Mini excavator

Price
Manufacturer
Condition
Year of construction
Operating hours
Weight
Engine power

Buy new and used mini-excavators – from Yanmar, Sany, Wacker Neuson, JCB, Bobcat and Volvo, directly from specialist dealers. The mini excavator is the best-selling construction machine of all: for gardening and landscaping, utility connections, civil engineering in city centres, demolition of existing buildings and hire. Dealers such as Kraus Baumaschinen from Frankenthal, GSK Baumaschinen from Hanhofen and Bontebok from the Netherlands advertise their machines here, specifying the year of manufacture, operating hours, operating weight and engine power – with no middlemen and no commission. We’ve summarised here what’s important to consider when making a purchase.

Which mini-excavator is right for your job?

0.8 to 1.2 t – micro excavators: Yanmar SV10/ViO10/ViO12, Sany SY10, JCB 8008, XCMG XE18. Fits through any door (around 70–80 cm with the undercarriage retracted) and can be transported on a car trailer. Suitable for domestic connections, interior demolition and landscaping.

1.5 to 2 t – the rental class: Yanmar SV19/ViO17, JCB 15C-1/16C-1/8018, Bobcat E19, Doosan DX19, Kubota KX019. The standard in landscaping and for hire companies: still transportable with a 3.5 t trailer and a Category B driving licence, but already offering a reasonable digging depth (2.3–2.5 m).

2.5 to 3.5 t – the all-rounder: Yanmar SV22/ViO25/ViO26/ViO27/ViO33, Wacker Neuson 28Z3, Volvo ECR25, Hitachi ZX33U, Sany SY26U, Bobcat E27. Digging depth 2.8–3.2 m, short tail (zero tail) for working close to walls, sufficient power for a hydraulic breaker and compactor attachment. This makes up the bulk of our fleet.

5 to 9 t – midi excavators: Yanmar ViO50/ViO57/SV86, Wacker Neuson 6003/75Z3, Hyundai R60, XCMG XE60, Doosan DX85R, Cat 306/308. For sewer construction, roadworks and larger earthworks – the transition to crawler excavators.

Two features are more important than the make: short-tail or conventional (short-tail models can turn within the track width, whilst conventional models offer greater stability and lifting power) and an adjustable boom (articulated boom) for working parallel to a wall or in a trench.

What we look for in a used mini excavator

Operating hours and year of manufacture: Mini-excavators usually run for 300 to 600 hours a year. A machine with 2,000 hours over five years is normal; one with 2,000 hours over two years has been used for hire – in which case it’s worth taking a closer look at the bolts, bushings and undercarriage.

Undercarriage: rubber tracks (cracks, broken-off lugs, exposed steel core), track rollers, idler wheel, track tension. A new set of tracks costs a four-figure sum – a price consideration, but not a deal-breaker.

Boom, arm, bucket: play in bolts and bushings (raise the boom and push it sideways), distortion in the arm, condition of the quick-change coupler and bucket teeth. Check hydraulic cylinders for scratches on the piston rods and damp patches.

Hydraulics and engine: cold start, smoke pattern, oil pressure, smooth movements without jerking, no sagging of the raised boom. For modern machines, have the fault memory read out.

Documentation: CE marking with declaration of conformity, operating instructions, annual inspection by a qualified person (BetrSichV/DGUV), maintenance records. For imported machines, it is essential to check CE conformity.

ClassOperating weightDigging depth approx.TransportTypical models
Micro excavators0.8–1.2 t1.5–1.8 mCar trailerYanmar SV10, Sany SY10, ViO12
Compact1.5–2 t2.3–2.5 m3.5-tonne trailer, Category BEJCB 16C-1, Bobcat E19, Yanmar SV19
All-rounder2.5–3.5 t2.8–3.2 mTrailers from 3.5 t / small low-loadersYanmar ViO26/33, Volvo ECR25, Sany SY26U
Midi5–9 t3.5–4.5 mLow-loaderYanmar ViO57, Neuson 75Z3, Doosan DX85R

Brands and dealers

Yanmar (ViO and SV series) and Kubota are the best-selling mini-excavators in Germany, followed by Wacker Neuson, Bobcat, JCB, Volvo and Takeuchi; Sany and XCMG have established themselves as competitively priced new machines with a warranty; the used stock also includes older IHI, Caterpillar and Terex models at fixed prices. Our dealers: Kraus Baumaschinen in Frankenthal (authorised Yanmar dealer, new and used mini-excavators), GSK Baumaschinen in Hanhofen (new Sany machines with a 5-year warranty, Yanmar) and Bontebok Trading in Friesland (used machines at fixed prices, export). Filter by manufacturer, weight, year of manufacture, operating hours and price – each listing includes the technical specifications and direct contact details.

Frequently asked questions about used mini-excavators

How much does a used mini-excavator cost?

Prices range from five-figure sums for older 1.5-metric-tonne machines to prices comparable to new machines for recent 5-metric-tonne excavators with very few operating hours. Factors affecting the price include weight class, year of manufacture, operating hours, short-tail or adjustable boom, quick-change coupler and bucket set. Many of our dealers quote fixed prices; for ‘negotiable’, please enquire directly via the advert.

