Equipment Insight -- Mini excavators and attachments
Attachments are redefining the jobs that mini excavators can do with increasing efficiency and safety.
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LUKE HILL |
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Bobcat excavators are available with an increasing number of features that are designed to get more productivity from the attachments they power, and in less time. |
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Case engineers have recently recognized the demand for mulching and vegetation management with mini excavators and added the Case FMX28 Fecon forestry mulching head to its attachment portfolio. |
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Caterpillar offers three types of manual couplers: a mechanical pin grabber coupler with a screw-driven wedge; a pin-lock coupler that has a manually removed pin; and a pin-puller coupler that removes one bucket pin that would otherwise be used for mounting to the machine. |
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Hyundai’s new mini excavators are equipped with adjustable auxiliary pressure to meet the different pressure requirements of various attachments. |
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New excavator models equipped with attachments have more versatility and machine productivity and customers get a smaller machine that doesn’t cost as much to own and operate. |
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Electric mini excavator models allow work in noise-sensitive areas such as residential neighborhoods or hospitals where traditional models might not be suitable. |
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An increasing number of electric excavators are coming online, and these units are capable attachment platforms as well and can run a variety of attachments like thumbs/grapples, tilting buckets and hammers. |
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Mini excavators can now support a wide variety of attachments, including buckets, hammers, thumbs, breakers, augers, brush cutters, mulchers, pallet forks, plate compactors and rippers. |
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| Engcon couplers and tiltrotators feature EC-Oil, which allows changing hydraulic- and electric- attachments without leaving the cab. |
New models even easier to operate
Enhanced operator control and precision, greater functionality and automation that make attachment operations easier are just a few of the benefits built into Bobcat excavators for optimal performance. Following are some of the innovations that make it possible.
Selectable auxiliary hydraulic flow: Bobcat excavators allow quick selection of an auxiliary flow rate that best matches a particular attachment. Low flow provides precise control of the PowerTilt and Hydra-Tilt swing accessories; medium flow is perfect for the clamp attachment, and maximum flow is best for breakers, augers and compactors.
Clamp diverter valve: With the optional clamp diverter valve, users have more flexibility to run attachments without having to take the time and effort to disconnect the clamp.
Hydraulic X-Change mounting system: Operators can quickly change attachments without leaving the cab. With the press of a switch, operators can retract or extend attachment pins from the cab.
Low-effort joysticks and fingertip auxiliary controls: Low-effort joysticks in Bobcat excavators respond easily to operator input, enabling longer operation with less fatigue. The fingertip auxiliary controls feature pulse with modulation control for enhanced precision.
Depth Check: The Depth-Check system accurately measures depth and grade without having to exit the excavator cab. The system prevents under-and over-digging, so operators are more productive.
While compact excavators may be better known for their digging prowess, the job site tasks that these machines can perform are limited only by the number of attachments at an operator’s disposal. Here are a few examples of the diverse job site tasks that compact excavators excel at with the right attachments:
Paired with a flail mower or drum mulcher attachment, compact excavators are a great solution to clear hard-to-reach areas such as riverbanks or steep utility rights-of-way of small trees and other stubborn overgrowth. Excavators can reach over fences, guardrails and other obstacles to clear areas that other machines can’t easily reach.
Bobcat’s Hydra-Tilt and PowerTilt swing accessories provide another level of attachment versatility. The Hydra-Tilt is an entry-level tilt coupler that provides as much as 60 degrees of tilt range, while the PowerTilt generates up to 180 degrees of tilt. These accessories allow operators to make simple adjustments to the bucket or other attachments rather than having to reposition the machine. They save time and make it easier for operators to grade and contour land, create slopes and to dig around and under culverts, sewer lines and other job site obstacles.
Using a packer wheel attachment or plate compactor, excavators offer more compaction force than hand-held machines and workers don’t have to crawl into a trench to get the work done. Ground compaction on slopes is also more efficient and operator friendly. Paired with these compaction attachments, excavators reduce the need for manual labor while increasing job site productivity and operator comfort.
With the Bobcat E10e and E19e battery-powered excavators, indoor job sites are no longer off limits to excavators. Producing zero emissions, these small but mighty machines can tackle tough work indoors or outdoors. Equipped with a breaker or a bucket and clamp, the E10e and E19e are the ideal solution for indoor demolition work.
Rental fleets should carry a wide range of attachments to meet customers’ needs and include a variety of carrier sizes to accommodate all sizes of projects. Rental houses should consider including machines that are equipped with a cab, as well as heat and air conditioning to increase operator comfort and to meet customers’ expectations.
