Just Right: Find the Perfect Mini Excavator for You with These Buying Tips

Remember the tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and her quest to find everything that’s just right? Well, buying a mini excavator can feel a bit like that — scoping out different brands, sizes and options to find a machine that’s just right for your needs. Luckily, we’ve gathered insights from manufacturers Doosan, Takeuchi, Kobelco and JCB to help in the search because these popular, hard-working machines come in all sorts of operating weights, comfort levels and configurations. Let’s dive in.

Size and Power

Mini excavators are great machines for a wide variety of tasks, everything from excavating for underground utility installations to moving decorative rocks in a patio project to breaking up concrete in a demo job. Their compact size allows most of them to be transported without a CDL and work in areas where larger equipment simply cannot fit. The mini excavator category includes models ranging from 0 to 8 metric tons, with the 3- to 4-metric-ton range being the most popular. However, larger minis are gaining interest.

“Infrastructure expansion and re-conditioning is the expectation for 2022, which means an anticipated growth in the 4- to 6-ton-size range for mini excavators,” says Chris Lucas, excavator product manager for JCB. “This class size is perfect for small highway construction projects and utilities.”

When sizing up a new machine, it’s important to consider current and future applications. Since mini excavators are now being used for a broader range of jobs, buyers should ensure that their machines are the appropriate size and deliver enough power to operate the attachments they need to use — plus a little extra muscle for future endeavors.

“Many customers buy a machine based on their current needs, then regret not buying the next larger size,” says Dave Donneral, specialized machinery manager, Kobelco Construction Machinery USA. “Consider the full working range that you need to be able to get many different jobs completed. Also consider what weight you are going to need to be able to lift. Think about the physical weight of the machine and attachments and how you are going to transport it. Is your current truck and trailer capable of safely moving it? If you are going to be using hydraulic attachments [hammer, tamper or tree mulcher], does the machine have the hydraulic flow and pressure to run those attachments? Do you need a bigger machine or a smaller attachment? Do you need a cab with heat and air conditioning, or is an open ROPS canopy good?”

If work takes you in gated backyards or through doorways, buyers should check out micro excavator units with retractable undercarriages. A retractable undercarriage allows mini excavators to shrink in width to fit through narrow spaces and then expand back out for stability. This is a great feature for indoor work like demolition. Another consideration is the machine’s tail swing type. Do you need a machine with conventional, reduced tail or zero tail swing? Both reduced and zero tail swing are great for working in confined spaces but may not always be the optimal choice.

“Traditionally, zero tail swing machines have been popular due to the confined areas or conditions where contractors are working,” says Aaron Kleingartner, product and dealer marketing manager for Doosan Infracore North America. “They enjoy the ability to work next to obstacles without worrying about the machine’s house hitting an object when the operator rotates it. Zero tail swing machines tend to be wider than conventional excavators. That means some contractors prefer to stick with a conventional tail swing machine for easier entry through gates to work in backyards.”

Doosan DX50-5K Mini Excavator

The Doosan DX50-5K mini excavator is part of the 5-metric-ton size class and serves customers in various industries. The excavator’s compact size and mobility make it valuable for commercial and residential developments and landscape projects. In addition, the machine’s versatility makes it ideal for utility companies that perform underground construction tasks. A dual-flange track roller system works in tandem with an enhanced counterweight for better over-the-side digging and lifting capabilities. An integrated lift eye allows for easier craning and lifting. For additional dig depth and reach, a long-arm option is available for the DX50-5K.
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Takeuchi TB370 Compact Excavator

Takeuchi’s TB370 compact excavator features a 56.8-hp turbocharged Kubota diesel engine that produces more than 165 ft-lbs of torque. A redesigned tilt-forward cabin includes an 8-in., color, LCD, multifunction touchscreen display, jog dial and one-touch controls and a larger floor area for enhanced operator comfort. The TB370 has three auxiliary circuits, as well as a closed-center, load-sensing hydraulic system that is designed to operate a wide range of hydraulically driven attachments. The second auxiliary circuit is a dedicated thumb circuit, and the third circuit enables installation of a hydraulic pin grabber coupler for greater convenience and simpler attachment exchanges. Owners can manage the TB370 remotely using Takeuchi’s Fleet Management (TFM) telematics system.

Comfort and Safety

The mini excavator market continues to grow, and manufacturers are also recognizing that operators want all the comforts of larger excavators on these smaller models. David Caldwell, product manager, Takeuchi-US, explains those comforts include larger cabs with more features, such as heat/AC, AM/FM/Bluetooth radio, multi-function color monitors, touch controls, monitors, jog dials, USB ports and 12v outlets.

“A comfortable operator is a productive operator,” he says. “Consider the size of the operator’s station. How is it appointed and designed? Does it have a flat floor area with ample leg and foot space? Is there enough space between the joysticks so they do not contact the operator’s legs, limiting their stroke? How intuitive are the controls and monitor panel? Can multiple attachment presets and flow rates be set from the cabin? Does the seat provide ample adjustments [fore/aft, weight, height]? If you know you’ll be working all year round, you may want to make the additional investment in a cab unit with heat and air conditioning.”

