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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

Figure Out Your Digger: Tips for Using Your Mini Excavator Hole-Digger Attachment
CE Contributing Authors
February 24, 2012
Read Article
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Ditch Witch Releases Four New Walk-Behind Trenchers, Notes Its Trenchers Have Excellent Resale Value (Video)
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Vermeer Releases Its S450TX Mini Skid Steer
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WOC Coverage: New Cat E Series Mini Excavators Get Innovative COMPASS Monitor and More

Before World of Concrete even started (last night), Caterpillar pulled us aside to show Compact Equipment some of its newest product launche...

January 24, 2012
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Cat to Open New Mini Excavator Facility in North America

Right now, Bobcat Co. is the only American equipment manufacturer that says it builds its compact excavators on American soil, but that migh...

December 19, 2011
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The 26th International Convention and Old Equipment Exposition

Quality construction equipment can last more than 100 years. It’s a statement often enjoyed by the Historical Construction Equipment Assoc...

September 7, 2011
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The Ex Factor

Productivity is the name of the game in the construction industry, and machine downtime costs money. Effective maintenance is very important...

September 7, 2011
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Excavator Tracks: Live Long and Prosper

With good maintenance, smart operating techniques and proper transporting, you can extend the life of your track and undercarriage on a mini...

August 25, 2011
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The 26th International Convention and Old Equipment Exposition (Photo Presentation)

The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA), a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the construction,...

August 15, 2011
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Mini Ex Engine Maintenance

When digging duties are needed on the job, an excavator reigns supreme with its ability to tear up the earth and expose what lies beneath. A...

June 17, 2011
« Previous 1 … 54 55 56 57 58 Next »
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