Rental centers can also increase their sales and attract new customers by including battery-powered excavator models and compatible attachments in their fleet. These excavators can create new revenue sources for equipment owners, operators and rental centers alike. Because they emit zero emissions, battery-powered excavators, such as the Bobcat E10e and E19e, can be put to work indoors, on demolition projects and other tasks that otherwise require manual labor. Because they produce little noise, these excavators can be operated at all hours of the day, even in dense urban areas where noise can limit work hours. •
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GUSTAV KREJCHA |
Hydraulics flexibility yields versatility
Mini excavators are rolling off the line with features designed for attachment versatility. Today, one of the top considerations for Case Construction Equipment is hydraulic packages and machine controls to accommodate the diverse needs of rental center customers. The goal for Case is to produce mini excavators that are simple enough for an entry-level user to operate and have the functionality to run attachments they couldn’t in the past.
As the mini excavator market has grown over the past several years, attachment offerings have also expanded. The popular mini machines certainly have the capability to tackle more than just moving dirt and functioning in tight spaces. An expanded attachment offering, customized machine features and electrification options have allowed for new forestry, landscape and interior applications.
Case is designing new mini excavator models that can come factory-fit with packages of features and benefits that allow equipment operators to use more specialized attachments. For example, Case engineers have recently recognized the demand for mulching and vegetation management with mini excavators and added the Case FMX28 Fecon forestry mulching head to its attachment portfolio. The mulching head design for mini excavators can maneuver undulating terrain and clear high overhead trees in addition to brush and small logs on trails and roadways. D-series excavators can be ordered with a mulcher package featuring dedicated gear pumps for hydraulic flow to mulcher attachments, as well as added heavy counterweight and a dedicated drain line.
Rental centers are seeking portability of their equipment, especially for contractors and homeowners who may have limited hauling capabilities but are looking to complete residential and landscaping tasks. Mini excavators are the popular choice for these customers because they can accommodate a wide variety of attachments for contractor and homeowner tasks such as trenching and irrigation, demolition, planting or removing trees, mulching and installing in-ground pools or hot tubs.
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Case, have started electrifying smaller machines like mini excavators to cater to the needs of interior demolition work or remodeling projects that require zero emissions. For rental centers, adding electric mini excavators to their portfolio diversifies the customers they can target. These electric mini machines run a hydraulic pump, ensuring they are functional with nearly all attachments that a diesel machine can operate, such as augers and hydraulic breakers.
For overall success with mini excavators and their lineup of attachments, Case offers three tips that will help rental centers to consider to maximize demand and ensure a positive return:
1. Stock the right machine configurations to meet the needs of a diverse group of customers.
2. Ensure the machines are set up with the proper hydraulics to pair well with a wide variety of attachments that accommodate most rental customer job demands.
3. Stock a variety of mini excavator attachments to suit your customer’s expanding needs.
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| SCOTT BRITTON Attachments Marketing Manager Caterpillar |
Couplers speed attachment changeout
When anyone thinks of an excavator, they generally think of a bucket used to dig or load. As time went on, couplers used to pick up more than one bucket for a designated purpose became the standard instead of an option. At first, couplers were manual, requiring the operator to exit the cab to swap buckets which increases downtime at the job site.
Now, with the Cat hydraulic pin grabber coupler, a mini excavator can pick up any bucket that can be pinned to the excavator stick. With the identical pin size, these buckets can be flipped to front-dig, which is convenient when tunneling under a sidewalk or utility. A few presses of unlock/lock on the in-cab screen keeps the operator out of harm’s way and greatly minimizes downtime.
When a coupler is integrated into the machine, it allows for easily mounting additional tools like a vibratory compactor plate, hammer/breaker, cold planer or a host of different and unique tools. Within the same monitor, the flow can be adjusted to match the operating parameters the tool requires. Many of these selections are predefined to run Cat attachments on Cat machines, taking the guesswork out of it.
Unique attachments, such as a cold planer, open a world of options. A mini excavator cold planer is often used with paving crews for smaller projects when working around curbing or manhole covers. The ambidextrousness of a mini excavator can make for easy work with a small cold planer. Paired with a Cat mini excavator that has a swing boom, it’s possible to never move the machine and cut out a square pad by swinging the cab and boom back and forth. Lineup marks and a Max Pro gauge allow repeated points of engagement and live cut feedback to the operator. For a long constant cut, an operator can use the Cat stick steer function.
While hydraulic couplers are great, they may not be suited for everyone based on coupler or machine cost. However, a coupler is the first step needed for ease of changing tools to have the most diverse mini excavator on the market. In this case, consider a manual coupler. Caterpillar offers three types of manual couplers: a mechanical pin grabber coupler with a screw-driven wedge; a pin-lock style coupler that has a manually removed pin; and a pin-puller coupler which removes one of the bucket pins that would otherwise be used for mounting the machine.
