• 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
    • Archives
    • Backhoes
    • Compaction
    • Compact Tool Carriers
    • Compressors
    • Hand Tools
    • Generators
    • Geothermal
    • 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

NOX Tiltrotator coupler Excavator Dexterity: Tilt and Tiltrotator Couplers Enhance Flexibility, Accuracy and Efficiency
Giles Lambertson
March 14, 2019
Read Article
Aerial Lifts JCB’s 19C-1 IE electric excavator.
Charge! Electric and Hybrid Machines Lead 2019 Launches and Tradeshows
March 12, 2019
Business and Software
Volvo CE Machines Win EquipmentWatch’s Highest Retained Value and Lowest Cost of Ownership Awards
March 8, 2019
Mini Excavators Wacker Neuson EZ36
Here Are Some of the Coolest Compact Excavators on the Market Right Now
March 5, 2019
Mini Excavators Bobcat E85
New Digs on the Block: The Latest Mini Excavators from Volvo, Deere, Bobcat, Cat, JCB and Beyond
February 27, 2019
Mini Excavators Bobcat excavator engine
Up & Running: Forget Downtime by Performing Maintenance on Your Mini Ex

Downtime. It’s a word that crews would rather not contemplate, especially when deadlines are tight and the project is long or complex....

February 25, 2019
Attachments Trimble Earthworks 2D Grade Control Platform
Assisted Digging: Grade and Machine Control Systems Can Be Equipped to Compact Excavators

Precision. Efficiency. Speed. Safety. Four criteria that a contractor would want in almost any professional excavator operator. Unfortunatel...

February 19, 2019
Features Volvo
Battery Powered — Volvo Prepares Commercial Release of Electric Compact Excavators and Wheel Loaders

Last year, Volvo Construction Equipment announced a pair of exciting compact machines — the fully electric EX2 compact excavator and L...

February 13, 2019
Mini Excavators
Kobelco USA Expands Dealer Network in Canada with New Partnerships

Kobelco Construction Machinery USA continues to expand representation in the North America market by adding Abi-Quip, Conaker Equipment and ...

January 31, 2019
Compact Track Loaders
World of Concrete: Wacker Neuson Introduces New Products

Wacker Neuson released a whole bunch of new equipment this week at World of Concrete. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights. Ser...

January 23, 2019
Industry Events
World of Concrete: Volvo Expands Compact Excavator Lineup with ECR18E and EC20E

Volvo Construction Equipment is adding to its E-Series compact excavators in North America with the launch of the ECR18E and the EC20E. The ...

January 23, 2019
Industry Events
Hyundai to Exhibit Upgrades and New Attachments at World of Concrete 2019

Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas will feature a variety of recently upgraded models and newly available third-party attachments Jan. ...

January 22, 2019
« Previous 1 … 28 29 30 31 32 … 58 Next »
Most Popular Posts

  • Video: Discussing Blue Diamond Auger Attachments for Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders

    43 0 June 23, 2025

  • Mahindra Launches 12th Military Salute Giveaway Featuring New Roxor Independence Edition

    52 0 June 23, 2025

  • FAE Introduces the New BL0/EX-100 Mulcher for 4- to 5-Ton Excavators

    29 0 June 23, 2025

  • AI on Alert: Leica’s Xsight360 Boosts Jobsite Safety with Visual Detection Tech

    24 0 June 24, 2025

  • Video: Caterpillar Mini Excavators Play Hockey in Latest Marketing Move

    35 0 June 24, 2025

  • Subscribe to Compact Equipment Magazine
 
FREE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION FOR INDUSTRY PROS
Subscribe today
Production Equipment
  • Aerial Lifts
  • 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
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Advertising
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

©2025 Copyright Compact Equipment Magazine