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  1. Compact Equipment Magazine
  2. Mini Excavators

Mini Excavators

These Popular Mini Diggers Are Also Awesome Tool Carriers

The mini or compact excavator segment stands as one of the hottest machine markets in U.S. construction equipment. Its popularity stems from its versatility and size. Operators can easily transport mini excavators, and these machines handle a variety of onsite applications. These include digging basements, burying downspouts, compacting soil, trenching service lines or grappling obscenely big, decorative rocks. Manufacturers define these units as excavators under 8 metric tons. Designers equip them with an undercarriage and tracks, a long digging arm, and a cab or ROPS enclosure. With dig depths ranging between 5 and 15 ft+ and operating weights between 2,000 and 20,000 lbs, compact excavators maneuver into cramped worksites while delivering impressive digging power.

The 3.5- to 4-metric-ton class continues to drive growth in the compact hydraulic excavator market, especially in rental, while the 5- to 6-metric-ton size class gains momentum. Conventional-style compact excavators share the spotlight with minimum and zero tail swing designs. Zero tail swing (ZTS), which ensures the cab stays within the width of the tracks, remains a popular choice. Beyond their many features — such as enclosed cabs, backfill blades, extendable sticks and retractable undercarriages — mini excavators can equip a wide range of attachments to tackle tasks beyond digging, including hydraulic thumbs, breakers, specialty buckets, augers, grapples and mowers. Recent trends in the category include commercially available electric and hybrid variants as well as machine control systems for grading and digging. Examples of mini excavators include:

Takeuchi’s TB Mini Excavators | Caterpillar’s Next Gen Mini Excavators | Kubota’s K, KX and U Compact Excavators

A Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing the Final Drive Motor on a Mini Excavator
CE Contributing Authors
February 7, 2023
Read Article
Mini Excavators United Rentals TBe excavator
The Scoop: Tips for Renting the Right Mini Excavator
January 24, 2023
Industry Events
Hyundai to Re-Enter the Skid Steer/Track Loader Market + Other Machines on Exhibit at CONEXPO
January 23, 2023
Mini Excavators
Kubota Introduces KX030-4 Compact Excavator
January 19, 2023
Mini Excavators John Deere Logo
John Deere Debuts Electric Excavator During CES 2023 Keynote
January 5, 2023
Mini Excavators
Award-Winning JCB Electric Mini Celebrates Big Milestone

JCB’s double-award-winning electric mini excavator just marked another significant milestone in its short history — the producti...

December 22, 2022
Mini Excavators Kubota U10-5
Innovative Iron Awards: Kubota’s U10-5 Mini Excavator

The Top Construction, Landscape and Rental Equipment Launched in 2022 Throughout 2022, the Compact Equipment crew traveled the countryside (...

December 19, 2022
Mini Excavators
Optional Water Kit Now Available on Vermeer CS GT Vacuum Excavators

Vermeer expands the capabilities of its popular CS GT vacuum excavators with an optional water kit. Now horizontal directional drilling (HDD...

December 14, 2022
Mini Excavators Hitachi ZX50U-5N excavator
Innovative Iron Awards: Hitachi’s ZX50U-5N Mini Excavator

The Top Construction, Landscape and Rental Equipment Launched in 2022 Throughout 2022, the Compact Equipment crew traveled the countryside (...

December 13, 2022
Mini Excavators Yanmar ViO17-1E
Innovative Iron Awards: Yanmar’s ViO17-1E and ViO25-6B Mini Excavators

The Top Construction, Landscape and Rental Equipment Launched in 2022 Throughout 2022, the Compact Equipment crew traveled the countryside (...

December 8, 2022
Mini Excavators Hitachi excavator
A Compact Excavator to Fit Every Job Site

How do you know which excavator is right for you? Choosing the right excavator requires careful consideration. You want the power to get the...

December 2, 2022
Mini Excavators
Charge! The Rental Market Has Become the Go-To Channel for Electric Construction Equipment

Jobsites are populated by more electric equipment than ever before, driven largely by increased demand for a smaller carbon footprint and su...

November 28, 2022
« Previous 1 … 9 10 11 12 13 … 58 Next »
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