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865-982-6452

Tri-Cities

423-975-9111

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M-F 7am - 5pm

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M-F 8am - 5pm

Contact Us

865-982-6452

Sales: Blake Wilson

Parts/Service: Terry Nichols

A Mini Machine That Gives Maximum Performance

Contractors Machinery

The mini excavator could be just what your fleet is missing

Just how “mini” is this mighty machine? The Mini Excavator literally fits in a standard garage. But don’t let its looks deceive: It’s able to move massive amounts of earth, runs with a diesel engine and contains a boom arm and hydraulic system just like its “daddy” machines; but the Mini weighs in just under 10,000 pounds.

Used in residential settings, the Mini Excavator is one of the most versatile machines on the market. It efficiently digs foundations, grades, and levels lands with precision, and it effectively performs heavy-duty tasks like trenching and digging holes for septic systems.  

In the commercial world, this machine is being used for digging trenches, foundations, footings, even demolition work. Operators use it to create narrow trenches in utility work, transport mining and quarrying materials, and perform a variety of farming operations, such as creating irrigation systems.

This machine’s versatility doesn’t stop there. The Mini Excavator excels in the industrial sphere as well, meeting industry standards with a whole new level of proficiency. Its smaller size enables it to reach places other machines cannot, all the while being equipped with the power and precision to clear land, break down concrete, and move quickly with ease to transport waste and debris.

There is no question that the Mini Excavator would be a sensational addition to your fleet. If you are considering it, it’s critical to consider the option of renting vs. buying. It costs between $20,000 and $90,00 to buy. Depending on the model, brand, age and condition (new or used), this is a pretty broad range, so careful research and taking a farsighted look at your budget may determine that renting is a better option than buying.

When weighing the two options, here are some critical questions to consider:

  • How long and often will I use the machine? If needing for the very occasional job, renting is most certainly the wise thing to do.
  • Do I have the current capitol in my budget to either buy outright or make payments on a new machine? Even an occasional use over time may make a purchase worth it. (And something to consider with this specific machine is that, because of its versatility and unique size, many customers find that they opt for its use even more than originally anticipated.)
  • What could I potentially save? Larger machines are a more substantial expense to run. If the Mini can take on some of that work, you can potentially extend the life of your fleet all around.
  • How much can I allot for maintenance and repair costs? No purchase is carefree, and these are expenses that need to be approached thoughtfully when looking at your long-term bottom line, whether you buy new or used. If you’re contemplating the Mini or any other major equipment, talk to current owners and get a general feel for the weight of any long-term investment of a construction machine.

CMI-CASE takes pride in not only the products we carry, but the expertise that comes with them. If you want to check out the magnificent Mini, our experts will help you make the decision of whether buying or renting is the best option for you!

Mini Excavator

Don’t Discount the Mini Excavator

Emily Bieger

Check out these top uses for the mini excavator and see just how versatile this mini but mighty piece of equipment can be.

Tree Planting and Roadside Installation

Before the advent of the mini excavator, homeowners and contractors alike were forced to dig holes the old-fashioned way, with a shovel and a whole lot of muscle. Same goes for road sign installation.

These versatile machines can now easily dig deep holes for trees, ensuring proper depth for root balls and trunks. And their compact size enables easy roadside work without disrupting traffic. Quickly and easily drill for sign poles by utilizing a hydraulic auger attachment.

In utility trench excavation, mini excavators excel in digging the necessary deep trenches. Soil challenges can affect whether trench excavation is successful. Safety measures like shoring, de-watering, and benching address such challenges. Mini excavators can handle trenching, backfilling, and compaction, providing a comprehensive solution.

For drainage ditch construction, mini excavators efficiently dig the necessary wide trenches, allowing water to flow away from properties. The machine’s agility ensures precise digging and easy filling of the ditch with crushed rock.

Job Preparation

Effective jobsite preparation will be step #1 for any construction project. Prep involves clearing vegetation, surface soil, and debris. A mini excavator can be utilized to clear and level the ground and move materials as needed.

CASE Mini Excavator

They are highly versatile and can be equipped with several different attachments that can tackle different needs. Example: a mini excavator with a long boom can help demolish old buildings from the top down and then place organize the resulting debris into piles and eventually, lift and dump the materials into a dump truck.

Pool Installation

 For many, having a pool in their own backyard is the stuff of dreams. A piece of construction equipment like the mini excavator makes a mid-sized project like pool installation much easier for a contractor or even an experienced DIYer.

