Having trouble deciding which Bobcat excavator size is right for you? Choosing the wrong size could bring inefficiencies, added expenses, and delays. Whether you’re working in the tightest spots or on large
construction sites, choosing the best Bobcat size will give you better performance and keep your work running smoothly. Let’s help you decide.
Selecting the right Bobcat excavator size is crucial for your project’s success. A well-chosen excavator enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and ensures safe operation. To find the best size, consider factors like project scale, space availability, and workload demands. Whether you’re looking for a mini Bobcat excavator or a larger compact version, this guide helps you make an informed decision and choose the ideal Bobcat size for your job.
Now that you understand the importance of the right size, let’s cover how to make the right choice.
What is a Bobcat Excavator?
Bobcat excavators are known for their compact design and versatility, making them well-suited for tight spaces and small to medium construction projects. With a strong reputation in the equipment world,
the Bobcat brand offers several excavator options, ranging from the mini Bobcat excavator up to much larger sizes, designed for larger jobs. Typical uses for these machines include construction in urban areas and landscaping, as well as digging and demolition work.
There are two primary categories when it comes to Bobcat excavators: your standard Bobcat excavator and your mini Bobcat excavator. Mini Bobcat excavators (commonly known as mini-excavators) are very
valuable for jobs in restricted areas or confined areas. A Bobcat compact excavator is a powerful solution in a small, efficient package.
When it comes to the right size of an excavator, it’s all about choosing a size where the machine will have enough capacity to do what you need. In the next sections, we’ll break down how you can figure out which Bobcat excavator you need based on your project size, location, and what you want to accomplish.
How Do You Determine the Right Bobcat Excavator Size?
Selecting the right size of your Bobcat excavator is critical for the efficiency of your project. They are designed for different types of jobs, from small residential jobs to large commercial jobs. Here’s how to
choose the right one:
Project Scope and Workload
Before you can figure out which machine to get, you need to think about the type of job you’re working on. Are you doing a small residential landscaping job, or are you working on a big development? A
Bobcat mini excavator (mini bobcat excavator) was designed for a smaller, lighter job, something with tighter, more confined spaces, such as digging trenching, landscaping, or small demolition jobs. Your
commercial-sized machines are designed for bigger, heavier jobs where you need to move a lot of earth or a lot of material.
Space and Accessibility
The actual layout of your job site is going to drive what size machine you need. A mini bobcat will go really well on a real narrow job where a little machine needs to turn around in tight spaces. For instance, you’re in an area where there’s a limited amount of space, or you’re on a small narrow street, or you’re in a tight backyard. A mini bobcat can go through the gate and do something without taking over the whole
operation. Your bigger bobcats need room to perform—not to power through a turn in some little bitty area.
Depth and Reach Requirements
Excavators have different reach and digging depth capabilities. And if you need more depth, you simply need more machine. Your little machines have limited reach and limited digging depth. Please refer to the specs on each machine to get the depth and reach you need for the job.
Mini Bobcat Excavator vs. Regular Bobcat Excavator: Which One is Right for You?
When you run across Bobcat excavators, you usually get two options. It starts to come down to what we think of as the mini Bobcat excavator (what some people call a mini excavator) versus the larger, more
traditional models. Both have their pros and cons, but those pros and cons depend a lot on what kind of work you do, so let’s break it down and see which one fits you the best.
Mini Bobcat Excavators: Ideal for Small to Medium Tasks
compact, agile in terms of turning and changing directions. They were specifically made for tight, congested areas of a project. Do you remember the last project you were on when you were trenching to put a pipe in for a drop box or H box or water supply? Remember how tight it was on each end to turn around and backfill and not destroy everything? That’s where the mini bobcat (mini bobcat excavator) is going to come in. Use the little machine when you’re working under a tight space, want to be as nimble as you can, or where you have to work in a limited footprint.
Advantages of Mini Bobcat Excavators:
- Compact Size: Can easily maneuver in confined spaces and tight corners.
- Low Ground Pressure: Ideal for soft or sensitive surfaces.
- Cost-Effective: Generally lower initial cost and maintenance expenses compared to larger models.
- Fuel Efficiency: Reduced fuel consumption due to smaller engines and lighter weight.
