Mini Excavators (9)

Mini excavators are the smallest class of machines but work like other types of earthmoving equipment. You can use them for tasks like digging, light demolition, trenching, plowing, leveling, drilling, and grading. Projects that they’re commonly used for include installing pools, removing trees, landscaping, and demolishing small buildings.

A standard excavator weighs 10 to 45 tons, while a mini excavator weighs less than six tons. Mini excavators are more compact, allowing them to fit into tighter spaces and maneuver more easily. They’re often small enough to transport via Class 1 and Class 2 trucks, which don’t require a commercial driver’s license in some states.

Mini excavators can also make tighter turns and are better equipped to avoid obstacles. However, if you need a lot of power or to dig deep, you’ll likely want a midi (mid-sized) or standard model.

What size machine you choose depends on the size of your job, the space, and how much power you need. Bigger buckets can carry heavier loads, but smaller machines can fit into tighter spaces, so you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of each option.
A 3,500-pound mini excavator can dig small foundations; transfer material such as piping or beams; and move dirt, gravel, rubble, or debris. An 11,000-pound model can tackle jobs like trenching and backfilling. An 18,500-pound model can dig up to 15 feet.

You can use a variety of attachments when using a mini excavator. Buckets are available for trenching and grading, and some come with hydraulic thumbs that can help you pick up and secure material while you’re moving it. To pick up larger material such as tree stumps, you can use a clamp.

Augers can bore into the ground. Breakers work like jackhammers to break up tough surfaces such as concrete. Rippers, like giant claws, can break up hard-packed soil and permafrost. Brush cutters and mulchers are among the other available options.