All are great options, each with their trade-offs. The pin grabber is perhaps the slowest but also less likely to get jammed. The pin is held tight which also means the highest level of performance. The pin-lock style is the quickest but also tends to need lower tolerances and therefore tends to have less precision. The pin-puller style is nice but needs to be greased so it is easy to remove. •
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Jacob Sherman |
Auxiliary hydraulics expand attachment options
Develon, like other manufacturers, is outfitting new mini excavators with auxiliary hydraulics as a standard feature. Hydraulic quick-coupler piping is also becoming more common, enabling faster attachment changes. A second set of hydraulics is available as an option for operators who outfit their mini excavators with multifunction attachments, such as a rotating grapple, flail mower and brush cutters, which are popular in land-clearing applications. New excavator models equipped with attachments have more versatility and machine productivity and customers get a smaller machine that doesn’t cost as much to own and operate.
The use of tiltrotator accessories with mini excavators is a popular trend and will continue to play a crucial role. These versatile accessories enable hydraulic excavators to rotate and tilt their attachments, significantly enhancing the efficiency and versatility of mini excavators. They allow operators to perform a wide range of tasks without the need for multiple specialized attachments and equipment. For example, when an operator is digging next to existing pipes, the operator can rotate the excavator bucket and work more precisely near the pipes without disturbing them. The efficiency associated with tiltrotator accessories has driven demand, and this is also true for those purchasing new machines.
A thumb, also known as a clamp, is a vital mini excavator attachment that can add productivity and flexibility. Thumbs are great for supplying extra grip, securing material and moving it. A hydraulic thumb connects to the machine at the base of the arm and includes hydraulics to precisely control the position. Thumb attachments for use with mini excavators are a staple on many landscaping and construction job sites today.
A grapple attachment is another example. It can be used for ongoing work that requires grabbing and lifting objects. Rotating attachments like grapples have become more popular for use with mini excavators. This attachment can increase operator productivity and efficiency by replacing manual labor.
It is recommended for rental centers to purchase mini excavators with a second set of hydraulics. Doing so allows rental centers to expand the attachment offering for use with mini excavators. Customers can then rent additional mini excavator attachments and perform work that may have previously been done with larger machines or by hand.
Rental centers can get more control over their rental fleet using the telematics system. It’s a standard feature on -7 Series Develon mini excavators, making it easy to remotely monitor and maintain the machines. It can monitor the health, location and productivity of Develon construction equipment from a user-friendly mobile app and website with free monitoring, no contract and no fees. •
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ERIC BAE |
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Use factory-approved attachments
Hyundai’s new mini excavators are equipped with adjustable auxiliary pressure to meet the different pressure requirements of various attachments. Operators can also control auxiliary flow through the instrument panel.
In addition, the new Hyundai mini excavators have a diverter valve on the two-way valve to connect a thumb and another attachment. This helps operators because they do not need to take off and reconnect the thumb when they want to use other attachments.
Finally, Hyundai mini excavators have a standard thumb bracket on the arm to ease thumb installation and save cost and installation time.
Tilt-coupler and tilt-rotator types of attachments improve flexibility when digging and grading. Hyundai mini excavators are available with two-way and four-way controls to support these types of attachments.
Rental centers can increase demand and ROI with mini excavators and attachments by using factory-offered buckets and thumbs that are the right size for working with the mini excavator. Buying Hyundai factory attachments can reduce costs and increase rental fleet efficiency. •
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JAVIER MARIN |
Electronics add versatility
Few machines can match the versatility of a mini excavator equipped with the appropriate attachment. The right attachment enables mini excavators to reach more ground in every direction than any other machine in the field. The adaptability of mini excavators equipped with the right attachment makes them a popular choice for rental centers.
JCB’s range of mini excavators, spanning one to 10 metric tons, includes notable advances, particularly in the 5- to 10-ton range. In these models, JCB has introduced innovative electronics and hydraulic-driven attachments that enable quick-and-easy changes from within the cab, enhancing project uptime and operational efficiency.
JCB mini excavators equipped with a variety of attachments have broadened their functionality beyond conventional digging operations. These machines can be adapted for multiple uses, such as posthole digging, mulching, tree shearing and stump grinding.
Additionally, the inclusion of the electric model adds further versatility, allowing for work in noise-sensitive areas such as residential neighborhoods or hospitals where traditional models might not be suitable. This adaptability and versatility leads to greater equipment uptime and enhanced e?ciency on job sites.