Best for: Small to medium coverage projects. Great for compact areas, when you need a nimble machine, but you’re going to be doing a fair amount of digging or taking a drop box in and out.
Regular Bobcat Excavators: Best for Large-Scale Projects
for heavier work. They have the bigger engine, and they move more fluid with the hydraulics. A regular Bobcat (regular excavator) is what you’re going to need when you become a medium- to large-sized excavator contractor. You’re not able to move enough dirt with the little machine, or the little machine is not rugged enough or strong enough to do the work you have in front of you. That’s when you bring in the regular excavator.
Advantages of Regular Bobcat Excavators:
- Higher Digging Capacity: These models can dig deeper and move larger amounts of material at once.
- Longer Reach: Better for tasks requiring long reach or extensive material handling.
- More Power: Larger engines provide more lifting and digging force.
Best for: Commercial or larger projects where you’ve got to move a lot of dirt, move it a ways, and the little machine can’t help you.
How Much Do Bobcat Excavators Cost? Understanding Bobcat Excavator Prices
The price of a Bobcat excavator will depend greatly on what size and model you need and whether you want a new one or one that is used. Prices for a mini Bobcat excavator vary but can range from $20,000 to $40,000 or more. Larger Bobcat excavators can cost you anywhere from $70,000 on up.
Factors Affecting Bobcat Excavator Prices
One key factor to affect the price you pay for your Excavator is use and size. A small Bobcat mini excavator will be much cheaper than a larger Bobcat with greater capacity. Model and Size: Except for the mini-size, larger Bobcats come at significant additional cost. It makes a big difference in how much money you can save with a Bobcat mini-excavator.
Used prices will be cheaper We’ve already covered that used Bobcat mini-excavators can save you a lot of money compared to buying a new machine. That said you have to check things out. Offer price with all attachments and features. In addition to the price of the Bobcat Excavator itself, the price can change if you buy the machine with lots of attachments or customized buckets, and as we’re talking about attachments, an auger or hydraulic attachments will definitely increase the price of your Bobcat Excavator.
To determine the best value for your money, consider the total cost of ownership. Don’t just look at purchase price but also maintenance, insurance, and fuel costs over the machine’s lifespan.
What Are the Most Popular Bobcat Excavator Models?
Bobcat offers a variety of models with different capabilities. Some of the more popular and widely used Bobcat excavators include the：
Bobcat E165 Large Excavator
The Bobcat E165 is a large and powerful model ideal for more heavy-duty construction and earthmoving activities. With exceptional reach and lifting capability, this machine is great for larger construction projects.
Key Features:
- High lifting capacity
- Powerful engine
- Ideal for earthmoving and heavy construction tasks
Bobcat E165 Mini Excavator
The Bobcat E165 mini excavator is an extremely versatile machine with an excellent power-to-size ratio for residential or small commercial jobs. It is the largest mini Bobcat makes. The E165 is the perfect size for contractors to own and use as a small residential machine or on small commercial jobs, but still large enough to help level lots. For example, if you’re a contractor and you are clearing lots, you want an
excavator that helps you rip the dirt, get it out, and level the lot – the Bobcat E165 is perfect for all of that work.
Key Features:
- Compact design for tight spaces
- Excellent fuel efficiency
- Low ground pressure, making it ideal for soft ground work
How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Choosing a Bobcat Excavator
Purchasing the wrong size of Bobcat excavator can be a costly mistake. Contractors typically make the error of buying a machine that is too small or, conversely, buying one that is too big and powerful for
the work they do. Here are a few things to keep in mind to protect your investment and bottom line:
Choosing a Model Too Large for the Job
Bigger isn’t always better. Let’s say you are looking at two different size machines. Well, look at the job you do most often. If your main work is in smaller, confined lots, why would you want a larger excavator? If you’re using a 50,000-pound machine on a lot with a 50-foot setback, you’re going to need a 65-foot reach on the machine. If you dig a hole only ten feet away from the front of the machine, all that extra reach is a waste. And it is a waste of your company’s money!
Not Considering Total Cost of Ownership
Renting vs. Buying Renting a paving machine may be the best option for small companies or those operating on a tight budget. If your fledgling company needed to buy a paver, it would also need a mechanic who could take care of it. I’ve seen companies buy a machine they could barely afford to fix, which is no way to start.
