plant hire - head to head
Caterpillar vs Hitachi
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| Caterpillar | Hitachi | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | United States | Japan |
| UK availability | Widely available - large UK network | Good UK dealer coverage |
| Range covers | Excavators across the full size range, Wheel loaders, Dozers, Telehandlers | Excavators, Wheel loaders |
| Best known for | Cat mini excavator range | Zaxis |
Choose Caterpillar if...
The global heavyweight. In UK hire it shows up most at the larger end and on long-term contract hire, where dealer support and machine availability across a whole project matter more than day-rate.
Look at: Cat mini excavator range
Full Caterpillar profile →Choose Hitachi if...
An excavator specialist with a long reputation for hydraulic smoothness. Operators who spend all day in the seat tend to have strong opinions about Zaxis machines, and fleets that serve civils work stock them for that reason.
Look at: Zaxis
Full Hitachi profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK plant hire companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
Caterpillar vs Hitachi - common questions
Is Caterpillar better than Hitachi?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. The global heavyweight. In UK hire it shows up most at the larger end and on long-term contract hire, where dealer support and machine availability across a whole project matter more than day-rate. An excavator specialist with a long reputation for hydraulic smoothness. Operators who spend all day in the seat tend to have strong opinions about Zaxis machines, and fleets that serve civils work stock them for that reason.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Caterpillar or Hitachi?
Caterpillar: Global dealer network with long-established UK coverage. Hitachi: Established UK dealer network, strong in the excavator classes.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK plant hire companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.