Wondering how much a mini excavator costs? You’re not alone. Many people have bought, or are going to buy, a mini excavator and wonder about the price, wanting to make the best decision about whether to buy new or used. The price of a mini excavator is all over the board, and it can definitely be worth your money to buy used. To help you out, let’s cover your options and how much you’ll pay.
The cost of a mini excavator typically ranges from $10,000 to $60,000, depending on whether it’s new or used, its size, and brand. Smaller models for light-duty work are generally more affordable, while larger models with more power come at a higher price. Factors such as attachments, engine power, and hydraulic systems also influence the final price. Whether you’re purchasing new or used, understanding these factors can help you make a smart investment.
Let’s dive into the details of mini excavator pricing. We’ll hit all the options, and how the price changes, whether that’s for a big project or just for a day or two of renting.
What is a Mini Excavator?
A mini excavator is like a regular excavator but smaller and more agile. A regular excavator is just too big to fit in a lot of places. A mini excavator is more of a specialty tool, one you can easily transport to any location. You use a mini excavator to do things like dig post holes for fences, backfill a retaining wall, dig around a house to fix a foundation problem, or dig an entire trench as an irrigation line. Due to its size and mobility, a mini excavator is often used in landscaping, for small construction projects, and tearing stuff out.
The mini excavator usually weighs anywhere from 1 to 6 tons and will come in various sizes. They typically have changeable heads depending on what you need the machine to do. If you’re hauling in and out pulling out some big trees, you’d use the bucket. If you’re digging a hole to put a fence post in, you’d use the bucket.
The cost of a mini excavator can vary widely based on size, brand, and use. What we will cover next are the different price ranges for mini excavators I have personally experienced in today’s marketplace.
Mini Excavator Price Range
New Mini Excavator Prices
Now, when you are thinking about a new mini excavator cost, you can purchase one for as little as $10,000 to $60,000 depending on a bunch of different factors, such as brand, size, model year, and what all you get with it. So you’re looking at a range of $10,000 to $60,000 maximum to ballpark price a mini excavator.
Small Mini Excavators (1-2 tons)
These kinds of excavators are perfect for light duty tasks, and they’re going to be the ones that sold once, used once, and beat the crap out of them, or they’ve been fixed once, beat to death, rebuilt, and now you’re going to buy it again at another auction. You can buy these smaller, lightweight ones all day long for between $10,000 to $20,000. They’re all over the place and used for people doing urban construction and small landscaping jobs.
Medium Mini Excavators (3-4 tons)
Next are the medium-sized mini excavators. These are used more than the lightweight, but they are still on the smaller size. These go for $20,000 to $40,000 to price a mini excavator. They are going to be the sweet spot for most of you who may be doing light landscape, digging, or small construction work.
Large Mini Excavators (5-6 tons)
Finally, you have the heavy-duty mini excavators which are, for the most part, factory-made. They range in price from $40,000 to $60,000 used. A top-of-the-line, amazing, heavy-duty mini excavator could cost you upwards of $60,000 used. These are mini excavators that you can use if you are doing really big, ugly construction or some serious digging work in some bad, hard, rocky soil.
Again, the range in mini excavator cost is based on the brand. It’s like buying a Ford versus a Lincoln, right? Brands like Caterpillar (CAT), Komatsu, Kubota, Bobcat, and several other quality manufacturers. Top heavy hitters in the mini lineup who would have the best resale value, the best technology, the best rebuys, and the longest warranties—a set of tracks that costs.
Used Mini Excavator Prices
The lower price of a used mini excavator can make it more accessible to those on a tight budget. However, it’s important to remember that a mini excavator can still be a significant purchase even if it’s used, so you should make sure you can still afford one if you go this route. If you decide that a used mini excavator is the best choice for you, you may want to consider renting or leasing one to find out if it’s really what you need before you spend your hard-earned money on one.
Newer Used Mini Excavators
Machines that are older or have higher operating hours can range from anywhere between $15,000 and $30,000. These are usually machines that have high hours but have been well-maintained or might need a few repairs. Older machines might not come with a warranty but are still in good working condition.
Older Used Mini Excavators
Older models, let’s say 5-10 years old, might cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000. These machines are cheaper, but you better know what you are buying. Buying used machinery can be a potential money pit if the machine has been beat to crap or run with no maintenance for the last 10 years. You need to inspect the machine.
If you’re on a tight budget, used can be an option. You just have to make sure you’re not buying someone else’s piece of junk. That being said, if you’re looking at buying used machinery from a bigger manufacturer, there is a good chance that the machine was well-maintained while it was in use. With a smaller contractor, however, used equipment can be a crapshoot; you never know how well it was taken care of.