How many operating hours are still acceptable for a mini-excavator?

Well-maintained mini-excavators can run for 6,000 to 8,000 hours or more. A machine is considered ‘young’ up to around 3,000 hours. More important than the figure itself are maintenance records, the undercarriage, play in bolts and bushings, and a clean cold start.

Which mini-excavator can I tow with a car?

With a Category B driving licence, you can tow up to 750 kg (unbraked) or a total combination weight of up to 3.5 t – this is sufficient for micro-excavators weighing up to 1 t. With a Class BE or B96 licence, you can tow a 3.5-t trailer: this can accommodate mini-excavators up to around 2.5 t, including buckets. From 3 t upwards, you’ll usually need a low-loader or a Class C1E licence.

Short-tail or conventional rear boom?

Zero-tail models are ideal for working against walls, on roads and in confined excavations – the rear remains within the track width. Conventional excavators have more counterweight and therefore greater lifting and breaking force for the same weight. Zero-tail models are now standard for landscaping and construction work.

New or second-hand – when is which option best?

New machines from Sany or XCMG now sometimes cost less than three-year-old Yanmar or Kubota models – and come with a warranty. Buying second-hand is worthwhile for premium brands with documented maintenance records and for machines with fewer than 1,500 operating hours. Take the resale value into account: Yanmar, Kubota and Takeuchi retain their value best.

Which attachments are compatible with a mini-excavator?

Backhoe buckets in various widths, trench cleaning buckets, hydraulic hammers, compactors, grapples, drill drives – a suitable quick-change coupler (mechanical or hydraulic, e.g. MS01/MS03) and an auxiliary hydraulic circuit are required. Check which buckets are included in the price.

Can I lease a mini excavator or finance it via hire purchase?

For many listings, you can submit a non-binding leasing or hire-purchase enquiry directly. You can discuss the terms with the dealer or their finance partner; the purchase and payment are handled directly between you and the seller.

An overview of all types: Construction machinery · Larger models: Tracked excavators and wheeled excavators · For transport: Construction machinery trailers · Guide: Buying used construction machinery – the 10 most important tips

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Hanhofen, DE
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Compact excavators for urban and landscaping applications: The SANY SY26U is a 2.76-metric-ton mini excavator with precise hydraulic controls for working on tight construction sites.
Item number
K-SY26U
Model
SY26U
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Hanhofen, DE
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Tight construction sites and indoor work: The SANY SY18C is a compact mini excavator with a curb weight of 1,850 kg, ideal for precise excavation work in confined spaces.
Item number
K-SY18C
Model
SY18C
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Hanhofen, DE
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Trailer for Material Transport: The Saris Magnum Maxx 3500 is a rugged transport trailer with a payload capacity of 2,715 kg and a sturdy steel floor construction.
Item number
Saris-3500
Model
Magnum Maxx 3500
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Hanhofen, DE
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Compact Construction Site Work : The Bobcat E10 Z is a lightweight mini-excavator with a quick-change coupler designed for tight workspaces and versatile excavation tasks.
Item number
Bob-E10
Model
E10 Z
Hanhofen, DE
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Compact Excavation Work : The Bobcat E19 is a lightweight mini-excavator with an operating weight of 1,935 kg, designed for tight job sites and precise earthwork.
Item number
Bob-E19
Model
E19
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Hanhofen, DE
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Compact excavator for tight construction sites: The SANY SY80U is a short-tail excavator with an operating weight of 8,800 kg and a bucket capacity of 0.28 m³, designed for flexible use in confined construction areas.
Item number
K-SY80
Model
SY80U
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Hanhofen, DE
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Urban Compaction Work : The SANY SY50U is a compact mini excavator with an operating weight of 5.3 t, designed for confined construction sites and urban applications.
Item number
K-SY50U
Model
SY50U
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Hanhofen, DE
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Interior Construction Work : The SANY SY35 U is a compact mini-excavator with an operating weight of 3.9 t, designed for work on confined construction sites and in hard-to-reach areas.
Item number
K-SY35U
Model
SY35 U
Hanhofen, DE
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Brand
Yanmar
Year of construction
2026
Hanhofen, DE
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Brand
Yanmar
Year of construction
2026
Hanhofen, DE
100%
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Yanmar Vio 27 LW-6 Mini Excavator
Brand
Yanmar
Year of construction
2026
Hanhofen, DE
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The electronic engine control system ensures true precision performance and low fuel consumption.
Brand
Yanmar
Year of construction
2026
Hanhofen, DE
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High performance combined with low fuel consumption is just one of the many advantages of the ViO12-2A. It is also easy and convenient to operate and extremely low-maintenance.
Brand
Yanmar
Year of construction
2026
Hanhofen, DE
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The ViO27-6 impresses with exceptional performance and stability thanks to a state-of-the-art motor, excellent weight distribution, and the Zero-Tail-Swing rear design.
Brand
Yanmar
Year of construction
2026
SANY SY18 mini excavator
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22.50000 € 28.90000 €
Hanhofen, DE
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Compact and powerful mini excavator with a 5-year warranty from Sany
Brand
SANY
Year of construction
2025