Comparing the Best Mini Excavators on the Market

It is a fact that the construction industry is increasingly accepting mini excavators mainly for their small size and versatility.

These machines are applicable for various earthmoving tasks right from the least involving jobs of landscaping and gardening to the more significant ones of trenching and grading.

A new mini excavator is the right choice for your earth-moving project considering its various tasks to be achieved.

The first step in selecting an excavator is to understand which sizes and features are the most appropriate for your project.

Given the big choice of models from 1,000 pounds and under to 8,000 pounds and over, it is no easy task to pick the right one.

Here are the most excellent mini excavators, reviewed and their main advantages explained to assist you in making the most appropriate for your project and budget.

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Best Budget Option: Bobcat E26

Although the Bobcat E26 is not the most affordable mini excavator on the market, it is well worth your investment.

This intermediate-level tool is not as expensive as the biggest models (below $40,000) but still has many common features and attachment options.

The machine's range of use is so big that it suits great for the owner willing to buy one which can do various jobs for him and he will not spend too much on unnecessary tools.

Bobcat concerned that the gadget is convenient for the rental market to optimize this model, so it is a reliable choice for users wishing to save through the rental. Moreover, the use of a used model may bring costs even further down.

Key Advantage: Includes Cylinder-Inside-Boom workgroup to add protection against bucket collision

Best Mini Household Excavator: Kubota K0008-3

Kubota is a household name when it comes to offering people their favorite household excavator that has been proven to be reliable over time and at the same time can easily be transported away and stored.

The width of it is not more than 3 feet and the track frame and the blade are adjustable to make it possible to enter the door without difficulty.

Key Advantage: Adjustable blade and track width allow it to fit through doorways

Most Suitable Electric Mini Excavator Krone ECR25:

The trend of using electrically sustainable construction equipment is emerging rapidly as an eco-friendly and no-air-pollution option to diesel ones. In order to cope with the increasing usage of electrical vehicles, all major manufacturers are launching new electric mini excavators into their electric fleets.

The Volvo ECR25 is a multi-purpose mini excavator which fits in perfectly with the first series of electric compact construction machines engine-decided and accumulator-powered with an electric motor of 24 HP and a 48-volt electric battery.

It weighs 6,129 pounds and can go 4 hours on a single charge. It currently is not available for purchase, but it can be reserved in the Volvo CE webshop.

Main Benefit: Solely electric

Finest Mini Excavator for Small Projects: Komatsu PCO1-1

This little giant also offers an exceptional working solution. It boasts 3.5hp engine power and it’s capable of digging up to 3.5 feet deep.

It is also just 2 feet wide. Even though such a machine is not suitable for more heavy-duty projects, it is exactly what is needed for working in backyards, pipe laying, and so on the urban construction site in a small space.

U.S.-denizens will not find the PCO1-1 model at their local Komatsu stores. They can alternatively look for a used model from a local retailer. More light models from Bobcat, Volvo, and Yanmar can also be considered which of them are of the same nature.

Key Advantage: Very compact and lightweight

Best Customizable Option: John Deere 35G

John Deere G-series mini excavators are such a revolutionary vehicle on the construction market. They are easily customizable as their whole two-wheeled nature allows side and front attachment points, and the combination of both approaches.

Also, the G series family size is flexible starting with a small baby 1,720-pound 17G to an adult 60G weighing 6,145 pounds.

The 35G is the ideal choice due to the multitude of outfitting options and the convenience of the machine.

It can change its control setup between two styles, i.e., excavator and backhoe, in a matter of seconds and automatically reduce the speed if the load increases.

The air compartment is also designed with the introduction of larger windows at its sides for a safe all-around view, which is a nice feature if you want to navigate and work on different tasks with ease.

5 Factors To Consider When Choosing a Mini Excavator

New models for mini-excavators are here to boost the industry, but a bigger number of variants makes choosing more difficult. If you are stuck between several models that all seem to fit your needs, consider the below-mentioned elements for choosing the best one.

1. Cost

Cost is a major factor keeping in mind to buy the right equipment for the job. If feasible, one could wish to finish the job with no cost concern. However, most businesses are driven by budget limitations and hence, it is very important to compare the various quotes from vehicle retailers to your project.

Although a mini digger is a piece of heaven when it comes to the size and functionality of a piece of equipment, the trick is more about identifying a model that will satisfy your work demands at the same time being affordable in terms of the budget.

It is so, so easy to get drawn into making the decision based solely on the price tag – yet in the long run, you’ll be much worse off – and by choosing a tool that is both the cheapest and highly useful you’ll win out in the end.

2. Size

Mini excavators are, in fact, compact but the size of some may differ. If your construction venture needs a machine with enhanced lifting capabilities and a wide variety of attachments, then you should probably go for a larger model.

It is worth mentioning that larger machines are hard to store and demand greater trailers, so do not rush and score a smaller mini machine if do not have a spacious site.

3. Attachments

Mini excavators are versatile vehicle's and can carry along several tools that virtually fit their specs, but, unfortunately, in most cases one model may have less variety of insertable attachments than the other.

In case your line of duty strictly specifies the presence of a certain attachment, please make sure that the machine you have chosen really does match.

The lesser operating capacities of smaller models mean that those can hardly get a chance to attach multiple accessories while the larger and higher-powered machine will likely be the one priority if a wide range of tasks is expected.

4. Type of Boom

Mini excavators can be of three types, viz. swing, knuckle, and fixed, according to their structure of the boom.

So, it is advised to go for a device whose boom is of the kind you prefer – fixed, knuckle, or swing, because then you will know one of the aspects that will surely match your ideas and to clarify the other parts of the process.

This information can be obtained when the horizontal pin connects the swing frame to the machine at the start of the process, and the horizontal movement of these booms alone or together with the swing frame is the most noticeable feature of the pin.

Either a knuckle or a fixed boom is said to be the most dependable if fast and less time-consuming work is an issue, as they need a machine that operates efficiently in narrow and cramped spaces.

5. Site Layout and Terrain

Can affect the site size and the layout. If your job site is with obstacles and cramped spaces, you would probably need model fitting this area better and not a very big one.

Variant kinds of the regions may require more suitable kinds of track. Majority of mini excavators are equipped with standard rubber tracks, but in case the work station has got very muddy or rough track, then metals would be a better choice.

Eventually, choosing the most suitable mini excavator for your project is determined by the size and features that you select. If you need some guidance on the size and features, please contact a local dealer or a rental equipment provider for a quote.