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Build & QuoteExploring Compact Excavator Sizes and Specifications
Compact (Mini) Excavator Buyer’s Guide: Part 2 of 6
Dig deeper into operating weights, horsepower, and more specifications to consider when choosing a compact (mini) excavator.
Table of Contents:
- Compact Excavator Sizes
- Weight Classes
- Large Excavators
- Battery-Powered (Electric)
- Diesel or Electric Power?
- Compact Excavator Specifications
- Dimensions
- Performance Specs
- Compact Excavator Arms
- Tail Swing Types
- Compact Excavator Engines
Compact Excavator Sizes
Compact excavators, also known as mini excavators, come in many configurations and sizes. These machines are typically categorized by their operating weight. An excavator’s size and weight impact the overall lift capacity as the center of gravity, lift geometry and amount of counterweight all vary depending on overall machine size.
Small excavators are ideal for working in tight spaces and on small-scale projects, while larger excavators are designed for more demanding tasks and extensive construction work. Compact excavators exert less ground pressure, reducing the risk of surface damage and minimizing soil compaction. Refer to the specifications (or specs) for compact excavators to help determine which machine best meets your needs.
Learn about the specifications for compact excavators, with definitions and purposes/uses of the specifications.
Weight Class
Weight class is a general categorization that broadly indicates an excavator’s size and lifting capacity, which helps determine whether it is suitable for its intended tasks and operating environment.
For more information on important specs for compact excavators, refer to the specs section.
1-2 Metric Tons
These are the smallest size of compact excavators, and they’re perfect for tight spaces and small-scale projects. Ideal for landscapers, small contractors and property owners, they are often used for tasks such as digging holes for fences or small foundations, trenching, minor landscaping, and small-scale demolition.
Available Models:
Diesel 1-Ton: E10
3-4 Metric Tons
These compact excavators provide a balance between power and size, making them suitable for various applications. They are commonly used for residential construction, utility work, landscaping and hardscaping projects. They offer improved digging depth and reach compared to 1-2 metric ton excavators while still providing easy maneuverability in tight spaces.
Available Models:
5-6 Metric Tons
With increased power and versatility, 5-6 metric ton compact excavators are suitable for mid-size construction projects, roadwork and more extensive landscaping jobs. They offer greater digging depth, reach and lifting capacity, making them ideal for tasks like sewer line installations, swimming pool excavations and larger demolition projects.
Available Models:
5-Ton Diesel: E55
6-Ton Diesel: E60
7-8 Metric Tons
These compact excavators are designed for more demanding projects that require increased power and lifting capacity. They are ideal for commercial construction, larger utility installations and heavy-duty landscaping tasks. With their enhanced capabilities, they can tackle jobs such as large foundation excavations, site preparation and slope grading.
Available Models:
8-Ton Diesel: E88
9-10 Metric Tons
The largest in the compact excavator category, these machines are built for heavy-duty applications and large-scale projects. They are commonly used for commercial and industrial construction, significant utility installations, and major earthmoving tasks. With their high lifting capacity, digging depth and reach, they can efficiently handle projects such as large building foundations, demolition and substantial excavation work.
Learn More: Bobcat Compact Excavators
Large Excavators
If you need maximum muscle for large jobs, you might need a large excavator. A step up from compact excavators, large excavators boast operating weights between 14 and 16 metric tons (28,000 – 32,000 pounds). These machines are built for heavy-duty applications and large-scale projects, like commercial and industrial construction, significant utility installations, and major earthmoving tasks. With their high lifting capacity, increased digging depth and reach, they can efficiently handle projects such as large building foundations, demolition and substantial excavation work.
Learn More: Bobcat Large Excavators
Battery-Powered (Electric) Compact Excavators
With advancements in lithium-ion battery and charging technology, battery-powered compact excavators and are an increasingly popular choice for contractors who work indoors and in areas with noise restrictions, or for those who simply want to reduce the environmental impact of their work. With their impressive power and torque, battery-powered excavators can match the performance of their diesel-powered counterparts.
Learn More: Bobcat Electric Excavators
Diesel or Electric Power?
If you do a lot of indoor projects or work in areas where noise restrictions restrict your working hours, a battery-powered compact excavator could be a great addition to your fleet. Battery-powered excavators produce no emissions and low noise levels, allowing you to complete tasks on jobsites that may otherwise be off limits to excavator operations. Diesel-powered compact excavators generally come with a lower price tag, and they offer job-proven power and performance that is hard to beat – especially when engine noise and exhaust are not an issue.
