← Mini Excavator
CAT CLASS: HQ-10193
8,000-13,500 lb Mini Excavator
The 8,000-13,500 lb mini excavator class—commonly called the 4-6 ton range—represents the industry's most-specified mini excavator size. These machines deliver dig depths beyond 10 feet and operating reach to 17 feet while remaining towable on standard equipment trailers. This size bridges the gap between compactsite-access machines and full-size excavators, offering production-level bucket capacity with minimal site disturbance.
717
Models
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Cat classes
Pick a size class — capacity and reach differ across the range.
All sizes
717 models
Up to 4,000 lb
77 models
4,000-8,000 lb
89 models
8,000-13,500 lb
146 models
Other sizes
405 models
Key specifications
| Specification | Typical range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Max dig depth | 10–13 ft (3.0–4.0 m) | Sufficient for utility trenches, residential foundations, and drainage work below frost lines. |
| Max reach | 17–21 ft (5.2–6.4 m) | Horizontal digging radius for working across roadways or from stable ground positions. |
| Bucket capacity | 0.3–0.8 cu yd | Full-size bucket volumes for productive excavation without requiring compactor-class machines. |
| Operating weight | 8,800–13,200 lb (3,992–5,987 kg) | Heavy enough for stability in production digging, light enough for legal trailer transport. |
| Engine power | 38–49 hp | Diesel engines sized for continuous hydraulic demand and all-day operation. |
How to choose
This size class suits utility installation, residential foundation work, and site preparation where dig depth exceeds 10 feet and bucket productivity matters. The 4,000-8,000 lb Mini Excavator is the better choice when access gates, weight-sensitive surfaces, or extremely tight working envelopes dictate a narrower footprint and lighter ground pressure. Contractors step down to the lighter class for indoor demolition, landscape work in finished yards, or transport in pickup beds. The 8,000-13,500 lb class remains the default for open-site excavation, drainage systems, and commercial utility rough-ins where legal trailer transport is required but full-size excavator reach and bucket size are not.
What this size handles
- Utility trenching for water, sewer, and electrical service to 12 ft depth
- Residential and light-commercial foundation excavation and backfill
- Drainage system installation including catch basins and retention ponds
- Site grading and pad preparation for small commercial buildings
- Roadside ditch work and culvert installation from stable shoulders
- Demolition of residential foundations and below-grade structures
Safety & operation
- Operator certification per OSHA 1926 Subpart P for excavation and trenching work required in most jurisdictions
- ROPS (roll-over protective structure) and FOPS (falling object protective structure) cabs standard on most models
- Ground pressure of 4–6 psi requires evaluation of subsurface utilities, soil bearing capacity, and underground voids
- Swing radius and tail overhang exceed machine width; barricades or spotters necessary in shared-access areas
Transport & logistics
- Trailers legally on tandem-axle equipment trailers rated 14,000–16,000 lb GVWR without overweight permits
- Towed by 3/4-ton and 1-ton pickup trucks or medium-duty contractor trucks meeting trailer and load ratings
- Loaded via walk-on ramps or tilt-bed trailers; hydraulic thumb and bucket typically removed for width clearance
Power & supply
- Diesel fuel capacity of 15–32 gallons supports 6–10 hours of continuous operation depending on load
- Refueled on-site from diesel transfer tanks or service trucks; no external electrical power required
Frequently asked
What differentiates the 8,000-13,500 lb class from lighter mini excavators?
This class reaches dig depths of 10–13 feet and swings bucket capacities of 0.5–0.8 cubic yards, matching the productivity of entry-level full-size excavators while remaining trailer-towable without permits. Lighter classes trade reach and bucket size for tighter access and reduced ground pressure.
Can this size class be transported in a pickup truck bed?
No. Operating weights of 8,800–13,200 lb exceed pickup bed payload ratings. This class requires tandem-axle equipment trailers rated for 14,000+ lb gross weight, towed by appropriately rated trucks.
What track width range does this class cover?
Track widths span 350–600 mm (14–24 inches), with overall machine widths of 5–7 feet. Retractable undercarriage models reduce width for gate access, then extend for working stability.
Compare popular models
Find by spec →Normalised to the same units. A dash means the figure was not published.
| Model | Operating weight | Max dig depth | Max reach | Engine power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kubota KX057-5 | 12,200 lb (5,534 kg) | 12 ft (3.7 m) | - | 48 hp |
| Kubota U55-5 | 12,247 lb (5,555 kg) | 11 ft (3.4 m) | - | 48 hp |
| Takeuchi TB240 | 8,576 lb (3,890 kg) | 11 ft (3.4 m) | 18.2 ft (5.5 m) | 36 hp |
| Takeuchi TB260 | 12,125 lb (5,500 kg) | 12 ft (3.7 m) | 20.6 ft (6.3 m) | 48 hp |
| Wacker Neuson EZ50 | 10,179 lb (4,617 kg) | 12 ft (3.7 m) | - | 44 hp |
| Bobcat E50z | 11,023 lb (5,000 kg) | - | - | 42 hp |
Related equipment
Browse by manufacturer
Sources
Every specification is verified against the manufacturer's published data, with the source linked for reference.
