Cat (Caterpillar) 3306 Diesel Engine

CAT (Caterpillar) 3306 Engine

Caterpillar has one of the most well-recognized names in the diesel engine industry. In business for more than 90 years, Caterpillar has earned a reputation for building diesel engines that are tough, powerful, and long-lasting.

That’s why the team at Young & Sons is proud to provide our customers with a broad range of new, used, and rebuilt Caterpillar engines. One of the most popular models we offer is the CAT 3306 engine.

History of the Caterpillar 3306 Engine

The Caterpillar company started producing 3306 engines in the early 1970s as a replacement for the older 1673 and 3160 models. One of the first uses for the 3306 was in the CAT 225 hydraulic excavator.

Once it was put to work, the CAT 3306 engine quickly became known for its durability and reliability. With a maximum horsepower rating of 270 hp, earlier versions of the 3306 wouldn’t win you any races, but what it lacked in power it made up for in reliability.

The configuration of the Caterpillar 3306 changed a bit over time, but its reputation for being a reliable workhorse engine continued to grow. The new design was more streamlined than the old one, with direct injection replacing pre-combustion chambers and a left-hand scroll fuel system being used instead of a sleeve meeting fuel system. These changes made a great engine even better.

The CAT 3306 engine was a mainstay of the Caterpillar heavy duty diesel engine product line for more than 25 years. Over its lifetime, it was used in a variety of machinery, including:

  • Dozers
  • Rollers
  • Scrapers
  • Dump trucks
  • Motor graders
  • Front end loaders
  • Semi trucks
  • Industrial pumps
  • Gensets
  • Excavators
  • Cement mixers
  • …and more.


Despite the popularity of the 3306, Caterpillar stopped manufacturing it in the late 1990s due to changes in emissions technology. 

The CAT 3306 Engine Today

Thanks to its reputation for being one of the most dependable engines ever made, there is still a market for Caterpillar 3306 engines today. At Young & Sons, we carry several different models of new, used, and rebuilt CAT engines. You can check our current inventory online or just give us a quick call to find out what we have in stock.

Why Trust Young & Sons to Meet Your Diesel Engine Needs

At Young & Sons, we live and breathe diesel engines. This isn’t something we do on the side – diesel engines have been our family’s passion for more than 70 years.

And that’s just one thing that makes us the best diesel engine specialists around. Here are a few more reasons to come to Young & Sons for all your diesel engine needs:

  1. We’re family owned and operated
  2. Our mechanics are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE Certified).
  3. We’re committed to providing top-notch customer service.
  4. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
  5. Our clients come from many different industries including construction, forestry, defense, agriculture, mining, and transportation.
  6. In addition to carrying engines, also stock a variety of parts such as alternators, gaskets, starters, etc.
  7. We ship our diesel engines and parts all over the globe.


The experienced team at Young & Sons can provide you with the perfect engine to meet your needs and budgetary requirements. All you have to do to get started is call 317-263-0960 or click on the “Quick Quote” button on the top of this page. We’d be happy to help you find the engine you need.