Excavator and mini excavator - which one to choose?

Mechanization and automation processes have become an inseparable part of our everyday lives. When we need to dig a foundation for a newly built house or during any small earthworks, we do not even think about shovels, but browse through different construction machines.

There are so many possibilities and so many options that the choice between an excavator and a mini excavator can be really challenging.

Is a mini excavator better for earthmoving work, or should you invest in an excavator and a loader? Or would a front end loader work better? Before you start digging, check out these tips!

What is a mini excavator?

A mini excavator, also known as a compact excavator, is a wheeled or tracked construction equipment. Compared to full-size excavators, mini excavators are lighter (typically weighing between 0.8 and 1.5 tons) and smaller in size.

For these reasons, they are ideally suited for jobs that require the equipment to reach small spaces and move efficiently, for example, inside buildings and on uneven, confined terrain. Due to their small size, they are also easier to transport and move around compared to full-size models.

What's more, the cab of the mini excavator can be rotated 360 degrees without changing the position of the attachment, which makes the operator's job easier and saves time.

This type of excavator is very useful in many industries where small size is important - maneuverable and able to operate in less accessible places and limited space.

It is ideal for jobs such as digging ditches, manholes, or pre-laying sidewalks, drains and electrical installations. This construction machine is also suitable for road and building works and tasks where there is a risk of damaging the surface with a heavy excavator.

Despite its compact size, it has a robust and safe design and can be equipped with advanced features that you should look for when choosing a machine.

What is the difference between a mini excavator and a backhoe loader?

While it may seem that backhoe loaders and excavators can perform the exact same tasks, there are a number of differences between the two that can directly affect how and when the work is completed.

Backhoe Loader

A backhoe loader is a versatile construction machine with three hydraulically driven components - the tractor, loader and backhoe loader - that work together as one machine. Backhoe loaders use either a center-mounted or side-shift mechanism. They are powerful and useful on the jobsite:

- central mount: the excavator mount is connected in the middle of the back of the machine. There are two legs on either side of the mount to keep the machine stable,
- side slide: the excavator mount is on stabilized frame rails that extend from the side and move vertically. This allows the operator to work from the side without having to change the position.

Backhoe loaders vary in size and power rating, which affect their performances. A standard backhoe loader has a typical loader layout at the front. However, at the back of the machine there is a tool-in-use system, with a large bucket. This feature also distinguishes backhoe loaders from loaders - the latter have only one tool-in-use system mounted at the front of the vehicle.

Depending on your needs, you can choose a standard model or one with an extended bucket arm for greater reach and digging depth. Smaller machines with less power are suitable for small-scale projects such as low-rise housing developments, while more powerful equipment is ideal for larger-scale construction sites and large-scale projects.

With additional attachments such as a pallet fork, drill, sweeper, demolition hammer or grinder or milling machine, you can use your backhoe loader for even more demanding jobs such as drilling or paving.

Backhoe loaders are ideal for large or dispersed job sites that require multiple needs to be met at the same time. This equipment can combine the capabilities of several machines.

Loader

What is a loader used for and is it useful to you? A loader will do the job of loading excavated material, building materials, debris or sand. However, bear in mind that unlike a backhoe loader, a loader usually picks up material on the move, so working with a loader is slightly different.

Types of excavators

An excavator is an earth-moving construction machine that has many applications in a wide variety of jobs due to its size and weight. The distinguishing feature of an excavator is the ability to rotate the chassis and boom as one unit by 360 degrees.

The excavator is primarily used in industrial and commercial facilities to perform a variety of jobs including digging holes and trenches, lifting and setting, landscaping, demolition and brush cutting with appropriate attachments.

Excavators use a variety of hydraulic attachments such as a demolition hammer, grapple, auger and quick coupler. This equipment is used for different digging methods that can be used in almost any construction site.

Excavators are a great choice for medium to heavy loads. However, when deciding on this type of equipment, you need to take into account both its size and weight, which require appropriate terrain conditions (an excavator can damage poor pavements).

Excavators can be divided into four groups based on:

- type of undercarriage: crawler, wheeled, walking, placed on a trailer, placed on another vehicle,
- drive: diesel, electric and diesel-electric,
- working attachments: backhoe, backhoe, grab, collector, mini excavators,
- system of work: working in a continuous or intermittent system.

What to consider when weighing the choice between an excavator and a mini excavator?

Before you decide on a particular type and size of excavator, make a list of your needs and capabilities, taking into account the size and condition of the job site, the purpose of the work, particular tasks to be performed and your budget.

When choosing an enclosed or open cab machine, also consider the time of year and any hazards on the job site. Depending on the model you choose, some excavators and mini excavators come with additional features, such as air conditioning or a built-in radio, for better work comfort. When choosing between a mini excavator and backhoe, consider the following:

Site conditions

Sites with soft terrain will ideally benefit from the light tread of a mini excavator, while more rugged environments can benefit from the durability of an excavator without fear of damage.

Choose a mini excavator if the job site is indoors and has noise regulations or the terrain is small and difficult to navigate. This type of machine can reach it more easily due to its controlled maneuverability and minimal rocking motions.

Because some mini excavators have tracks instead of wheels, they are often a safer choice in hilly or slippery terrain that requires extra traction.

This is especially important if you're working outside in the winter or during heavy rain. In a nutshell, it's worth having a mini excavator in your fleet of vehicles to be used in any construction site.

Current and future equipment use

Take a look at the type of projects you plan to complete in the future with your new machine. What type of work and site conditions will you face? Do you plan to do a variety of earthmoving jobs, such as digging holes or loading earth onto a transport vehicle at construction sites? Or maybe your main work area will be small house lots or sidewalk sites?

If future works will not require heavy equipment or sites that are difficult to access, a mini excavator is suggested. This may include small lots, working in narrow spaces, near fences or walls.

On the other hand, if the work requires digging up a large amount of soil, leveling the area after construction work, an excavator will probably perform better in these tasks because of its efficiency.

Backhoe loader on a wheeled tractor

Backhoe loaders are considered to be the most versatile construction machines. If they are mounted on a wheeled tractor, their versatility is increased due to the ease of transporting the machine and the greater possibilities for use in various tasks, from road works, or work on the water and sewage system to sweeping. Wheeled drive gives the possibility to use a backhoe loader in much more places than tracked equipment.

Backhoe Operator - Requirements

A candidate for a construction equipment operator, such as an excavator or loader, must meet several requirements before he or she can receive a document authorizing to work with the machine. To become a professional excavator operator, it is important to receive proper training and learn how to operate the machine safely and effectively.

Attempting to operate an excavator without proper training can lead to serious injuries, damage and even a hefty fine. In addition to formal training, an excavator operator must:

- have a high school diploma or equivalent,
- be at least 18 years old,
- not have vision problems,
- be in good physical shape,
- have a driver's license, and sometimes a CDL,
- have a good knowledge of basic mechanics,
- have good coordination skills to operate levers and pedals simultaneously.