Do not compare a bare machine price with a delivered package that includes attachments and preparation. Ask for a line-item quote and a clear total, with optional items labelled as optional. If a trade-in is involved, keep its allowance separate from the Cat 395 price so you can judge both values independently.
Start with the tasks the excavator must perform: the material, working depth, expected production, and the attachments needed across your jobs. Confirm compatibility rather than choosing tools by name alone. Mounting, couplers, hydraulic flow, controls, and the machine’s working requirements all need to suit the attachment and application.
It may be more economical to buy only the tools that will see regular use and arrange access to specialist attachments when needed. That depends on availability, hire terms, and how often the tool is required. Ask for the cost of each attachment separately, including any setup or connection components, so the quote does not hide the real cost of the working package.
A large excavator needs a transport plan as well as a purchase budget. Check access from the delivery point to the working area, ground conditions, unloading space, and any constraints the transport provider identifies on the route. In New Zealand, ask the carrier to confirm whether the proposed movement needs additional arrangements or approvals.
Confirm what happens at delivery. The quote may or may not include unloading, inspection, commissioning, operator familiarisation, or initial service support. If any of these are necessary for your operation, add them to the budget before comparing offers.
Operating costs depend on the work and how the machine is used. Fuel use can vary with workload, idle time, site conditions, and operator practice. Rather than relying on a generic estimate, ask the seller for a suitable consumption estimate for your expected duty cycle, then compare it with records from similar work where available. Multiply the expected operating hours by the estimated fuel use per hour and your expected delivered fuel cost.
Maintenance and wear deserve their own allowance. Ask for the service requirements and a costed maintenance plan, then consider repairs, undercarriage wear, bucket and attachment wear, and the cost of downtime. The right allowance depends on the machine’s condition, annual hours, working environment, and maintenance history; a used unit should be assessed on its actual records and inspection findings.
Also include insurance, storage, transport between sites, and financing charges where they apply. For a financed purchase, distinguish interest and fees from repayment of the amount borrowed. If you count the full purchase price in an ownership-cost calculation, do not add loan principal again as though it were a separate cost.
A useful planning formula is:
Estimated net ownership cost = purchase price + delivery and setup + attachments + finance charges + fuel + maintenance and repairs + other ownership costs − estimated resale proceeds.
Divide that estimate by the productive hours you expect to get during the ownership period to calculate an approximate cost per productive hour. Use a realistic hours forecast, not the machine’s theoretical availability. If the excavator will spend long periods idle or waiting for supporting trucks, that lost utilisation can make the effective cost of each working hour much higher.
| Option | Budget profile | Main exposure | May suit you when |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Cat 395 | Higher initial commitment, with the final quote shaped by configuration and included support. | Financing and ownership costs if work volume is lower than forecast. | You have sustained work for the machine and need a defined build and service arrangement. |
| Used Cat 395 | Purchase price depends on age, hours, condition, and equipment. | Unknown or deferred maintenance, component wear, and repair downtime. | An inspection and records support the condition, and the price reflects any work required. |
| Rental or hire | Requires less long-term capital, but the rate and included services vary by agreement. | Availability, hire conditions, transport, and cumulative charges over extended use. | Demand is temporary or uncertain, or you want to avoid taking on a long-term asset. |
Rental is not automatically cheaper, and ownership is not automatically better value. Compare the full rental charge and its inclusions with the cost of owning the machine over the same period. For ownership, include finance, operating costs, likely utilisation, and the uncertainty of resale. For a used unit, include the cost and consequences of repairs rather than comparing its asking price with a new machine’s base quote.
There is no single price that applies to every Cat 395. New and used machines, configuration, attachments, condition, delivery, taxes, and market all affect the amount. Request a current itemised quote for the specific machine and location you are considering.
Not necessarily. Some quotes may include selected equipment or delivery, while others price those items separately. Ask the seller to list inclusions, exclusions, and optional costs in writing before comparing offers.
Use an operating-hours forecast that reflects your actual workload, then request fuel and service estimates suited to that duty cycle. Add a separate allowance for wear, repairs, and downtime, especially when assessing a used machine.
A used machine may have a lower purchase price, but its value depends on condition, service history, configuration, and the work it needs. Compare an inspected used unit’s total expected cost with a new machine’s delivered price and support terms.
Hire can suit a short project, uncertain workload, or temporary increase in demand because it avoids a long-term purchase commitment. Compare the full hire terms, availability, transport, and included maintenance with the cost of owning the machine for the same period.
The Cat 395 excavator price is only useful as a decision figure when you know what the quote includes and how the machine will be used. Compare like-for-like specifications, calculate the delivered and ready-to-work budget, and estimate cost per productive hour. If the forecast hours or site requirements do not justify the commitment, consider a smaller excavator or hire before signing.
