Survival of the Fittest Manufacturers of compact and mini-excavators are adapting their machines to meet the needs of contractors.
Construction trends today suggest the need for smaller, more agile and better-performing equipment. These needs are pushing tractor and excavator manufacturers to pioneer new designs for smaller excavators suited to high-performance construction work in restricted conditions.
High engine output and torque are critical for the needs of today's contractors. Models in the mini-excavator range need to offer operators abundant hydraulic power allowing for comfortable working, regardless of the task.
Two-pattern selection systems permitting the operator to choose either a "backhoe" or "excavator" operating mode reduce familiarization time and inefficiency on the job site. Other standard features that increase operator productivity and comfort include hydraulic, "feather-touch" pilot controls; walk-through cab designs; and steel or rubber tracks. Bucket and boom specifications, coupled with hydraulic flow rates and breakout force, are equally important.
Research and development The design of responsive construction equipment doesn't happen by accident. Top manufacturers invest heavily in forward-thinking engineering and measure those trends influencing the market sectors they serve. This is especially true when it comes to excavator design and development. Research and development efforts and marketplace understanding are key in determining the winners and losers in the compact excavator and mini-excavator market.
For example, variable-width track affords the operator seamless, on-the-go track manipulation. Being able to widen or reduce track width without having to alter the machine's position or drop the dozer blade and/or bucket means faster job performance. Increased track length translates to more stable and comfortable operation. The longer track means compact and mini-excavators can handle obstacles and curbs without loss of directional stability.
The quest for design innovation results in upgraded excavator lines, with each of a manufacturer's models having the ability to work efficiently and precisely in restricted areas. These types of design and performance attributes make compact and mini-excavators the logical choice for construction challenges unmet by larger machines.
Market responsive engineering Contributing to demand for and sales of smaller excavators are a strong U.S. economy and a construction boom.
Industry surveys suggest owner-operators prize excavators that have faster speeds, versatility, ease of operation and site-friendliness. Market data indicates that many construction operators now prefer a compact or mini-excavator to a standard trencher, especially when the job calls for operation in obstacle-ridden soil. A reputation as a compact or mini-excavator pioneer contributes to a manufacturer's gaining market share.
One manufacturer found through customer surveys the need for improved operator seating. So it added a suspension seat. Accordingly, the manufacturer offered a high-back, full-featured suspension seat as standard, along with standard retractable seat belts.
For improved service life and less downtime, the manufacturer relocated the bucket hoses. These critical parts are now routed through the boom arm frame. This reduces repair costs, improves operator visibility and enhances overall service life. Hose connections between the rotary joint and the boom cylinder also eliminate the need for inside-the-machine repairs.
Manufacturer improvements Operators also asked that on-machine storage be improved, and the manufacturer responded by designing a generous tool/storage bin perfect for a grease gun, tools, construction plans or a lunch box.
While convenience and comfort items are important upgrades, the primary focus should be on performance for compact and mini-excavators to boost lift capacity, increase stability and enhance on-the-job applications.
High-performance, variable-width track frames translate to improved side-to-side stability when trenching and performing other tasks.
With the switch of a lever the operator can reduce the track width without lifting the machine off the ground or dropping the dozer blade. This greatly improves access to tight areas.
Directional stability can be improved as well by adding to the on-ground track length. This upgrade can improve fore-aft stability and operator comfort.
Narrow track features along with enhanced performance features improve the go-anywhere, lightweight mini-excavators.
Manufacturers that use advanced design techniques to meet the challenge of offering customers smaller, more versatile and performance-matched machines with increased power lead the market in meeting contractor needs.
The smaller the better Some mini-excavators are so small they can fit through a standard door opening, ride in an elevator, dig 5 feet deep and hammer up to 1,600 beats per minute without being hampered by space restrictions.
Fitted with rubber tracks, a mini-excavator is also easy on the operator and the neighbors. Low noise and low vibration are traits of top units. The newest mini-excavators are perfect for jobs too small for compact excavators and are a valuable alternative to manual labor or a work crew using hand-held equipment. With enough breakout force to manage tough excavating jobs, some machines have a breaking force rated at 900-1,600 beats per minute when equipped with a hydraulic hammer.
