Q&A: Discussing the Mini Excavator Market with Volvo’s Darren Ashton
Mini excavators are great for digging holes, utility trenches, pool work, graves, whatever. Just wave in a mini or compact excavator (same thing), and you can get that hole dug right quick. Mini excavators are also great tool carriers, wielding breakers, grapples, compaction plates, augers, mowers and more. These long-armed attachment-takers can easily fit into congested or open-space environments and spearhead a variety of operations from building retaining walls for landscaping to tearing down walls in indoor demo.
In summary, mini or compact excavators (same thing) are great diggers and great attachment-takers, easy to trailer and easy to fit into constrained worksites. This category of compact equipment is one of the most popular in all of off-highway equipment right now, so we took the opportunity to talk with Darren Ashton, product manager for compact equipment, Volvo Construction Equipment, about this expansive market. Read on to see what Ashton had to say about the mini ex market and Volvo’s extensive line of machines.
Compact Equipment: Darren, thanks so much for taking the time to talk to Compact Equipment. We’re big fans of the Volvo brand. Maybe we can start off our discussion on mini excavators by talking about how many units Volvo offers today?
Ashton: Volvo Construction Equipment offers a range of both internal combustion [ICE] and electric compact excavators. This includes 10 ICE models with five featuring reduced tail swing [RTS], four conventional, and one wheeled. The ICE models range from 16 to 63 hp. The newest ICE models are the EC37 and ECR40, which just launched in January. Three electric models include two RTS and one conventional, ranging from 16 to 20 kWh.
They’re all known for spacious cabs, safe and easy operation and maintenance, top-notch durability, and strong lifting capacity. Volvo compact excavators are compatible with many attachment types including buckets, hammers, thumbs, breakers, augers, brush cutters, mulchers, forks and more. All models are backed by the Volvo Lifetime Frame and Structure Warranty, which covers the frame, boom and arm for the initial ownership period.
If you had to pick one or two big differentiators in Volvo’s mini excavator product offerings, what would it be? A one-of-a-kind undercarriage? Unique standard features? The biggest selection? A cool, unique telematics package? Pick something and briefly explain it.
Volvo compact excavators have the features that seasoned pros look for but are still very easy to learn to operate and maintain. We’re known for our spacious, comfortable, and logically laid out cabs. Our auxiliary hydraulics are extremely flexible and adaptable, giving the end user/owner a machine that can perform with many different attachments.
What is your most popular compact excavator overall (let’s say mini stops at 8 metric tons)? What’s your most popular unit for rental applications? Tell us why these are so popular.
The 3- to 4-ton size makes up about a quarter of the compact excavator market in North America, so the EC37 and ECR40 that we just launched, replacing the EC35Dand ECR40D, will likely be very popular. They were designed with the operator’s experience in mind, so the controls, HMIs and hydraulic settings are highlights. They also have an elongated undercarriage for more stability, and this reduces the dreaded “rocking chair effect” for operators too.
In your opinion, what technologies are pushing the small excavator market to evolve? Electric, attachments, telematics, automation like grade control? Briefly explain if you can.
Electric is certainly a growing factor in the compact excavator market, largely because that’s where batteries can currently keep up the best. Electric machines allow you to work in places where diesel may not be welcome because of fumes and noise, so we’re seeing them turn heads in segments like indoor demolition, agriculture, food production, and any type of work in residential areas or during off-hours. They’re also much simpler when it comes to maintenance because you don’t need to worry about fuel, fuel systems, filters and engine oil changes.
What is the most popular size class of compact excavators today? Why? What are the most popular options? Thumbs? Enclosed cabs? Lighting?
The most popular size is the 3.5-ton excavator, and we are very excited to have two new models in that class. The weight makes this size very easy to transport and strong enough to do many kinds of jobs. Thumbs have always been one of the most popular options. We see tilting buckets and tilt rotators gaining popularity as well. LED lighting is reliable and powerful.
What do you feel are the latest trends in hydraulics and attachments for mini excavators? New more powerful attachments? Automated operator settings? Grade control?
Having easily adjustable auxiliary hydraulics means a machine can be used in more ways, which is one of the top reasons people like mini excavators in the first place — for their versatility. I always suggest looking for a minimum of single-acting and double-acting hydraulics to support a variety of attachments. Luckily, the industry has done a good job lately of standardizing attachment interfaces to improve compatibility. We also offer customizable settings and work modes for multiple attachments to make operators’ jobs even easier.
What advice would you give to a contractor looking to rent or buy a compact excavator? How should a potential operator evaluate size, application, attachments, brand and price?
It goes beyond purchase price and basic specs. Because there are so many compact excavator OEMs, you need to do your research and find a dealer that has the parts, service capabilities and knowledge that will support your machines. It’s also important to consider all the things you could possibly want your excavator to do. These are versatile machines, so it’s a chance to think outside the box a bit. You might even be able to take on work you couldn’t do before if you have the right machine.
Awesome info, Darren. We really appreciate you takin the time. Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
This is a bit random, but always remember that load sensing hydraulics give novice operators power or pressure but can lower the flow to slow the speed of the hydraulics. If you need total control when close to buildings or utilities or you’re lifting heavy objects, this feature is noticeably helpful. That’s one for the road.
Thanks Darren. For more info on Volvo mini excavators, visit www.volvoce.com.
Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.
Mini excavators are making big waves on jobsites all over North America. Click here for the latest news on these machines and the companies that make them.
