Compact excavators for tight sites · Digging depth and reach, digging forces, tail swing and transport size, auxiliary hydraulics, lift tables and lifting safeguards
Mini (compact) excavators are small tracked excavators with a slewing upper structure, boom, arm, bucket and dozer blade, used where space is tight, for example in road construction, horticulture and landscaping. Ask three things first: what digging depth, reach and forces the work needs, what width, tail swing and transport weight the site and trailer allow, and, if the machine will lift loads, which lift tables and safeguards it has.
Tracked mini excavators with rubber or steel tracks, diesel or electric, in cab or canopy versions. Midi and standard crawler excavators, wheeled excavators, backhoe loaders and attachments are outside this page except where compared.
CNFX editorial research · Sources checked October 19, 2026 · 4 sources
SANY's SY26U data sheet lists an operating weight of 2,680 kg, a Yanmar 3TNV80F engine of 15.2 kW at 2,500 rpm, a 0.06 m³ bucket, maximum digging depth of 2,820 mm, reach of 4,850 mm, digging height of 4,410 mm and dumping height of 3,100 mm, bucket digging force of 27.9 kN (ISO) and arm digging force of 14.2 kN (ISO). Its load-sensing hydraulics use one variable-displacement pump of 72 L/min, with relief settings of 245 bar for the implement and travel circuits. [1]
For fit and transport, the sheet gives a transport width of 1,550 mm, transport length of 4,285 mm, height over cab of 2,430 mm, 300 mm rubber tracks, a boom swing of 45° left and 65° right, swing speed of 10 rpm, travel speeds of 2.6 and 4.5 km/h, 58% gradeability and two double-acting auxiliary circuits for attachments. SANY describes the machine as having minimal turning radius without tail swing. [1]
Editorial calculation: the SY26U's 15.2 kW for 2,680 kg is about 5.7 kW per tonne, and its 1,550 mm width against the 2,820 mm digging depth helps check whether it fits a site gate and reaches the trench depth; ask for the same figures for each model offered so they can be compared side by side. [1]
Two Takeuchi models show options that change fit and power supply. The TB225 has a hydraulically retractable track frame adjustable from 1,100 mm to 1,500 mm, with the dozer blade width changed by a retained pin, and a TOPS/ROPS/OPG cab or canopy. [4] The all-electric TB20e runs on lithium-ion batteries, is described as having zero operating emissions and reduced noise and vibration for work such as food processing facilities, indoor demolition, hospitals and schools, can operate while tethered, and charges from 95 V to 265 V single-phase power on board or from 340 V to 460 V three-phase power with an optional off-board charger. [3]
Give the supplier the work (trenching, foundations, landscaping, demolition), required digging depth and reach, access width and height, ground conditions, transport trailer and weight limits, attachments and their hydraulic needs, cab or canopy, emission standard or electric drive, and any lifting duties.
02
Plan lifting with lift tables and safeguards
Ireland's Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, Regulation 55 as amended in 2020, apply when an excavator, telehandler or backhoe loader is used for object handling with lifting accessories. A competent person must specify and certify safe working loads for each configuration, the loads must be marked on the machine or displayed in the cab, and machines with a maximum rated lift capacity of 1,000 kg or more, or an overturning moment of 40,000 N·m or more, must have check valves or other means to prevent the load falling on hydraulic failure, and an acoustic or visual warning when rated capacity is reached. [2]
SANY publishes SY26U lifting capacities by radius and load-point height with the dozer blade down and up; with the blade down, values exceed 1,000 kg at short radius, for example 1,521 kg at ground level. Its equipment list includes a ROPS/OPG-certified cab or protective roof with seat belt, and boom and arm safety lifting valves with indicator among the listed items, which differ by country. [1]
Editorial note: if the machine will lift suspended loads, ask the supplier to confirm the lift-table conditions, the check valves and overload warning fitted, and the certificate required in your country.
03
Three 2-tonne-class machines side by side: SY26U, TB225 and the battery TB20e
The headline figures published for three machines of similar size show how far weight, power source and digging force differ within one class. [1][4][3]
Toyota Material Handling Australia lists the TB20e's 24.7 kWh lithium-ion battery under the heading "Engine power"; that is battery energy, not power, so ask for the electric motor rating separately. Editorial calculation: the SY26U's 15.2 kW and the TB225's 16.5 kW work out to about 5.7 and 6.9 kW per tonne of operating weight. [3][1][4]
12 companies list this product among what they make. Company figures are quoted from each
company's own website; every card states where the relationship came from.
SANY Group
Manufacturing site to be confirmed for the order
Lists mini excavators from the SY10U to the SY50U, including electric models.
Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.
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Compiled and source-reviewed by the CNFX editorial team.
Each manufacturer above links to the page on that company's own website where the product is listed, with the date we checked it. How we source and review
· Page last updated 13 October 2026
Buyer questions
How deep can a 2.7 t mini excavator dig?
SANY's SY26U (2,680 kg) lists a maximum digging depth of 2,820 mm and reach of 4,850 mm. [1]
Does a mini excavator need check valves to lift loads?
Under Irish Regulation 55, machines of 1,000 kg rated lift or 40,000 N·m overturning moment or more used for object handling need check valves and a capacity warning. [2]
What digging force does a mini excavator have?
SANY's SY26U lists 27.9 kN bucket and 14.2 kN arm digging force (ISO). [1]
How is an electric mini excavator charged?
Takeuchi's TB20e charges on board from 95–265 V single-phase power, or from 340–460 V three-phase with an optional off-board charger, and can run while tethered. [3]
Sources and what still needs a direct check
Sources checked 2026-10-19. Ireland's S.I. No. 299 of 2007, Regulation 55 is national law for object handling with earthmoving machines; SANY describes its own excavators, and Takeuchi's Australian distributor describes the TB225 and electric TB20e. Lifting rules in your country may differ.