To boost demand and ROI for JCB mini excavators, rental centers should strategically enhance their ?eet with a focus on versatility and sustainability.
Rental centers should emphasize the broad spectrum of available attachments, especially those that are hydraulically driven and be able to illustrate their e?ectiveness in a wide variety of projects. The capabilities of renting one mini excavator and several attachments can bene?t the customer on a job site, providing increased versatility and e?ciency.
As well, rental centers should o?er environmentally friendly models, like the JCB 19c-1E, which o?ers zero emissions and reduced noise to attract clients with projects in urban or environmentally sensitive areas.
By focusing on these areas, rental centers can e?ectively cater to a broader client base, showcasing the extensive applications of both traditional and electric mini excavators, thereby enhancing their ROI. •
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CHARLES BALDWIN |
Excavators stepping up their game
Excavators are the workhorses of the construction world and they have been stepping up their game. It’s not just about digging and moving dirt, the latest models and their attachments are changing how work gets done, making jobs easier and more efficient.
Excavators now are being designed to swap attachments quickly and easily. For example, hydraulic couplers have been game-changers, allowing users to switch attachments from the cab. This allows operators to work smarter, not harder and save time, which is becoming even more precious on a job site.
Mini excavators are getting some impressive upgrades. They’re not just for small tasks anymore. With hydraulic quick couplers, users can change buckets or other tools with the push of a button without leaving the cab. Further, tilt/rotating couplers allow operators to move an attachment in all directions, acting almost like a wrist for a mini excavator. It allows operators to do more tasks with just one tool, which is time- and effort-saving and ultimately can increase rental center and renter ROI.
For rental centers, this evolution of versatility is a big opportunity. With all these new attachments, they can offer more options to contractors. Rental houses can increase demand by advertising being a one-stop location, saving the customer time and money by only renting one machine which can be used with a variety of attachments for a variety of jobs. It’s a win-win: contractors get to do more with one machine, and rental centers can charge a bit more for these high-tech attachments. The key is finding that sweet spot where the cost of renting these attachments meets the value they bring to the job.•
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PETER BIGWOOD |
Patented quick coupler improves efficiency
Congested job sites are nothing new to contractors and everything is getting tighter: spaces, deadlines and crews. Mecalac was the first manufacturer to recognize the need for new urban excavators that combine compactness with performance. But it also goes a step further by looking at the job site.
Contractors require more compact equipment that offers stability and lifting capacity while being able to switch between attachments for various jobs.
Mecalac offers a solution that ticks all of these boxes with its line of compact skid excavators that optimize efficiency through a patented Connect quick coupler. The system allows operators to change attachments without leaving the cab while offering the maneuverability of a wheeled excavator. Operators can complete more tasks with these attachments in one machine position. Once engaged, there is zero risk of dropping a bucket.
Paired with the right mini excavator, attachments can turn one machine into several and allow it to outperform other machines. While most excavators on the market today use a mono boom design, Mecalac compact skid excavators feature a two-part boom system with the dexterity and stability that allows attachments to transform the machine. When equipped with skid steer buckets up to .98 cubic yards, the crawler skid excavator can operate as a compact track loader or skid steer as well as an excavator. It also offers the ability for the loader bucket to be braced against the blade for applications such as grading and ground leveling.
By switching out the bucket attachment for a set of forks, it becomes a highly maneuverable material handler. The dexterity of the boom provides a unique advantage because a fork-equipped crawler skid excavator can reposition the pallet left or right without moving the whole machine, unlike a telehandler.
The initial investment cost is at the forefront of an equipment buyer’s mind. While equipment with multi-functional features will typically rent for more, it is important to note that these features offer operators three or four machines in one. This versatility translates to a smaller crew and fewer pieces of equipment on a job, leading to increased productivity, efficiency and ROI in the long run.
Consider the example of a contractor who does work for utility companies laying underground piping and electrical wiring. He leveraged the advantages of a compact wheeled excavator and outperformed competitors that still used backhoes, allowing him to earn bids away from them even though he charged more. His winning pitch was that his one compact excavator could do the loading, digging, backfilling and more than the other machines, providing his clients overall savings in terms of rental costs while tripling the job site’s efficiency.
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DAVID CALDWELL |
Adjustable hydraulics for different attachments
There has been a trend among excavator manufacturers to increase the number of available hydraulic circuits as standard equipment. Takeuchi now offers up to three hydraulic circuits as standard equipment on multiple models, making it easier for operators to work with a wider range of attachments quickly and easily. Takeuchi’s three hydraulic circuits include the primary circuit, second auxiliary circuit and a coupler circuit.