Compact and mini-excavators, depending on the manufacturer, can dig deep and fast, offer better operator comfort, are site-friendly and offer contractors sure-footed performance as long as they are designed correctly from the beginning.
JCB
JCB's 8017 mini-excavator features a variable-width undercarriage that retracts to 3 feet, 2 inches and extends to 4 feet, 5 inches while operated hydraulically from the cab. The two-speed tracking feature allows for a low travel speed of 1.3 mph and a high of 2.2 mph. The 1.5-ton, 18.2-horsepower unit can dig to a depth of 7 feet, 11 inches and has a dump height of 10 feet, 9 inches. www.jcbna.com
IHI
IHI/Compact Excavator Sales says it designed the 16,000-pound 70Z mini-excavator with zero tail swing and zero front swing to allow operators to work in extremely confined spaces. Standard features include a digging depth of 14 feet, 3 inches, an enclosed air-conditioned and heated cabin, a backfill blade, a 57-horsepower Isuzu water-cooled diesel engine, rubber tracks, an A-f quick-change valve and a knuckle boom. www.ihicompactexcavator.com
Bobcat
The Bobcat 322 compact excavator features a hydraulically activated undercarriage that retracts to less than 3 feet, 3 inches wide to facilitate maneuvering in confined spaces and expands to 4 feet, 5 inches for increased stability and lifting. Powered by a 15.7-horsepower, liquid-cooled Kubota diesel engine, the unit can dig up to 7 feet, 2 inches deep and can reach 12 feet, 5 inches at ground level. www.bobcat.com
Terramite
The TX15 and TX25 mini-excavators are ideal for jobs requiring maneuverability, Terramite says. The TX15 is powered by a 16.5-horsepower Isuzu diesel engine and has a digging depth of 6 feet, 8 inches. The TX25 features a 23-horsepower Isuzu diesel engine and can dig to a depth of 7 feet, 11 inches. www.terramite.com
Volvo
Volvo has expanded its line of compact excavators with models EC15, EC20, EC25, EC30, EC35 (pictured) and EC45. The pictured unit has a 29.3-horsepower engine and, depending on arm size, a maximum digging depth of 11 feet, 3 inches to 12 feet, 2 inches, a bucket capacity of 0.056 to 0.214 cubic yards and an operating weight of 7,470 to 7,898 pounds. Other standard features include hydraulic boom offset, an X-shaped undercarriage, direct swing crown wheel drive and rubber tracks (optional steel tracks are available). www.volvo.com
Gehl
The GE 342 compact excavator comes standard with dozer blades, a two-speed drive system, rubber tracks and Gehl Force hydraulics. Powered by a 31-horsepower Yanmar diesel, the unit has a dual travel speed of 1.6 mph and 2.8 mph and a bucket digging force of 6,480 pounds. Maximum digging depth measures 10 feet, 2 inches, and the maximum dumping height is 11 feet, 3 inches. www.gehl.com
Yanmar
Yanmar's B50-2B mini-excavator features a digging depth of 12 feet, 6 inches, a lifting capacity of 6,582 pounds, a maximum dumping height of 12 feet, 9 inches and travel speeds up to 3.1 mph. The unit is powered by a 37-horsepower Yanmar 4TNE88B engine and has a bucket breakout force of 8,159 pounds. www.wakita.com
Pine Brook
Pine Brook Construction Equipment redesigned the Mini-Ex ME15 with a single-piece canopy and additional tail padding. The unit weighs 3,300 pounds, is 3 feet, 3 inches wide and has a digging depth of 7 feet, 5 inches. Standard features include a 17-horsepower Perkins diesel engine, rubber tracks, a 16-inch bucket, hand lever controls, a dozer blade and a complete external hydraulic circuit. 877/869-9954
Komatsu
The MRx Series of compact excavators from Komatsu Utility includes the PC20MRx (pictured), the PC30MRx and the PC40MRx. All three models feature a short tail-swing radius, the HydrauMind hydraulic system, proportional pressure-controlled joysticks and a swing boom. The PC20MRx features a 19-horsepower Komatsu engine, travel speeds up to 3 mph and a 6.6-gallon fuel tank. The unit can dig to depths up to 7 feet, 7 inches, dump at a maximum height of 8 feet, 6 inches and reach up to 13 feet, 11 inches. www.komatsuutility.com
