When choosing a used excavator, the engine in my opinion is the deciding factor in having a machine that will give you good service for the long haul. You can have the nicest machine in the world, with all your checks in the right boxes, but if the engine fails, it’s going to cost you a lot of money. That’s why in this article we are going to reveal the most reliable excavator engine brands and what makes them better than others.

Excavator engines are crucial for ensuring durability, fuel efficiency, and long-term performance. Some brands are known for their exceptional reliability, such as Caterpillar, Komatsu, and Cummins. These brands provide powerful engines designed for heavy-duty tasks, with superior fuel efficiency and easy maintenance. Understanding which engine brands deliver the best performance under extreme conditions can save you significant operational costs. This article explores these top brands, their features, and why they’re favored in the excavation industry.

Now that we’ve covered why engine reliability is key, let’s explore the factors that make an excavator engine truly dependable.

What Factors Make an Excavator Engine Reliable?

So, what makes an engine reliable? Reliability comes from the quality of the materials used to build it, the quality of the manufacturing process, and the operating history of that engine, which is another way of saying ‘proof of performance.’ For an example, let’s look at Mitsubishi, a proven brand sold all over the world. These guys are constantly searching for ways to improve their engines and justify the trust their customers have placed in them. And their engines have proven their reliability over decades in the field.

Engine Durability

Let’s look at what makes engines reliable. It’s the quality of the materials used to build the engine, the quality of the manufacturing process, and, finally, the operating history of that engine. This last item is a big part of ‘proof of performance.’ For example, Mitsubishi is a name everyone knows and has been sold around the world. These guys are constantly coming up with ways to make the engines better because they have a large audience of people who have put their trust in them.

Fuel Efficiency

The correct fuel efficient engine will pay back its initial cost many times over during the life of the machine, in many cases, significant operational savings. A fuel efficient engine driven excavator will win over a thirsty engine’s operating costs every time. This is because excavators are high consumption machines and the more fuel efficient the engine, the lower the cost of getting the job done. You’re not burning as much fuel to move the same volume of earth. An engine that drinks less fuel allows you to stay at it longer without the constant interruption of refueling; especially when you’re pumping in long hours and especially if you are running with high equipment utilization on the job.

Service and Availability of Parts

On the performance side, regular maintenance is imperative. The last thing you want is an unexpected delay because you need to replace a part, and it’s not readily available. Dig into the engine manufacturer’s local service and spare parts availability. This isn’t just about the first ten hours, either. This is about the life of your excavator. I also like and pay for extended warranties and service plans. Sometimes the engine manufacturer has an offer for a full five-year warranty if you agree to let them do the maintenance. 

Performance Under Extreme Conditions

Most excavators work in extreme conditions such as demolition sites or deep excavation projects. They require the engine to function reliably in these harsh environments. It needs to work with proper engine temperature, proper fuel management, and needs to operate in dusty, wet, and high altitudes to maintain performance consistency.

Which Excavator Engine Brands Are Most Reliable?

There are several reputable brands of excavator engine you can rely on. Here’s a rundown of the top brands known for their reliability, performance, and efficiency.

Caterpillar (CAT)

Caterpillar (CAT) engines are some of the most well-known and trusted engines in the excavator industry. The CAT brand is known for being tough, durable, and powerful, making it the first choice for heavy-duty construction, mining, and large commercial projects.

• Popular Engine Models: CAT’s C7.1 and C9 engines are known for being fuel efficient and tough enough to work in the most demanding conditions.
• Why CAT Engines Stand Out: CAT engines are built for those tough jobs and provide great fuel economy without sacrificing power. CAT engines are also easy to maintain and have service centers all over the world, making it the most reliable engine availabe on the market today.

Komatsu

Komatsu is another top-tier company which makes very reliable excavator engines. The SAA6D114E engine is known for its great fuel economy, low emissions, and ease of maintenance. These engines are built to work hard and offer outstanding fuel economy so you can run them all day long without breaking the bank on fuel.

• Popular Engine Model: SAA6D114E
• Why Komatsu Engines Stand Out: Engines built by Komatsu are built for efficiency and reliability, providing low maintenance costs and high productivity. You will find their engines in excavators all the way from mid-size to larger machines on up to commercial-sized excavators.

