Mini Excavator Price: New, Used & Ownership Costs

A mini excavator is one of the most useful machines a landscaper, contractor, or property owner can have, and its price is hard to pin down. The same label covers a machine small enough to fit through a backyard gate and one that can dig a full foundation. Size, brand, and whether the machine is new or used all change the figure by tens of thousands of dollars.

This guide covers new prices, used prices by model, what options and repairs add, and what it costs to rent a machine instead of buying one. The numbers come from published sources, last checked Oct 13, 2026, and none include sales tax, delivery, or financing charges.

The typical new price listed above covers the mid-market, but the range runs from small compact units at the low end to larger machines that exceed it. Brand makes a difference too. Premium makers such as Kubota, Bobcat, Caterpillar, and John Deere generally cost more than lesser-known brands, but they also tend to resell for more and have wider dealer networks for parts and service.

Kubota publishes manufacturer's list prices on its website, which gives a concrete look at how price climbs with machine size. These are starting prices, listed as "MSRP as low as," so a fully equipped machine costs more.

The smallest machine in this table costs far less than the largest, and the largest sits above the typical new range. If you need a larger machine, plan for a budget well beyond the typical figure.

Used machines cost much less, and the market for them is active because mini excavators are widely traded. A guide to the market puts the typical used price in this range:

Price depends heavily on the machine's age, brand, and hours of use. The model-by-model ranges below describe machines two to three years old in good condition with average hours. Older machines cost less, and machines with high hours also sell for less.

Hours on the meter are the single largest driver of used value. A machine with low hours for its age sells at a premium, while one with high hours gets discounted because buyers expect higher repair costs.

Several features affect what a machine costs or what it will resell for. A zero-tail-swing design lets the machine work in tight spaces without the back end swinging beyond the tracks. Hydraulic thumbs help grab and move material. Both add to a machine's value. Wear items matter as well, since worn tracks cost money to replace.

Ask what the machine includes before comparing quotes. A bucket-only machine and one with a thumb, a coupler, and a cab are different purchases, even if they have the same model number. Attachments such as augers, breakers, and grapples are usually priced separately.

If you only need a mini excavator for a few projects, renting may cost less than owning one. Rental rates scale with machine size, and monthly rates give the best value per day for longer jobs.

Daily and weekly rates are also available from rental yards, and they are higher per day than the monthly rate. Delivery, fuel, attachments, and damage waivers are normally billed in addition to the base rate, so ask for an all-in quote. As a rule of thumb, compare the total rental cost for the months you expect to need the machine against the purchase price and the likely resale value.

Purchase price is only part of the cost of ownership. Plan for these items:

• Transport. A mini excavator needs a trailer and a truck with enough towing capacity. Check the machine's weight against your tow vehicle's rating.
• Maintenance. Hydraulic fluid, filters, grease, and routine servicing continue for the life of the machine.
• Wear parts. Tracks, bucket teeth, and hoses wear out with use.
• Insurance and storage. Equipment insurance and secure storage add to yearly costs.
• Operator training. Digging near utilities requires care. Call 811 before you dig in the United States, so underground lines are marked.

A new machine comes with a manufacturer warranty, current emissions equipment, and financing offers. A used machine costs much less and may be the better choice for light, occasional work. If you buy used, inspect the tracks, check the hydraulics for leaks, review service records, and ask for a pre-purchase inspection from a dealer or independent technician. Verify that the seller has clear title to the machine.