What is a mini excavator? What can they do? How much are they going to set you back? These are all important questions, particularly if you are looking for a career change! Fancy trying your hand at landscaping? You’re going to need a mini excavator! In any case, this article is focused on the various jobs that they can perform, how they are transported from one job to another, and how much one is likely going to set you back! Read on if you’d like to find out more about mini excavators…
What is a mini excavator?
What is a mini excavator? Well, as the name suggests, it is a mini machine, that is uses for excavation. Although, as mini suggests, they’re not all that small! However, compared to the sort of machinery that you would spot in a giant ore refinery in Australia, they are tiny! That said, what they lack in gargantuan size, they make up for in usability.
A mini excavator (mini digger, compact excavator, etc), has capabilities similar to a regular excavator, with the additional benefit of being able to work and perform in more confined spaces. So, if you are a landscaper, you will be able to renovate someone’s garden, even if access to the space isn’t the best.
What makes up a mini excavator?
A mini excavator is made up from a boom (the arm), and a bucket attached to the end. There is a cabin that sits on a rotating house (360 degrees), which are fitted with tracks (most typically) or wheels.
What can a mini excavator do?
A mini excavator is typically used for light demolition work, material handling, tree stump removal, construction, and landscaping. Due to these capabilities, mini excavators are typically used for smaller projects (as mentioned above). Here’s a list of some of the jobs that they are used for:
- Swimming pool installation
- Hot tub installation
- Small building demolition
- Repairing sewer lines
- Tree harvesting
- Digging graves
- Home renovations
- Landscaping and gardening projects
- Roadside applications
- General digging
Their mobility, size, and flexibility, makes them perfect for this kind of work. If you specialise in any of the above, or want to start a new business that focuses on this type of work, then a mini excavator will be an essential tool in your arsenal.
How much does a mini excavator cost?
It is difficult to say. A mini excavator can cost anywhere between $25,000 and $150,000 (and upwards). So, when you ask the question “how much does a mini excavator cost?”, the question should be “how much can you afford to spend?”
Of course, a mini excavator is an investment. You wouldn’t buy a mini excavator if you only had to do the one job. You should rent it and return it after use.
When you purchase a mini excavator, it is because it will be a crucial asset to your team. An invaluable piece of machinery that will allow you to work many jobs with speed and precision.
In any case, you will want to get the best possible deal when a buying a mini excavator so be sure to shop around. With plenty of research on the various brands—each with their own perks—you shouldn’t have any trouble finding good value for money. The same applies for finding a mini excavator trailer for sale; shop around and ensure that the trailer in question was designed to support your new mini excavator.
There are lots of options around and you will certainly be able to find used options. If you can, there’s always perks to buying a second hand mini excavator, especially one that has been well-taken care of. Most business owners aren’t in the habit of selling faulty equipment, as it can only come to bite their business and reputation in the proverbial bottom.
When it comes to buying used mini excavator trailers on the other hand, it isn’t always worth it. Brand-new aluminium mini excavator trailers are cheap enough to buy and always better of brand-new.
How do you transport them?
Even though they are called mini excavators, it doesn’t mean that they can be slipped into your pocket, or chucked in the back of the van to take to the next job. Joking aside, you can’t exactly drive them on the road either. You’d spend half your life on the road holding up traffic and annoying a lot of people.
There is however, a very simply transportation solution: using Australian made aluminium trailers. A purpose designed mini excavator trailer made with aluminium is the ideal way for transporting it. You simply attach the trailer to your car, load the mini excavator onto the trailer using aluminium loading ramps, and then you are good to go! Of course, don’t forget to read up on the best practices for loading and unloading mini excavators onto a trailer. The last thing you want is to either topple it over, or for it to fall off the trailer in transit!
Conclusion
So, mini excavators are compact machines used for digging and replacing earth. They are so compact in fact, that they can be popped onto a trailer and moved from A to B with relative easy. In terms of price however, the fact that they vary so much in value means that giving you can accurate figure would be difficult. You need to figure out whether or not you want to buy brand new, and what you will be using your excavator for. Shop around plenty, do your research, and you’ll find the best match for you!
