Super Quick Summaries of 13 Mini Excavator Product Lines
As the American construction industry continues to evolve, the demand for compact excavators has surged. These versatile machines, which can wield attachments from breakers to brush cutters, boost efficiency and reduce operational costs, proving critical for contractors aiming to meet the increasing demands of tight deadlines, stricter budgets and more urbanized construction sites. Mini or compact excavator units (same thing) are flying off dealer and rental lots these days, but luckily there are lots of options.
In fact, there are over 20 brands of compact excavators on the market today, but we know you don’t have time to explore them all. That’s why the crew at Compact Equipment pulled together this ultra succinct overview of 13 compact excavator lines, detailing key features and advancements in a rapid-fire, 40-word format for each, tailored for industry professionals seeking quick, comprehensive insights. In no particular order of significance, let’s start with…
Kubota
The Kubota compact excavator lineup, which consists of the KX Series and U Series, boasts 1- to 8-metric ton machines with a total of 13 base models. The KX040-4 is still its top selling excavator and can be equipped with the optional six-way dozer blade.
Bobcat
Bobcat currently offers 13 compact excavators, ranging from 1 to 8 metric tons with zero, reduced and conventional tail swing options. The recently launched E40 is a 4-metric-ton size machine with exceptional lift capacity, ranking among the best in its category.
Case Construction Equipment
Case CE currently has two series in place, the C Series and D Series, which are made up of nine models, including one electric unit. The most popular Case compact excavator model currently is the CX37C, which provides excellent value and performance in a compact footprint.
Hitachi
Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas currently offers eight Zaxis compact excavators to the North American market, ranging from 1.7 to 6 metric tons. The ZX35U-5N (3.5 metric tons) is the most popular machine because of its versatility and an optional angle blade.
John Deere
John Deere currently offers six minis with operating weights ranging from 1.7 to 6 metric tons, from the 17 P-Tier with its variable-width undercarriage to the 60 P-Tier with its standard climate-controlled cab. The 30 P-Tier model is a great machine for the rental market.
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.
JCB
JCB sells six compact excavators in the North American market, ranging from 1.8 to 5.5 metric tons. These are built with five goals in mind: comfort, controllability, reliability, serviceability and performance. Its most popular mini is the 35Z-1, a 3.5-metric-ton machine.
Caterpillar
Cat offers 15 Next Gen mini excavators between 1- and 10-metric tons. All models come with industry-first features such as Stick Steer, cruise control, customizable operator settings, sealed and pressurized cabs and Next Gen LED monitors as standard. The 305 CR is a fave.
Volvo Construction Equipment
Volvo CE offers both internal combustion (16 to 63 hp) and electric compact excavators (16 to 20 kWh). Out of its 10 combustion models, five feature reduced tail swing (RTS), four conventional and one wheeled. Three electric models include two RTS and one conventional
Develon
Formerly Doosan, the Develon brand boasts eight mini diggers from 2.7 to 8.9 metric tons. Its new 1.7 ton will be entering the market later in 2024, and this new model will feature adjustable tracks and zero tail swing design, enabling it to work in the most confined spaces.
Takeuchi
Takeuchi currently manufactures 18 different compact excavators, range from the very compact TB210R, which weighs in at just 2,535 lbs, to the large TB2150R, which in a cab configuration weighs 34,435 lbs. The TB235-2, TB335R and the TB240 are its most popular.
Yanmar
Yanmar’s current mini excavator line features nine models, including zero and ultra-tight tail swing excavators. The 3.5-metric-ton class ViO35-6A is its most popular overall, and the canopy version of the ViO35-6A is a popular selection for rental applications.
Mecalac
Mecalac offers an MCR Series of crawler-skid excavators and its MWR Series of compact wheeled excavators. The MCR Series consists of three compact models: 6MCR, 8MCR and 10MCR, and the four-wheel-steer MWR lineup includes the 7MWR, 9MWR and 11MWR.
Wacker Neuson
Wacker Neuson offers 13 mini excavators, ranging in size from 1 to 14 metric tons. Conventional track models, with or without rear projection (ET and EZ Series), and wheeled models (EW Series) are available. Wacker Neuson’s 3.6-metric-ton EZ36 is its most popular unit.
