Every excavator size has different applications and advantages. That's why picking the right excavator size is crucial to finding the best equipment for you. Excavator sizes come in a wide range and making the right choice can be overwhelming.
Need help deciding between excavator sizes? Heavy Machinery Hub is here to help!
In this excavator size guide, we'll go over what you need to know to make your decision. We'll cover different excavator size classes. We'll even go through the projects each excavator size is best for. Review your options to make a decision.
Excavator Size Guide
We are including four sizes in this excavator size guide:
- Mini Excavators
- Midi Excavators
- Standard Excavators
- Large Excavators
Let's go over each to help you find your match!
Mini Excavators
Mini excavators are the smallest class in our excavator size comparison. Also known as compact or small, mini excavators weigh less than six tons (12,000 pounds).
Want the job done faster than it would take by hand, but don't need a standard excavator? Mini excavators are for you!
Mini excavators are quick and easy to use. Their small size makes them an asset to tight job sites with hard-to-reach areas. They're also easy to transport from site to site. This is great for projects with multiple locations.
Mini excavators aren't as powerful as heavier excavators. However, their lighter weight has its own benefits. They can operate on soft terrain without damaging the surface. They can also navigate finished sites safely, unlike standard and large excavators.
Another potential drawback is their limited dig depth or lift capacity. However, mini excavators offer greater precision than larger digging equipment. This makes them a great fit for sites with many pipes or gas lines underground. This includes:
- Foundational repair
- Subdivision sewer repairs
- Water line installations
Midi Excavators
Midi, medium, or mid-sized excavators weigh between six to ten tons (12,000 to 20,000 pounds). In this excavator size comparison, they're the second smallest size.
Medium excavators are necessary to many operators. Their high maneuverability is similar to a small model. On the other hand, their reach and power is closer to a normal-sized model. Overall, they're a great size for all needs that fall between mini and standard. This includes:
- Utility work
- Trench digging
- Installing plumbing fixtures and pipes
Standard Excavators
Standard excavators are also called full-sized. They weigh between 10 and 45 tons (20,000 to 90,000 pounds). They're the second biggest class in this excavator size guide.
Standard excavators are very versatile. They offer more power and reach than smaller models. They're also able to handle multiple attachments. This allows them to handle a lot of tough jobs. They're best suited for:
- Rough grading for commercial sites
- Brush cutting, which is done with the help of hydraulic attachments
- River dredging
Standard excavators come with their own set of challenges. Their size, reach, and tail swing can make operating in tight spaces difficult. Standard sizes can cause damage to finished sites or soft soil. Due to their larger size, they also pose transportation and storage problems. However, their size allows them to have more power than smaller models.
Standard excavators are a strong, powerful option for big commercial sites. They can handle most construction jobs and are the most commonly purchased excavator size.
Large Excavators
Now for the biggest class in our excavator size comparison: large excavators. Large excavators weigh upwards of 45 tons (90,000 pounds).
Of the different excavator sizes, large excavators offer maximum power and capacity. This makes them best suited for heavy-duty jobs. Large excavators are meant for major construction and demolition projects like:
- Pipeline installation
- Moving large amounts of dirt and earth for civil engineering needs
- Digging foundations for big areas. This includes shopping centers, apartment complexes, college campuses, or mines
Large excavators have a very strong work capacity. However, they present transportation and storage problems. It's also more difficult to navigate tough terrain with large excavators.
If you have big projects that require top-tier power, a large excavator is for you!
Purchasing Equipment
Hopefully, this excavator size guide helps you in your decision. Once you decide on an excavator size, it's time to find equipment.
Use Heavy Machinery Hub to find excavators and compare pricing. With Heavy Machinery Hub, the road to getting equipment is smooth and simple.
Click here if you're interested in purchasing equipment. Fill out your specifications at the top of the page. From there, Heavy Machinery Hub will give you free quotes.
Find top-quality equipment at the best price possible.
