Bobcat 337G Excavator (Specs & Buyer’s Guide)
The Bobcat 337G is a diesel compact excavator commonly listed with 43.5 hp, a 12-foot-2-inch maximum digging depth, and a 19-foot-1-inch ground-level reach. Its reference operating weight is about 7,775 pounds, but equipment and configuration change the actual figure. Confirm the serial-number-specific specifications, attachment fit, machine condition, and transport plan before buying.
For a landowner, the 337G can handle trenching, drainage work, stump removal, and general site shaping when the task fits its reach, bucket, and ground conditions. The challenge is that a model’s published numbers do not tell you the condition or exact setup of a used machine. I assess it as a complete working system: excavator, attachment, trailer, hauling vehicle, and job site.
The model-level figures below are useful for screening a listing, not for deciding whether a particular machine can safely perform a lift or run an attachment. Ask for the serial number and the matching Bobcat documentation before you commit.
Bobcat 337G specifications at a glance
These figures describe commonly published model-level specifications. They are a starting point for comparing listings, not a guarantee for every 337G. Cab or canopy, tracks, bucket, and other equipment can change weight and operating details, so check the machine’s identification plate and serial-number-specific documentation.
| Specification | Commonly published figure | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Kubota V2203-series, four-cylinder diesel | Engine identification and rating on the machine |
| Engine power | 43.5 hp (32.4 kW) | Exact rating and engine condition |
| Operating weight | About 7,775 lb (3,527 kg) | Cab or canopy, bucket, tracks, and attachments |
| Maximum digging depth | About 12 ft 2 in (3.71 m) | Exact configuration and work setup |
| Maximum reach at ground level | About 19 ft 1 in (5.82 m) | Definition and configuration in the spec sheet |
| Bucket digging force | About 11,200 lbf (49.8 kN) | Measurement convention and machine configuration |
A digging depth is a published geometry figure, not a promise that every site allows safe digging to that depth. Soil, slope, trench edge conditions, and the operator’s setup matter. Likewise, digging force does not tell you how much the excavator can lift safely. Use the applicable load information and operator’s manual for lifting decisions.
Match the machine to your work
The 337G makes sense when its reach and digging depth fit the job and the ground can support the machine. Before buying, list your main tasks and the attachments you need. Then confirm that the machine’s hydraulic system, weight, and transport requirements work for those tasks rather than relying on horsepower alone.
Start with the work itself. For drainage or water lines, note the planned trench depth and access width. For brush clearing or landscaping, consider whether the machine can travel across the ground without rutting it or damaging nearby features. A compact excavator can still be heavy enough to harm soft ground, especially when it turns or carries a loaded bucket.
An attachment is a tool connected to the excavator, such as a bucket or hydraulic breaker. Auxiliary hydraulics are the machine’s hydraulic connections for powering certain attachments. Do not assume a listed attachment will fit or work because it is advertised for a similar-size excavator. Confirm flow, pressure, couplers, and any other required specifications against the 337G’s serial-specific documentation and the attachment maker’s requirements.
| Job | Questions to answer before purchase |
|---|---|
| Drainage or trenching | Does the verified digging depth suit the plan, and can you keep the machine on stable ground? |
| Brush or stump work | Is the bucket or attachment suitable, and can the excavator reach without unsafe positioning? |
| General landscaping | Can the machine travel across the site without unacceptable damage to soil, lawn, or access routes? |
| Attachment work | Are hydraulic flow, pressure, couplers, and attachment requirements compatible? |
| Transport between properties | Can the trailer and tow vehicle carry the machine and its equipment within their ratings? |
Buying a used 337G: inspection and records
A used excavator is a condition purchase as much as a model purchase. I begin with identity and maintenance records, then inspect the systems that are costly or safety-critical. A clean appearance helps, but it does not prove that the engine, hydraulics, tracks, or structure are sound.
Ask the seller for the serial number, service records, manuals, and a clear account of known repairs. Compare the machine’s identification plate and engine markings with its paperwork. If documents are missing, pause and confirm the correct specifications and parts information before making a decision.
Inspect the machine cold when possible. Look for fresh oil, coolant, or hydraulic-fluid leaks, and check fluid levels as the manual directs. Examine hoses for damage and boom, stick, and bucket pins for wear or excessive movement. Check the tracks and undercarriage for damage and uneven wear; track tension should be checked using the manual’s procedure, not guessed by eye alone.
Ask to operate every function under safe conditions. From the operator’s seat, follow the manual’s starting procedure and check warning indicators. Test travel, swing, boom, stick, bucket, and auxiliary functions at low speed. Unusual noise, sluggish movement, a warning light, or a leak is a reason to investigate, not something to explain away as normal.
A seller’s demonstration cannot replace a qualified inspection when you are unsure. If the machine will be used for frequent work or carries a high asking price, consider having a mechanic familiar with compact excavators assess it. Compare repair findings with the purchase price and the availability of parts and service in your area.
Job scenarios: does the 337G fit?
These are planning examples, not reports of specific jobs. They show how I would test a proposed purchase against real site demands: reach, depth, ground stability, access, attachments, and transport. The goal is to find mismatches before the machine is delivered, when a wrong assumption can become a costly delay.
Drainage trench on a rural lot: First compare the planned depth with the verified digging geometry. Locate underground utilities using the required local process, and assess the ground and trench edge before positioning the excavator. Do not work beside an unsupported edge or assume the published maximum depth makes a particular trench safe.
Brush and stump cleanup: Check the proposed bucket or other attachment against the hydraulic system and the job. Keep people outside the swing radius, and avoid using the boom or bucket to lift people. If the site is soft or sloped, assess stability before travel or digging; a compact machine can still overturn.