Simple flow rate and pressure adjustments that can be matched to different attachments have become important features. The flow rates for Takeuchi excavators in the 2.5-ton class and up are adjustable through the machine’s monitor panel in the cab. Also, 5-ton and larger models have high-flow capabilities allowing them to operate various attachments such as rotary cutters/mulchers more efficiently.
Some of the most innovative ways mini excavators are being used with attachments include:
Tilt rotators. Tilt rotators greatly increase an excavator’s versatility and capability because they allow the attachment to be easily manipulated. The attachment can work in various positions and perform precise maneuvers quickly and efficiently without requiring the operator to reposition the machine. Tilt rotators can work with a wide range of attachments like grading buckets, cable buckets, grapples, forks, grippers and leveling bars.
Electric models. An increasing number of electric excavators are coming online, and these units are capable attachment platforms that can run a variety of attachments like thumbs/grapples, tilting buckets and hammers. With zero emissions and low noise levels, electric excavators are ideal for indoor demolition, excavation and utility work. They can work in sensitive areas while still providing a comfortable work environment and similar performance levels compared with their diesel-powered counterparts.
Having a broader range of available attachments for any compact excavator provides rental customers with more options while giving the rental center an opportunity to capture more revenue.
Customers can range from a utility contractor renting a unit for a month-long project to a landscaper renting a unit for a single day. However, it’s likely that most customers will need or could use various attachments, so letting those customers know what attachments are available and what they can do is key to increasing ROI.
Ensuring equipment is well maintained and in good shape will also keep it up and running longer, as well as make it more attractive to potential customers. Using telematics like the Takeuchi Fleet Management system can help ensure rental centers are on top of machine health and usage data.
Providing excellent customer service that helps both new and experienced operators safely and efficiently use a compact excavator will also encourage repeat business and positive word of mouth.
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DARREN ASHTON |
Compact excavators are fleets' Swiss Army knife
The industry has done a great job of standardizing attachment interfaces across manufacturers, which basically turns a compact excavator into a fleet’s Swiss army knife. Mini excavators can now support a wide variety of attachments, including buckets, hammers, thumbs, breakers, augers, brush cutters, mulchers, pallet forks, plate compactors and rippers. Compact excavators have also gotten easier to service and increasingly feature auto engine shutdown and/or auto idle, all of which lower their total cost of ownership.
With compact excavators having more auxiliary hydraulic capabilities at the end of the arm, tilt buckets and tilt/twist couplers like Steelwrist with grapples are becoming more common. Using a grapple in a sorting application can be quite efficient.
Outfitting compact excavators with a pin grabber-style quick coupler for compatibility with the most attachments and brands is a good move. Tiltrotators are also a game-changer, and excavators should have, at minimum, single-acting and double-acting hydraulics to ensure that a variety of attachments are compatible. Float and angle blades are also becoming more common.
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JUSTIN STEGER |
Self-coupling attachments speed attachment changes
John Deere offers six models of compact excavators ranging from 1.7 to 6 metric tons. All compact models come standard with a mechanical coupler and auxiliary hydraulics. The 26 P and larger models have standard auxiliary selector valves plumbed to the end of the arm so machines equipped with a thumb can also run hydraulic attachments without having to switch hydraulic lines. Users can divert the flow to the attachment from the thumb by turning a valve.
Additionally, the 35, 50 and 60 P mini excavators offer hydraulic wedge-style and hydraulic pin-grabber couplers so operators can swap attachments even easier and faster.
In 2021, John Deere announced a preferred supplier agreement with to offer tiltrotators, couplers and attachments. These engcon couplers and tiltrotators feature EC-Oil, which allows changing hydraulic- and electric-powered attachments without leaving the cab. The machine makes the hydraulic and electrical when applicable, connections as the coupler engages the attachment. EC-Oil couplers are available on 50 and 60 P excavators as well as larger machine in the Deere excavator portfolio. EC-Oil couplers can be installed on Deere machines with or without tiltrotators, so rental companies can attract customers looking for the benefits of switching attachments quickly and comfortably by offering a standalone EC-Oil hydraulic quick coupler.
John Deere’s compact excavator portfolio offers rental centers and customers machines in most any size to meet their needs. They’re simple to operate, extremely durable, and come standard with features such as couplers and auxiliary hydraulics to provide great versatility. On top of that, to provide the most versatility to attract a wide customer base, rental companies should consider stocking units with pin-grabber couplers and thumbs.
This article originally appeared in the January-February 2024 issue of Pro Contractor Rentals magazine. ©2024 Urbain Communications LLC. All rights reserved.
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