When your project needs more reach and power than the smallest minis, but a full-size excavator is overkill, the 2024 CAT 302.7 Next Gen (302.7 CR) hits the sweet spot.

CIS Equipment rents the 302.7 out of Union Grove, Wisconsin, with delivery to job sites across Southeastern Wisconsin—including **Union Grove, Burlington, Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Waterford, Lake Geneva, Elkhorn, Mount Pleasant, Pleasant Prairie, and Sturtevant—and projects across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois when the schedule allows.

It’s a great fit for contractors and property owners searching things like:

• “mini excavator with more dig depth than a 17G”
• “302.7 mini excavator rental near Milwaukee”
• “tight-access excavator for utilities and footings”

What the 2024 CAT 302.7 Next Gen Handles Best

CIS’s minis are built around precision digging without oversizing the machine.

The 302.7 Next Gen is the “step-up” choice when you need more capability than the smallest mini excavator:

• Deeper trenching & utilities – Ideal for water/sewer lines, conduit runs, and utility trenches where you need more depth and reach than an entry-level mini.
• Drainage systems & grading corrections – French drains, swales, ditches, and downspout tie-ins around homes and commercial sites where precision and slope control matter.
• Footings & small foundations with more volume – House additions, garages, light commercial foundations, and retaining wall footings that demand consistent depth and enough bucket size to move production along.
• Landscape & hardscape prep where access is still limited – Backyards, infill lots, and urban sites that are too tight for a full-size excavator but need more reach than the tiniest minis can offer.

If you tell us trench length/depth, soil conditions, and access limitations, we’ll help you decide if the 302.7 is the right mini or if the smaller 17G or larger 305.5E2 is a better fit.

2024 CAT 302.7 Next Gen – Specs That Make a Difference On Site

The Cat 302.7 CR Next Generation mini excavator is part of Cat’s newer 2.7–3.5 tonne lineup, designed to boost efficiency, comfort, and control.

• Key specs renters actually care about:
• Net power: 23.6 hp (17.6 kW) Cat C1.1 Turbo engine
• Operating weight: up to 6,725 lb (≈3,050 kg) with cab and counterweight
• Maximum dig depth: about 106.7 in / 2,710 mm (~8 ft 10 in) depending on configuration
• Width: approximately 61.8 in (1570 mm) – compact, but wider and more stable than the smallest minis
• Hydraulics: load-sensing system with strong auxiliary flow for work tools and smooth control

Next Gen comfort and control features (exact configuration varies) include:

• All-day comfort cab or canopy with adjustable controls and optional A/C for long shifts.
• Next Generation LCD monitor with intuitive machine information and optional touchscreen.
• Stick-steer travel mode that lets you move the machine and operate the blade with joystick controls instead of pedals, reducing operator fatigue.
• Compact radius design to work close to obstacles with less tail swing risk.

In short: the 302.7 Next Gen gives you real mini excavator power, extra dig depth, and a modern operator environment while still fitting onto smaller sites.

2024 CAT 302.7 Next Gen Mini Excavator Rental Rates

CIS’s Mini Excavator Rentals page lists standard mini pricing, which applies to the 302.7 unless model-specific rates are noted at booking:

(Model-specific pricing may vary; confirm at booking.)

• Daily: $350
• Weekly: $1,050
• Monthly: $2,700

When you contact us, we’ll:

1. Confirm current pricing for the 2024 CAT 302.7 Next Gen.
2. Check that its dig depth and size match your project.
3. Help you choose daily, weekly, or monthly terms based on your schedule so you’re not paying for time you don’t need.

Delivery, Deposit, Insurance & Support for Mini Excavator Rentals

Mini excavator rentals at CIS, including the 2024 302.7 Next Gen, follow the standard policies on the Mini Excavators page:

• Delivery & pickup – Available across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois; we quote delivery by location, and same-day delivery is often possible when scheduling allows.
• Minimum rental – One-day rental minimum for mini excavators.
• Deposit – A $250 deposit is required to reserve your machine. Cancellations within one week of the start date are non-refundable.
• Insurance – Insurance is required for larger machines like dozers and full-size excavators. For minis, requirements depend on the specific model, and we’ll confirm what applies to the 302.7 at booking.
• Support – You get 24/7 phone support during your rental, so you always have backup if ground conditions change, you hit something unexpected, or you have a question.

