Mini Excavator Sizing?

[Acwa]

Hi, I’ve got a smaller tractor but now looking to add an excavator. The biggest challenge I’m having is what size to get.
A few things going into this decision:
-Would like to be able to tow in a 12ft 7k dump trailer, my suv maxes out at 7500lbs. This is pretty important but I would rather know now if it will force me into an excavator I won’t be happy with.
-Digging depth isn’t a big need, will be used mostly for property clean up, trenching, driveway work and terracing.
-Lifting capacity seems to be most important, specifically the ability to move larger retaining wall stones and or fallen tree trunks/stumps.
-Would be nice to be maneuverable in smaller areas, it will be used on a 3a property and 6a property.

I’ve been looking at two sizes, the Deere 17g and the Deere 26g, it seems that the 26g is much more capable but would be at the very limits of my towing requirements.
Note I’m open to other brands, just started with Deere since that’s the tractor I have.

Would love advice on what I might not be thinking about when it comes to sizing and any recommended models/makes that could fit the ticket. Especially with great lifting performance for 1500ish lb stones. I know I could rent but I rarely have a full weekend to work so the ability to do an hour or two here and there makes ownership worth it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[4570Man]

A machine that small can probably lift 1500 pounds at it’s closest radius but that’s about it. You won’t be able to reach out and do anything with it.

 

[Acwa]

Hi, I’ve got a smaller tractor but now looking to add an excavator. The biggest challenge I’m having is what size to get.
A few things going into this decision:
-Would like to be able to tow in a 12ft 7k dump trailer, my suv maxes out at 7500lbs. This is pretty important but I would rather know now if it will force me into an excavator I won’t be happy with.
-Digging depth isn’t a big need, will be used mostly for property clean up, trenching, driveway work and terracing.
-Lifting capacity seems to be most important, specifically the ability to move larger retaining wall stones and or fallen tree trunks/stumps.
-Would be nice to be maneuverable in smaller areas, it will be used on a 3a property and 6a property.

I’ve been looking at two sizes, the Deere 17g and the Deere 26g, it seems that the 26g is much more capable but would be at the very limits of my towing requirements.
Note I’m open to other brands, just started with Deere since that’s the tractor I have.

Would love advice on what I might not be thinking about when it comes to sizing and any recommended models/makes that could fit the ticket. Especially with great lifting performance for 1500ish lb stones. I know I could rent but I rarely have a full weekend to work so the ability to do an hour or two here and there makes ownership worth it.

Thanks in advance!

I should note that most stones won’t be that big, the heavy ones can go at the base, walls wouldn’t be more than 4ft tall.

 

[Acwa]

A machine that small can probably lift 1500 pounds at its closest radius but that’s about it. You won’t be able to reach out and do anything with it.

I’ve not spent much time in an excavator, would I be able to get them moved around at least?
The lifting charts are a bit confusing, it for instance looks like the 17g can’t lift nearly as much as the tb216.

 

[kevin37b]

Get a tow rig that will handle a 10k machine or forget it . Kevin .

 

[jjeff]

My open station 26g I really like although at times is a little tippy so be cautious and aware. Biggest thing for me at time of purchase was it has enough auxiliary flow to run a small flail or chopper, eventually lol. One thing to be aware of if you go the Deere route and keep it for some time is the 26g takes zinc free hydraulic fluid it is 2x + more than other brands in my brief searches.

 

[Carl_NH]

Go for at least the JD26 size (6000/3 ton unit) better IMO would be like a Cat 303.5 or Bobcat E32 - 8000 lb machine.

The smaller machine JD 26 can push the bigger 1500lb rocks with the blade and thumb close up as 4570 said.

 

[Acwa]

Maybe I don’t fully understand the lift numbers, the 26g says it can lift 2573lbs from the front, shouldn’t that be able to easily handle those rocks, granted not over the side?

 

[jjeff]

Maybe I don’t fully understand the lift numbers, the 26g says it can lift 2573lbs from the front, shouldn’t that be able to easily handle those rocks, granted not over the side?

I've lifted 1.5k over the side close in, blade down I was puckered to the seat lol but I did it without damage I'm aware of. Yes the hydraulics are strong enough to lift 2.5 k in front with blade down imo. It's a strong little machine.

 

[Fixastuff]

If you don't need a zero tail swing check out the takeuchis. The big butt overhang makes them very capable for the light weight machines compared to the zero tails.

 

[m7040]

This a pic of mine. I wish I had gone bigger if I had to do it again

 

[Acwa]

I've lifted 1.5k over the side close in, blade down I was puckered to the seat lol but I did it without damage I'm aware of. Yes the hydraulics are strong enough to lift 2.5 k in front with blade down imo. It's a strong little machine.

So I could push or carry the stone close in and then as long as I am facing the wall get it up 2-3 feet onto the wall, again it’s rare I think that I’d need to do this as I’d put the larger ones at the base. While a larger machine might be nice I think much bigger and I’d loose access to certain areas.

 

[4570Man]

Maybe I don’t fully understand the lift numbers, the 26g says it can lift 2573lbs from the front, shouldn’t that be able to easily handle those rocks, granted not over the side?

It probably would lift 2500 pounds at the shortest radius. But if you push the boom out any distance the capacity is dropping. I can lift a 3600 pound block with my KX40 and swing it 360 degrees but try to reach it out even a little and it tips.

 

[Acwa]

If you don't need a zero tail swing check out the takeuchis. The big butt overhang makes them very capable for the light weight machines compared to the zero tails.

Is the advantage if zero tail just the ability to have more swing ability in small spaces? I’m not sure the foot or two matters for me.

 

[4570Man]

Is the advantage if zero tail just the ability to have more swing ability in small spaces? I’m not sure the foot or two matters for me.

It’s generally not a big deal but a no tail can swing within its footprint. If you parked a regular machine 1 foot away from a wall you couldn’t swing it because it would hit. I can’t spin my 40 in my dump trailer.

 

[Fixastuff]

Is the advantage if zero tail just the ability to have more swing ability in small spaces? I’m not sure the foot or two matters for me.

Yeah. If two machines weigh the same and one had tail swing and one doesn't the tail swing machine will lift more and feel more stable. At least that's been my experience. To me a zero swing excavator is like a tractor with no counter weight.

 

[Acwa]

Yeah. If two machines weigh the same and one had tail swing and one doesn't the tail swing machine will lift more and feel more stable. At least that's been my experience. To me a zero swing excavator is like a tractor with no counter weight.

That makes a lot of sense, so for my use a tail would be advantageous.

 

[m7040]

The best advice I can give is rent first before settling on size. You want to be sure to get it right

 

[jjeff]

Also I believe you can get bigger counterweights for Deere it will take away the minimal tail swing however. If you go this route and you buying new do it at time of purchase so you can hopefully get credited for other CW. It will also change the balance points of the machine.

So I could push or carry the stone close in and then as long as I am facing the wall get it up 2-3 feet onto the wall, again it’s rare I think that I’d need to do this as I’d put the larger ones at the base. While a larger machine might be nice I think much bigger and I’d loose access to certain areas.

Unsure of your operating skills so I will defer this question to others.

 

[Acwa]

Novice but extensive experience around heavy equipment in general and certainly understand the physics, that said if only used an excavator a few times.