Why Choose Us
Professional Technical Team
Relying on the mature experience of more than 40 years of engineering machinery manufacturing of our team, Laigong has established and passed the ISO9001 international quality system certification, ISO14001 environmental certification, CE, EAC, SGS, and has independent research and development capabilities of high-tech products.
Our Products
Our main products range are mini wheel loader, mini excavator, self-loading mixer, dumper and tricycles. To fit the demands of our dealers and customers, we also extended our product range to CE wheel loader, telescopic loader, backhoe loader, big excavator in 2020.
Production Market
As a famous brand and top 5 sales quantities in our industry, Laigong products served over 200,000 users both at China and abroad. Till end of 2023, Laigong has over 400 dealers in China domestic and over 80 dealers in Russia, South East Asia, Central Asia, Europe, South America, Africa etc. The annual export of machinery exceeds 40000 units.
Excellent Customer Service
We provide long-term consultation as well as warranty by our highly competent and skilled technical personnel. Consistent administration of users' files, and friendly, patient and attentive technical consultancy is our promise. Users' training sessions and symposiums are conducted on a regular basis.
What is Mini Excavator
Mini excavators, also known as compact excavators, are classified as earthmoving machines with an operating weight of 10 metric tons or less. Their advanced hydraulic systems can outperform larger tractor loader backhoes, and they offer greater flexibility to dig adjacent to objects, place spoil or load a truck. Mini excavators are versatile machines built for a simple purpose – fast, efficient trenching and excavating. It is common to see a compact excavator operated in conjunction with a skid-steer or compact track loader, because the machines complement each other and can get work done faster than larger dedicated earthmoving equipment.
7 Advantages of Using Mini Excavators
They're easy to use
You can learn to operate mini excavators in a matter of minutes. Almost anyone can use this piece of equipment and start immediately.
Nooks and crannies are not a problem
Compared to full-sized excavators, mini excavators can easily maneuver into tight spaces. Accessibility is a major selling point to contractors and operators alike. Just check out this mini excavator maneuver through a china shop - case in point.
They can save you money
Mini excavators are relatively cheaper to hire compared to the full-sized excavator. Hauling larger machinery on the highway requires special permits, which costs extra money. Since mini excavators are small and compact, they're easily transported on a pickup truck trailer and you don't have to have a special hauling permit to transport them. Operators on a mini excavator don't need a commercial driver's license, unlike full-sized excavators. Saving money on special permits and licenses is a major bonus for any contractor.
They are quieter
Small machines produce less noise, especially when crossing hard surfaces and cement. Minimising the stress of noise complaints, mini excavators are a hot commodity throughout residential job sites.
They can be less damaging
With lighter equipment, you can avoid grinding or scraping the surface they operate on. The rubber tracks fitted to smaller machines also help load the machine for transport, reducing the risk of slips. Since mini excavators are easier to move around tight spaces, there's little need to tear down anything to accommodate the excavator.
They are easily transported
Transporting machinery from one place to another is one of the biggest concerns when hiring equipment. Bigger machines are harder to transport, not to mention it would cost extra to move them around. Mini excavators, or smaller machines in general are easier to transport since they will fit into a pickup truck's trailer or extended pickup beds.
Functionality is not limited
Mini excavators work similarly to full-sized excavators. Its size does not limit its functionality. Mini excavators still have the ability to swing 360 degrees, which means that you don't have to re-position dump trucks to adjust to the location of the excavator - the mini excavator will simply just swing to place a load onto the dump truck wherever it is positioned.
General digging
One of the most vital tasks in farming is digging, which facilitates the planting of different types of crops. Mini or small excavators have a rotating house that helps agricultural specialists in general and precise digging of holes for planting fruits, trees, and crops. They also aid in digging deep or narrow trenches for farmers to plant or irrigate their plants.
Drainage tiles and culvert installation
The farming industry relies on tiles and culverts for proper drainage to prevent flooding and waterlogging, which can affect plants and cause soil erosion. For that reason, the drainage system on the farm should perform at its peak to prevent excessive accumulation of water that saturates the roots of crops. Mini excavators are handy for installing new drainage tiles and culverts on farms, especially in areas experiencing heavy rainfall. They also help repair or replace old or damaged culverts and tiles.
