Mini Excavator or Mini Skid Steer: Which One Should You Buy?

Buy a mini excavator if most of your work is digging; buy a mini skid steer if most of it is moving material, grading and loading. The two machines are not really rivals. They do different work, so pick by the job you do most.

Chupp Industrial, in Chouteau, Oklahoma, sells mini excavators, mini skid steers and attachments for both and ships nationwide, so we get this question a lot.

What is a mini excavator best at?

Digging. A mini excavator works below grade, reaches out and down, and swings around without moving its tracks. It is the right machine for:

• Trenches for pipe, wire and drainage
• Footings and small foundations
• Septic and utility work
• Digging in tight backyards and along buildings

If most of your day involves a hole, buy the excavator.

What is a mini skid steer best at?

Moving, lifting, carrying and grading. A mini skid steer is quick, and it works with a wide range of attachments. It shines at:

• Moving material around the site
• Grading and leveling
• Loading and hauling
• Landscape work with a bucket, forks or a rake

If your day is mostly moving things, the mini skid steer is likely your machine.

What size mini machine will fit through my gate?

Measure the narrowest gate, door or path the mini excavator or mini skid steer has to pass through, and buy to that. People often chase the biggest machine and then cannot get it into the yard. Take the size class seriously, including weight for trailering.

Do skid steer attachments fit a mini skid steer?

Not always. A machine is a carrier; the attachments make the money. Ask what is available for the machine you like, and check fit before buying anything. An attachment sized for a full-size skid steer may not fit a mini. For example, the Pabreak 72-inch 4-in-1 bucket fits a full-size skid steer but not a mini skid steer.

Should I buy both?

Plenty of contractors end up with both. The excavator digs the trench; the skid steer backfills and grades. If the budget only allows one, choose the machine that handles your most common job, and rent or borrow for the rest.

How will I haul it?

Small machines can go on a tag trailer with the right tow vehicle, but check weight and trailer capacity first. If you are buying from a distance, we ship nationwide. Ask about freight and unloading before you commit.

What should I check before buying, new or used?

Whatever you choose, look the machine over. Check for leaks, worn pins and cracked welds, and run the controls. Used machines can save money, but they put more weight on the inspection:

• Look at the hour meter, track or tire wear, and pin and bushing slop.
• Look for fresh paint over leaks.
• Ask for a warm start and a full range-of-motion test.

A machine that runs well and shows its wear honestly is a better buy than one that has been dressed up.

What does it cost to keep running?

Fuel, tracks or tires, hydraulic hoses and daily greasing all add up. Ask what wear parts cost and how easy they are to get. A cheap machine without parts is an expensive machine.

Does operator comfort matter?

Yes. A machine you enjoy running gets used more. Sit in it if you can, and check the visibility, the controls and how easy it is to climb on and off. New operators should learn on open ground before working next to a house or a trench wall. Slow and steady is faster than a repair.

Mini excavator or mini skid steer: how do I decide?

1. Mostly digging? A mini excavator.
2. Mostly moving and grading? A mini skid steer.
3. Tight access? Choose the narrower machine.
4. Many attachment jobs? Check the attachment selection first.

Tell us what you dig, move and grade, and we will help you sort it out.