plant hire - head to head
Caterpillar vs Volvo Construction Equipment
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 | Volvo Construction Equipment | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | United States | Sweden |
| UK availability | Widely available - large UK network | Widely available - large UK network |
| Range covers | Excavators across the full size range, Wheel loaders, Dozers, Telehandlers | excavators, wheeled loaders, articulated haulers, compact excavators |
| Best known for | Cat mini excavator range | ECR25D |
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 Volvo Construction Equipment if...
Volvo Construction Equipment is a full-line manufacturer of excavators, wheeled loaders and articulated haulers, sold in the UK through the exclusive dealer SMT GB. Hire and civils contractors specify Volvo mid-to-large excavators and haulers where residual values, operator comfort and dealer backup matter as much as purchase price. Its compact excavator range, such as the ECR25D, competes for the same mini-digger hire fleets as Kubota, JCB and Bobcat.
Look at: ECR25D, EC220E
Full Volvo Construction Equipment 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 Volvo Construction Equipment - common questions
Is Caterpillar better than Volvo Construction Equipment?
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. Volvo Construction Equipment is a full-line manufacturer of excavators, wheeled loaders and articulated haulers, sold in the UK through the exclusive dealer SMT GB. Hire and civils contractors specify Volvo mid-to-large excavators and haulers where residual values, operator comfort and dealer backup matter as much as purchase price. Its compact excavator range, such as the ECR25D, competes for the same mini-digger hire fleets as Kubota, JCB and Bobcat.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Caterpillar or Volvo Construction Equipment?
Caterpillar: Global dealer network with long-established UK coverage. Volvo Construction Equipment: SMT GB is the sole authorised Volvo CE dealer for Great Britain, with a nationwide network of customer support centres.
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.