Mini excavators have become a true ‘must-have’ machine for a lot of building and construction contractors due to the sheer number of tasks they can tackle.
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We absolutely love our mini excavators here at TradeEarthmovers.com.au and just can’t get enough of them! The versatility of these machines is second to none and each would make a fine addition to any equipment fleet.
We’ve gathered together five models that have grabbed our attention over the last 12 months, and we’re sure there’s a machine to suit everyone on this list.
The hottest mini excavators on the market
Takeuchi TB216H mini excavator
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The Takeuchi TB216H hybrid mini excavator has been designed to fit into the smallest of spaces. Ron Horner came away impressed with its design and versatility. “The blade is a beauty and must be the most over-compensated design I have ever seen on a mini digger,” Ron says. “With the lifting capacity limited to 155kg, the blade and outstretched track frame are truly a godsend.”
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Kubota U55-4 mini excavator
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Fresh out of the wrapping, Ron Horner tried out a brand new Kubota U55-4 excavator when visiting Sydney’s Australian Hammer Supplies recently”The blade is a beauty and must be the most over-compensated design I have ever seen on a mini digger,” Ron says. “When it comes to the hydraulics, flow rates for up to five hydraulic attachments can be programmed into the dashboard monitor memory and all controlled by the operator with the pressing of a button,” Ron says. “Combine this with the factory fitted twin hydraulic auxiliary lines and you are bound to have a good day at the office.”
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Bobcat E50 mini excavator
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Whilst on a trip out to Echuca, Ron Horner caught up with young business owner Jack Healey and got to review a spotless Bobcat E50 bladed excavator. “The Bobcat E50 runs the tried and true Kubota V2403 four-cylinder diesel engine and pushes out about 49hp (36.5kW),” Ron says. “These engines are real world class and are proven in just about every field you could imagine from marine and industry to agriculture and construction, and parts are available all over the world. A great little engine for any purpose.”
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Caterpillar 301.8 mini excavator
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Caterpillar was on the road recently, showing off its range of Next Generation Mini Excavators. Ron Horner caught up with them for a spin in the 301.8 “In my opinion, Cat has opened up a can of worms in developing the Next Gen Mini Excavator range and will make huge inroads into this market,” Ron says. “Some of the industry firsts in this range of diggers will certainly open up the market and Cat are hoping that this range will assist them in pushing them closer to market leaders. “
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Kubota KX040-4 mini excavator
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Kubota’s KX040-4 mini excavator is one of the bigger names on our list. Powered by a 29kW/1826cc Kubota diesel and weighing just 4.2-tonnes, the KX040-4 is the ultimate landscaping machine. The ideal design of the operators’ cab provides excellent vision to all areas around the machine, while keeping all controls and monitors in easy reach. “Kubota has hit the nail on the head with the cab layout being simple yet effective, waterproof and hardy. But what I like most is that there is ample room for a bigger-framed operator – and that is very important,” reviewer Ron Horner says. |
Sunward SWE18UB mini excavator
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One of the more unknown quantities on our list is the Chinese-made Sunward SWE18UB. Costing a fraction of its competitors, the SWE18UB matches the big boys in quality and performance. The 1.8-tonne digger has a 14.7kW 3-cylinder Perkins diesel that reviewer Lyndsay Whittle says is whisper-quiet. ” I finally decided to park the digger for the night, and it wasn’t until I turned the key off and went to remove my earmuffs that I realised I’d neglected to put them on in the first place,” Lyndsay says. “Suffice to say, the Sunward’s Perkins 403-D11 engine ran quietly!” |
Agrison ME850 mini excavator
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Although the Agrison ME850 mini excavator is a solid and capable machine, there’s no getting around the fact its most attractive feature is its price. But you certainly get a lot of bang for your buck. The 850kg ME850 is light enough to be towed by a conventional one-tonne ute and its compact dimensions mean it can be driven through most garden gates. “Powered by a single-cylinder air-cooled diesel rated at 8.6kW, the ME850 actually has more hydraulic oil on board than diesel fuel – 20 litres of hydraulics and 15 litres of fuel – yet that will see the machine running for most of a week,” reviewer Steave Kealy says. |
Case CX26c mini excavator
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The Case name is probably not as well known in the excavator world as it is in the tractor scene, but that doesn’t stop them putting out a quality machine like the Case CX26c. The CX26c has a modern Tier 4 Kubota D1305 engine under the hood with a fully ROPS/FOPS/TOPS-compliant canopy with easy-to-use controls. “I was impressed with the strength and breakout force when it came to excavating the concrete pad,” Reviewer Evarn Covich says. “I have operated larger machines in the past that would have struggled with breaking up and moving this particular concrete pad.” |
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