Even though mini excavators are said to be stable like their larger counterparts, it’s not recommended to ride up slopes with angles greater than 20 degrees.

Irrigation and Landscape Design

Utilize a mini excavator for swift and efficient digging of trenches to place PC pipes for an underground sprinkler system. Prevent dirt from falling back into the trenches by using the excavator’s hydraulic arm and bucket or blade to move and backfill, completing the job much faster than manual tools.

Enhance residential or commercial property aesthetics with DIY landscaping projects. A mini excavator is essential for tasks like digging trenches, moving heavy stones, lifting fountains, and more, making landscaping projects more manageable and efficient.

CASE Mini Excavator

Drilling

Drilling is made quite simple with the versatile mini excavator. The auger attachment, featuring teeth and a pilot or drive, effortlessly drills into concrete or soil. Tree augers, designed with a smaller diameter at the bottom and a larger one at the top, facilitate tree planting.

For tougher tasks in solid rock or concrete, rock bits are the ideal auger type. Common projects utilizing a mini excavator with an auger include road signage posts, fence posts, tree planting, drainage, landscaping, mining, rock blasting, and more. Choose from a range of drilling attachments, each with unique features and benefits, available for purchase or rental.

In Summary

Turn time-consuming projects into much easier endeavors with the versatile mini excavator. This powerful machine handles tasks like planting trees, digging trenches, and installing pools or spas effortlessly. Its ability to maneuver around obstacles, coupled with a retractable undercarriage for navigating narrow spaces, makes it highly adaptable. With a range of attachments, the mini excavator is a versatile solution capable of tackling almost any project you present to it.

At Contractor’s Machinery, we offer a full line of CASE mini, midi and full-size excavators to tackle whatever project awaits you. Check out all our heavy duty CASE equipment to learn more or give us call so we can help you find the right equipment for the job.

Knoxville | 865-982-6452             
Tri-Cities | 423-975-9111

Skid Loader & Mini-Excavator vs Backhoe Loader

Contractors Machinery

Skid Loader & Mini Excavator vs Backhoe Loader – Which is Right for You?

If you’ve got a big job to do, choosing the right equipment is critical. The Skid Loader/Mini-Excavator Combo vs. the Backhoe Loader has been a major change in the construction industry over the last 10 years. They both have advantages and are designed to for a multitude of tasks. Make sure you use the correct one; it will save hours…if not days…of frustration!

Backhoe Loader – Larger, with great excavation capability

Backhoe Loader

CASE Backhoe Loader

 

Versatility is a primary advantage of the backhoe loader. Not only is it capable of driving across large jobsites and the road at speeds exceeding 20 mph the backhoe side of the machine is a powerful, deep digging excavator. The backhoe provides greater reach and digging depth than most mini excavators. Digging 15’ trenches, basements, foundations…? The backhoe loader is capable of these tasks.

The backhoe loader is not only for the use of excavation, however. The front of the machine contains a loader designed for loading, transporting, and dumping construction materials. Overall, it has greater capacity to handle heavy loads than the skid loader.

Although there are some distinct advantages to choosing the backhoe, one disadvantage is its size. It was created for major lifting and excavation; if the site demands navigating tight spaces, the skid loader/mini excavator may be the better choice.

Compact Track Loader/Skid-Steer Loaders & Mini Excavator – Smaller, with greater maneuverability 

CTL

CASE Compact Track Loader or Skid Steer Loader

 

Obviously, with two pieces of equipment owners can have multiple jobs taking place at the same time with two operators. The CTL and Mini-Excavator markets are the largest unit volume markets in the construction equipment industry.

Referred to as Compact Track Loaders or skid-steer loaders, the skid loader has a unique design. The frame is rigid and contains either wheels or tracks. These simply skid on one side while the other side is locked in place, allowing the driver to turn to the right or the left with great agility.

A smaller machine than the backhoe, the skid loader has the capabilities to also lift and perform most loader excavation jobs. This machine contains a quick-attach system for the ease of adding buckets, trenchers, grapples, forks, sweepers. It’s a versatile machine, excellent for smaller excavation and lighter loading jobs. Coupled with a mini excavator for trenching work this is a hard combo to beat.

CMI-Case prides itself in providing the perfect machine for every job! If you have any additional questions about which is best for you, see a CMI dealer today and rest assured you will make the best choice for the construction task at hand.