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.
| Class | Operating weight | Digging depth approx. | Transport | Typical models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro excavators | 0.8–1.2 t | 1.5–1.8 m | Car trailer | Yanmar SV10, Sany SY10, ViO12 |
| Compact | 1.5–2 t | 2.3–2.5 m | 3.5-tonne trailer, Category BE | JCB 16C-1, Bobcat E19, Yanmar SV19 |
| All-rounder | 2.5–3.5 t | 2.8–3.2 m | Trailers from 3.5 t / small low-loaders | Yanmar ViO26/33, Volvo ECR25, Sany SY26U |
| Midi | 5–9 t | 3.5–4.5 m | Low-loader | Yanmar 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