While some applications require the power of a standard or large excavator, power isn’t everything when it comes to certain jobs. Mini excavators offer several advantages over their larger counterparts, including:
- Less impact. Because they are smaller and lighter, mini excavators leave reduced track marks and cause less ground damage.
- Smaller footprint. Compact mini excavators are easier to work with when a work site is small or crowded, like a parking lot.
- Easy transport. Mini excavators can be loaded onto the back of a utility truck or relatively small trailer for simple transfer between job sites.
- Low transportation weight. Several Cat mini excavator models have an operating weight of less than 10,000 lbs., which means you may be able to trailer and tow a mini excavator with a standard Class C California driver’s license.
Mini excavators are ideal for jobs that take place within a tight area. Working in a backyard, for example, involves having to maneuver through gates and around a small space. A mini excavator can perform the same functions a standard excavator can, but it does so on a smaller scale. This can significantly speed up jobs where digging would otherwise have to be done manually.