How much does a mini excavator weigh?
Across the 29 mini excavators we track, weights run from 3,693 lb (1,675 kg) for the Kubota U17 to 18,630 lb (8,450 kg) for the Takeuchi TB290. The median is 9,039 lb (4,100 kg).
Weight by class
| Class | Models | Lightest | Median | Heaviest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5,000 lb (about 1–2 t) | 5 | 3,693 lb | 3,900 lb | 4,306 lb |
| 5,000–9,000 lb (about 2.5–4 t) | 9 | 5,780 lb | 7,659 lb | 8,223 lb |
| 9,000–13,500 lb (about 4–6 t) | 12 | 9,039 lb | 11,779 lb | 13,250 lb |
| 13,500 lb and up (about 6–9 t) | 3 | 15,766 lb | 18,493 lb | 18,630 lb |
What operating weight includes
Operating weight is the machine ready to work: full fuel, fluids, a standard bucket and a 165–175 lb operator, with the cab or canopy it was measured in. A cab usually adds a few hundred pounds over a canopy, and a long arm, heavy counterweight or steel tracks add more.
Thumbs, tilt couplers and breakers can add several hundred pounds. Weigh what you will actually haul.
Hauling a mini excavator
Machines under about 9,000 lb fit on many 10,000 lb GVWR trailers behind a heavy-duty pickup. Above that you need a heavier trailer, and the combined ratings quickly cross the federal Class A CDL threshold of 26,001 lb for commercial drivers.
Use the trailer calculator to check your exact truck and trailer.
All models
| Kubota U17 | 3,693 lb1,675 kg1.68 t | 7 ft 7 in | 3 ft 3 in | 7 ft 8 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Deere 17G | 3,790 lb1,719 kg1.72 t | 7 ft 2 in | 3 ft 3 in | 7 ft 10 in |
| Takeuchi TB216 | 3,900 lb1,769 kg1.77 t | 7 ft 10 in | 3 ft 3 in | 7 ft 5 in |
| Caterpillar 301.7 CR | 4,222 lb1,915 kg1.92 t | 7 ft 9 in | 3 ft 3 in | 7 ft 7 in |
| Bobcat E20 | 4,306 lb1,953 kg1.95 t | 8 ft 5 in | 3 ft 3 in | 7 ft 6 in |
| John Deere 26G | 5,780 lb2,622 kg2.62 t | 8 ft 6 in | 4 ft 11 in | 8 ft |
| SANY SY26U | 6,085 lb2,760 kg2.76 t | 9 ft 3 in | 5 ft 1 in | 8 ft |
| Caterpillar 302.7 CR | 6,725 lb3,050 kg3.05 t | 8 ft 3 in | 5 ft 2 in | 8 ft 2 in |
| Takeuchi TB235-2 | 7,418 lb3,365 kg3.36 t | 10 ft 8 in | 5 ft 2 in | 8 ft 3 in |
| Bobcat E35 | 7,659–7,893 lb3,474–3,580 kg3.47–3.58 t | 10 ft 1 in | 5 ft 10 in | 8 ft |
| John Deere 35G | 7,760 lb3,520 kg3.52 t | 10 ft | 5 ft 9 in | 8 ft 2 in |
| Yanmar ViO35-6A | 7,905 lb3,586 kg3.59 t | 11 ft 3 in | 5 ft 8 in | – |
| Kubota U35-4 | 8,129 lb3,687 kg3.69 t | 9 ft 9 in | 5 ft 7 in | 8 ft 1 in |
| SANY SY35U | 8,223 lb3,730 kg3.73 t | 10 ft 3 in | 5 ft 8 in | 8 ft 5 in |
| XCMG XE35U | 9,039 lb4,100 kg4.1 t | – | – | – |
| Caterpillar 303.5 CR | 9,239 lb4,191 kg4.19 t | 9 ft 3 in | 5 ft 10 in | 8 ft 2 in |
| Kubota KX040-4 | 9,195–10,360 lb4,171–4,699 kg4.17–4.7 t | 11 ft 3 in | 5 ft 7 in | 8 ft 2 in |
| John Deere 50G | 10,560 lb4,790 kg4.79 t | 11 ft 7 in | 6 ft 7 in | 8 ft 4 in |
| Bobcat E50 | 11,357 lb5,151 kg5.15 t | 11 ft 5 in | 6 ft 5 in | 8 ft 4 in |
| SANY SY50U | 11,707 lb5,310 kg5.31 t | 11 ft 3 in | 6 ft 5 in | 8 ft 5 in |
| Yanmar ViO55-6A | 11,850 lb5,375 kg5.38 t | 13 ft 6 in | 6 ft 6 in | – |
| Takeuchi TB260 | 12,125 lb5,500 kg5.5 t | 12 ft 9 in | 6 ft 7 in | 8 ft 5 in |
| Kubota U55-5 | 12,247 lb5,555 kg5.56 t | 11 ft 11 in | 6 ft 5 in | 8 ft 4 in |
| Kubota KX057-5 | 12,400 lb5,625 kg5.62 t | 12 ft 9 in | 6 ft 5 in | 8 ft 4 in |
| Caterpillar 305 CR | 12,688 lb5,755 kg5.76 t | 11 ft 3 in | 6 ft 6 in | 8 ft 4 in |
| John Deere 60G | 13,250 lb6,010 kg6.01 t | 12 ft 4 in | 6 ft 7 in | 8 ft 4 in |
| Caterpillar 306 CR | 15,766 lb7,151 kg7.15 t | 12 ft 2 in | 6 ft 6 in | 8 ft 4 in |
| Caterpillar 308 CR | 18,493 lb8,388 kg8.39 t | 13 ft 6 in | 7 ft 7 in | 8 ft 4 in |
| Takeuchi TB290 | 18,520–18,630 lb8,401–8,450 kg8.4–8.45 t | 15 ft | 7 ft 3 in | 8 ft 5 in |
Run the numbers
Common questions
What does a 3.5 ton mini excavator weigh?
About 7,700–8,300 lb, e.g. the John Deere 35G, Kubota U35-4 and SANY SY35U in our data.
Can a half-ton pickup tow a mini excavator?
Only the smallest 1–2 t machines (about 3,700–4,300 lb), and only if the truck’s towing and payload ratings cover the trailer’s gross weight and tongue weight. Most mini excavators need a 3/4-ton or 1-ton truck.