CAT CLASS: HQ-10191

Up to 4,000 lb Mini Excavator

The Up to 4,000 lb Mini Excavator class represents the smallest and most compact end of the excavator spectrum, sized for access rather than digging capacity. Machines in this band weigh up to 3,307 kg operating weight and are engineered to pass through standard 36-inch residential gates and doorways. This size class sits at the bottom of the mini excavator ladder, below the 4,000–8,000 lb Mini Excavator band.

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Cat classes

Pick a size class — capacity and reach differ across the range.

Key specifications

Specification	Typical range	What it means
Operating weight	30.9–7,291 lb (14–3,307 kg)	Lightest class allows passage through standard gates and compliance with indoor floor load limits
Max dig depth	0.2–94.1 in (5–2,390 mm)	Sufficient for utility trenching and residential foundation work in tight quarters
Engine power	7.1–597 hp	Smaller displacement engines prioritize low ground disturbance and reduced exhaust in confined spaces
Track width	9.1–23.6 in (230–600 mm)	Narrow footprint enables operation inside buildings and between landscaping features
Max travel speed	3.9–25.3 km/h	Low speed reflects short-range repositioning typical of confined-site work

How to choose

This size class is specified when physical access constraints—not excavation depth or reach—drive the equipment decision. Models in the Up to 4,000 lb band fit through pedestrian gates, basement doorways, and building corridors where larger excavators cannot enter. When the project site is open and digging depth or bucket breakout force becomes the limiting factor, the 4,000–8,000 lb Mini Excavator band offers greater productivity with dig depths and dump heights that better suit open-lot grading, larger utility installs, and commercial trenching. Specify this lightest class only when access width or indoor floor loading governs selection.

What this size handles

Trenching for sprinkler lines or drainage inside a fenced residential backyard
Basement underpinning or foundation repair through a bulkhead stairwell
Interior demolition and debris removal in occupied buildings
Landscape grading and pond excavation in gated courtyards
Utility line repair on narrow urban sidewalks between storefronts
Swimming pool excavation in zero-lot-line subdivisions with gate-only access

Safety & operation

Ground pressure of 0.2–21.4 psi requires verification of floor slab and turf load ratings before indoor or landscaped-area operation
Operators must verify overhead clearance; height dimensions of 912–2,008 mm increase significantly when boom is raised
Narrow track width (230–600 mm) and light weight reduce trench-edge stability compared to heavier classes; maintain greater setback distances
Confined-space operation demands spotter coordination and ventilation planning due to exhaust accumulation indoors

Transport & logistics

Lightest models (under 1,500 kg) can be towed on single-axle utility trailers rated for 2,000+ kg capacity
Heavier units in this band require tandem-axle equipment trailers with ramps or tilt beds for loading
Compact dimensions allow transport inside enclosed box trucks for indoor demolition projects

Power & supply

Diesel fuel tank capacities range 6.1–330 liters; smallest models consume 29–146 liters per 8-hour shift
Engines meet Tier 4 Final or equivalent emissions standards in most current models, suitable for urban and indoor air quality restrictions
No external electrical hookup required; all functions powered by onboard diesel engine and hydraulic system

Frequently asked

What is the actual width of machines in this class?

Overall width ranges 612–1,091 mm, with most models at the lower end designed to clear a standard 36-inch (914 mm) gate opening with minimal clearance.

Can this size class handle full-depth basement excavation?

Maximum digging depth of 5–2,390 mm is sufficient for shallow crawlspace or utility trenching, but inadequate for full 8–10 foot basement depths; the 4,000–8,000 lb Mini Excavator class is typically specified for deeper residential foundation work.

What trailer or towing vehicle is required?

Operating weights of 14–3,307 kg require equipment trailers with 2,000–4,500 kg capacity; the lightest models can be moved on utility trailers towed by half-ton trucks, while heavier units in this band need 3/4-ton or larger tow vehicles and tandem-axle trailers.

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
JCB 8008 CTS	2,094 lb (950 kg)	5.5 ft (1.7 m)	10.2 ft (3.1 m)	12 hp
Takeuchi TB216	3,902 lb (1,770 kg)	7 ft (2.1 m)	13.4 ft (4.1 m)	15 hp
Case CX17C	3,913 lb (1,775 kg)	7.2 ft (2.2 m)	12.8 ft (3.9 m)	16 hp
Case CX14	3,241 lb (1,470 kg)	6.9 ft (2.1 m)	12.4 ft (3.8 m)	12 hp
Case FCX160	37,479 lb (17,000 kg)	-	-	106 hp
Caterpillar 1500	3,900 lb (1,769 kg)	-	-	700 hp

Related equipment

4,000-8,000 lb Mini Excavator 89 8,000-13,500 lb Mini Excavator 146

Browse by manufacturer

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Sources

Every specification is verified against the manufacturer's published data, with the source linked for reference.

billygoat.com ↗bluediamondattachments.com ↗casece.com ↗titanmachinery.com ↗frdusa.com ↗hitachicm.com ↗

Up to 4,000 lb Mini Excavator

77 models · Page 1 of 2 · Every spec cited to source