Significance of mini excavators:
Mini excavators have grown in popularity ever since they offer a quieter and more user-friendly alternative to traditional excavators. Whether you’re looking for an economical excavator option or are simply working in some tight spaces. We have come up with the top 10 mini excavator brands to know in 2022.
Kubota:
If you’re working on a small farm, the Kubota mini excavator has been labeled as the best. Even though the Kubota KX161-3 is only 2200 pounds, it can still pick up 4,000 pounds of rocks and dig holes as deep as 12 feet. It has two speeds and its engine can generate 10.1 horsepower. At 7.4 feet in height and 9 feet in length, this excavator has a 360-degree swing which allows it to pile up rocks, trees, or dirt on the side. The Kubota excavator is also excellent for smoothing a driveway or landscaping projects.
Takeuchi:
It’s one of many brands which have been making construction equipment for more than half of the century. The TB135 mini excavator has rubber tracks that offer two speeds of travel on different surfaces. It also has a fully tilting cab for easier maintenance.
Bobcat:
Bobcat is another popular brand that has a reputation for well-designed equipment. The 331 mini excavator of the bobcat is easily portable, and its hydraulic joystick offers more precision than the same kind of machinery. The Bobcat 331 mini excavator offers both durability and performance. Bobcat also has 11 compact models of excavators for sale which range from 2593-18977 pounds.
John Deere:
Construction equipment from John Deere is also a popular choice, particularly when it comes to compact excavators. The G-series of compact excavators offer digging capabilities of 12 feet and the ability to reach 20 feet. John Deere excavators have features like auto-shutdown to save fuel, reduced tail swing design, and an EPA Final Tier 4 Diesel engine. One of the most compact models is the 2,000-3,999 pound mini excavator. If you need an excavator with more power, choose from the option which lifts somewhere between 18,000-19,999 pounds.
Caterpillar:
Caterpillar is renowned for its reliable and high-quality construction machinery and its mini excavators are no exception. With 24 different models to choose from, Caterpillar’s mini hydraulic excavators can lift anywhere between 1-10 metric tons. The 300.9D mini hydraulic excavators are the most compact excavators offered. It has a width of 2.4 feet and 13 horsepower. It is perfect for tight spaces due to its small size at just over 2,000 pounds.
Yanmar:
Yanmar introduced its first mini excavator in 1968; since then, it has led the way in the industry with its equipment. Its true zero-turn radius mini excavators are equipped with Smart assist to help track location, work hours, and engine codes. Each Yanmar excavator model Vi025 and larger comes with standard hydraulic quick couplers as well. Its largest mini excavator was released in May 2020 and is called SV40 in the class of 4-5 tons.
Komatsu:
The Japanese-based construction equipment manufacturer has made a name for itself in creating reliable and high-quality compact excavators. They have six different excavators to choose from which size classes of up to 8 metric tons. The smallest excavators Komatsu offers are the PC30MR-5 and PC35MR-5.
Case:
The case first appears on the scene in the late 1800s in the field of steam engines. It has been a pioneer in equipment for construction. This brand is a leading manufacturer of construction equipment, producing a range of equipment from excavators to wheel loaders, crawler dozers, and compact track loaders. Case excavators are very special regarding durability and power, proving more comfort and control. These excavators are productive and fuel-efficient with fast cycle times. They offer a range of powerful and efficient full range of mini excavators all the way up to full size.
Hyundai:
Founded in 1972, Hyundai is a global leader in heavy industries. With over 70 dealers and 150 branch locations across North America, Hyundai makes maximum performance on equipment a priority. Hyundai offers compact, crawler, and wheeled excavators. These excavators are field efficient with fast cycle speed, precision, power, and versatility.
Doosan:
Doosan is a multinational Korean company with operations around the world. The company is well renowned for its excavators, as well as additional construction equipment. Doosan excavators offer fast cycle times and efficient operation. Fuel efficiency is a priority of theirs. With an improved auto-idle, which reduces the speed of the engine when machine functions aren’t in use, you will be able to spend more time working and less time fueling.
What is the working domain of a mini excavator?
Since they’re smaller than standard excavators, the mini version can be used for small and moderate jobs like repairing sewer lines, landscaping, or even pool and hot tub installations. Pair them with brush cutters or augers to accomplish even more tasks. These compact excavators are available in a range from 2,000 to 20,000 pounds, with advantages that standard excavators don’t have, such as:
- Fewer track marks and top-ground damage
- Longer life span
- Easier to maneuver More practical for transport
- Like their standard counterparts, mini excavators help in digging, demolition, plowing, leveling, drilling, grading, and trenching
What size of mini excavator should buy?
The excavator size you choose depends on the project, space, and power needed for that job. If you’re looking to carry heavy loads, then a bigger excavator is the way to go. For fitting into small spaces, you’ll want a smaller excavator. For example, the 4,000-pound mini excavator can help to dig small foundations, move dirt, gravel, rubble, or debris, and transfer piping or beams. If you need something bigger, a 10,000-pound mini excavator is great for backfilling and trenching, while an 18,000-pound mini excavator can dig up to 15 feet deep.
What attachments can I use?
Mini excavators can be used with attachments like buckets for trenching and grading as well as hydraulic thumbs for picking up and securing material as you move it. Clamps can also be used to pick up larger materials like tree stumps. Some additional attachments you can use with a mini excavator include:
- Augers
- Breakers
- Rippers
- Brush cutters
- Mulchers
Which brand is right?