Kubota

Kubota engines are prized for being small and fuel efficient, making them a very popular choice for mini-excavators. These engines are great for the smaller jobs where you need low emissions and a tight fit to get the job done.

• Popular Engine Model: D1703-M-DI
• Why Kubota Engines Stand Out: Known for their solid fuel economy and lower emissions, Kubota engines are popular in mini-excavators and urban construction projects. They provide good power in a small package and are easy to work on.

Hitachi

Hitachi engines are known for their powerful hydraulic systems, which operate seamlessly with their engine technology. The granddaddy of their big-boy engines is the HINO J08C engine, which powers large excavators.

• Popular Engine Model: HINO J08C
• Why Hitachi Engines Stand Out: They provide high-performance engines that can take it when you need some heavy lifting in construction and mining applications.

Volvo

Volvo engines are known for being very green, with great fuel economy. The D8D is a great example. They’re putting out a lot of power but they aren’t using that much fuel. That’s great for your business whether you’re sending this engine out on light or heavy-duty applications.

• Popular Engine Model: D8D
• Why Volvo Engines Stand Out: You’re buying plenty of power, but you’re not buying a tank of fuel to go with it. So, you’re actually saving money running these excavators whether you’re running a day’s worth of operation or a hundred.

Hyundai

Hyundai engines are modern and efficient, and they keep you in the green by providing output without using as much fuel as older engines. Their engines are generally used for medium- to large-size excavators.

• Popular Engine Model: D6GA
• Why Hyundai Engines Stand Out: You don’t need to put as much fuel in newer engines, and they give you power like the old ones. People love you if you keep the money in their pocket. That’s what Hyundai is trying to do with their engines.

Cummins

Cummins is the industry leader who makes it all come together. They’ve been building high-performance engines for a long time. The QSB6.7 for an excavator is designed for high duty applications like dumper trucks, in heavy rocks, sand and gravel that you can dip into with fuel and run all day long.

• Popular Engine Model: QSB6.7
• Why Cummins Engines Stand Out: They’re on the cutting edge of technology. They all use the latest emissions technology to get rid of the dirty diesel that was prevalent five years ago, and make the engine more durable and fuel-efficient. That’s what makes these engines good in your excavator. All the newer generation engines are better on the fuel, so it’s better for you and the environment.

How Does Engine Power Affect Excavator Performance?

How much power the engine produces determines how well the machine will work for different tasks

Power Output

Power is everything. The machine needs the power output from the engine to handle the heavy work. If you’re doing a high lift or you’re digging deep holes, you need the power. It’s simple. The more horsepower, the better the machine will work. You can go faster and do more work on a big construction site.

Hydraulic Power vs Engine Power

While the engine gives the mechanical power to your excavator, the hydraulic system powers almost everything you do. You need a good balance between the mechanical power of the engine and the hydraulic power to make your machine perform well for the various jobs you expect it to do.

Best Engine Power for Heavy-Duty Excavators

To put all of this in perspective, if you have an engine for a big excavator your engines will usually range from 200 to 350 horsepower. For a big engine around 200 to 250 horsepower, the smallest general purpose machine starts here at the 35-37,000 pound class.

Which Excavator Engine Brand Offers the Best Fuel Efficiency?

Now let’s look at one of the biggest operational costs with any engine – and especially with heavy-duty engines for daily running, the fuel. Let’s compare a few brands about fuel consumption.

Kubota offers a variety of diesel engines, most notably its D1703-M-DI engine, which offers excellent fuel efficiency. This makes the D1703-M-DI an ideal engine for mini-excavators, which are often used in confined spaces on smaller projects.

How Important Is Regular Maintenance for Excavator Engines?

Like the hydraulic systems, lubrication is essential to maintain a healthy engine. Keep the engine air filter clean and dry, maintain the oil levels, and check for coolant leaks. Double-check the area around the engine to ensure nothing else is leaking. Change the oil filter at the specified intervals. If your machine is used in exceptionally dusty environments, change the air filter more frequently.

Maintenance Needs for Different Engine Brands

Caterpillar also produces their own engines, whereas Komatsu collaborates with Cummins for their engine technology. John Deere engines are known for their durability and authority in the agricultural market, and parts and service centers are widely available. Therefore, John Deere-powered pieces of equipment are very dependable. The engine manufacturers want to keep the engines working, so millions of dollars are invested in high-tech service centers all over the world.

