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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

John Deere at #CONEXPO: New excavator, Big Parts Promise and a drone partnership
Chris Crowell
March 8, 2017
Read Article
Mini Excavators
SANY announces bold new warranty, backhoe loader, excavators at #CONEXPO
March 8, 2017
Skid Steers
John Deere extends in-base JDLink from three to five years on construction, forestry machines
March 8, 2017
Mini Excavators
CASE at #CONEXPO: Six new mini excavators and the debut of project ‘Minotaur’
March 7, 2017
Mini Excavators
Bobcat debuts next generation excavators at #CONEXPO
March 7, 2017
Mini Excavators
Talking Shop: Understanding Mini Excavator Maintenance

How Investing in Your Machine Now Can Pay Dividends Down the Road Compact excavators are surging in popularity, with sales increasing in jus...

February 23, 2017
Mini Excavators
New England’s Barber Utilities Relies on Volvo Equipment to Succeed

Helping make all the right utility connections for New England is the job of Volvo CE-equipped gas and water work specialist The legendary V...

February 21, 2017
Mini Excavators
John Deere Updates Versatile 75G and 85G Excavators

Capable of working around congested job sites in efficient fashion, the updated John Deere 75G and 85G excavators boast new customer-in...

February 15, 2017
Mini Excavators
Compact excavator tracks and undercarriage maintenance

To get the longest life from your compact excavator, you need to make sure you’re inspecting and replacing common wear parts including...

February 13, 2017
Mini Excavators
In Control — Learn How Grade Control Systems Give Excavator Operators a Helping Hand

Excavator operators no longer have an excuse if they can’t make the grade. Machine-control systems now offer them several solutions to...

February 9, 2017
Mini Excavators
Excavator Tech: How Engines, Hydraulics and Hybrids Are Evolving the Mini Ex Market

The long arm of a mini excavator has become a pretty powerful and popular tool for American contractors. Fitted with a bucket, hammer, brush...

February 8, 2017
Mini Excavators
Dig These Best Practices for Compact Excavator Operation

Wielding an array of different attachments, compact excavators aren’t just for digging anymore, but how do you make the most of this m...

February 7, 2017
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