Mini Excavators - Compact Power for Tight Jobsites
Otherwise known as a "mini digger" or "compact excavator", mini excavators have a standard boom and bucket design along with a small frame that excels in performing small-to-medium jobs in tight, confined spaces. A mini excavator is primarily used for digging holes and ditches, and for transporting materials, but with the right attachments, mini excavators can also trench, remove stumps, mulch materials, demolish small structures, plow snow, help repair utility lines, and a whole lot more.
My Little Salesman lists mini excavators for sale that can still get the job done even in adverse conditions such as steep slopes, muddy terrain and little working room. Whether you need a tracked or wheeled excavator for indoor or outdoor operations, you can find the right mini digger (and all of the necessary attachments) right here!
Key Specs & Options to Compare
Both new and used mini excavators can dig, on average, about 10 feet into the ground. This is ideal for utility work, residential construction, and any site where a smaller bucket is needed for precision digging. A mini excavator becomes much less effective, however, on larger construction sites and wide open spaces in general, though they can still be of limited aide.
Specs to consider:
- Weight – An excavator has to weigh less than 23 tons to be considered a mini excavator. Popular weight classifications for these include 1-ton (the lightest), 2-ton, 3-ton, 5-ton, 8-ton, and 12,000-pound (the heaviest) mini excavator models.
- Lighter excavators have less of a footprint and do not disturb the soil as much as larger excavators.
- Lighter excavators will be able to easily fit in small areas like urban construction sites and warehouses.
- Dig Depth – Although 10 feet is the norm, denser soils and materials will lessen the dig depth and may require additional attachments.
- A mini excavator can only dig through mud using a larger-than-normal bucket, which can sometimes take away its precision advantage.
- Dump Height – Most mini diggers can reach 13 feet at the most when dumping.
- Bucket Capacity – The amount of material or soil the bucket can hold.
- Tail Swing – Zero‑tail for urban jobs; conventional for extra lift capacity.
- Hydraulic Flow – Check GPM if you run mulchers, breakers or augers.
- Tier‑4 Compliance – Newer models lower emissions and qualify for green‑fleet bids.
- Operating Weight – How much weight the boom arm can take.
- Types of Tracks – What material of tracks a mini excavator has for navigating a job site.
- Rubber tracks are the most popular style of mini excavator tracks for the ability to leave finished surfaces (lawns, paved roads, etc.) undamaged. Rubber tracks on mini excavators are tend to be quieter when in operation in comparison to steel tracks.
- Steel tracks on mini excavators provide superior traction on unfinished surfaces—such as muddy or rocky job sites.
Used Mini Excavator Checklist
Be sure to check for the following on mini excavators before buying:
- Exterior Damage – Cracks, bends and dents are bad in general. Cracks within the boom and stick or between the stick and the bucket are automatic deal breakers. Large cracks and bends could indicate severe structural damage, especially on the undercarriage.
- Leaks – Check out the hoses, lines, and cylinders within the hydraulic pump compartment to make sure there are no leaks. Leaks in the slew ring or swing bearing could loosen connections and make the mini digger less accurate. While not a deal breaker, all leaks will absolutely need to be repaired before the mini excavator can be safely used.
- Scalloping – Check the teeth of the mini digger bucket to make sure they have not bent out of shape. A scalloped bucket may not need to be replaced right away, but it will not be able to dig nearly as well, and it will fail eventually.
- Types of Tracks — What material of tracks a mini excavator has for navigating a job site.
- Rubber tracks are the most popular style of mini excavator tracks for their ability to leave finished surfaces (lawns, paved roads, etc.) undamaged. Rubber tracks on mini excavators tend to be quieter compared to steel tracks.
- Steel tracks on mini excavators provide superior traction on unfinished surfaces—such as muddy or rocky job sites.
Mini Excavator Buyer FAQs
What size is considered a mini excavator?
Anything under 12,000 lbs operating weight (≈5.5 t) falls into the mini or "compact" class—ideal for utilities, landscaping and tight urban sites.
Typical mini‑excavator prices (August 2025)
Used 2018–2022 minis list for about $22,000 – $68,000 depending on hours & options. New 2024–2025 Tier‑4 models generally range $48,000 – $95,000. High‑spec zero‑tail units can top $110,000.
What dig depth do I need?
Most 3–4 t machines dig 9 – 11 ft; 5–6 t minis reach 12 – 13 ft. Match depth to trench specs to avoid overspending on weight you don’t need.
Zero‑tail swing vs. conventional?
Zero‑tail keeps the counterweight inside the tracks—safer against walls and traffic. Conventional tails give more lift capacity per pound but need extra swing clearance.
Do minis require DEF or DPF?
Tier‑4 Final engines under 25 hp are often DPF‑ and DEF‑free; higher‑hp minis may use a diesel particulate filter or after‑treatment. Check the specs so you know maintenance intervals.