Kubota engines are well-liked in the mini size class. Compact engines are easier to get to and to work on just because you can get to them. They’re small, and everything is out in the open. They all hit a point of diminishing returns, and then the engines start getting more and more compact, but they require special tools or you have to pull that pump or that head, even though they’re smaller operations.

The Role of Preventative Maintenance

Performing routine maintenance is the key to extending the life of your excavator engine and avoiding costly, unexpected breakdowns. This includes tasks like:

• Oil Changes: Regular oil changes are essential to prevent engine overheating and maintain lubrication.
• Air Filter Replacements: Clogged air filters can restrict airflow and impact engine performance.
• Coolant Checks: Regularly checking and replacing coolant is vital to keep the engine from overheating.

Doing these simple things early can prevent minor issues from turning into big problems that could result in costly repairs or, possibly, needing to replace the entire engine.

What Are the Early Warning Signs of a Failing Excavator Engine?

You’re problems way ahead of time and save yourself major dollars. Most engine failures start with some warning signs, and a lot of times, you can fix it before it gets to that point.

If you hear what sounds like someone knocking on metal, or a high whine, or see smoke coming from your truck or steam billowing from under the hood, or if the engine seems to be using more fuel than it usually does, or it begins to run hotter than normal, it’s a signal something may be wrong. Catching a problem early can save you a boatload of money later. For example, catching a coolant leak early can keep your engine from overheating and wrecking it, which can save you thousands of dollars later.

How Do Emissions Standards Affect Excavator Engine Selection?

Excavator manufacturers have been required to develop engines that meet more and more stringent emissions standards as regulations in most countries become stricter.

Understanding Emissions Regulations

Moreover, using a modern, efficient, low-emissions engine can lead to significant operational cost savings over time due to reduced fuel consumption. Additionally, many businesses are using new, unexplored technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells and hybrid engines, in their machines. These advances can yield excellent results when it comes to decreasing a company’s environmental impact and reducing their fuel expenses.

Leading Brands in Green Excavator Engines

Volvo has improved their engines to be eco-friendly. For example, their EC950F C Crawler Excavator has a Stage V compliant engine. This means the engine cuts emissions significantly, but does not sacrifice power or performance. Volvo has placed a firm stake in the ground for being the leader in making excavators more green. Of course, competitors like Komatsu and Hitachi also produce engines with lower emissions. However, if you are a business that has a strong focus on being green, Volvo is trying to get full points for being earth-friendly.

What Should You Look for When Buying a Used Excavator Engine?

We love buying used stuff. You can save a ton of cash on the initial purchase cost, and as long as the engine is in good working condition, you won’t have to spend money on buying a new one or funding a complete engine rebuild or repair. So, if you’re looking at a used excavator, make sure to check for the items we’ve already mentioned. Also, google “used engine inspection” to see if there is anything special to look out for with the particular engine on the make and model excavator you’re considering purchasing.

• Essential Checks: Always check for oil leaks, unusual noises , and overheating. Keep an eye out for engines that are hard to start or that have visible smoke when running, both of which are signs the engine may need repairs.
• Common Issues: The wear and tear of thousands of hours of use usually shows up as a lot of exhaust smoke or poor fuel efficiency. You also want to be leery of engines that seem to run rough, as this can be an indicator of a variety of internal damage or a poor maintenance history.
• Best Brands for Used Excavators: There are several brands that are known to hold up well in the used equipment market. Caterpillar, Komatsu, and Kubota have a reputation for building very durable engines that are able to retain their performance over time.

Conclusion

choosing the right excavator engine will depend on your specific needs, the project that you are working on, and your budget. Brands like Cat, Komatsu, and Cummins will give you the premier performance that you desire. Brands like Kubota and Volvo will give you the world-class fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly engine that you want.

Take a look at your project needs concerning horsepower and fuel consumption to make the best decision possible. What you don’t want is to take the cheapest engine if you can afford something a little better.Our company specializes in all types of second-hand excavators and their accessories. I can provide you with excavators in good condition. They are all equipped with high-quality engines. To help you solve your worries, if you are interested, please feel free to contact me.