Compact Excavator Specifications
Size, weight and performance specifications are essential factors when selecting a compact excavator, as they directly impact the machine's job-site capabilities, transportability, maneuverability and ground pressure. Smaller, lighter excavators are easier to transport and maneuver in tight spaces but may have lower lifting capacities and digging depths than larger, heavier machines. Understanding the capabilities of each tonnage size will help you choose the right compact excavator for your needs.
Learn about the specifications for compact excavators, with definitions and purposes/uses of the specifications.
Compact Excavator Dimensions
Length
Machine length is an important factor to determine a compact excavator’s maneuverability or work in confined areas.
Overall Length in Travel Position
Overall length in travel position indicates the amount of space a machine will occupy during transportation or storage. It’s a key consideration for understanding your excavator’s compatibility with trailers, trucks and storage areas.
Height
Machine height is important for determining a compact excavator’s ability to navigate overhead obstacles, such as doorways, bridges or tree limbs. This is an important spec to consider if you work in areas with limited vertical space.
Height With Operator Cab
Height with operator cab indicates the machine’s height when equipped with an optional cab.
Width
Machine width is important for judging a machine’s maneuverability and accessibility on job sites that have limited space. Narrower machines can fit through backyard gates or between buildings with less difficulty. Additionally, width will help you judge if you can transport the machine with a specific vehicle or trailer.
Compact Excavator Performance Specs
Operating Weight
Operating weight directly influences lift capacity and stability during operation. It also helps indicate transportation ease and compliance with site regulations regarding weight limits. By selecting an excavator with an appropriate operating weight, you can achieve optimal performance and efficiency for the jobs you do the most.
Engine Power
Engine power affects a compact excavator's performance, fuel efficiency and overall productivity. It is typically measured in terms of horsepower, with higher horsepower engines providing more power for demanding tasks. A horsepower rating will give you a quick, though imprecise, indication of performance. Other factors, like torque and usable horsepower will also help judge a machine’s capability while on the job and under load.
Hydraulic Flow and Pressure
Hydraulic flow and pressure determine a compact excavator's ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, such as lifting, digging and rotating. Excavators with higher hydraulic flow and pressure can deliver more hydraulic power to several functions at the same time, improving productivity and efficiency.
Rated Lift Capacity
Rated lift capacity is the tested maximum weight that an excavator is designed to lift and maneuver. Understanding the rated lift capacity will help guide the proper use of your excavator for optimum efficiency.
Bucket Digging Force
Bucket digging force impacts a compact excavator’s ability to efficiently excavate and move material. More bucket digging force enables you to penetrate denser or harder materials more effectively and increase productivity.
Dig Depth
The dig depth of your excavator indicates how far beneath the tracks your bucket can reach when digging a hole. This is a key spec that will indicate whether a machine is right for the work you do most often.
Maximum Reach at Ground Level
An excavator’s maximum reach is an important metric for reaching your required dig depth. It also lets you know how far you can maneuver the bucket or attachment away from the machine. Maximum reach impacts the excavator's ability to reach your working area without frequent repositioning. A longer reach will allow you to have a wider working area, which can be critical when working in confined or hard-to-reach areas.
Tail Swing Type
Tail swing indicates the amount of space the excavator's rear will protrude outside the width of the tracks while rotating. Common options include zero, minimal and conventional tail swing.
Fuel Tank Capacity
Fuel tank capacity is important for judging how long a compact excavator can operate without stopping the work to refuel. Continuous operation is an important factor to maximize your overall productivity with a compact excavator.
Travel Speed
Travel speed is an important consideration for overall productivity and efficiency. Higher travel speeds will save time when moving within large work areas or when working in a large development and driving from one lot to another.
Vertical Reach
Vertical reach is the highest point an excavator's arm can reach. This factor is crucial when working in tight spaces or near obstacles.
Reach and Swing Radius
Reach and swing radius are critical factors affecting a compact excavator's ability to work around obstacles and in tight spaces.
Lift Radius
Lift radius determines the maximum distance from the machine’s center line from which it can effectively lift a load. This spec ensures that the machine can reach and handle materials at varying distances from the machine, which enhances your productivity and maneuverability – with less machine repositioning.
Swing Radius
Swing radius refers to the space needed for an excavator to rotate 360 degrees. A smaller swing radius allows the machine to work in confined spaces and around obstacles more efficiently.
Boom Swing – Left
The amount of boom swing to the left determines your compact excavator’s ability to reach areas to the left of the unit. A wider boom swing will enhance your ability to work in confined or obstructed spaces.
Boom Swing – Right
The amount of boom swing to the right indicates a compact excavator’s ability to reach areas to the right of the unit.
