Small & Mini Excavators For Sale

From Tight Spaces to Big Jobs: The Versatility and Benefits of Mini Excavators

Mini excavators, also known as small excavators, are a small-sized hydraulic excavator used for a variety of construction applications where digging and excavation work is required. These mini power houses are designed to have excellent maneuverability due to its compact size, thus making it the perfect machine for small construction jobs, landscaping, snow removal, residential demolition projects for renovations and so much more. Due to their small sizes, a compact or mini excavator makes an excellent investment purchase as their tasks have a wide range of use cases.

At Ritchie List, you can find a variety of used mini excavators for sale by owners near you. We currently have over 900 mini excavators listed with more added every day! In addition to used excavators at bargain prices, you’ll also find brand new mini excavators for sale by dealers. You can browse from the top brands in the industry like Komatsu, Caterpillar, Kubota and much more!

What type of mini excavator should you buy?

With such a wide variety of mini excavators to choose from at Ritchie List you’ll come across small excavators, micro excavators, some larger mini excavators. So how do you narrow down your search for which one is best for you?

Lift and digging capacity

First, you’ll have to determine the type of work you’ll need your mini excavator for as this will determine the size and lifting capacity of your mini excavator. For jobs that require constant excavation, you’ll need to ensure the hydraulic lift arm can lift the weight you need as well as the right bucket type is equipped. Other factors to consider is the digging depth and reach of the mini excavators. Micro excavators have a digging depth around 8ft where as the larger mini excavators can dig up to 10ft.

Tracks

Mini excavators come with different tracks; rubber and steel. Rubber tracks are best for paved or smooth surfaces whereas steel tracks are better suited for rougher terrains such as landscaping environments.

Transportation

Overall, most mini excavators are easy to transport but still an important factor to consider. Most mini and micro excavators are light enough to be hauled on a utility trailer that’s hooked up to a pickup truck. Be sure to confirm that you’re pickup truck meets the hauling capacity of the trailer plus the mini excavator.

Variety of attachments

In addition to its versatility in tight spaces, mini excavators are customizable with a variety of attachments making them the jack of all trades for heavy equipment. You’ll be able to find accessories such as specialized excavator buckets, breakers (perfect for those demolition work) and augers for more specialized landscaping or excavation type work.

Mini excavators vs skid steers and backhoes

Mini excavators, skid steers, and backhoes have been battling out for the best small equipment that you can buy however each machine has their own set of pros and cons.

Pros and cons of a used mini excavator

Mini excavators are ideal for digging, excavation, and demolition work in tight spaces. They are often equipped with a range of attachments, including buckets, breakers, and augers, which makes them versatile machines. They can also be used for landscaping, snow removal, and agriculture tasks. However, they have limited reach compared to backhoes and may not be as effective for tasks such as lifting and hauling heavy loads.

Pros and cons of a skid steers

Skid steers are versatile machines that are commonly used in construction, landscaping, and agriculture. They are compact and maneuverable, making them ideal for tight spaces. They can be used with a wide range of attachments, such as buckets, forks, and grapples, which allows them to perform a variety of tasks. However, they may not be as effective for digging and excavation work compared to mini excavators and backhoes.

Pros and cons of backhoe loader

Backhoes are versatile machines that are commonly used in construction, excavation, and landscaping. They are equipped with a bucket on the front and an excavator arm on the back, which allows them to perform digging, excavation, and lifting tasks. They are also useful for clearing debris and digging trenches. However, they are not as compact as mini excavators and may not be as effective for tasks that require tight maneuvering in small spaces.

Is it worth renting a mini excavator?

Buying and renting equipment each have their own benefits and cons but ultimately boil down to a variety of factors of the potential buyer.

One of the biggest factors of renting a mini excavator vs buying is the buyer’s budget, as some newer models might be quite expensive. However, buying a used mini excavator at Ritchie List provides you with over 900 mini excavators for you to browse from with prices starting as low as $9,000 USD ($12,000 CAD) so you won’t have to break the bank. As mentioned earlier, mini excavators are versatile machines that can be used for a variety of tasks across various industries, so you’ll be confident on making the most out of your purchase.

Buying a mini excavator provides more flexibility with the type of projects you are able to conduct as renting an excavator is usually cost effective for short-term projects.

Inspection tips for buying a used mini excavator

When buying a used mini excavator, its crucial to do a complete a thorough inspection inside and out and must be in good working conditions to meet your job requirements. Here are some easy tips and a checklist of inspecting your next used mini or micro excavator:

• Damage – check the body and interior of the excavator for any signs of significant damage. If buying a used excavator with high usage hours, you’ll come across a variety of scratches and dings, but ensure that these are not around important areas such as hinges or near the engine bay.
• Tracks – ensure the tracks are not loose or worn out to the point where they need to be replaced right after purchase. It’s also important to note the alignment of the tracks.
• Leaks – With a lot of moving components in a mini excavator, you’ll want to ensure that the machine is free of any leaks in 2 major areas. The first is the engine and the second is the hydraulic lift arm. For the engine, you’ll want to ensure there’s no oil or coolant leaks. The hydraulic lift should be inspected for any sort of leaks near at the hoses and while being operated.
• Maintenance records – With any used equipment, requesting for maintenance records is always important as this will ensure the longevity of the machine and give insights to historical problems with the unit.

If you are unsure how to inspect or if its your first time buying a used small excavator, you can always hire a professional to conduct an inspection to provide peace of mind with your purchase.