Mini excavator prices vary widely based on the size of the machine, the depth it is capable of digging, the horsepower and the features you select. Prices range from $20,000 to $90,000, although most models fall in the $30,000 to $40,000 range.

Used Excavator Average Costs Most new excavators cost anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000. That leaves a wide range of prices for used models. Most fall in the range of $50,000 to $250,000. A mid-sized, five-year-old excavator with 2,500 hours might run anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000, depending on the condition.

On average, used mini excavators range in cost between $15,000 and $30,000. A used mini excavator with a dig depth less than 10′ and less than 20 horsepower has an average cost between $15,000 and $20,000.

An excavator can dig between 10 to 48 feet deep. You shouldn’t push an excavator beyond its limits because it could overheat the engine, bend the bucket, or break the mechanical arm. If you want to dig deeper than 48 feet, you’ll have to create a slope to drive the vehicle down, then continue to dig.

The hottest mini excavators on the market

• Takeuchi TB216H mini excavator.
• Kubota U55-4 mini excavator.
• Bobcat E50 mini excavator.
• Caterpillar 301.8 mini excavator.
• Kubota KX040-4 mini excavator.
• Sunward SWE18UB mini excavator.
• Agrison ME850 mini excavator.
• Case CX26c mini excavator.

Here is a list of ten important considerations for buying a new excavator.

• Operating weight/size, Application. It’s important to match the right size machine to the tasks at hand.
• Hydraulics.
• Transportation/Access.
• Controls.
• Operator Comfort and Ergonomics.
• Tracks and undercarriage.
• Tier 4 solutions.
• Additional features.

When comparing mini excavators, a few of the primary factors to consider are its digging depth, dump height, and operating weight. These three considerations almost always affect the type and size of machine you get as they directly impact the level of productivity on the jobsite.

Excavating, digging and trenching: A skid steer is great for earthmoving tasks like digging, trenching and excavating. With these attachments, you can also scoop up rocks while you level the ground without leaving big trenches behind.

I’ve found that on average anything above 2,000 hours, in a skid steer, is pushing high hours. There will be exceptions to this rule, I’ve seen nice skid steers with 3,500 hours on them and I’ve seen junk skid swith 1,200 hours on them. I’d say 2,000-2,500 hours is typically a worn out skid steer.