Buying an older, used piece of equipment isn’t a great solution because you’re purchasing someone else’s problem. Newer machines come with warranties and are more reliable. Whatever you decide, you must have a mechanic who can handle the necessary repairs. I prefer that companies rent a machine the first time around because they usually need something bigger or more versatile the second season.
How to Choose a Used Bobcat Excavator?
Quality Is Key. But you also want a good price, we trust! Here are some suggestions when buying a used mini excavator.
Inspect the Machine Thoroughly:
Look for wear, like excessive rust, hydraulic leaks, excessively worn engine. Make sure it is a working machine. Check with the manufacturer for the recommended PM and maintenance schedule. Know what is expected for the service or PM schedules and make sure the seller has done them. Do some research to see if anyone has had problems with a particular machine, or if there have been recalls.
Verify the Seller’s Reputation:
Use a reputable source who has maintenance records, service records, or warranty information. If they can give you the service history, maintenance history, and even warranty information so much the better
Consider the Age of the Equipment:
On little machines, it’s hard to spread repair costs. Will a ninety-eight thousand dollar machine and a sixty-two thousand dollar machine break just as frequently? Yeah, they’ll both break, that’s for sure. With the ninety-eight thousand dollar machine, due to the PMs being more frequent because that’s what the manufacturer recommends, you’ll be spending more money fixing.
Now, the sixty-two thousand dollar machine is not going to be too much different because it’s still a mini excavator and it’ll break, but it may not be quite as frequently because 900-hour PMs don’t cost anything remotely like their big brothers do.
The Advantages and Applications of Mini Bobcat Excavators
Mini Bobcat excavators are very popular in the construction world because they’re small and versatile. People use these on small jobs in small places. You can put these machines in backyard landscaping,
utility trenching or urban construction where you don’t have much space.
These machines are ideal for:
Urban construction: Mini Bobcat excavators can navigate narrow city streets or tight backyards.
Landscaping and residential projects: They can dig trenches or move dirt in small spaces, improving efficiency and minimizing disruption.
How to Choose the Best Value Bobcat Excavator?
When renting a Bobcat excavator, carefully review its hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly rental costs and expected usage to find the most cost-effective solution. If you only need a small Bobcat excavator briefly to complete a specific project, leasing a used compact or mini excavator is your best option.
However, if you need a loader or excavator a few times each month, consider renting the equipment from an equipment rental company. The rental Bobcat excavator may cost more than leasing small Bobcat loaders or a track loader upfront. However, if you only use the equipment a few times a month, you only pay for its use. After calculating the costs, renting the equipment multiple times a month becomes the most cost-effective option.
Compact Excavators – The Future of Bobcat Excavators
Compact excavators from Bobcat are mini versions of the full-fledged excavator designed to go anywhere, be more versatile, and more efficient in tight spaces. These mini excavators are also called mini Bobcat excavators and are engineered with advanced breakthrough technology, balancing power with size. Bobcat mini excavators can do most of the same work as a full-sized traditional excavator including digging, lifting, and handling materials in places you can’t get to with the larger machine.
In the old days, most of the heavy lifting on any worksite came from the larger construction machines i.e.: the full-sized traditional excavator. But as the world has become more developed with urban and suburban construction and new residential landscaping, the larger machines could not access 75% of the sites. Plus, people don’t need the huge machines to replace sewer pipes or dig a hole for a swimming pool. Compact excavators (including Bobcat mini excavators) engineers and manufacturers like us at Bobcat have been at the forefront of compact excavator engineering and manufacturing, producing sizes and options more and more people want.
Conclusion
Your best bet when selecting the most cost-effective Bobcat excavator is looking at the initial price and the value of the equipment over the long run. It might seem like a great deal to buy a used mini excavator at first, but the Bobcat excavator could be the most expensive used mini excavator out there due to high maintenance costs.
To get the best value for you, add up all the costs for you to own that piece of equipment including fuel efficiency, maintenance, any additional attachments or options, and make sure it’s the right equipment for the job. Make sure the Bobcat excavator can do the job it needs to do for you without costing a fortune.For more information or professional advice, feel free to contact us.
