← 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
28
Brands
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 2 of 4 · Every spec cited to source
Takeuchi TB045
10,093 lb (4,578 kg)
43 hp
11.5 ft (3.5 m)
→
Takeuchi TL240
10,115 lb (4,588 kg)
83 hp
→
Wacker Neuson EZ50
10,179 lb (4,617 kg)
44 hp
12 ft (3.7 m)
→
Wacker Neuson ET42
10,183 lb (4,619 kg)
11.6 ft (3.5 m)
→
Kobelco SK45SRX-7 Canopy
10,296 lb (4,670 kg)
37 hp
11.2 ft (3.4 m)
→
Takeuchi TL10
10,318 lb (4,680 kg)
92 hp
→
Caterpillar P32-33
10,494 lb (4,760 kg)
610 hp
→
JCB 55Z-1
10,565 lb (4,792 kg)
48 hp
→
XCMG XE45E
10,582 lb (4,800 kg)
40 hp
→
Takeuchi TB250-2
10,646 lb (4,829 kg)
12 ft (3.7 m)
→
Kobelco SK45SRX-7 Cab
10,648 lb (4,830 kg)
37 hp
11.2 ft (3.4 m)
→
Bobcat E48
10,666 lb (4,838 kg)
12.4 ft (3.8 m)
→
Furukawa Fx800 QTV
10,741 lb (4,872 kg)
→
Yanmar ViO50-6A
10,792 lb (4,895 kg)
39 hp
→
Kubota U48-5
10,849 lb (4,921 kg)
→
Komatsu PC45MR-5
10,869 lb (4,930 kg)
→
New Holland E50D
10,913 lb (4,950 kg)
10 ft (3.0 m)
→
Case 450CT
10,915 lb (4,951 kg)
89 hp
→
Wacker Neuson DV90
10,970 lb (4,976 kg)
→
Caterpillar 305 CR
11,001 lb (4,990 kg)
42 hp
→
Takeuchi TB225
11,008 lb (4,993 kg)
→
JCB 56Z-2
11,023 lb (5,000 kg)
48 hp
→
JCB 60C-2
11,023 lb (5,000 kg)
48 hp
→
JCB 50Z-2
11,023 lb (5,000 kg)
→
Bobcat E50z
11,023 lb (5,000 kg)
42 hp
→
Case CX50B
11,023 lb (5,000 kg)
→
Hitachi ZX48U-6
11,056 lb (5,015 kg)
39 hp
11.4 ft (3.5 m)
→
Hyundai Construction Equipment HX48AZ
11,089 lb (5,030 kg)
39 hp
11.5 ft (3.5 m)
→
Wacker Neuson DV100
11,094 lb (5,032 kg)
→
Volvo ECR50
11,133 lb (5,050 kg)
41 hp
→
Komatsu PC55MR-5
11,486 lb (5,210 kg)
→
Takeuchi TL250
11,629 lb (5,275 kg)
92 hp
→
Case 221D
11,684 lb (5,300 kg)
59 hp
→
Case CX55B
11,684 lb (5,300 kg)
42 hp
12.8 ft (3.9 m)
→
Hitachi ZX55U-6
11,707 lb (5,310 kg)
39 hp
12.1 ft (3.7 m)
→
Caterpillar CAT500S
11,733 lb (5,322 kg)
→
Hitachi ZX55U-6EB
11,751 lb (5,330 kg)
12.6 ft (3.8 m)
→
Kobelco SK55SRX-7 Canopy
11,856 lb (5,378 kg)
37 hp
12.8 ft (3.9 m)
→
Bobcat E55
11,876 lb (5,387 kg)
11.4 ft (3.5 m)
→
Develon DX50Z-7
11,971 lb (5,430 kg)
11 ft (3.4 m)
→
New Holland E57C
12,050 lb (5,466 kg)
12 ft (3.7 m)
→
Takeuchi TB260
12,125 lb (5,500 kg)
48 hp
12 ft (3.7 m)
→
Hyundai Construction Equipment R55-9A
12,125 lb (5,500 kg)
45 hp
12.6 ft (3.8 m)
→
Kobelco SK55SRX-7 Cab
12,147 lb (5,510 kg)
37 hp
12.8 ft (3.9 m)
→
Kubota KX057-5
12,200 lb (5,534 kg)
48 hp
12 ft (3.7 m)
→
Yanmar ViO55-6A
12,247 lb (5,555 kg)
→
Kubota U55-5
12,247 lb (5,555 kg)
48 hp
11 ft (3.4 m)
→
Case CX57C
12,269 lb (5,565 kg)
65 hp
12.5 ft (3.8 m)
→