How to Book the 2024 CAT 302.7 Next Gen Mini Excavator

Booking the 302.7 is straightforward and mirrors the flow laid out on CIS’s Mini Excavator page:

1. Call or message with your job details – Share what you’re doing—utilities, drainage, footings, site prep—plus trench depth, length, soil type, and access width.
2. We recommend the right size and setup – We’ll confirm that the 2024 CAT 302.7 Next Gen is the right choice, or recommend the smaller 17G or larger 305.5E2 if they make more sense for your scope.
3. Schedule delivery (or pickup) – We coordinate delivery to your jobsite or arrange pickup, based on your timing and transportation options.
4. On-site walkthrough and you’re digging – At drop-off, we review controls, safety basics, and daily checks so your operator is comfortable before we leave.
5. Run the job with 24/7 support -You get the work done knowing CIS is a phone call away the entire rental.

You can start the process from the Mini Excavators equipment page (“Get a fast quote”) or through the Contact page, or by calling the Union Grove office directly.

Is the 2024 CAT 302.7 Next Gen the Right Mini Excavator for You?

You’re probably comparing options like “17G vs 302.7 vs full-size excavator.” Here’s how to think about it:

Choose the 302.7 Next Gen if:

• You want more dig depth and power than the smallest mini, with a maximum dig depth around 8 ft 10 in, versus ~7 ft 2 in on compact minis like the 17G.
• Your job involves utilities, drainage, or footings where extra reach and a larger bucket will noticeably speed things up.
• You still need to work in moderate access limitations—backyards, infill lots, or tight commercial sites—but have room for a ~5 ft wide machine.
• You want Next Gen operator comfort and tech, including the improved cab/canopy and LCD monitor.

You might choose a different CIS machine if:

• Access is extremely tight (narrow gates, very tight side yards) and width is your biggest constraint—in that case, the John Deere 17G or a mini skid steer may be more practical.
• You need deep excavation or large volumes (big foundations, deep utilities), where a full-size excavator like the 315 GC will outperform any mini.
• Your work is mostly surface-level grading and material handling, where a skid loader or compact track loader may be the better primary machine.

If you’re not sure, just describe your project in normal language—“Milwaukee duplex addition,” “Burlington drainage fix,” “Kenosha utility trench in a tight alley”—and we’ll help you decide if the 302.7 is the right match.

FAQs – 2024 CAT 302.7 Next Gen Mini Excavator Rental

Q: How deep can the 302.7 Next Gen mini excavator dig?

A: The Cat 302.7 CR offers a maximum dig depth of about 106.7 in (2,710 mm), roughly 8 ft 10 in, depending on stick configuration. That extra depth is a key reason to choose it over the smallest minis.

Q: How wide is the 302.7, and will it fit where I need it?

A: The 302.7 CR is about 61.8 in (1570 mm) wide, so you’ll generally want at least a 5 ft+ access path. If your gate or side yard is narrower, we may recommend the smaller 17G or a mini skid steer instead.

Q: What’s the difference between the 302.7 and a full-size excavator from CIS?

A: The 302.7 is a mini excavator, designed for tight sites and moderate dig depth/volume. Full-size excavators (like the 315 GC) bring significantly more reach, depth, and lifting capacity but require more space, heavier transport, and usually larger job scopes. We’ll help you choose based on your trench depth, footprint, and production needs.

Q: Does the 302.7 Next Gen have the newer Cat comfort and control features?

A: Yes. As a Next Generation Cat mini, the 302.7 CR includes upgrades like improved cab/canopy, Next Gen LCD monitor, easy-to-use controls, and optional stick-steer travel mode for easier movement around the jobsite.

Q: What are the typical mini excavator rates for this machine?

A: The Mini Excavator page lists standard pricing of $350/day, $1,050/week, and $2,700/month, with a note that model-specific pricing may vary. We’ll confirm the exact rate for the 2024 CAT 302.7 Next Gen when you request a quote.