model comparison

MIVA VA15 Mini Excavator Specs vs the H16R and KT13R

2 min readChupp Industrial

The MIVA VA15 mini excavator is a 1.5-ton class gas machine with a manual thumb; see how its specs compare with the H16R and KT13R.

The MIVA VA15 mini excavator is a 1.5-ton class gas machine with a 13.5 HP, 420cc RATO RG20 engine and a manual thumb. Chupp Industrial compares the VA15 here with two other gas mini excavators: the H16R and the CFG Industrial KT13R.

What are the MIVA VA15 mini excavator specs?

The VA15 is a 1.5-ton class machine with 9 feet 4 inches of reach and a manual thumb.

  • Engine: RATO RG20 gasoline, 13.5 HP, 420cc
  • Weight class: 1.5 ton
  • Max reach: 9 feet 4 inches
  • Max dump height: 6 feet 1 inch
  • Boom length: 4 feet 10 inches
  • Stick length: 2 feet 7 inches
  • Track length on ground: 36 inches
  • Tracks: 7-inch rubber
  • Thumb: manual
  • Blade: backfill blade
  • Auxiliary hydraulics: yes
  • Included: digging bucket, work light and tool kit

How does the VA15 compare with the H16R and KT13R?

All three are 13.5 HP, 420cc RATO gas mini excavators; the MIVA VA15 has a manual thumb, the H16R (about 2,300 lb) includes a hydraulic thumb, and the CFG KT13R is the lightest at 1,785 lb.

MIVA VA15H16RCFG KT13R
Engine13.5 HP RATO RG20 gas, 420cc13.5 HP RATO R420D gas, 420ccAbout 13.5 HP RATO gas, 420cc
WeightNot listed (1.5-ton class)About 2,300 lb1,785 lb
ThumbManualHydraulic, includedThumb included, type not listed
BladeBackfillBackfillBackfill
Auxiliary hydraulicsYesYes, front-plumbedYes, front-plumbed
Operator stationNot listedOpen canopyOpen canopy
ControlsNot listedPilot joystickPilot / joystick boom
Tracks7 in rubberRubberAbout 7 in rubber

The KT13R also has a work light, hydrostatic drive and an overall track width of about 39 inches.

Manual or hydraulic thumb?

A hydraulic thumb, like the one included on the H16R, opens and closes from the seat. A manual thumb, like the VA15's, is set by hand.

Which one should you pick?

  • Pick the VA15 if you want a manual thumb, 9 feet 4 inches of reach, and a digging bucket, work light and tool kit included.
  • Pick the H16R if you want a hydraulic thumb included.
  • Pick the KT13R if you want the lightest of the three, at 1,785 pounds.

To compare more models, see our mini excavators page.

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