Pros of buying used: Cheaper machine with the same capacity Cons of buying used: No warranty Usually no training included You don’t know how it was used/abused or who used it, and you need to inspect the machine yourself for defects or signs of previous abuse.
Key Factors Affecting Mini Excavator Cost
How much does a mini excavator cost? The price of a mini excavator depends on several factors, all of which contribute to the “cost” of the machine, including the total cost of ownership, which includes not only how much you pay to buy the machine but also how much it costs to own it. Total cost of ownership includes: Initial price Maintenance Fuel usage Repair needs over time
Brand
The last factor in determining mini excavator cost is the brand. Bigger brands like CAT cost more for a mini excavator. Other major brands like Kubota, Hitachi, or Komatsu cost more because of the nameplate itself. But typically, these machines hold resale value better than other machines. They have advanced technology, tend to be more durable, and are usually more reliable in the long run. Plus, their feeble maintenance costs are lower per hour of use. If you plan on using this machine a lot and THIS is the machine you want, then these machines are usually worth it in the long run.
The last factor in determining mini excavator cost is the brand. Bigger brands like CAT cost more for a mini excavator. Other major brands like Kubota, Hitachi, or Komatsu cost more because of the nameplate itself. But typically, these machines hold resale value better than other machines. They have advanced technology, tend to be more durable, and are usually more reliable in the long run. Plus, their feeble maintenance costs are lower per hour of use. If you plan on using this machine a lot and THIS is the machine you want, then these machines are usually worth it in the long run.
Specifications and Features
The cost of a mini excavator comes down to five central factors. The first is the specifications and features of the mini excavator. The more add-ons the machine has, the more expensive it will be to acquire. These add-ons could include a more powerful engine, advanced hydraulics systems, or more bells and whistles on the machine.
Engine Power and Capacity
Another example is the engine horsepower. Most mini excavators come with a 10-35 horsepower engine. As that horsepower level goes down, the price goes up. The flip side is a higher horsepower engine has a more significant muscle to lift stuff. What if you need to lift heavy stuff? You’ll pay more for a machine that can lift more weight.
Hydraulic Attachments
Do you need any of the previously mentioned attachments? While not standard, many mini excavators have hydraulic attachments like hammers, hydraulic breakers, or augers. There is an attachment that hitches to your thumb to help you grab things. The list could go on and on. Any of these attachments change the price of the machine. The thought is, adding these attachments increases your flexibility and makes the machine more useful.
Cab Features
Another one is operator cabin. Some mini excavators come with state-of-the-art cabins. They have all the luxuries for the operator such as air conditioning, very comfortable seats, and updated control electronics. Just like a car, the more options you get, the higher the price goes. But the thought is, if you’re working the machine all day long, it will make the operator more productive and less tired, which is a good thing.
That all depends on what you need. Something cheaper might just dig the hole, and that’s all you need. Something more expensive will do everything the cheaper one does, and then some. And something even more expensive will have a lot more power and capability to dig as well as other attachments you can put on it.
Market Demand
price can change a lot based on your market and competition. It’s like buying anything. In some areas and times, demand is so high for mini excavators that anything available is expensive, while in others, you may have more choices.
as you become more specialized or need other capabilities, the costs go up. And with that, the price of the mini excavator also goes up. But you need to understand that as with anything you are buying, there are websites and dealers you can buy from and people who are motivated to sell what they have sitting on the lot. If they have ten mini excavators sitting on the lot, they are likely to deal big time to get you to buy one today.
Flexibility is key when buying anything in today’s world. Also, with international purchases, you need to add in the cost of getting the machine here and all the costs associated with that. So while the machine itself could be cheaper in China or Japan, don’t forget to build in the costs of shipping it, bringing it through customs, and paying taxes to import it into the country.
New vs. Used Equipment
The same is true when purchasing a mini excavator. If you want something new with all the warranties or something with zero hours on it, it’s going to be very expensive. On the other hand, there are companies that specialize in selling used equipment that may offer lower prices and still be able to provide training, support, and a warranty.
The used market allows you to get what you need at a lower price. The problem is you don’t get the warranties, service, and history of a new machine. You take the risk of higher maintenance or breakdowns you might not have if you bought new. The good news is you can buy a good used mini excavator. Check it out, drive it, crank it up, see how many hours are on it, and decide if it’s been taken care of. Used equipment might save you money upfront, but you’d better make sure it’s going to do what you need to do for the next few years.
