Yanmar Compact Equipment Mini Excavators Summarized — 2022 Spec Guide
Minis Equipped with the SmartAssist Remote System
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With more than 50 years manufacturing compact construction equipment and a four-year/4,000-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty on its excavators, Yanmar provides purpose-built machines that can overcome the most challenging conditions. Following the introduction of the walk-behind dozer in 1967, Yanmar introduced one of the first self-propelled mini excavators in 1968. These mini excavators proved popular, and since then Yanmar has introduced several firsts to the mini excavator market, including the first swing boom excavator and the first zero tail swing excavator, says the company.
An important benefit to purchasing a Yanmar excavator is the addition of the SmartAssist Remote (SAR) system. SmartAssist Remote comes standard on all excavators for free for the first five years and allows operators to monitor operational history, geo-fencing, diagnostics and theft notification. This system centralizes control of machine operation information and maintenance support information.
In 1993, Yanmar launched the ViO Series of excavators, which was the world’s first zero tail swing excavator and is currently marketing its sixth-generation model. With a zero tail swing excavator, no part of the housing extends beyond the track, which allows efficient operation in tight spaces, access to more jobs, less damage to the machine and less damage to the site, all while maintaining stability and work performance of a conventional style unit.
Yanmar produces six models in the ViO Series, ranging from 3,836- to 18,268-lb operating weights. To start, the ViO17-A is equipped with a 13.5-hp Yanmar diesel engine, 3,836-lb operating weight, 7-ft, 7-in. digging depth and variable width tracks of 3 ft, 1 in. to 4 ft, 1 in. On the other end of the spectrum, the ViO80-1A is engineered with a 56.9-hp Yanmar diesel engine, 18,136- to 18,268-lb operating weight, 15-ft, 4-in. digging depth and a width of 7 ft, 5 in.
The advanced technology true zero tail swing ViO17-A, ViO25-6A, ViO35-6A, ViO50-6A, ViO55-6A and ViO80-1A feature an electronically controlled Tier 4 Final engine and a robust hydraulic system. They also come standard with eco and auto-deceleration modes for even more operational efficiency. These features combine to deliver up to 20 percent less fuel consumption than previous models.
Additionally, Yanmar offers the SV Series of ultra-tight-turning excavators, each of which have a minimal turning radius in both the front and rear. This tight turning radius adds versatility on a tight worksite. Yanmar has three models in its SV Series. The smallest model is the SV08-1D, with a 10.3-hp diesel engine, 2,348-lb operating weight, 5-ft, 2-in. digging depth and variable width tracks of 2 ft, 3 in. to 2 ft, 9 in. The largest model is the SV100-2A, with a 72-hp Yanmar diesel engine, 21,550- to 21,660-lb operating weight, 15-ft, 9.4-in. digging depth and a width of 7 ft, 7 in. The newest model, launched in 2020, is the SV40, with a 39-hp Yanmar diesel engine, 9,206-lb canopy model operating weight, 11-ft, 10-in. digging depth and a width of 5 ft, 8 in.
Advice to Buyers
“The ability to work in tight spaces with less risk of hitting a structure can be a great relief on the jobsite,” says Jeff Pate, director of sales for Yanmar Compact Equipment North America. “Look for a mini excavator with either a zero tail swing or an ultra-tight tail swing. This will allow you to focus more on your work and less on the risk of causing damage on the jobsite or to your equipment.”
