I. Appearance and Dimensions
Mini Excavators
Typically weighing between 1 to 6 tons, mini excavators feature a compact and sleek design. Take a common 1-ton mini excavator as an example: it may measure only 2 to 3 meters in length, 1 to 1.5 meters in width, and 1.5 to 2 meters in height. This compact size design allows it to easily navigate through narrow passages, such as rural alleyways, narrow in urban residential areas, and even access indoor spaces for small-scale projects like indoor demolition or basement excavation.
Large Excavators
Large excavators generally weigh over 20 tons, with some reaching up to hundreds of tons. A common 30-ton large excavator, for instance, can be approximately 10 meters in length, 3 to 4 meters in width, and 4 to 5 meters in height. Their massive size makes them highly effective in vast construction sites such as open-pit mines and large infrastructure projects, but they are nearly unable to operate in confined spaces.
Large excavators generally weigh over 20 tons, with some reaching up to hundreds of tons. A common 30-ton large excavator, for instance, can be approximately 10 meters in length, 3 to 4 meters in width, and 4 to 5 meters in height. Their massive size makes them highly effective in vast construction sites such as open-pit mines and large infrastructure projects, but they are nearly unable to operate in confined spaces.
II. Operational Capacity
Mini Excavators
With relatively low digging force, their bucket capacity typically ranges from 0.02 to 0.2 cubic meters. They are primarily suitable for small-scale earthwork projects, such as digging holes for planting in small gardens, excavating minor ditches, and demolishing lightweight walls or floors in indoor settings. Their agility enables precise and delicate operations, such as carefully excavating soil around pipes in tight spaces to avoid damage.
Mini Excavators
With relatively low digging force, their bucket capacity typically ranges from 0.02 to 0.2 cubic meters. They are primarily suitable for small-scale earthwork projects, such as digging holes for planting in small gardens, excavating minor ditches, and demolishing lightweight walls or floors in indoor settings. Their agility enables precise and delicate operations, such as carefully excavating soil around pipes in tight spaces to avoid damage.
Large Excavators
Boasting enormous digging force, their bucket capacity often spans 1 to 5 cubic meters or more. In large-scale mining operations, they efficiently extract hard ores; in major construction projects, they rapidly complete large-scale foundation excavations and heavy material handling. For example, during the construction of a large reservoir, large excavators can swiftly dig massive ，significantly accelerating project .
Boasting enormous digging force, their bucket capacity often spans 1 to 5 cubic meters or more. In large-scale mining operations, they efficiently extract hard ores; in major construction projects, they rapidly complete large-scale foundation excavations and heavy material handling. For example, during the construction of a large reservoir, large excavators can swiftly dig massive ，significantly accelerating project .
III. Power and Performance
Mini Excavators
Equipped with small diesel engines or electric drives, diesel engines typically range from 10 to 50 horsepower, while electric models have lower power outputs. Their travel speed is relatively slow, around 2 to 5 kilometers per hour, and their slewing speed is also modest, at approximately 5 to 10 revolutions per minute. However, this power configuration is sufficient for flexible operations in small projects, and their lower power consumption results in reduced operational costs.
Mini Excavators
Equipped with small diesel engines or electric drives, diesel engines typically range from 10 to 50 horsepower, while electric models have lower power outputs. Their travel speed is relatively slow, around 2 to 5 kilometers per hour, and their slewing speed is also modest, at approximately 5 to 10 revolutions per minute. However, this power configuration is sufficient for flexible operations in small projects, and their lower power consumption results in reduced operational costs.
Large Excavators
Fitted with high-power diesel engines, their horsepower can reach several hundred. This robust power allows them to tackle high-intensity tasks effortlessly. They feature faster travel speeds (5 to 10 kilometers per hour) and quicker slewing speeds (10 to 15 revolutions per minute), enhancing efficiency in large work zones by minimizing material handling time.
Fitted with high-power diesel engines, their horsepower can reach several hundred. This robust power allows them to tackle high-intensity tasks effortlessly. They feature faster travel speeds (5 to 10 kilometers per hour) and quicker slewing speeds (10 to 15 revolutions per minute), enhancing efficiency in large work zones by minimizing material handling time.
IV. Application Scenarios
Mini Excavators
Widely used in urban small-scale construction projects, such as sewer repairs and water pipeline laying in residential areas; landscaping projects, including foundation excavation for rockeries and creating small water features; and agricultural fields, such as digging fertilization holes and building small irrigation ditches in orchards or tea plantations. They are irreplaceable in scenarios requiring limited space and environmental sensitivity with small project scales.
Mini Excavators
Widely used in urban small-scale construction projects, such as sewer repairs and water pipeline laying in residential areas; landscaping projects, including foundation excavation for rockeries and creating small water features; and agricultural fields, such as digging fertilization holes and building small irrigation ditches in orchards or tea plantations. They are irreplaceable in scenarios requiring limited space and environmental sensitivity with small project scales.
Large Excavators
Primarily employed in major infrastructure projects, such as highway and railway subgrade excavation; large-scale mining operations, including ore extraction and loading; and massive earthwork in construction sites, such as excavating foundations for high-rise buildings. In these large-scale projects, their powerful operational capabilities and high efficiency ensure smooth project progression.
Primarily employed in major infrastructure projects, such as highway and railway subgrade excavation; large-scale mining operations, including ore extraction and loading; and massive earthwork in construction sites, such as excavating foundations for high-rise buildings. In these large-scale projects, their powerful operational capabilities and high efficiency ensure smooth project progression.
V. Equipment Cost and Maintenance
Mini Excavators
Relatively low in procurement cost, a standard mini excavator may range from tens of thousands to over one hundred thousand yuan. Due to their simple structure and fewer components, maintenance is easier and more cost-effective. Routine maintenance focuses on inspecting and servicing key components like the engine and hydraulic system, with affordable replacement parts.
Mini Excavators
Relatively low in procurement cost, a standard mini excavator may range from tens of thousands to over one hundred thousand yuan. Due to their simple structure and fewer components, maintenance is easier and more cost-effective. Routine maintenance focuses on inspecting and servicing key components like the engine and hydraulic system, with affordable replacement parts.
Large Excavators
Significantly higher in cost, a large excavator can cost hundreds of thousands to millions of yuan. Their complex structure and high-power components lead to challenging and expensive maintenance. Professional teams are required for regular comprehensive maintenance, including deep engine servicing and precise hydraulic system adjustments. High-cost consumables like large buckets and heavy-duty tracks further increase replacement expenses.
Significantly higher in cost, a large excavator can cost hundreds of thousands to millions of yuan. Their complex structure and high-power components lead to challenging and expensive maintenance. Professional teams are required for regular comprehensive maintenance, including deep engine servicing and precise hydraulic system adjustments. High-cost consumables like large buckets and heavy-duty tracks further increase replacement expenses.
