It can suck trying to find the balance between cost and quality. While cheaper options sound alluring, they could end up costing you more in repairs and maintenance. Continue reading to find out how you can find the best deal on an excavator you can rely on at a price you can afford.

When buying an excavator, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for a lower price. By researching various models, brands, and whether new or used, you can find affordable options that meet your needs. This guide covers the factors influencing price, pros and cons of cheap excavators, and where to find the best deals.

Now that you know what affects the price of an excavator, let’s break down some of the most affordable models and dive into the pros and cons of each.

What Factors Influence the Price of an Excavator?

Before we dive into the specific models of the cheapest excavators, you need to understand what controls the price of an excavator. The price of an excavator depends on a combination of brand, features, condition, and a few other critical elements.

Brand

Brand Reputation: One of the biggest things that will drive price is the brand. CAT, Komatsu, and Volvo will always demand a higher price because of their long-standing, proven reputation for quality and dependability in the industry. There are cheaper options available from Chinese brands like XCMG, Liugong, and SDLG. These are quality machines at a lower price than the more well-known brands.

Brand	Price Range	Quality	Warranty
CAT	$50,000 – $200,000	High	1-5 years
Komatsu	$45,000 – $180,000	High	1-5 years
XCMG	$25,000 – $45,000	Moderate	1-2 years
Liugong	$20,000 – $40,000	Moderate	1-2 years
SDLG	$30,000 – $60,000	Moderate to Good	1-2 years

Model and Features

The specific make and model of the excavator along with the features you choose will also make a huge difference in the total price. A tracked excavator with all the bells and whistles; improved fuel efficiency, hydraulic package, and all the other options, will cost you more. On the other hand, a mini or compact excavator will cost less, but will also have less capability to do work.

Excavator Type	Typical Price Range	Common Features
Mini/Compact	$15,000 – $40,000	Small size, lightweight, fuel-efficient
Standard	$40,000 – $100,000	Versatile, moderate power
Large	$100,000 – $200,000	High power, high capacity

New vs. Used Excavators

New or used is another consideration that will impact price. A new excavator comes with the most recent technology and best warranties, but it will by far be the most expensive option. By comparison, a used
excavator will be a lot cheaper, and it still might be the best bet if you are smart about your purchase.

Excavator Condition	Price Range	Pros	Cons
New	$50,000 – $200,000	Latest tech, warranty, low maintenance	Higher initial cost
Used	$15,000 – $50,000	Lower cost, available in good condition	Risk of wear and tear, no warranty

Age and Condition

The older the excavator, the less it should cost. However, the more use a machine has had, the more you will need to maintain or rebuild it. As with any used machine, have it looked at by someone who knows before you buy it.

Excavator Age	Price Range	Maintenance Needs	Longevity
Brand New	$50,000 – $200,000	Low, covered under warranty	8-10 years
3-5 Years Old	$30,000 – $100,000	Moderate, fewer repairs needed	5-8 years
Older than 5 Years	$15,000 – $40,000	High, frequent repairs	3-5 years

Is It Worth Buying the Cheapest Excavator?

Buying the cheapest excavator on the market is one approach. Sometimes, people go for the bottom line and are delighted with the results; more often than not, there can be regrets. Let’s look at the good and the bad when considering buying the absolute lowest cost option.

Advantages of Cheap Excavators

The biggest benefit to buying a cheap excavator is the cost savings. A smaller excavator that can get the job done with a cheaper price tag sounds great, as does a used model, or a lesser-known brand that costs less than others.

Advantages	Details
Cost-effective	Lower initial cost makes it accessible to small businesses and contractors.
Good for Short-Term Projects	Ideal for small-scale tasks and projects with a limited budget.
Availability of Used Models	Buying used machines can offer excellent savings without compromising much on performance.
Easy to Operate	Many budget-friendly models are designed to be user-friendly, making them a good choice for beginners.

Disadvantages of Cheap Excavators

However, you usually end up paying for the cheaper cost in the long run. Cheaper excavators often require more maintenance, consume more fuel, wear out sooner, or have a smaller work load rating.

Disadvantages	Details
Higher Maintenance Costs	Frequent repairs can add up over time.
Lower Fuel Efficiency	Older or cheaper models tend to consume more fuel, increasing operational costs.
Limited Capabilities	Basic models may not perform well on more demanding tasks.
Resale Value	Cheaper models may have a lower resale value due to wear and tear.

The Cheapest Excavators on the Market Today

There are new options on the market with new models and brands. Here are some of the most popular. Used: If you would like to go with a used option you have a lot of popular, budget-friendly brands to choose from as well. Remember, whatever you buy (whether new or used) you want to check the resale value, operating costs per hour such as fuel and maintenance, and repair parts.

