CAT 395 vs SANY SY980H: 100-Ton Class Excavator Specifications and Mining Truck Matching
Key takeaways
The CAT 395 and SANY SY980H are both approximately 94-ton class excavators, but they differ in power, nominal bucket capacity, work attachments, and emissions information. This article uses a 45-ton mining truck loading calculation to explain how to choose between the two under various conditions, including productivity, configuration, transportation, and overseas use.
Placing Both Machines in the Same Class
The CAT 395 and SANY SY980H are both approximately 94-ton class crawler excavators, but their official websites display different market configurations and standard specifications. Caterpillar's US page lists the 395 with an operating weight of 94,000 kg, net power of 404 kW, configured with an 8.4-meter boom, 4.4-meter stick, and a 5.2 cubic meter rock bucket. SANY's global page lists the SY980H with an operating weight of 94.2 tons, engine power of 425 kW, a standard 7.25-meter boom, 3-meter stick, and a 6.1 cubic meter bucket capacity. The weight difference between the two machines is only about 0.2 tons, power differs by 21 kW, and the nominal bucket capacity stated on the official websites differs by 0.9 cubic meters. Therefore, the comparison should not solely focus on "identical tonnage."
How Bucket Capacity Differences Affect Mining Truck Loading Cycles
Bucket capacity is only meaningful when combined with material loose density and fill factor. Assuming loading a 45-ton class mining truck, with a material loose density of 1.8 tons/cubic meter and a bucket fill factor of 90%, and provided the bucket load does not exceed the manufacturer's allowed value: the 395's theoretical load per bucket is 5.2 × 1.8 × 0.9 = 8.42 tons, requiring 6 buckets (rounded up). The SY980H's theoretical load is 6.1 × 1.8 × 0.9 = 9.88 tons, requiring 5 buckets. Whether one less bucket truly shortens the cycle also depends on the swing angle, truck positioning, and whether each bucket is consistently filled. If material density, lump size, or stickiness changes, recalculation is necessary, and 6.1 cubic meters cannot be directly equated to higher hourly output.
Power and Digging Force Must Be Judged by the Same Standard
The SY980H's official website provides a bucket digging force of 495 kN and a stick digging force of 469 kN, utilizing a Scania DC16 engine. The 395 uses a Cat C18 engine, with an ISO 9249 net power of 404 kW and an ISO 14396 engine power of 405 kW. The 425 kW listed on the SY980H page and the 395's net power are not tested under exactly the same standards, so it cannot be simply concluded that "21 kW more power definitely means faster operation." When purchasing, buyers should obtain the rated power, main pump flow, work modes, and actual cycle test results for the same emissions version to compare performance in hard rock penetration, heavy-load swing, and continuous loading.
Configuration Versions Directly Impact Overseas Use
The 395's US page corresponds to emissions standards such as Tier 4 Final / EU Stage V; the SY980H's global page does not specify the emissions stage in its parameter section. For projects in Africa or South America that use high-sulfur diesel, the engine model, emissions version, aftertreatment system, and locally available fuel standards must be clearly stated in the contract, rather than relying solely on the model name. Different years, regional versions, and modifications to used machines can also alter the counterweight, track shoes, work attachments, and overall machine weight. All parameters should correspond to the factory nameplate, configuration list, and serial number.
Transport Limitations Must Also Be Considered
The official transport length for the 395 with the aforementioned configuration is 15.09 meters, retracted undercarriage transport width is 3.88 meters, and cab top height is 3.67 meters. These dimensions and the 94-ton weight mean that before quoting, the disassembly plan, lifting points, single-piece weights, and re-assembly conditions at the destination port must be clearly defined. The SY980H's public parameter page does not provide transport dimensions using the same standards, so it cannot be assumed that it will use the same vessel type or disassembly/assembly plan as the 395 simply because their weights are similar; buyers should request transport drawings and actual measured dimensions from the supplier before calculating.
Under What Conditions to Choose Each Machine
If a project already has Cat C18 maintenance capability, Cat diagnostic systems, and same-brand parts inventory, and values the 395's maximum digging depth of 9.67 meters and maximum ground-level reach of 14.71 meters with its public configuration, the 395 may be prioritized. If the core task is loading 45-ton class mining trucks, and on-site material allows for safe full loading with a 6.1 cubic meter bucket, and local conditions support Scania DC16 service and parts, the SY980H might reduce one loading cycle under the assumptions mentioned above. If fuel, emissions, transport, or after-sales conditions have not been verified, neither machine should be ordered solely based on quotation or nominal bucket capacity.
Easysail can verify the serial number, actual configuration, inspection data, and disassembly/transport plan for the CAT 395 or SY980H based on project material, mining truck load, and destination port conditions, assisting buyers in matching official specifications to specific equipment.