Mini Excavators Buyer's Guide

Mini excavator pricing

New mini excavators are not cheap: they can range from $19,000 at the low end to $90,000 for the largest models. However, when you compare this to a full size excavator's costs — $130,000 to $500,000 — the compact models look like a better bargain. See what other BuyerZone users have paid for both new and used mini excavators.

A typical $20,000 model will provide dig depths of four to five feet and dump heights of five to six feet. It will weigh around 1,500 to 2,000 lbs and have about a 10 horsepower (HP) engine.

The most common models can cost between $30,000 and $40,000 new. These weigh around 8,000 lbs, have dig depths of 10 feet, and put out around 25 HP.

At the high end, an $80,000 model will reach and dump over 12', weigh 12,000 lbs, and boast a 40 or 50 HP engine.

You'll usually get one bucket with the excavator — new buckets in additional sizes can cost between $700 and $1,000. Powered attachments like thumbs and hydraulic hammers can cost $5,000 to $10,000.

Used mini excavators
If you are going to depend on the excavator for your day-to-day work, you should probably invest in a new machine. However, if you're only going to use the excavator occasionally, buying used can be a great way to save money.

Excavators are built with 8,000 to 10,000 hours expected operating lifespan, so many used models are available with good operating lives left in them. Two- to three-year old models with a couple of thousand hours on them can be about 25% cheaper than new models, while older mini excavators with a little more wear are 50% or less of new prices.

When evaluating used machines, test drives are even more important than with new machines. Pay attention to the overall feel — if the tracks run freely in both directions and if the arm responds well to the controls. However, don't let yourself be wowed by a fresh coat of paint — that can sometimes mean the dealer is hiding other problems.

Inspect the undercarriage for excessive wear, rust, and shoddy repair work. Look at the hydraulic seals for signs of leaks or other problems, and check the engine for signs of neglect (cracking hoses, worn belts, etc).

Maintenance
Most dealers will offer a range of maintenance contracts to choose from. If you're buying a new excavator, these generally aren't worth the cost: you can do the basic preventative maintenance yourself, and the manufacturer's warranty will cover the rare mechanical breakdown.

If you're buying a used excavator, the extra protection of a maintenance contract can be a better value. Just having expert technicians inspect and lubricate the machine once or twice per year can help prevent small defects from developing into larger problems.