Five questions, in order. Each one narrows the field, and the first two do most of the work.
1. How deep do you need to dig?
This sets your floor. A machine that can't reach your required depth is the wrong machine at any price.
| Your requirement | Minimum class |
|---|---|
| Under 5 ft | 1 ton |
| 5–7 ft | 1.5–2 ton |
| 7–10 ft | 3 ton |
| 10–12 ft | 4–5 ton |
| 12 ft+ | 6–8 ton |
Get the actual number from your building department, utility, or system designer. Frost depth and burial codes vary enormously by region — don't estimate.
Add margin. Working at absolute maximum depth is slow and awkward.
2. What's your narrowest access?
This sets your ceiling, and it pulls against question 1.
Measure the actual clear opening — not the nominal gate size — at the narrowest point on the whole route. Include pinch points past the entrance: AC units, meters, downspouts.
| Your access | Maximum class |
|---|---|
| Standard walk gate | 1 ton, possibly 1.5 |
| Wide gate / narrow side yard | 2 ton |
| Double gate / open side yard | 3 ton |
| Open access | Any |
If your floor is above your ceiling, look for a retractable undercarriage — tracks that narrow for access and extend for stability. That feature exists to resolve exactly this conflict.
3. What can you tow?
Buyers routinely discover they need a bigger truck than they own.
| Your truck | Practical maximum |
|---|---|
| Half-ton | 1–2 ton machine |
| 3/4-ton | 3 ton — check payload |
| One-ton | 4–5 ton, gooseneck above that |
| Dedicated transport | Any |
Add up: machine weight + attachments + trailer. Check all four ratings — trailer GVWR, trailer axles and tires, tow vehicle towing capacity, and tow vehicle payload, because tongue weight lands on the rear axle and frequently binds first.
If the machine stays on one property, this doesn't apply. You just need delivery.
4. Do you work near structures?
Yes → zero tail swing. Backyards, urban sites, alongside buildings, roadside work with traffic. The counterweight stays within track width, so you can work with your back against a fence.
No → conventional. Open sites and new construction. You get more lift capacity for the same machine weight, at lower cost.
Mixed → reduced tail swing is the middle ground.
5. What attachments will you run?
Everyone should order:
- Auxiliary hydraulics — even without an attachment yet. Retrofitting costs substantially more.
- A thumb — the highest-value addition on almost any excavator.
- A quick coupler if you'll run more than one attachment. Without one, people stop swapping and use the wrong tool.
Then by trade:
| Work | Add |
|---|---|
| Demolition | Breaker, grapple |
| Utility / septic | Compaction wheel, trenching buckets |
| Landscaping | Grading bucket, tilt bucket |
| Land clearing | Brush cutter, rake |
| Fencing / footings | Auger |
| Hard ground | Ripper |
One More: Cab or Canopy?
Cab if you operate year-round in a hard climate or employ operators.
Canopy if use is seasonal, the climate is mild, or you'd rather spend the difference on attachments. Better visibility for tight work.
Where you'll eventually sell matters — canopy machines are harder to move in northern markets.
Still Unsure?
Tell us your required depth, narrowest access, and what you tow with. We'll tell you honestly which class fits — including when the answer is a different type of machine or a rental.
Request pricing · Call (330) 825-2307