• Read Compact Equipment Magazine Online
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Compact Equipment Magazine
 
  • Skid Steers
    • Skid Steers
    • Compact Track Loaders
  • Mini Excavators
  • Attachments
  • MEWPs
  • Engines
  • Tractors
  • More Equipment
    • Backhoes
    • Compaction
    • Compact Tool Carriers
    • Compressors
    • Hand Tools
    • Generators
    • Light Towers
    • OEM Systems
    • Pumps
    • Skid Steers
    • Telehandlers
    • Compact Track Loaders
    • Trenchers
    • Trucks
    • Utility Vehicles
    • Wheel Loaders
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
    • Free Print Subscription
    • Read the Digital Edition
  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

Kubota CTL Kubota Releases Three New Machines at World of Concrete
Pam Kleineke
January 22, 2025
Read Article
Mini Excavators Volvo Construction Equipment and Herc Rentals with a EC37 mini excavator
Herc Rentals Purchases Hundreds of Volvo CE’s EC37 Compact Excavators, A Unit Herc Helped Design
January 15, 2025
Mini Excavators New Holland E90D
Innovative Iron Award: New Holland’s E90D Is a Standout in the Midi Excavator Category
December 23, 2024
Mini Excavators Volvo-EC37-and-ECR40
Innovative Iron Award: Volvo Construction Equipment’s EC37 and ECR40 Compact Excavators
December 5, 2024
Mini Excavators AHM AX-15 Mini Excavator
Here’s a New, Economy-Focused Digger: The AHM AX-15 Mini Excavator
November 8, 2024
Mini Excavators YanmarCE_ViO35-7
Yanmar CE’s New ViO35-7 Brings Stellar Operator Experience, Productivity and Configuration Upgrades

Yanmar Compact Equipment has introduced the ViO35-7 mini excavator, featuring significant productivity, configuration and operator experienc...

October 17, 2024
Mini Excavators New Holland E90D
New Holland Construction Launches the E90D Midi Excavator

New Holland Construction recently introduced the all-new E90D midi excavator. Powered by a robust 73-hp engine, the E90D boasts the highest ...

October 16, 2024
Mini Excavators Volvo Days 2024 drone show volvo
Exploring Volvo CE’s Coolest Tech and Latest Compact Equipment with President Scott Young

We Also Talk to Products Experts in Compact Wheel Loaders, Mini Excavators and Connected Services At Compact Equipment, our Editor at Large ...

October 14, 2024
Mini Excavators Jack Eike Wood Duck Landscapes develon excavator in background
Contractor Profile: Iowa’s Wood Duck Landscapes Capitalizes on a Mini Excavator and Track Loader Combo

Jack Eike grew up idolizing his grandfather and the landscaping industry. His grandfather operated a tree farm in central Iowa, and it&rsquo...

October 9, 2024
Mini Excavators Develon mini excavator machine heads
Machine Heads Video: A Deep Dive on Develon’s DX17Z-7 Mini Excavator

Wayne Grayson Talks About the DX17Z-7 Mini Excavator with Andy Jeong In the latest episode of Machine Heads Interviews, host Wayne Grayson s...

October 2, 2024
Mini Excavators Case mini ex
Super Mini, Super Mighty: The Smallest Mini Excavators on the Market and How to Pick One

Contractors, homeowners and DIYers need machines built to tackle their to-do lists. Enter the smallest mini excavators. These super small 1-...

September 26, 2024
Mini Excavators 1.7_ton_class_electric_excavator
Hitachi Construction Machinery and Dimaag-AI to Collaborate and Develop 1.7-Ton Zero-Emission Excavators

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. and Dimaag-AI Inc. recently announced a collaboration to develop and produce an electrified compact ...

September 26, 2024
« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 … 47 Next »
Most Popular Posts

  • Editor at Large: Operating Kubota’s Just Launched Grand L70 Series Tractors in Texas

    29 0 October 8, 2025

  • The Utility Expo 2025: Hands-on Demos, New Tech and the Return of the HDD Rodeo Await in Louisville

    46 0 October 6, 2025

  • Cold Weather Maintenance and Operation Tips for Compact Utility Loaders

    22 0 October 7, 2025

  • Bobcat Company Honors Credo Award Winners and Patent Achievements

    17 0 October 6, 2025

  • CONEXPO-CON/AGG To Debut the Ground Breakers Stage at 2026 Show

    21 0 October 7, 2025

  • Subscribe to Compact Equipment Magazine
.
 
FREE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION FOR INDUSTRY PROS
Subscribe today
Production Equipment
  • MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platform)
  • Backhoes
  • Compact Tractors
  • Compressors
  • Mini Excavators
  • Light Towers
  • Skid Steers
  • Compact Track Loaders
  • Utility Vehicles
  • Wheel Loaders
Construction Tools
  • Attachments
  • Business and Software
  • Compaction
  • Compressors
  • Engines
  • Generators
  • Hand Tools
  • Industry Events
  • Light Towers
  • OEM Systems
  • Pumps
  • Trucks
More CE
  • Free Magazine Subscription
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Sitemap
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Contact Us

©2025 Copyright Compact Equipment Magazine