New mini excavators generally run from around $20,000 for the smallest machines to well over $100,000 for larger units.
The spread is wide because "mini excavator" covers everything from a 1-ton machine that fits through a gate to an 8-ton machine that's a serious piece of equipment.
What Drives the Price
Size class, first and foremost. Weight class is the primary determinant. A 1-ton machine and a 5-ton machine are different categories of purchase.
Brand and distribution. Same dynamic as every equipment category — dealer-network brands carry margin at multiple steps.
Cab vs. canopy. An enclosed cab with heat and air adds meaningfully. Worth it if you run year-round in a hard climate; not if you're a seasonal or fair-weather operator.
Tail swing configuration. Zero and reduced tail swing machines typically cost more than conventional — you're paying for the ability to work against a wall.
Hydraulic package. Auxiliary circuits, thumb plumbing, and high-flow provisions all add cost. Get them ordered from the factory; retrofitting is more expensive.
Attachments. A thumb, a hydraulic breaker, an auger, and a set of buckets add up substantially — frequently more than people budget.
By Size Class
Rough ranges. Sizes overlap and brand position moves these considerably.
| Class | Typical dig depth | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 1-ton | ~5–6 ft | Tight access, homeowner, indoor demo |
| 1.5–2 ton | ~7–8 ft | Landscaping, small utility, backyard |
| 3-ton | ~8–10 ft | The general-purpose sweet spot |
| 4–5 ton | ~11–12 ft | Utility, septic, foundation work |
| 6–8 ton | ~14–15 ft | Commercial, production |
The 3-ton class is where most buyers land — machines like the Kubota U27, Bobcat E35, and Cat 302.5 CR. Enough dig depth for most residential and light commercial work, still trailerable behind a pickup, and the deepest used market.
Yellow Jacket Pricing
Yellow Jacket builds four mini excavators — the YJ18, YJ27, YJ33, and YJ44 — sold factory-direct and through dealers. Tell us the machine and the work, and we'll send current pricing.
Request pricing → · Compare our mini excavators →
The Used Question
This matters more in excavators than in most categories. The used mini excavator market is deep — far deeper than the mini skid steer market — because these machines have been sold in volume for decades.
Among used financed compact excavator sales, Cat holds roughly 24.3%, Bobcat 20%, and Kubota 16.2%, with models like the Deere 35G, Kubota KX040-4, and Deere 50G among the most sought after.
What that means for a buyer: at a lot of price points, you're genuinely choosing between a new value-brand machine with a warranty and a three-to-five-year-old name-brand machine without one. Both are legitimate.
What to check on a used machine:
Undercarriage — tracks, rollers, idlers, sprockets. The most expensive thing to replace and the most commonly worn out.
Hours vs. condition. Hours matter, but a well-maintained 3,000-hour machine beats a neglected 1,200-hour one.
Boom, arm, and bucket pins. Slop in the pins means wear and expensive rebuild.
Hydraulic cylinders. Scored rods, leaks, drift when holding a load.
Slew bearing. Play in the rotation is a major repair.
Service records. More predictive than the hour meter.
Auxiliary hydraulics. Confirm whether they're plumbed, and whether the thumb is factory or an add-on.
Costs Beyond the Machine
Attachments. A thumb is close to essential. Buckets in multiple widths, a breaker, an auger — these add up fast and are frequently underestimated.
Trailer and tow vehicle. A 3-ton machine plus attachments plus trailer is a real load. Many buyers discover they need a bigger truck than they have.
Undercarriage over time. The dominant recurring cost on any tracked machine.
Transport. If you're moving between jobs, factor it.
Rental Comparison
Mini excavator rental typically runs higher than mini skid steer rental — more machine, more capability.
Break-even math: purchase price ÷ daily rental rate. Then adjust for delivery, attachment charges, and the availability problem during peak season.
For contractors who dig regularly, purchase math generally works quickly. For occasional users, rental usually wins.
FAQ
What's the cheapest mini excavator?
Entry-level 1-ton import machines are the lowest-priced new equipment in the category. Verify specs carefully — this segment varies widely.
Is a used name brand better than a new import?
Depends on the specific machines and your situation. A used machine has proven durability and a deep parts network; a new one has a warranty and no unknown history. Check the undercarriage on anything used before deciding.
What size do I need?
Start with required dig depth and access width. Those two constraints usually narrow it to one class. What size mini excavator do I need? →
Do prices include a thumb?
Frequently not. Ask — a thumb is close to essential for most work and retrofitting costs more than ordering it.
Cab or canopy?
Cab if you work year-round in a hard climate. Canopy saves real money if you don't.
How much do attachments cost?
Widely variable. A thumb and a bucket set are modest; a breaker or auger drive is substantial.