Harvesting
A mini ex is a vital machine that helps farmers harvest. Its lifting ability aids in carrying crops such as vegetables, corn, potatoes, and tomatoes from the farm after harvesting. The bucket attachment is essential in loosening the soil around carrots, arrow roots, and potatoes, and the lifting attachment lifts them from the ground to the truck. Large-scale farmers use this machinery to speed up harvesting and save time and money.
Crop processing
Agricultural specialists also use mini or combat excavators to process harvested foods before storage or selling. The equipment helps move the harvested crops during the processing phase, which entails cleaning, sorting, and packaging.
Preparing seedbeds
In addition, the mini excavating equipment can aid in preparing fields for seedbeds. The mini or small excavator helps in removing bushes and debris from the part of the field you want your seedbed. Its 360-degree rotating house makes it efficient in leveling the ground for a seedbed for new or transplanted seedlings. The farming machinery later digs up the soil for planting the seedlings. Since it can maneuver in tight spaces, the agricultural equipment can make several seedbeds for different types of trees, vegetables, and crops.
Livestock Management
Livestock farmers can also invest in mini excavators for diverse purposes. The machinery can dig holes to help create a fence around domestic animals. It also makes the animal pens clean by removing debris and other dirt. The equipment moves hay bales, creates water troughs, and clears land where your animals can graze to help provide the nutritional needs of your livestock.
Types of Mini Excavator Attachments
Auger Attachments
Augers are heavy-duty attachments with metal spirals designed for drilling deep holes in the ground. They are easy to use and require minimal effort when attached to mini excavators. The machine is responsible for applying pressure, making the attachment ideal for driving holes in tough and densely packed soils. This drill performs in various terrains, producing holes much faster and more effectively than other tools. Augers are applicable in multiple settings that require drilling, from construction and mining to agriculture and landscaping.
Grapple Buckets
Grapple buckets are different from other excavator buckets. They feature two connected, forked clumps that open and close to collect and move or dispose of objects. They are designed to pick and move heavy materials of varying shapes and sizes that may be challenging to move any other way. In material handling and demolition, these mini excavator attachments are useful in moving all kinds of debris.
Trenching Attachments
Trenching attachments allow operators to make precise excavations. They’re ideal for delivering accuracy and efficiency in settings that require deep, clean-cut trenches. These powerful attachments come with multiple tooth configurations, which allow easy cuts into different soil environments, from mixed soil and rocky terrain to permafrost. Trenchers are common equipment in utility installation and drainage projects, where precise trenches are needed to lay pipes, power cables, and drainage or sewage lines.
Thumb Attachments
One of the most useful compact excavator attachments is the hydraulic thumb, which you install to work in sync with a bucket. Thumb attachments mimic the human thumb, enabling the operator to use the thumb when needed to support the bucket. Hydraulic thumbs are common in forestry and rock handling applications, where they aid operators in picking up and securing tree stumps, rocks, logs, concrete fragments, and more. Hydraulic thumbs are versatile tools that simplify picking up, moving, and holding irregular objects. In forestry, landscaping, and construction, the attachments effectively handle irregular materials that can’t stay secure in a bucket, such as rocks, branches, and debris.
The size and weight of your mini excavator are important considerations.
If it is too large, it can cause damage to the terrain or job site, especially when working in tight spaces or on landscaping projects. Smaller and lighter mini excavators are best suited for soft soils, buried service lines, and sensitive surfaces. However, if your excavator is too small, it will struggle to handle some tasks. Jobs with a higher work capacity and projects dealing with heavier loads will need a larger mini excavator.
A mini excavator, being smaller in size, has a lower operating weight than most heavy equipment. Operating weight is a measurement used to convey how much a vehicle or machine weighs while in use — it factors in fuel, operator weight, and additional attachments. Depending on the model, this can range from 2 tons to more than 10 tons.