Picking the right mini excavator brand can be difficult with the myriad of choices available. The type of machinery you should choose ultimately depends on your project. Some factors to consider when selecting a mini excavator for your project include machine size and weight, carrying load, price or rental ability, and engine power. It’s also wise to consider the needs of your project and make sure the excavator you choose can meet those requirements. The project’s location is also something to keep in mind as you’ll need the right equipment to dig, lift and carry on the job site. For tight spaces, you might consider a smaller excavator, while bigger projects may require more hydraulic power. Another support option worth considering is a zero tail swing configuration, meaning the excavator is able to rotate its upper body within the undercarriage width of the machine, allowing the operator to work in congested areas. However, these tail swings often have lower operating capacities than their reduced tail and conventional tail counterparts.
Top mini excavators to buy in 2022:
Caterpillar 301.7D CR mini excavator
The Caterpillar 301.7D CR mini excavator is the first in Caterpillar’s new line of 30,000 lb.-class mini excavators. It has a full range of options and features that help you do more jobs with one machine, such as a backfill blade for grading accurate trenches, auxiliary hydraulics for operating attachments, and a hydraulic pin grabber quick coupler for switching between buckets and other work tools in seconds. The 301.7D CR has a Cat C1.5 diesel engine that complies with U.S. EPA Tier 4-Interim requirements without using diesel particulate filters or selective catalytic reduction technologies, so there are no additional fluids to buy or maintain and no additional filters to replace. It also meets U.S. EPA Tier 3/EU Stage IIIB emission standards in all other countries where it is sold without compromising performance or productivity.
Takeuchi TB260 mini excavator:
The Takeuchi TB260, the largest model in the compact excavator range, features an overall length of just 10.25 feet. The machine has a maximum digging depth of 14 feet 4 inches, and a maximum dumping height of 18 feet 8 inches. The unit’s fuel-efficient engine produces 58 horsepower, with a 14 percent increase in horsepower over the previous model. The TB260 also has a bucket digging force of 23,812 pounds and an arm digging force of 19,247 pounds. The excavator comes equipped with two-speed travel and auto-idle functions. An ISO/SAE pattern changeover system allows the operator to change the control pattern from ISO to SAE configuration with minimal effort. The unit also offers several optional attachments for different Jobsite applications: power angle blade, quick coupler, breaker, and manual thumb.
Bobcat E42 mini excavator:
The Bobcat E42 mini excavator comes with a high back seat for added support and comfort. The operator can control the machine with dual hand levers, a joystick, and optional pilot controls.
The E42 excavator has a bucket breakout force of 5,142 lbs and a dump height of 10ft. 10in. It also has a maximum digging depth of 8ft. 7in., which is perfect for most excavation projects. The Bobcat E42 compact excavator has a rated operating capacity of 2,650 lbs, making it versatile for different projects with different tools attached to it. The machine weighs 9,141 lbs., so it is easy to trailer it with a truck or SUV (check local regulations before towing).
New Holland E26 mini excavators:
The New Holland E26 mini excavator is the next step up in size from the popular New Holland E18. The E26 offers a step-up in horsepower from the E18, as well as an increase in maximum operating weight. The New Holland E26 is a conventional-style mini excavator. The conventional design features a tail swing that extends beyond the track width of the machine. While this allows the operator to dig closer to buildings and other obstructions, it can also be more dangerous when working around traffic or pedestrians. The New Holland E26 has a maximum digging depth of 10 feet 7 inches and a maximum reach of 16 feet 9 inches. A standard arm, which comes with all models, provides for a digging force of 6,384 pounds at bucket pivot pins. A long arm option adds 3 feet to the length of the machine and increases the digging force to 7,895 pounds. As mentioned earlier, it is available with either a conventional tail swing or zero tail swing, depending on the model type. The zero tail swing design limits the amount of overhang behind the tracks, minimizing damage in tight areas and reducing risk to bystanders or property.
Hitachi ZX35U-5 mini excavator:
The Hitachi ZX35U-5 mini excavator is a reliable and versatile machine. The Hitachi Zaxis is designed to work as hard as you do by delivering more power, fuel efficiency, and durability. The ZX35U-5 is equipped with a Yanmar 3TNV88C engine that has set the standard for compact construction equipment. This engine features direct injection for increased fuel efficiency and improved starting performance in cold conditions. The Hitachi Zaxis 35U-5 has an operating weight of 7700 lbs and can dig down to 10’11”. With an 8’6″ trenching depth, a 23.4 horsepower engine, a smooth hydraulic pump, and a travel speed of up to 3 mph, this is an incredibly versatile mini excavator. The ZX35U-5 also comes equipped with a standard thumb bracket allowing you to add a hydraulic or manual thumb kit if you wish.
Kubota KX033-4 mini excavators:
The Kubota KX033-4 is the first of Kubota’s new generation of ‘4’ series excavators and follows the release of the U55-4 and KX080-4 earlier this year. The 4.6-tonne machine has a short tail swing radius, a variable undercarriage width of 900mm to 1,400mm, and two track frame options: 800mm or 600mm. It also comes with a number of new features including the new Auto Idling Stop System which automatically switches off the engine when not in use after three minutes, reducing fuel consumption and noise levels.
The machine also has a water separator on its fuel tank, while its engine oil and hydraulic tank are separate. Other features include an optional rearview camera, LED work lights, and an additional front window for improved visibility.
I talked about some famous brands above. But there is still some new brands worthy to buy. Such as HIOSEN. HIOSEN has more than 10 years of production experience, and the products have been exported to many countries. The quality, price, and after-sales service are competitive. They mainly produce crawler excavators, wheel excavators, backhoes, etc. All in all. HIOSEN is also a good choice to invest in.