Mini Excavators Upcoming Auctions in United Kingdom

Mini Diggers - An Overview

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Typical Used Mini Digger - Here a Yanmar SV16 from 2015

Mini excavators can measure as little as one metre wide, which means that they can be used for highway maintenance and other tasks that require that as little space is taken up by machinery and the workforce as possible. While diesel engines will power larger models, even in this category, there are smaller variants which rely on petrol power plants. Meanwhile, hydraulics will take care of the operation of the boom, with different bucket heads and other attachments available. Some hydraulic systems on these machines will have an additional circuit for added convenience and functionality. Quick coupling may be a desirable option, especially if an excavator is going to be taking on various duties throughout its deployment - doubling up on certain responsibilities to save having two machines out in the field.

Tracked (Crawler) vs. Wheeled Mini Diggers

For manoeuvrability a mini excavator may feature either tracks or wheels, with the former being more common. While full-size tracked excavators will have metal tracks, the smaller and lighter counterparts will instead feature rubber tracks. This not only makes them more affordable to maintain, but also means they generate less noise when in motion, which can be an important consideration for some contractors.

Used Mini Excavators

Second-hand mini excavators which are supplied with more than one bucket can be found, while others may come set up to accommodate a hammer or blade head on the end of the boom. These components, as well as the hydraulics that power them, must be inspected before the purchase is completed. The same goes for the undercarriage, tracks or wheels.

At the upper end of the mini excavator market you will find models with fully glazed cabs, protecting operators from the elements. The cabs can benefit from comfortable seating and advanced controls to allow for precise levels of operation. Meanwhile, the most compact variants will be partially covered or entirely open, with a roll bar at the very least included to improve safety. Brands including JCB, Caterpillar and Komatsu all produce mini excavators for deployment in a number of industries, with operating weights starting at under 1000kg and rising to over 30,000kg found within this category.

Buying a used mini excavator will require the buyer to consider the number of hours that a prospective machine has under its belt. The longer its usage history, the more wear and tear its components will have experienced. With proper maintenance and upkeep, a mini digger can work or thousands of hours and still provide plenty of value to a new owner.

Looking for a full sized crawler excavator?