How Much Can a Mini Excavator Lift
Mini excavators can lift a substantial amount of weight for their size. Most can lift around 1,000 to 1,500 pounds on average, but larger models are capable of lifting as much as 10,000 pounds or more. When assessing your required lifting weight, you need to evaluate the machine’s size, what you will be using it for, and your job site. These points help determine the price of a mini excavator, which is also a top consideration. These are the factors that affect the lifting capacity of a mini excavator:
Counterweight
The counterweight helps balance the weight of the machine while lifting to prevent it from tipping over when working with heavy loads.
Attachment
Different attachments are capable of lifting different weight capacities. There are tools that are better for lifting heavier loads than others.
Hydraulic system
This component powers the excavator’s arm and bucket. It determines the strength of the machine and impacts the weight capacity it can handle.
Ground conditions
The ground the machine is on affects its lifting strength. When placed on soft, wet or uneven terrain, it can make it harder to lift heavier objects and may require additional stability to perform optimally.
Compact excavators are easy to use, but you need to have training from a professional before you use the equipment yourself. Depending on where you are in Australia, you may need a licence to operate a mini excavator. Your equipment hire company will let you know if that's the case. Mini excavators have the same full range of motion as larger models, with cabs that turn 360 degrees to make loading and dumping easy. If it's your first time at the controls, you should test the equipment in a safe location away from hazards and people before taking it onto the site.
Lift the Excavator
Before you can work on the track, you’ll need to lift the excavator so the track is completely off the ground. This step eliminates pressure and allows the track to move freely while you work on it. You can use the machine’s boom and other attachments to push and hold the track off the ground. If you’re working on a hill when the track comes off, do everything you can to walk the excavator to a flat location before you start trying to fix it. Handling heavy machinery on a slope is much riskier than on a flat plane. You’ll likely have to kick the track, and you don’t want to do that if the machine isn’t stable.
Loosen the Track Tension
Your mini excavator’s track tension is controlled by a piston that moves outward when it’s full of grease. To release the tension and fix the track, use a socket wrench to open the release valve on your machine. You’ll find it in the middle center hole on the track frame. Once you open it, grease should start spraying out on its own. You’ll see the track start to relax and give you more room for adjustments. Put the release valve cover in a safe, clean place so you can screw it back on before you refill the grease tube.
Align the Track
To align the track, first assess where alignment was lost. Tracks tend to lose alignment on one end, either over the sprocket or the idler. If they’re still in place on one side, it’s much easier to get them realigned. However, if the track comes completely off, you can follow the steps below to realign one side at a time:
● Get the track as closely aligned as possible with physical force. You can lift, push or kick it.
● Next, put the pry bar underneath the track, next to the side where it’s misaligned. Have your partner run the track slowly over this side, and use the pry bar to push it back into alignment while it’s moving.
● Pull the pry bar out once it reaches the space at the bottom. Have the operator run the track in both directions to make sure it’s all the way on.
You can repeat these steps as often as needed until the track is correctly aligned on the machine. You’ll hear a pop and click when it lines up properly, and you’ll be able to see it.
Adjust the Tension
Now, you need to tighten the track tension back up. To do this, unscrew the grease intake valve in the center of the track frame. Use the grease gun to pump the piston full of grease, until the track is within 1 to 2 inches of the center roller on the bottom of the frame. It’s a good idea to double-check your equipment manual for the proper spacing guidelines — some machines may vary from this general rule. After you’ve adjusted the tension, put the excavator back on the ground and run it around to make sure everything is working properly.
Maintenance Tips for Mini Excavator
Train Your Operators Effectively
Implementing an efficient preventative maintenance program begins with training machine operators effectively. Your mini excavator operators can only spot potential problems with their machines if they have been trained under normal operating conditions. It’s vital to train heavy equipment operators in maintenance procedures. Operators should be able to identify engine and exhaust issues, loose bolts, frayed belts, missing parts and filters in need of replacing.
Follow a Routine Maintenance Schedule
Following a compact excavator, maintenance schedule simplifies the maintenance process and ensures that workers know their machine’s condition. To create a maintenance schedule, check your mini excavator maintenance manual. The maintenance manual includes service recommendations on how frequently to review everything from fluid levels to track tension.
