Compact excavators are classified by operating weight in metric tons. A "3-ton" machine weighs approximately three metric tons — about 6,600 lb.
The classes aren't arbitrary. Capability jumps at specific points, and knowing where they are keeps you from buying one class too small.
The Full Range
| Class | Weight | Dig depth | Transport | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ton | ~2,000–2,600 lb | ~5–6 ft | Half-ton | Tight access, homeowner, interior |
| 1.5 ton | ~3,300–3,800 lb | ~6–7 ft | Half-ton | Landscaping, light utility |
| 2 ton | ~4,400–5,000 lb | ~7–8 ft | 3/4-ton | Residential contracting |
| 3 ton | ~6,600–7,700 lb | ~8–10 ft | 3/4-ton, check payload | General purpose sweet spot |
| 4 ton | ~8,800–9,900 lb | ~10–11 ft | One-ton | Utility, septic |
| 5 ton | ~11,000–12,100 lb | ~11–12 ft | One-ton, gooseneck | Commercial, deeper utility |
| 6–8 ton | ~17,600–19,800 lb | ~14–15 ft | Dedicated transport | Production work |
1 Ton
Weight: ~2,000–2,600 lb · Dig depth: ~5–6 ft
The access class. Many fit through a standard residential gate; some fit through doorways with tracks retracted.
Best for: interior demolition, backyard work through narrow gates, between buildings, indoor and confined excavation.
Limits: dig depth doesn't reach frost depth in many northern climates. Modest lift. Limited attachment options.
Buy it if access is your binding constraint. Don't buy it expecting general-purpose capability.
1.5–2 Ton
Weight: ~3,300–5,000 lb · Dig depth: ~6–8 ft
The residential class. The jump from 1-ton is the biggest capability gain per ton in the whole range — depth roughly doubles, lift capacity increases substantially, and the full attachment range becomes viable.
Best for: landscaping, irrigation, drainage, small utility, general residential work.
Still transports easily behind a 3/4-ton.
Buy it if you need real capability but work sites where a 3-ton is awkward.
3 Ton
Weight: ~6,600–7,700 lb · Dig depth: ~8–10 ft
The sweet spot, and where most of the market lands.
Why: roughly 8–10 feet covers most residential and light commercial work — footings at frost depth in most climates, utility burial, septic laterals, drainage. Full attachment ecosystem. Cab options common. The deepest used market in the category — Kubota U27, Bobcat E35, Cat 302.5 CR and peers sell in volume, which means more choice buying and better resale selling.
Transport caution: a 3-ton plus attachments plus trailer is a real load. 3/4-ton minimum, and check payload for tongue weight — it frequently binds before tow rating does.
Buy it if your work is general and you're unsure. It's the default for good reasons.
4–5 Ton
Weight: ~8,800–12,100 lb · Dig depth: ~10–12 ft
The utility class. Depth for septic tanks, deeper utility burial, and foundation work.
Transport changes here. One-ton truck territory, frequently gooseneck. CDL thresholds become genuinely reachable depending on trailer and truck ratings.
Buy it if required depth drives you past 3-ton, and you can move it.
6–8 Ton
Weight: ~17,600–19,800 lb · Dig depth: ~14–15 ft
The production class. Commercial work, deep utility, larger demolition.
Generally beyond pickup transport. Dedicated hauling.
Where the Jumps Happen
1 → 2 ton: the biggest capability gain per ton. If access allows the 2-ton, take it.
2 → 3 ton: meaningful depth and capacity gain, and you start pushing what a 3/4-ton hauls comfortably.
3 → 5 ton: another real depth jump, and transport gets substantially harder.
5 → 8 ton: production capability, and you're out of pickup territory.
The Two Constraints
Everything comes back to these, and they pull opposite directions.
Dig depth sets your floor. Get the requirement from your building department, utility, or system designer. Frost depth and burial codes vary enormously.
Access sets your ceiling. Measure your narrowest regular access, including pinch points past the entrance.
If the floor is above the ceiling, look for a retractable undercarriage — tracks that narrow for access and extend for stability. That feature exists precisely to resolve this conflict.
Beyond Tonnage
Class tells you a lot but not everything. Also compare:
Reach at ground level — frequently more limiting than depth on real jobs.
Lift capacity — over the front and over the side, at reach. Ask for the chart, not one number.
Breakout force — bucket and arm. Determines performance in hard ground.
Tail swing configuration — zero, reduced, or conventional.
Width — tracks retracted and extended.
Auxiliary hydraulics — plumbed? First and second circuits?
Dump height — can you load a truck or container?
Understanding the Naming
Metric tons. A "3-ton" machine is approximately 3,000 kg / 6,600 lb operating weight.
Weights vary within a class — cab vs. canopy, track type, and bucket all move the number.
Some manufacturers use model numbers that reference weight (Bobcat E35 ≈ 3.5 ton, Kubota KX040 ≈ 4 ton), others don't. Check the actual operating weight rather than inferring from the model name.
FAQ
What's the most versatile size?
3-ton, for most buyers. Best balance across depth, access, transport, attachments, and used-market depth.
Can a 1-ton do real work?
Real work in tight places. General-purpose excavation, no — depth is the limit.
Should I buy bigger than I need?
Depth you don't have is a hard limit; so is access you can't fit. On residential work, access binds more often. On utility work, depth does.
What can I tow with a half-ton?
Generally 1–2 ton machines with a properly rated trailer. Check payload.
Do I need a CDL?
Depends on combined rated weights. It's reachable at 5-ton on a heavy trailer behind a one-ton.
Which class holds value best?
3-ton, reflecting demand depth.
Can one machine cover everything?
Rarely. Operations doing tight residential and deep utility work frequently run two, or rent the size they don't own.
What about a long arm?
Adds depth and reach at the cost of breakout force and lift capacity. Worth it if you consistently need the depth.