Moving between properties: Add the excavator, bucket, attachments, trailer, and any other carried equipment when checking the transport plan. Use the actual machine weight and the ratings for the trailer and tow vehicle. Confirm legal load limits and securement requirements for your route; do not plan from the model’s approximate weight alone.
In each scenario, the purchase decision follows the same order: verify the machine, verify the work requirements, then verify the site and transport plan.
Equipment setup, inspection, and work-zone safety
A safe start depends on the machine, the operator, and the site being ready. Before digging, inspect the excavator, identify underground services, and set a clear work zone. The operator’s manual and local utility-location rules take priority over a general checklist, especially where ground conditions or nearby services are uncertain.
- Secure and inspect. Check the serial number, service history, engine oil and coolant, tracks, hoses, pins, and safety devices. Look for leaks or damage before starting.
- Locate utilities. Use the required procedure to identify underground services before excavation. Where required, have services exposed by an approved method rather than relying on assumptions or old site plans.
- Set the work zone. Choose firm, stable ground where practicable. Keep people clear of the swing radius and maintain visibility. Do not dig near an unsupported trench edge.
- Start and function-check. Follow the manual’s preheat and starting steps. Start from the operator’s seat with controls neutral, then test travel, swing, boom, stick, bucket, and auxiliary functions at low speed.
- Operate within limits. Keep the machine stable, avoid overloading, and use attachments only when compatibility is confirmed. Never use the bucket or boom to lift a person.
An unlocated utility or unstable edge can cause severe injury or a rollover. If you cannot confirm service locations or ground stability, stop and resolve the issue before operating.
Maintenance, hydraulics, and undercarriage checks
Regular checks help catch wear and leaks before they disrupt a job. Use the manual for service intervals, fluid types, inspection steps, and track adjustment. A generic schedule may not match the machine’s serial number, operating conditions, or service history.
After use, inspect the boom, stick, bucket, pins, hoses, and undercarriage for new damage or leaks. Clean soil and debris from the undercarriage, especially when the machine has worked in wet or sticky ground. Record findings and repairs; a simple log makes patterns easier to spot and helps you evaluate a future sale.
Before disconnecting an attachment, follow the manual’s method for relieving hydraulic pressure. Hydraulic fluid can remain under pressure even when the engine is off. Do not loosen a connection to test for pressure. If a hose or fitting needs repair, use a qualified service provider when you lack the right tools and training.
Storage, transport, and seasonal care
Safe ownership includes parking and moving the excavator correctly. Lower the attachment, secure the controls as directed, and shut down using the manual’s procedure. For transport, rely on actual machine and attachment weights, rated equipment, and applicable tie-down rules rather than estimates from a listing.
At the end of a work session, lower the attachment to the ground, neutralize controls, engage the safety or parking system, and idle or shut down as the manual directs. Check for leaks and visible damage before leaving the machine. Store it in a secure place, with access limited to people who are trained and authorized to operate it.
Before hauling, confirm the weight of the excavator in its actual configuration and include attachments and other cargo. Check the trailer and tow vehicle ratings, load distribution, route limits, and required securement points. If the machine’s weight or the equipment’s capacity is uncertain, do not tow until you have verified the numbers.
Buyer’s final decision
The best buy is not simply the lowest-priced 337G. It is a machine whose verified configuration meets your work needs, whose condition you can assess, and whose transport and service needs fit your operation. Take the serial number, inspection notes, attachment details, and hauling plan into account before negotiating.
Before paying, confirm the machine identity, serial-specific specifications, operating condition, attachment compatibility, and transport capacity. Get unclear repairs or seller claims in writing where practical, and budget for inspection and any needed service. If the documentation does not match the machine or key functions cannot be tested safely, step back rather than treating uncertainty as a bargain.
Frequently asked questions
These short answers cover the most common checks for a used Bobcat 337G. Use them to screen a listing, then confirm important details in the manual and serial-number-specific documentation. Published figures can vary with machine setup, so treat them as references until verified.
How much does a Bobcat 337G weigh?
Commonly published operating weight is about 7,775 pounds (3,527 kg). Actual weight varies with cab or canopy, tracks, bucket, and attachments.
How deep can a 337G dig?
Commonly published maximum digging depth is about 12 feet 2 inches (3.71 m). Confirm the figure for the machine’s configuration and do not treat it as a safe trench-depth limit.
What is the 337G’s ground-level reach?
A commonly published figure is about 19 feet 1 inch (5.82 m). Check the machine-specific documentation for the exact geometry and setup.
What engine does the Bobcat 337G use?
Common specifications list a four-cylinder Kubota V2203-series diesel engine. Verify the engine identification and rating on the individual machine.
How much horsepower does a 337G have?
Commonly published specifications list 43.5 hp (32.4 kW). Confirm the rating in documentation for the machine’s serial number.
Can it run a hydraulic attachment?
Possibly, if the machine’s auxiliary circuit matches the attachment’s required flow, pressure, and couplers. Confirm compatibility before buying or connecting the tool.
What should I inspect first on a used 337G?
Check the serial number and records, then inspect for leaks, track wear or damage, pin wear, hose condition, and warning indicators. Test all functions safely.
Can I use the maximum digging depth as a trench plan?
No. Published depth describes machine geometry, not safe site conditions. Utilities, soil, slope, trench edges, and local rules affect how work must be planned.
How do I know if my trailer can carry it?
Use the actual machine and attachment weights, then compare them with the trailer and tow vehicle ratings and applicable load rules. Do not rely on the approximate model weight alone.
What is the safest step before digging?
Locate underground utilities using the required process, assess ground stability, and establish a clear work zone before excavation.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Victor Dempsey. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
