What Micro Excavators Can Really Do

[MikePhua]

Defining the Micro Class
Micro excavators—typically under 2 tons—are the smallest machines in the compact excavator category. Models like the Kubota U17, Cat 302, Bobcat E20, and Takeuchi TB108 are designed to fit through gates, maneuver inside buildings, and dig in confined spaces where larger equipment simply can't go. With operating weights between 1,000 and 4,000 lbs and bucket widths as narrow as 12 inches, these machines are often underestimated. But in the right hands, they can perform surprising feats.
Real-World Jobs Completed with Micro Excavators
Operators have used micro excavators for a wide range of tasks:

• Digging 100-yard swimming pool foundations
  
• Installing 400-foot water lines
  
• Excavating 12-foot deep sump pits inside buildings
  
• Trenching for miles of electrical conduit and sewer lines
  
• Removing stumps nearly as heavy as the machine itself
  
• Repairing weeping tile systems without damaging landscaping
  
• Backfilling with sand in tight indoor spaces
  

One operator recalled using a Bobcat E20 to dig a pool—one tiny scoop at a time. Another used a rented TB108 to move a tandem-load of dirt into wheelbarrows over hard ground that resisted even a tooth bucket. In both cases, the alternative would have been hand digging, which would have taken days instead of hours.
Advantages Over Manual Labor and Larger Machines
Micro excavators offer several advantages:

• Faster than a shovel, especially in hard or compacted soils
  
• Less damage to lawns, gardens, and finished surfaces
  
• Easier transport—many fit on single-axle trailers or behind pickup trucks
  
• Ideal for trenching in residential zones or inside buildings
  
• Can work around existing utilities and structures with minimal risk
  

While they may not set speed records, they dramatically reduce physical labor and allow small contractors to take on jobs that would otherwise be impractical.
Limitations and When to Size Up
Despite their versatility, micro excavators have clear limitations:

• Short reach and small bucket capacity mean slower production
  
• Spoils often fall back into the trench due to limited throw distance
  
• Lifting capacity is minimal—unsuitable for large structures or heavy materials
  
• Hydraulic flow may not support demanding attachments like compactors or augers
  
• Stability can be compromised on uneven terrain or deep digs
  

Operators often find that a 1.7–2.0 ton machine is the sweet spot. Anything smaller than a 1-ton unit is generally reserved for ultra-tight indoor work or trenching in delicate areas. Many contractors start with a micro and quickly upgrade to a 3–6 ton excavator once their workload increases.
Fleet Strategy and Transport Efficiency
Some contractors maintain a fleet of micro excavators strategically placed across job zones. These machines can be picked up with an F-250 and deployed quickly. For trenching around customer facilities or working in gated yards, they outperform chain trenchers in maneuverability and precision.
Others use micros as part of a multi-machine strategy:

• Micro for indoor or tight access
  
• 3-ton for general trenching and small foundations
  
• 6-ton for stumps, grading, and structure placement
  
• 20-ton for deep sewer work or mass excavation
  

One operator added a 35 to his fleet but still kept the 17G for versatility. While the larger machine handled more volume, the micro could go places the 35 couldn’t.
Micro Excavators in Specialized Trades
Plumbers, electricians, and landscapers increasingly rely on micro excavators for trenching and repair work. In buildings where access is limited to hallways or basements, a 1-ton machine with a folding ROPS (roll-over protective structure) can be the only viable option. Even digging 8-inch deep trenches for 2-inch pipe becomes manageable with a micro, saving hours of hand labor.
In one case, a plumbing contractor used a 6-ton excavator to dig 2-foot wide trenches inside a building for shallow pipe runs. The result: six tandem slinger loads of sand for backfill and zero hand digging.
Conclusion
Micro excavators may look like toys, but they’re far more capable than their size suggests. From trenching and stump removal to indoor excavation and utility repair, they offer unmatched access and efficiency in tight spaces. While they won’t replace larger machines for bulk work, they beat a shovel every time—and for many contractors, that’s reason enough to keep one in the fleet.