Examine the Hydraulic Cylinders
A daily pre-operation walkaround is one of the most effective ways to maintain your mini-excavator and prevent accidents on the job site. Taking the time to walk around your equipment and inspect it before each use reduces the chance that you’ll miss a loose bolt or frayed connection. The first step in your walkaround should be checking the hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic system is crucial for using the mini excavator’s attachment, so this system should always be working correctly.
Inspect the Attachment
The next step in your excavator walkaround is to inspect the attachment itself. Checking the attachment and coupler for signs of disrepair helps prevent accidents and may ultimately reduce maintenance costs for your mini excavators. If the attachment or arm shows any rust or other damage, replace the component to relieve any stress on the mini excavator’s arm.
Open the Side Hood
Walk around to the side hood and open it to inspect what’s inside. Examine the hydraulic tank, tubes, hoses, and plugs. Look for leaks and breakage. Then check the hydraulic fittings and connecting joints. If there are signs of leakage, correct the issues.
Inspect the Fuel Water Separator
Examine the fuel water separator for any trace of water in your mini excavator’s fuel. Depending on your mini excavator model, your machine may have a fuel water separator with a clear bowl containing a red ring. If the ring floats, there is water in the fuel. Completing this maintenance step catches potentially damaging leaks in your fuel filter.
Check the Cooling System
While inspecting the inside of the side hood, check the cooling system. Look for leaks in the system, faulty hoses, and any buildup of trash and debris. Remove debris if it’s present and repair leaks. Then examine coolant levels. Always ensure the coolant meets the manufacturer’s recommended levels.
Grease Pivot Points
Greasing your mini excavator’s pivot points is one of the most cost-effective maintenance tips you can implement. Daily greasing of the arm, bucket, and other pivot points ensures that the mini excavator runs properly. Daily greasing also prevents the pins from wearing out prematurely.
Examine the Engine Compartment
After inspecting everything in the side hood and greasing the pivot points, move around to the engine compartment and lift the hood. First, check for and remove debris from the inside. Then examine the oil cap and tighten it if needed. Inspect all the belts for the engine attachments. Replace any belts that are frayed, worn, or broken.
Check Fuel Levels
The next step in your maintenance list is to check fuel levels. Engine and hydraulic oil should always be at the recommended level. Operating a mini excavator on insufficient fuel could result in costly damages, so this stage is essential. Check the maintenance manual for the manufacturer’s recommended fuel levels. Then examine the fuel levels and replace the oil when needed.
Check Air Filters
Replacing the air filters should be on the regular maintenance schedule, though operators may only need to check them once weekly. If you work on a dusty job site, you should check the air filters more often. If an air filter is clogged with dust, you can remove it and gently knock it off to remove excess debris.
Examine the Tracks
Walk around the mini-excavator and inspect the tracks for rocks and damage. Remove debris and replace tracks that show excessive wear. It’s also essential to look for adequate track tension and adjust it if necessary. If the mini excavator is used regularly over rough terrain, the operator may need to check the track tension every day. This step ensures that the tracks are neither too loose nor too tight, which can cause excessive wear and downtime.
Inspect the Cabin
After you’ve completed the walkaround, inspect the mini excavator cabin. This stage of maintenance helps ensure the operator’s safety and the safety of others on the job site.
Use Telematics
One of the best ways to maintain your mini excavator is with telematics. This technology monitors machine activity and performance to alert operators when there is a need for repair or replacement. Telematics systems also record maintenance history so an operator can see which components were checked last.
Our main products range are mini wheel loader, mini excavator, self-loading mixer, dumper and tricycles. To fit the demands of our dealers and customers, we also extended our product range to CE wheel loader, telescopic loader, backhoe loader, big excavator in 2020. As a famous brand and top 5 sales quantities in our industry, Laigong products served over 200,000 users both at home and abroad. Till end of May, 2020, Laigong has over 400 dealers in China domestic and over 20 dealers in Russia, South East Asia, Central Asia, Europe, South America, Africa etc.
Ultimate FAQ Guide to Mini Excavator
As one of the leading mini excavator manufacturers and suppliers in China, we warmly welcome you to buy durable mini excavator for sale here from our factory. All customized products are with high quality and competitive price.
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