Electra_Glide
Senior Member
I'm interested in people's opinion's on the following topic.
I want to get a mini excavator to do small-scale work (trenching, french drains, sewer lines, footers, etc.).
Since I don't currently have a CDL, I'm limited to a 10000lb. trailer. The trailer limits me to a machine in the 6000-7000lb. category. From comparing specs, it looks like the biggest thing I would be giving up is dig depth compared to the larger machines. I also realize that the lighter machine isn't going to be able to lift as much weight when the arm is reaching out. However, I'm having trouble assessing how big of an issue this would be for the kind of work I want to use it for.
Seems that most of the ones I see on jobs around here are of the 5-ton variety from various manufacturers. I don't have any seat time in the smaller machines; all of my excavator experience has been in larger Cat machines (315, 318, 320), so I'm interested in other people's opinions.
Thanks in advance...
Joe
I want to get a mini excavator to do small-scale work (trenching, french drains, sewer lines, footers, etc.).
Since I don't currently have a CDL, I'm limited to a 10000lb. trailer. The trailer limits me to a machine in the 6000-7000lb. category. From comparing specs, it looks like the biggest thing I would be giving up is dig depth compared to the larger machines. I also realize that the lighter machine isn't going to be able to lift as much weight when the arm is reaching out. However, I'm having trouble assessing how big of an issue this would be for the kind of work I want to use it for.
Seems that most of the ones I see on jobs around here are of the 5-ton variety from various manufacturers. I don't have any seat time in the smaller machines; all of my excavator experience has been in larger Cat machines (315, 318, 320), so I'm interested in other people's opinions.
Thanks in advance...
Joe