Used Excavators vs. New Excavators

Here’s a more in-depth look at the difference between buying a new vs. used excavator:

Feature	New Excavator	Used Excavator
Price	Higher (Starting $50,000)	Lower (Starting $15,000)
Warranty	Included (1-5 years)	Usually no warranty
Condition	Excellent, zero wear and tear	Varies, may have wear and tear
Maintenance Cost	Low in the first few years	Higher due to age and usage

Top Budget Brands

If you’re looking for the cheapest excavator, there are several budget-friendly brands worth considering:

Brand	Notable Models	Price Range	Operating Weight	Engine Power
XCMG	XE60, XE75, XE150	$25,000 – $45,000	5,000 kg – 15,000 kg	55 kW – 120 kW
Liugong	906D, 950E, 909D	$20,000 – $40,000	5,000 kg – 16,000 kg	60 kW – 115 kW
SDLG	E6150F, E6600F	$30,000 – $50,000	6,000 kg – 18,000 kg	70 kW – 130 kW

These brands provide affordable, dependable machines perfect for small to medium construction projects.

Specific Models and Their Prices

Here’s a detailed look at specific models that are considered the cheapest excavators available:

Model	Price Range	Brand	Operating Weight	Engine Power
XCMG XE60	$25,000 – $35,000	XCMG	6,000 kg	55 kW
Komatsu PC200	$35,000 – $50,000	Komatsu	20,000 kg	118 kW
Liugong 950E	$30,000 – $40,000	Liugong	15,000 kg	115 kW
Kubota U17-3	$15,000 – $25,000	Kubota	1,700 kg	18 kW

Where Can You Buy the Cheapest Excavators?

Where is the best place to find the cheapest excavator for sale? Here are some places and methods you may want to consider as you look to find the right machine for your needs.

Online Platforms

The internet provides numerous places to purchase new and used excavators. Some of the top places people look for good deals include:

Platform	Best For	Pros	Cons
Alibaba	Global sellers, large inventory	Competitive pricing, variety	Potential shipping delays
Made-in-China	Chinese manufacturers	Affordable pricing	Limited warranty on used models
Machinery Trader	Dealer listings, auctions	Verified sellers, equipment condition often listed	Prices can be higher than individual sellers

Local Dealerships

If you prefer to buy locally, a certified dealer usually has used machines with warranties and maintenance packages. Your local dealer also provides after-purchase service.

Auctions and Liquidation Sales

Another good way to find a cheap excavator is to go to an auction or liquidation sale. These are places where they often have heavy equipment they sell off for pennies on the dollar. Of course, when you’re doing this
option, you need to look at the equipment before you buy it.

Certified Dealers

Buy from certified dealers. If they’re an authorized dealer, they have to go through the equipment and inspect it—test it, fix it. They usually offer a service package on the thing and a warranty if you buy it.

Are Cheap Excavators Reliable for Long-Term Projects?

When looking at a cheap excavator, don’t just look at the price up front. Look at it from the overall perspective of total utilization and longevity, especially if you have long-term projects. Sometimes the cheaper machines ultimately cost you more in terms of their longevity and reliability.

Longevity vs. Price

The first thing is price versus longevity, and if this cheap excavator at a price seems like a great deal, you need to realize that the machine is not going to last as long. That’s especially true with budget-friendly excavators, especially older machines and/or lower-tier brands nobody has ever heard of. They just don’t last as long. You may end up spending a lot more in the long run on maintenance just to keep that dog going year after year. Alternatively, you can spend a little more on a better brand and buy something that lasts longer. Then two or three years later when you’re done with it, you can sell it again.

Excavator Type	Price Range	Expected Longevity	Maintenance Cost	Best for
Cheap Excavators	$15,000 – $40,000	5-7 years	High	Short-term projects
Mid-Range Excavators	$40,000 – $100,000	7-10 years	Medium	Medium-term projects
High-End Excavators	$100,000 – $200,000	10+ years	Low	Long-term projects

Maintenance Considerations

Your second consideration with a cheap excavator focuses on maintenance. An older machine or a no-name brand might not be as reliable. The components go bad faster, and you must buy replacement parts more frequently. However, the big thing with a cheap excavator is availability. You can walk into any CAT dealership, and within two hours they can have a particular part for your machine. You can’t always make that same statement with 100% confidence about the budget machine and its parts and service availability. Period. So, depending on the overall cost, you must figure out how much you’re willing to pay for parts, and how long you’re willing to wait for those parts to arrive.

