Caterpillar 304 Financing
mini excavators · Est. Market Price $62,000 · More Caterpillar financing
Updated Cross-checked against 2 government/public rate sources
In the mini excavators category, the Caterpillar 304 is positioned as a compact-class option, built around a 50hp engine and 8,950 lb operating weight.
Structured as a $1-buyout capital lease over 60 months, you own the 304 outright at the end of the term — the payment below amortizes the full purchase price plus the doc/origination fee. At an estimated $62,000 purchase price, lenders typically treat this price band as low-risk, which tends to translate into faster approval turnaround.
Estimated Monthly Payment
Estimated Commercial APR including doc/origination fees. Adjust the slider to personalize the rate for your credit tier.
$1,279.86/mo
Base APR: 8.25% · 60 months
| Month | Payment | Principal | Interest | Balance |
|---|
Section 179 Tax Deduction Matrix
Estimates for illustrative purposes only. Consult a certified CPA to determine actual Section 179 depreciation. Source: IRS Publication 946 .
| Estimated Equipment Price | $62,000 |
| 2026 Section 179 Cap | $2,560,000 |
| Eligible Deduction | $62,000 |
| Federal Corporate Tax Rate | 21% |
| Estimated Tax Savings | $13,020 |
| Effective After-Tax Cost | $48,980 |
Asset Specifications
| Make | Caterpillar |
| Model | 304 |
| Category | heavy-construction |
| Subcategory | mini excavators |
| Horsepower | 50 hp |
| Operating Weight | 8,950 lbs |
| Estimated Market Price | $62,000 |
Real-World Market Reference
2 independent government sources currently reference this machine — not our own estimate.
| DOT Rental Rate | $48.75/hrCalifornia DOT equipment rental rate schedule, effective 01-APR-2026 |
| Vendor Rental Rate | $450.00/dayWashington State DES equipment rental contract (vendor: NCMachinery) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the estimated monthly payment for a financed Caterpillar 304?
An estimated $1279.86/month over 60 months at a base APR of 8.25%, including a $750.00 doc/origination fee.
Is the Caterpillar 304 eligible for a Section 179 tax deduction?
Yes. Under the 2026 Section 179 cap of $2,560,000, qualifying businesses may be able to deduct the full purchase price in the year it's placed in service, subject to CPA verification.
What is the typical resale or auction value for a Caterpillar 304?
Resale value data is not yet available for this specific model.
What does a Caterpillar 304 rent for?
Current public rate records put this machine at $48.75/hour (California DOT equipment rental rate schedule) and $450.00/day (Washington State DES equipment rental contract (vendor: NCMachinery)) — real published rates, not our own estimate.
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