How much does a Mini Excavator weigh?

When considering purchasing or renting a mini excavator, weight is a major factor. You’ll need to tow the excavator on a trailer and ensure you don’t tip the machine with heavy attachments.

In this blog, we will discuss how much mini excavators weigh and how to choose the right size excavator for your needs.

Key Takeaways:

• The average weight of a mini excavator is 8,246 pounds.
• The average weight of an 18” mini excavator bucket is 184 pounds.
• The average weight of a mini excavator hydraulic hammer is 2,075 pounds.
• The average weight of a mini excavator brush cutter is 852 pounds.

How Much Does a Mini Excavator Weigh?

The weight of mini excavators ranges from as low as 2,300 pounds to as high as 20,000 pounds. Therefore, it is important to check the owner's manual of the mini excavator you're working with for the exact weight.

When I decided to research mini excavator weights, I used Bobcat and Kubota mini excavators to collect data because these are the two most popular brands on the market.

The average weight of Bobcat’s 11 models of mini excavators was 8,965 pounds. The lightest model is the Bobcat E10 at 2,593 pounds, while the heaviest model is the E88 at 19,600 pounds.

Bobcat’s E38 model represents the exact middle weight in their lineup at 7,893 pounds, with half the fleet being heavier and half being lighter.

Kubota mini excavators had similar findings, with an average weight of 8,246 pounds. The lightest model is the K008 at 2,315 pounds, and the heaviest model is the KX080 at 18,706 pounds.

The KX033 is the median weight mini excavator in the Kubota lineup, weighing 7,938 pounds.

Putting it all together, the average mini excavator weighs 8,246 pounds, with half weighing more than 7,938 pounds and half weighing less.

List of Mini Excavator Weights

How Much Do Mini Excavator Attachments Weigh?

The weight of your mini excavator's attachments shouldn’t be overlooked. Here is a quick guide to the average weights of common mini excavator attachments, based on data from Blue Diamond Attachments:

Buckets

• 12” bucket: Average weight 142 pounds
• 18” bucket: Average weight 184 pounds
• 24” bucket: Average weight 212 pounds

Hydraulic Hammer

Hydraulic hammers for mini excavators range in weight from as light as 132 pounds up to 6,614 pounds. The average weight of a hydraulic hammer is 2,075 pounds, with the median weight being 1,025 pounds.

Brush Cutter

The weight of mini excavator brush cutters ranges from 552 pounds to 1,216 pounds. The average weight is 852 pounds, with the median weight being 675 pounds.

Choosing The Right Mini Excavator

The ideal way to find the right excavator for a project is to understand its purpose. Knowing precisely what role the excavator will play on-site will help determine the type of excavator required.

As a result, your job can become more efficient. It is often better to rent the right size equipment for a specific task rather than trying to make one piece fit various jobs.

As a starting point, when considering a mini excavator, check the owner's manual for the machine's weight. Ensure the mini excavator is heavy enough not to tip when using your attachments, and make sure you can properly tow the excavator and attachments.

Typical jobs requiring Mini Excavators

Mini excavators are popular machines because of their versatility, with many uses for various construction jobs. As previously mentioned, mini excavators are often used for smaller projects in construction and landscaping. These include:

• Installing pools or hot tubs
• Demolition of small buildings
• Repairing sewer pipes
• Tree harvesting
• Brush cutting
• Landscaping projects
• General digging projects

Mini Excavator or Standard Excavator

Mini excavators and standard excavators are both excellent machines, but each is suited to different tasks. While mini excavators can be ideal for specific jobs, it's crucial to choose an excavator based on project requirements rather than personal preference.

The compact size of mini excavators makes them well-suited for high-traffic work sites and working around other equipment. They are easier to maneuver over parking lots and more convenient to transport between job sites. Additionally, mini excavators generally have a longer lifespan, as they are used for less intense projects compared to standard excavators.

Both types of excavators can accommodate various attachments for added versatility. The wide range of attachments available for mini excavators allows them to be utilized in numerous industries and applications, including agriculture, forestry, landscaping, and construction.

If you need assistance with purchasing mini excavator attachments, please do not hesitate to contact us.