Max Dump Height
Dump height is the maximum height a compact excavator can lift a load. This factor is essential when working with elevated platforms or dumping materials into trucks or bins.
Bucket Capacity
Bucket capacity refers to the volume of material a compact excavator's bucket can hold. A larger bucket capacity allows the machine to move more material, increasing productivity.
When choosing a compact excavator, you’ll need to consider whether the specifications of the machine are suitable for the specific tasks and environments you’ll encounter on the job. Factors such as horsepower, operating capacity, dig depth, reach and swing radius all play a pivotal role in compact excavator performance and capabilities.
Learning about the specifications for compact excavators, with definitions and purposes/uses will help you in understanding your considerations and needs for a compact excavator.
Get a Free Quote From Your Local Dealer
Find A DealerCompact Excavator Arms
Bobcat compact excavators are available with various arm configurations to suit specific applications and job-site requirements. For example, an extendable arm option allows you to use the power and lifting performance of a standard-length arm, but it also provides additional reach on demand for specific tasks.
Choose from three types of compact excavator arms:
- Standard arm
- Long arm
- Extendable arm
Learn More:
Tail Swing Types
Compact excavators come in various designs regarding tail swing, which refers to the amount of overhang or the area an excavator's counterweight (rear end) occupies while rotating beyond the width of its tracks.
The three primary types of tail swing configurations are zero tail swing, minimal tail swing and conventional tail swing. Each configuration has its unique advantages and challenges depending on the working environment and project requirements.
Zero Tail Swing (ZTS)
On a zero tail swing excavator, the rear counterweight does not extend beyond the width of the tracks at any point during rotation. This design allows for greater mobility in tight spaces, as there is no risk of the counterweight hitting nearby objects or obstacles when the machine is turning. ZTS excavators are ideal for urban construction, confined spaces and projects with limited access.
Minimal Tail Swing
Minimal tail swing excavators have a slight overhang (usually less than 10% of the machine width) beyond the width of the tracks during rotation. This design offers a balance between the tight working space advantages of zero tail swing and the stability and lifting capacity of conventional tail swing. Minimal tail swing machines are suitable for projects with some space restrictions, where maneuverability and stability are both important considerations.
Conventional (Traditional) Tail Swing
Conventional tail swing excavators have a more significant overhang, with the counterweight extending considerably beyond the width of the tracks during rotation. This design provides better stability and lifting capacity compared to ZTS and minimal tail swing excavators. However, they require more working space and caution when operating near obstacles or in confined areas.
Learn More:
Compact Excavator Engines
Engine power affects a compact excavator's performance, fuel efficiency and overall productivity. It is typically measured in terms of horsepower, with higher horsepower engines providing more power for demanding tasks. Fuel-efficient engines help reduce operating costs and minimize environmental impact. Look for engines with advanced technologies designed to optimize fuel consumption. Turbo-charged engines perform more consistently when working at higher altitudes. If you live in a high-elevation area, a turbo-charged engine can be an important consideration.
Emissions Tier (EPA)
Engine emissions tier corresponds to regulations standards issued by the EPA or other agencies. A higher tier rating indicates the engine will have cleaner emissions and be more environmentally friendly. Tier 4 is the latest emissions tier for North America.
Maximum Governed RPM
An engine’s maximum governed rpm indicates the engine’s maximum operating speed, which affects performance and efficiency. Higher maximum rpm usually results in faster operation and additional productivity.
Bobcat® engines are designed to provide reliable performance, high- fuel efficiency and reduced emissions in compact excavators.
- Forgiving fuel system: A forgiving fuel system makes low fuel levels less of a challenge.
- Larger fuel filter: A large fuel filter delivers extended system protection and ease of maintenance.
- Self-priming fuel pump: A self-priming system eliminates the need for a primer bulb.
- Quieter operation: Low noise levels make operation more comfortable.
- Longer oil service interval: An increased engine oil service interval of 750 hours increases operator uptime.
Learn More: Bobcat Engine
Making an Informed Buying Decision
Choosing the right compact excavator involves careful consideration of sizes and specifications offered – so you can tailor performance to the specific tasks and work environments you work in.
From lift capacity to digging depth, horsepower to tail swing type, each plays a role in determining a compact excavator’s performance and suitability for your needs. Versatility is also an important consideration in your decision-making process. Consider choosing a compact excavator that is compatible with a wide range of attachments to maximize your jog-site versatility and get the utmost value from your investment.
Whether you're tackling small-scale landscaping projects or heavy-duty construction tasks, understanding these specifications will guide you in selecting the perfect size and configuration for your efficiency and productivity on the job site.
