Buying a Mini Excavator? Read This First.

What to Know Before You Buy Your First Mini Ex for Sale

If you’re clicking on this article, you’re probably wondering if the mini excavator is the right call for your property or business. There are so many brands, sizes, packages, and dealers out there these days. It can be hard to get a straight answer. So, we’re here to answer these major questions: 

• When should you stop renting a mini excavator? 
• Do you need a mini excavator, or do you need a skid steer? 
• What do you need to look for in a new mini excavator? 
• What do you need to look for in a used mini excavator? 
• What do you need to look for in a mini excavator dealer? 

When Should You Stop Renting a Mini Excavator?

Excavator rentals are great for seasonal work. They’re great if you’re the guy who needs to put up a new retaining wall in a couple of days. If you want to use a machine without some of the responsibilities of ownership (like storage and regular maintenance), then get yourself a rental.  

But here’s the thing: time is money. If you’re spending $950 per week to rent an E42 multiple times during a six-month period AND you’re losing time transporting the machine back and forth, it’s probably a good time to look at owning or leasing your own machine. As the owner, you can get up in the morning, walk outside, start up your excavator, and get to work immediately. Sometimes, that can mean the difference between finishing a job ahead of schedule and falling behind. 

Do You Need a Mini Excavator or a Skid-Steer Loader?

This is one of our favorite questions. Both machines are great, but they’re definitely not made to do the same jobs.  

Choose a mini excavator if: 

• You need trenching or footings below grade. 

• You want 360-degree swing to dig, place spoil, and backfill without moving the machine. 

• You need boom offset to dig right next to walls or utilities. 

• You want smoother control for precise, detailed work (think placing landscape stones with a thumb). 

Choose a skid steer with tracks instead if: 

• Most of the tasks you do include hauling, loading, backfilling large areas, or site cleanup. 

• You need to move a lot of pallets or materials. 

• You’re often grading driveways or leveling wide pads. 

Whichever machine you choose, we would highly recommend that you try a rental first. This will give you a good idea of how the mini ex or skid steer actually performs on the kinds of jobs you’re doing. 

What's the most popular Bobcat mini excavator? 

We often see contractors, small business owners, and landowners gravitate towards the E35. This mini excavator is great for backyards and job sites that feel tight, but it’s still big enough to give you the power and dig depth you need on most jobs.

What to Look for in a New Mini Excavator

1. Weight Class and Trailer Capacity: If you can’t legally tow it without buying a new truck and/or trailer, that could be a deal breaker. 
2. Dig Depth and Reach: Before you get to the dealer, get a good estimate of the dig depth and reach requirements for your most common jobs. Even if your numbers aren’t exact, this will help narrow down your options. 
3. Tail Swing: Tail swing is how much the body of your machine hangs over the tracks. Purchasing an excavator with the right type of tail swing for you will help you get into tight areas on a job.  
4. Controls: What are you most comfortable with: ISO or SAE? Do you want the ability for multiple operators to customize one machine to their preferences? Ask your sales rep about Bobcat’s excavator controls. 
5. Attachments: Buckets, thumbs, augers, hydraulic breakers. Your sales rep will be able to help you find the attachments you need for your machine. 

If you’re shopping new in North Texas and looking for a good deal on a high-quality excavator, we have options for you. Your sales rep can help you find a great mini excavator price without sacrificing high-performance features. 

What to Look for in a Used Mini Excavator

1. Check Service History: If you’re buying used from a reputable dealer like Bobcat of North Texas, then you should have access to the mini excavator’s maintenance history. 
2. Inspect for Signs of Damage: A lot of parts can be replaced, but it’s good to know what you’re working with from the beginning. We suggest inspecting the mini excavator’s body and doors, drive train, hydraulics, tracks, and (if they’re included) attachments. 
3. Look Beyond the Hours on the Meter: Hours are important, but we would also suggest learning about the way the machine was used. For example, a higher-hour landscaping unit could be in better shape than a low-hour demolition machine. 
4. Buy a Reputable Brand: You definitely get what you pay for. You could buy a cheap, used small excavator, only to spend the money later on with service and downtime. When you’re buying used, we suggest looking at a brand like Bobcat that has a reputation for reliable performance even at high hours. 

Buying a used mini excavator is a great option for first-time buyers. If you’re shopping in North Texas, we would highly recommend that you ask about rent-to-purchase options. This gives you a chance to get a feel for the machine before you buy it. 

What to Look for in a Mini Excavator Dealer

Dealers aren’t one-size-fits-all. Their name may pop up when you search for “compact excavator for sale near me.” But, two questions come to our minds: do they treat you like a person or a sale? And will they support you for years after you buy the machine? 

Here’s what you can expect when you buy a mini excavator from Bobcat of North Texas: 

• Bilingual support 
• Team members who want to have a lasting relationship with you 
• Help choosing the right model for your job(s) 
• Good financing options for small businesses 
• Warranty coverage to protect your machine after purchase 
• Access to a large inventory of genuine Bobcat excavator parts 
• Shop and field service support for your mini excavator 

You’re Ready to Get in the Cab of a Machine

Purchasing your first mini excavator is a big step towards your business or property goals. But, there’s still one very important thing to do when you’re looking at a mini ex for sale. Get on the lot, sit in the operator seat, and get a feel for the machine. Demo the model to see if it’s a good fit for you. Call your nearest Bobcat of North Texas location to get started: 

• Lewisville 
• Fort Worth 
• McKinney 
• Cedar Hill 
• Decatur 
• Sherman 
• Weatherford 
• Mabank 
• Stephenville 
• Paris 
• Tyler 
• Longview