Most manufacturers in this category don't publish MSRP, which makes it hard for buyers to know whether a quote is reasonable.
This guide covers what moves compact excavator pricing — size class, configuration, brand, and the used market — so you can judge a quote on its merits.
New Pricing by Size Class
| Class | Weight | Dig depth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ton | ~2,000–2,600 lb | ~5–6 ft |
| 1.5–2 ton | ~3,300–5,000 lb | ~6–8 ft |
| 3 ton | ~6,600–7,700 lb | ~8–10 ft |
| 4–5 ton | ~8,800–12,100 lb | ~10–12 ft |
| 6–8 ton | ~17,600–19,800 lb | ~14–15 ft |
Models by Brand
| Brand | Range covered |
|---|---|
| Kubota | U17-5 through KX080-5 |
| Bobcat | E20 through E88 |
| Caterpillar | 302.5 CR through 308 |
| John Deere | 17G through 85 P-Tier |
| Takeuchi | TB216 through TB250 |
| Yanmar | ViO12 through ViO80 |
| Value-tier brands | Varies |
Yellow Jacket: YJ18, YJ27, YJ33, and YJ44 — request pricing on any of them.
Used Market
Where a lot of this category's buyers actually shop.
Cat holds roughly 24.3% of used financed compact excavator sales, Bobcat 20%, and Kubota 16.2%, with the Deere 35G, Kubota KX040-4, and Deere 50G among the most sought-after models.
What that means for pricing: those brands and models carry a premium used as well as new. At any given price you're typically getting more hours on a Cat or an in-demand Deere than on a comparable machine from a smaller brand.
The undercarriage adjustment. Any used price comparison should account for undercarriage condition. Price a full replacement and add it to the purchase price — that adjustment changes the ranking more often than the badge does.
What Drives Price
Size class — the primary determinant.
Distribution model. Dealer-network brands carry margin at multiple steps; factory-direct brands don't. That difference isn't capability.
Cab vs. canopy. A meaningful addition.
Tail swing configuration. Zero and reduced typically carry a premium over conventional.
Hydraulic package. Auxiliary circuits, thumb plumbing, and high-flow provisions — all cheaper ordered than retrofitted.
Brand and resale strength.
Attachments
Frequently underestimated, and a machine without a thumb only digs.
Relative cost, lowest to highest:
Buckets → mechanical thumb → hydraulic thumb → quick coupler → auger → ripper → compaction wheel → grapple → breaker → tilt coupler → concrete crusher → mulching head → tiltrotator
Rental Rates
Break-even: purchase price ÷ daily rate gives the raw number. Then add delivery, attachment charges, and your time on the rental side; transport, storage, and maintenance on the purchase side.
Where These Figures Come From
Model ranges come from manufacturers' published lineups, and market share figures come from equipment finance data as noted below. Where a figure isn't published, we leave it out rather than guess.
Corrections welcome. Tell us if something here is out of date and we'll check it.
FAQ
Why don't most manufacturers publish prices?
Dealer-network brands leave pricing to dealers, which varies by region and negotiation.
Is a cheaper machine lower quality?
Not necessarily. Much of the spread is distribution model. Check engine platform, published specs, and parts availability.
Do prices include attachments?
Generally a bucket. A thumb, coupler, and additional buckets are separate — and they matter.
Where can I check pricing myself?
MachineryTrader and EquipmentTrader for listings; manufacturer sites for published lists; local dealers for quotes.
Market share data from Fusable/EDA equipment finance data as reported by Equipment World. Brand names are trademarks of their respective owners; Yellow Jacket Equipment is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of them.