Key Maintenance Considerations:

• Frequent Repairs: Older or budget excavators may require more frequent maintenance.
• Parts Availability: In some cases, the cost of parts for budget models can be higher due to their limited availability.
• Labor Costs: If your machine requires frequent repairs, labor costs can quickly add up.

Excavator Brand	Common Maintenance Issues	Repair Frequency	Parts Availability
XCMG	Hydraulic system, engine parts	Medium	Medium
Liugong	Track system, fuel injectors	High	High
CAT	Engine, air conditioning	Low	Very High

Best Practices for Extending the Life of a Cheap Excavator

The third consideration is maintenance. With a cheap piece of equipment, maintenance is a critical component to getting the longest life you can from it. Proper care and feeding definitely pay off down the road. Proper maintenance can delay the inevitable big repair bill and makes the machine last longer. Plus, it helps the machine perform better, all resulting in more money in your pocket.

Best Practices:

• Regular Oil Changes: Change the oil as recommended by the manufacturer to reduce engine wear.
• Replace Worn-Out Parts: Stay on top of small repairs to prevent larger issues from arising.
• Keep it Clean: Regularly clean the excavator to prevent dirt and debris from causing mechanical issues.
• Inspect Daily: Perform routine checks on essential parts like tracks, hydraulics, and tires.

Maintenance Task	Frequency	Cost Range	Impact on Longevity
Oil Changes	Every 250 hours	$200 – $500	High
Track Inspections	Every 500 hours	$500 – $2,000	High
Hydraulic Checks	Every 300 hours	$100 – $1,000	Medium

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Cheap Excavator

Thinking of buying a cheap excavator? Good for you. But don’t just glance at that price tag and decide the cheapest one is better. Now, you know why it might cost less and what it might cost you. Now, just don’t make the mistake and go out and buy based on the initial sticker price.

Overlooking Quality for Price

One of the big mistakes is just buying one based on price. You want to buy the cheapest machine you can buy. That’s great. Save two or three thousand dollars today, but what’s it going to cost you down the road? The savings today will be gone, and it may cost you four or five, or whatever, to fix repairs that never end. If you have a better machine that costs a little more, make sure it’s going to increase your lifespan and save you repair costs over time, which is more money in your pocket.

Quality vs. Price Breakdown:

Price Category	Machine Quality	Long-Term Savings	Risk of Repairs
Cheap Excavators	Moderate to Low	Low	High
Mid-Range Excavators	Good	Medium	Medium
High-End Excavators	Excellent	High	Low

Ignoring Total Cost of Ownership

Now, consider more than just the initial price. What’s the true cost per hour to run that excavator over the life of the machine? That’s going to involve fuel costs and how much fuel it burns per hour. But the big thing is just your repair costs. All the money you spend on fuel, insurance, or whatever, pales in comparison to the repair cost. If you buy something that requires a lot of repairs, it’s a lot more expensive than you would have ever guessed. So always cost it out in detail and cover all the potential costs to make sure you’re still getting a sweet deal.

Excavator Type	Initial Cost	Fuel Costs (Annual)	Maintenance Costs (Annual)	Insurance	Total Cost of Ownership (5 years)
Cheap Excavators	$15,000 – $40,000	$5,000 – $10,000	$3,000 – $6,000	$1,000 – $2,000	$40,000 – $75,000
Mid-Range Excavators	$40,000 – $100,000	$4,000 – $8,000	$2,000 – $4,000	$1,500 – $3,000	$50,000 – $100,000
High-End Excavators	$100,000 – $200,000	$3,000 – $6,000	$1,000 – $2,000	$2,000 – $4,000	$120,000 – $250,000

Not Doing Enough Research

Don’t rush into it. That includes both the machine and the deal itself. The machine could look good today, but after four months of running it every day, you’ll think this is a piece of junk. Spend a few days or weeks researching the machine. With a cheap machine, you also need to research the brand. Then research the warranty and make sure you’re buying it from someone who will take care of you after the sale.

What to Research:

• Brand Reputation: Look into user reviews and expert opinions about the reliability of the brand.
• Machine Condition: Inspect the excavator’s condition and ensure that it meets your needs.
• Seller History: Make sure the seller is reputable and has a track record of providing quality machinery.

Research Area	What to Check	Impact of Skipping
Brand Reputation	Read user reviews, check forums	Buying a machine with hidden flaws
Machine Condition	Inspect for wear and tear, check history	Risk of frequent repairs
Seller History	Verify seller reviews, ask for warranties	Potential for fraud or misrepresentation

Conclusion

Always remember to factor in the true total cost of ownership to determine who offers the cheapest excavator. There are so many different types and models to choose from new and used. Consider carefully before you take the leap. For more information on excavators or other construction equipment, be sure to check out our website at Equipment World.

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