8,000-13,500 lb Mini Excavator
146 models · Page 1 of 4 · Every spec cited to source
Hyundai Construction Equipment R80-9A
17,637 lb (8,000 kg)
64 hp
13.6 ft (4.1 m)
→
JCB 85Z-2
17,637 lb (8,000 kg)
→
JCB 86C-2
17,637 lb (8,000 kg)
→
Hyundai Construction Equipment R35Z-9AK
8,025 lb (3,640 kg)
25 hp
→
Hitachi ZX33U-6
8,025 lb (3,640 kg)
25 hp
9.7 ft (3.0 m)
→
New Holland E70SR
17,747 lb (8,050 kg)
55 hp
→
Komatsu PC78US-11
17,813 lb (8,080 kg)
→
John Deere 35P
8,135 lb (3,690 kg)
23 hp
3.1 ft (0.9 m)
→
Kubota KX033-4
8,137 lb (3,691 kg)
25 hp
→
Bobcat E37
8,157 lb (3,700 kg)
→
Yanmar ViO35-6A
8,214 lb (3,726 kg)
→
New Holland E37C
8,300 lb (3,765 kg)
10 ft (3.0 m)
→
Takeuchi TB138FR
8,316 lb (3,772 kg)
29 hp
→
Volvo EC37
8,344 lb (3,785 kg)
25 hp
→
Komatsu PC35MR-5 E1
8,367 lb (3,795 kg)
→
Bobcat E32
8,497 lb (3,854 kg)
12.8 ft (3.9 m)
→
Kioti MX350A
8,510 lb (3,860 kg)
22 hp
→
Hyundai Construction Equipment HX35AZ
8,554 lb (3,880 kg)
25 hp
9.8 ft (3.0 m)
→
Case CX36
8,569 lb (3,887 kg)
23 hp
→
Case CX36B
8,569 lb (3,887 kg)
23 hp
→
Takeuchi TB240
8,576 lb (3,890 kg)
36 hp
11 ft (3.4 m)
→
New Holland E38D
8,620 lb (3,910 kg)
10 ft (3.0 m)
→
Bobcat A300
8,673 lb (3,934 kg)
81 hp
→
Hitachi ZX38U-6
8,675 lb (3,935 kg)
25 hp
10.7 ft (3.3 m)
→
Volvo ECR40
8,785 lb (3,985 kg)
25 hp
→
Develon DX35Z-7
8,807 lb (3,995 kg)
10 ft (3.0 m)
→
Caterpillar 304
8,818 lb (4,000 kg)
34 hp
→
Case CX40B
8,818 lb (4,000 kg)
→
Bobcat E38
8,823 lb (4,002 kg)
12.8 ft (3.9 m)
→
Case 465
8,911 lb (4,042 kg)
82 hp
→
Case 440CT
8,913 lb (4,043 kg)
89 hp
→
Kobelco SK35SR-7 Canopy
8,999 lb (4,082 kg)
24 hp
11 ft (3.4 m)
→
New Holland T6000
9,061 lb (4,110 kg)
110 hp
→
Kioti MX350AE
9,105 lb (4,130 kg)
22 hp
→
Bobcat E40
9,180 lb (4,164 kg)
10.9 ft (3.3 m)
→
Kubota KX040-5
9,182 lb (4,165 kg)
→
Bobcat E42
9,246 lb (4,194 kg)
42 hp
10.5 ft (3.2 m)
→
XCMG XE35U(Cab)
9,259 lb (4,200 kg)
24 hp
→
XCMG XE35U(Canopy)
9,259 lb (4,200 kg)
24 hp
→
Kobelco SK35SR-7 Cab
9,341 lb (4,237 kg)
24 hp
11 ft (3.4 m)
→
Takeuchi TB216H
9,429 lb (4,277 kg)
7 ft (2.1 m)
→
Yanmar SV40
9,515 lb (4,316 kg)
→
New Holland E42D
9,590 lb (4,350 kg)
43 hp
10 ft (3.0 m)
→
Caterpillar 3508B
9,601 lb (4,355 kg)
1,301 hp
→
Wacker Neuson DV60
9,665 lb (4,384 kg)
→
Kubota KX040-4
9,747 lb (4,421 kg)
40 hp
→
Case 445CT
9,815 lb (4,452 kg)
80 hp
→
Develon DX42-7
9,877 lb (4,480 kg)
11 ft (3.4 m)
→
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