Where to Buy Mini Excavators?
Buying New Mini Excavators
Authorized Dealers: The best way to buy a new mini excavator is to go through an authorized dealer. You’re buying directly from a manufacturer who will usually provide a warranty, good financing, and good service once you buy the vehicle. Plus, you’ll know the machine is supposed to work right out of the box. It will also be a genuine product from the manufacturer.
Online Manufacturers: Another way to buy a new mini excavator is to go to the manufacturer’s website. For instance, CAT, Kubota, Komatsu, and all the other big names have their website where you can buy a mini excavator straight from them. This direction may be cheaper and give you a little better deal, plus get the most up to date equipment.
Buying Used Mini Excavators
Auctions: You can go to places like eBay, other places that sell used heavy equipment through auctions. Auctions can be a great way to get a deal. Just remember, you need to inspect and check everything out before you buy it. You never know what you’ll find buying equipment at an auction. You can save money, but make sure you know what you’re doing and what you’re getting.
Used equipment dealers: If you want to buy a used machine from a dealer, go to somebody who specializes in used equipment. Again, you’ll get a warranty, service history, and someone to stand behind the machine and what they sell to you. The guys who specialize in used equipment as dealers usually have good stuff, and they usually have ways to repair and take care of the equipment after you’ve bought it.
How to Ensure You’re Getting the Right Mini Excavator at the Right Price?
Choose Reliable Suppliers
Buy a good, quality product, and make sure you deal with someone you trust. That’s the key when buying a new or used mini excavator. You want someone to stand behind what they’ve sold. Whether it’s a new or used piece of equipment, folks who do business that way give you the real history and real features of the machine. They make it easy for you, and then they stand behind what they sold you.
Compare Prices
The cheaper machine isn’t worth your money if it’s constantly broken and in the shop. If it’s a second job to deal with the dealer, have repair people out constantly, get zero business support, and take long down time waiting for parts, then what did you gain? Selecting the dirt cheapest machine and dealer may be the most expensive, long-term approach. Pay attention to reputation and quality, not only price. Shop around, but remember that you often get what you pay for!
Inspect the Equipment
Before you buy the tiny excavator, always look at the equipment, especially if it’s used. If at all possible, get a demonstration to run the machine to check its operation. Look for wear and tear. Look for leaks. Look for rust. Look for damaged parts. Look at it. If you’re buying sight unseen, ask for detailed photos and video to prove the machine’s been taken care of and is what they’re promising it is.
How to Choose the Right Mini Excavator for Your Needs?
Choose Based on Project Requirements
Before you buy, always look at the equipment, especially if it’s used. If possible, try it yourself and run the machine so you know how it works. Look at the wear. Look for leaks. Look for rust. Look for parts that may be dinged or damaged. Look at it all. If you’re buying something sight unseen, ask for detailed pictures and videos to prove it’s been well taken care of and is what they say it is.
New or Used?
How long do you plan to use it, and how hard do you plan to work it? If you’ll only use it a little bit every now and then, a used machine should do the trick, and you’re probably better off buying used to save some money. If
you plan to put a lot of hours on it, especially in the first couple years you own it, you’re better off buying a new unit that’s built up to your expectations and comes with a warranty.
Mini Excavator Total Cost of Ownership
While the initial mini excavator cost is important, you also need to consider the total cost of ownership, which includes:
- Maintenance Costs: Regular servicing and maintenance could potentially add up when owning a used machine over time. Budgeting for this is crucial to ensure your mini excavator stays in good working condition.
- Fuel Efficiency: Keep in mind that different models have varying degrees of fuel efficiency. The larger the engine, typically, the more fuel it will consume, so there will be higher operational costs. A number of the loader backhoe manufacturers are building smaller mini excavators, which are more fuel-efficient, and some of the top brands have models that are specifically designed to use less fuel.
- Resale Value: If you think you might sell or trade your mini excavator in the future, consider the machine’s resale value. Popular brands generally have a better resale value than an unknown brand, and a well-maintained machine will have a higher resale value than one that has been abused
Conclusion
The cost of a mini excavator is influenced by several key factors, including brand, size, features, and whether the equipment is new or used. By considering these factors and doing thorough research, you can make a more informed decision and ensure that you’re getting the best value for your investment.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective option, purchasing a used mini excavator can be a great choice. However, if long-term reliability is important to your business, a new mini excavator may offer better long-term value.Our company specializes in second-hand construction machinery. If you want to know about purchasing second-hand construction machinery, please feel free to contact me at my email: abby@hixenmachinery.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