On top of a comfy workspace, buyers should keep an eye on safety features. For example, rearview cameras and travel alarms are ideal when working around a lot of people. Caldwell adds that it’s also crucial to understand the attachments you’ll be using, and the risks associated with them — then outfit the machine accordingly.

“If the machine is going to be equipped with a breaker, a cab machine would provide the operator with greater protection than a canopy,” he says. “The same would apply if using a mower or mulcher. A polycarbonate front glass or window guard is important to enhance and improve the operator’s peace of mind during operation.”

Options and Attachments

One of the best parts of purchasing a mini ex is selecting options and attachments to create the perfect excavator for your operations. Need a little more reach? Take a look at excavators with a long-arm option.

“Depending on the model, customers may be eligible to purchase their preferred machine size with a longer arm for reduced repositioning and greater dig depth and reach,” says Kleingartner. “Along with arm options usually comes counterweight options and what’s available for particular mini excavators. It’s best to visit with a local dealer sales specialist to customize a mini excavator for each buyer’s need.”

Attachments of all types are available, but implements are getting more high tech and niche. For example, tiltrotators have been growing in popularity for the last couple years. These tools allow operators to tilt and rotate an attachment 360 degrees — delivering versatility in a wide range of applications, including grading, general excavation and material handling.

“Tiltrotators increase the dexterity of the bucket movement and allow the bucket to operate much like their hand for specific digging and placement of material,” says Donneral. “Many also include a hydraulic coupler to quickly change to a different size bucket or a clamp to pick up and move smaller items around the jobsite.”

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Aside from a traditional bucket, a thumb is perhaps the most popular attachment. Thumbs are a popular add-on and assist in cleaning up debris and pick-and-place tasks on landscape projects.

“Equipping the excavator with a bucket and thumb combo is a given for many in the landscape/hardscape industry,” says Caldwell. “This combination allows operators to easily clean up and load out trash and debris on a jobsite. They can also use the bucket/thumb combo to pick up and place heavy objects, such as stones and pavers, that may be used to build a landscape or hardscape feature.”

Lucas adds that almost 100 percent of JCB’s machines are ordered with thumbs, followed by breakers. Augers and grapples are common purchases too. Mulchers are gaining steam and allow operators to clear unwanted brush, small trees and more. Caldwell recommends grading blades to create various contours or slopes and level or grade areas to improve drainage and create cool landscapes.

JCB 35Z-1 Zero Tail swing Mini Excavator

JCB’s “Next Generation” model compact 3.5-ton excavator features an upgraded hydraulic system, improved dig-end geometry and a reprofiled dozer blade for increased productivity. It boasts a comfortable cab with larger floor space and ergonomic design. The 35Z-1 also has a full slate of automated features including auto health check, advanced tool select and Livelink telematics. Maintenance is made easy thanks to 180-degree service access with removable side panels and cab floor. This zero tail swing model is ideal for working in confined areas, providing greater protection as the counterweight rotates within the width of the machine.

Kobelco’s SK45SRX-7 and SK55SRX-7 Mini Excavators

Kobelco’s enhanced SK45SRX-7 and SK55SRX-7 mini excavators feature a new, updated cab and interior as well as increased performance. These units boast up to a 12 percent increase in travel speed and 10 percent faster uphill climbing speed compared to their predecessors, enabling customers to get around the jobsite faster and get more work done. With some hydraulic improvements, customers will find up to 7 percent faster digging and swing speeds that lead to even better production. The new cab includes a standard suspension seat, backlit LED dials and buttons and new color monitor to provide comfort and style while working.

Deals and Warranties

Luckily for buyers, it’s the beginning of the year and many manufacturers are eager to roll out finance specials on their machines. Now is a great time to buy to make sure you’re ready for when construction season begins in the spring.

“Most manufacturers will offer low-rate financing or programs to kick the year off and sell some machines, but a lot of those programs run for the entire year in some form,” says Donneral. “We always recommend looking at all your purchasing options and compare what works best for you and your business. Sometimes a lease or RPO [rental purchase option] may work, or a straight financed purchase may be better.”

On top of the machine, buyers should check out the mini excavator’s warranty program. Warranties are an important part of protecting your investment and vary from brand to brand. Here’s a quick glance at some warranties out there.

• Kobelco offers a 3-year/3,000-hour full machine warranty on its mini excavator models (SK17 through SK55), as well as extended warranty options up to 5 years/7,000 hours.
• Takeuchi has a standard 2-year/2,000-hour full warranty with available full and powertrain warranties that can cover the machine up to 5 years depending on the package selected.
• Doosan mini excavators are available with a 3-year/5,000-hour warranty covering the machine’s powertrain and hydraulics, as well as the standard 1-year/1,500-hour warranty covering the full machine. Extended warranty options are available on the machine’s powertrain and hydraulic system.

Pam Kleineke is a managing editor of Compact Equipment.