Compact Excavators and Their Advantages

Job Access
Many applications are suitable for compact excavators, such as landscaping, plumbing and utility work, and indoor demolition, but Quatro points out that they excel in areas where space is limited. “Our 1- to 2-ton models include a retractable undercarriage and a folding dozer blade as standard equipment, allowing the machines greater access into tight spaces on the job site. Also standard are auxiliary hydraulics and fittings. This allows a variety of attachments to be used, including breakers and augers.”

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Access is one of the most important advantages of small excavators. “The world and how we work has changed,” CAT’s Worley muses. “Labor is not always available these days, so we need to use machines to replace manual labor. They are far more effective than manual labor.”

Compact excavators are ideal in locations that require a unit to operate in tight quarters. “The Yanmar excavators are either ultra-tight tail models or true zero tail swing models, allowing them to work very closely to existing structures,” says Berkhimer. “For example, the boom swing feature allows the operator to dig right against foundations.” In addition, he says the SV08 and ViO17 models have variable track widths and can fit through a doorway as small as 36 inches, allowing them to work inside a building or a backyard gate.

They definitely are the most sensible when you can’t get your larger machine in or around the job site you’re going to be working on. “I mean, they perform the same way as the larger machines,” Brenton insists. “It’s just a matter of mobility for them.”

Compact excavators are very productive and are found on many of today’s job sites because their size enables them to work in confined and sensitive areas where large machines cannot or will not go, says Shebetka.

There are many job site conditions in which use of a compact excavator makes the most sense. They’re ideal for working in tight spaces, making them popular with contractors who need to work in between large buildings or houses. They’re also perfect for sensitive worksites because of their light footprint, Young explains, adding that customers often choose compact excavators when they need to be mindful of the physical impact they may have on roads or private yards.

Small Advantages
Another important consideration is transportation. These smaller units are also easier to transport than their larger counterparts.

As their name implies, compact excavators can pack a lot of power within a small space, providing advantages that larger machines cannot. “One of their biggest advantages is their ability to be transported easily,” says Deere’s Young. “Because they can be towed behind a large pickup truck or trailer, they can greatly increase a contractor’s mobility, particularly in cities where large trucks are prohibited or where a permit is needed.”

Of course, you have to take into consideration what you are capable of towing, advises Jason Archbold, marketing manager at Bobcat. “Most people try to stay under 10,000 pounds with a trailer. You have to get a CDL for a machine at 8,000 pounds and go through drug screening.”

The most popular compact excavator is the 3–4-metric-ton class due to size and weight, says Jacobsmeyer. “This size of machine is typically the largest compact excavator that can be hauled on a trailer without having to have a commercial driver’s license.” In addition, the compact size causes less collateral damage to the surroundings when performing underground repairs or remodels near existing landscapes or structures.

In relation to transportation to and from the jobsite, Quatro notes. “Compact excavators can be hauled on smaller trailers behind a pickup truck, in most cases. This cuts down on operational costs and reduces the need for special permits [and] commercial licenses.”

Case’s CX37C—a 7,990-pound machine—represents one of the most popular size classes for residential construction applications, Brenton states. “This is a powerful machine with bucket digging forces up to 6,900 pounds of force and over 10 feet of dig depth, but it is still small enough to be towed by a pickup truck. In many states, it can be towed without a CDL.”

Shebetka provides list of advantages of compact excavators:

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• They have the ability to get into confined and sensitive areas
• They exert low ground pressure
• They feature auxiliary hydraulics for greater attachment versatility
• They’re easy to haul
• They can dig offset without repositioning the excavator
• They have a backfill blade with float and an angle option for light finish work
• They have low ownership and operation costs

One advantage to note is the ability to work with a variety of attachments through the use of auxiliary hydraulics. “You really get an idea of how versatile mini excavators can be when you look at the variety of attachments that are available for them,” says Brenton. “Not only do you have buckets for standard digging applications, you also have augers, hammers, and plate compactors. These are incredibly versatile machines.”

The versatility of mini excavators resonates with grading and excavation contractors because of the challenges associated with the work. Kuchynka provides an example: “While hydraulic breakers are typically used to break concrete, there’s also a ripper-type bucket that can cut through soil that has a high concentration of rock.”

The smaller machines are excellent if the operator needs to change between different bucket sizes or different working attachments with the use of a quick coupler. Hydraulic quick couplers allow the operator to do this, Berkhimer explains. “The blade equipped as standard can be used to backfill a trench without the need for an additional piece of equipment.”

In addition to their compact size, Case’s C Series mini excavators are available in zero tail swing, short-radius, and conventional configurations, depending on the needs and specifications of the equipment owner. There is also a long-arm option that includes a counterweight. “This is ideal when an operator needs to get more work done without having to reposition the machine,” Brenton explains. They also feature an adjustable boom with the ability to offset left or right to work closer to buildings and obstacles, which is especially helpful when digging along foundations in tight urban areas.

Their smallest model—the CX17C—features a variable-width undercarriage and adjustable blade that is capable of passing through most common gates, in addition to working on confined job sites close to buildings and in developed areas. “Their size makes them ideal machines for a variety of small to mid-sized jobs, like small trench work, digging for sewer line repairs, or irrigations ditches. They are great for a variety of landscaping applications as well—digging ponds and water features, stump removal, etc.—as many compact models are able to access backyards and other residential areas. They are also great machines for demolition work on sheds or other small structures.

The popularity of mini excavators has a lot to do with the fact that they can make a wide range of applications more productive, Kuchynka believes. “Zero tail swing, universal attachments, and quick couplers are all major productivity enhancements.”

To get more out of their machines and increase production, compact excavator owners turn to attachments. With the right attachment, it can become “more than just an excavator,” says Archbold. “People recognize that they can excavate, trench, and do demolition when they have the right attachment.” Bobcat offers rippers, grapples, breakers, compactors, and augers to accomplish different tasks.

A hydraulic thumb is useful for managing the manipulation of irregularly-shaped objects, debris, and rocks. “Kubota’s Hydraulic Thumb Kit continues to be a popular option among our customers because it greatly enhances excavator versatility,” Jacobsmeyer states. Advanced load-sensing hydraulics with an adjustable auxiliary flow allows the operator to dial in the flow rate needed for any attachment.

New coupling designs have dramatically shortened the turnaround time for changing out attachments, which makes it efficient to move from one job to the next. The couplers also improve safety because they reduce the manual labor required to change out attachments.

In 1998, Bobcat introduced Quick Tach. “You can switch in less than one minute without getting off the machine,” says Connor. “Five minutes for hydraulic attachments. It used to take 20–30 minutes to change attachments.”

The centre boom Kramers look absolute beast, if they are anything like their side boom machines they will be very smart to drive, very quiet and absolutely zero effort to work with because there is so much hydraulic grunt on tap. The only way if you can tell if it is for you is by trying it? I don't know how much overhang there is front and rear- with that fixed length you won't have the ability to get into places like a bendy would but on the plus side you would have all the visibility of a centre boom without the de-rating effect of pivoting with a load up?

Wil it fit your sheds/yard is the main issue. Be a riot in the field provided you don't need lots of height for stacking bales but people manage I guess, just don't stack as high?

For the operator, I think for your money the centre boom machines have a nicer cabin with more space and the like so a nicer place to spend the day.

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