Electric vs Non-Electric Mini Excavators: Making the Right Choice

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With the growth in electric vehicles across multiple industries, more and more electric equipment is being made for construction and landscaping. Mini excavators were the first construction equipment to have electric options. They have seen the most development over the last few years.

Mini excavators are used on almost every residential and commercial landscaping or construction project in some capacity. With government regulations starting to require fewer emissions, determining whether you need an electric or diesel mini excavator is important. These factors will only increase in the coming years as a wider range of heavy equipment has electric options.

Overview of Electric Mini Excavators

With the growth of electric excavators in the market, understanding how they work, when they work best, and the benefits of using them is important.

How Electric Excavators Work

The main difference between electric and non-electric mini excavators is the engine. Electric compact excavators have lithium-ion batteries that power the machine including the hydraulics and attachments. They do this by converting the power received from the battery into mechanical energy which gets transferred to the hydraulic pumps that power the arms and buckets.

Batteries typically hold enough power for about 4 to 5 hours of work and require up to 12 hours to charge.

Typical Applications

Some common applications for these machines include:

• Zoos: Because of how quiet they are, they don't intimidate the animals as much when groundskeepers have to do their work. Volvo has a use case of how they're being used at the Toronto Zoo.

• Indoor demolition: As they don't produce harmful emissions and are typically much quieter, they are great options for indoor use.

• Hospitals: With government regulations becoming more strict on emissions, electric machines are great for projects that have noise and vibration requirements like hospitals. We had a project manager from EllisDon on our podcast to talk about all the challenges in finding the right equipment for hospital construction.

• School zones: Often in residential areas, school zones are another noise-sensitive area where local governments try to restrict emissions as much as possible which is why electric machines are common.

Advantages and Disadvantages

While electric construction equipment is widely considered to be the future of construction, many advantages and disadvantages exist.

On the advantages side, they're quieter, more environmentally conscious, and have fewer exhaust fumes. This aligns them with the strict environmental regulations that continue to be passed.

Bobcat E32e mini excavator on display at ConExpo

However, the battery charge only lasts 4 to 5 hours as of the current models and takes 12 hours to recharge. This can be a full day of work for most operators, but it really depends on your utilization rate. A smaller contracting company may need to rely on one piece of equipment more than someone with multiple machines.

A second disadvantage is that the charging infrastructure is currently not where it needs to be to support electric equipment. Many construction jobs take place in remote areas, far away from any plugs. And if you're in a residential area, your client may not appreciate you putting an increase on their electricity bill.

Another factor is if you're renting. Electric equipment isn't in every equipment company's fleet because of how new it is. They are expensive upfront and it's unclear if they'll be utilized as much as diesel-powered mini excavators.

The last disadvantage is that most electric mini excavators are not the most capable machines. Volvo has the ECR25, which was the first non-diesel model and is only a 3-ton mini excavator. JCB has the 19C-1E which is only a 2-ton mini excavator. There is still a lot of work to be done in making more powerful variations of electric compact excavators.

Benefits of Electric Excavator Rental

One of the primary benefits of renting an electric mini excavator is saving on fuel costs. As one of the highest costs, trying to limit fuel consumption can do great things for a contractor's bottom line. This can also increase the chances of winning a bid. Other benefits include reduced noise and emissions, reduced downtime and maintenance, and a lower carbon footprint.

Overview of Non-Electric (Diesel) Mini Excavators

Because of everything mentioned above, diesel excavators are still the primary choice for many contractors looking for equipment for projects. Here's a breakdown of their applications, pros and cons, and benefits.

How Diesel Excavators Work

Using a gas-powered engine, hydraulic fluid is sent to the hydraulic pumps and cylinders that control the excavator's arm and bucket.

Typical Applications

Compact excavators can be used for almost any job. Whether it's offering support on large land clearing projects, digging trenches, small demolition, landscaping, or making pools in residential areas, mini excavators are one of the most commonly used machines. They have been mostly replaced by electric options for indoor use.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantage of having a gas-powered mini digger on site is the opposite of all the electric model's disadvantages. Because they don't require a recharge, they can be utilized more on-site with a quick refuel, giving them more runtime. They also have a wider range of specs, all the way up to 10 tons, giving them more dig depth, power, and lift capability.

Kobelco mini excavator digging and moving dirt on a project

Non-electric mini excavators also are very common for equipment rental companies to own in their fleets. Because they're so commonly used, they are an essential machine to have on hand at any given moment.

As for disadvantages, fuel costs are one of the biggest costs on any job site. This is a necessary expenditure but within the next few years, fuel costs should decrease as more alternatives get developed.

Another disadvantage is how loud they are and how much emissions they have. As governments create more regulations, this will continue to hurt contractors who don't make the leap to more emission-friendly options.

They typically have more maintenance and repair costs. This is because gas-powered excavators have more parts including the transmission and exhaust system, which require more maintenance.

Benefits of a Diesel Mini Excavator Rental

The biggest benefit of renting gas-powered mini excavators is that they are more accessible than electric models. This makes them easier to find when you're in a pinch and need equipment fast. Another positive is that mini-excavators come with a wider range of specs, allowing them to fill the gap on more projects.

Comparing Electric and Non-Electric Mini Excavators

We've talked a lot about these two types of machines and now it's time to summarize them simply.

Performance and Efficiency

The main thing to consider when it comes to performance is, as of right now, gas-powered mini excavators have a wider choice of options. Ranging from 1 ton to 10 tons, they can be used for essentially any residential or commercial project.

On the other hand, electric models only go up to 3 tons in size. This means they have limited reach, dig depth, and power in comparison to non-electric excavators. That ultimately means that diesel excavators have better performance and efficiency. However, the electric versions of the 1-ton and 2-ton sizes don't lose any specs compared to their gas-powered counterparts.

Environmental Impact

Because electric excavators don't require fuel, they have a better environmental impact than fuel-powered excavators. According to ForConstruction Pros, construction equipment represents just over one percent of global emissions. While it's mostly large machines that make this dent, compact models like mini excavators are factored in as well. The hope is that the transition to electric equipment will decrease the number of emissions year over year.

Operating Costs and Maintenance

Fuel costs continue to rise and that puts an emphasis on contractors to try to eliminate using it where possible. This also puts pressure on manufacturers to stay competitive and make more electric equipment.

One of the primary advantages of electric equipment is that they have fewer parts, mainly the transmission and exhaust system. This is great because the elimination of these parts decreases both operating and maintenance costs.

Kubota mini excavator idle on a project

Electric engines also reduce the need for fuel, have lower engine run times, and reduced energy waste. The maintenance costs are also lower as batteries require almost no maintenance. However, if the battery breaks, it can be expensive to repair. They also are more expensive upfront, and having access to upfront cash can be a huge challenge for contractors.

Noise and Vibration Levels

A significant amount of jobs that require mini-excavators take place in residential areas. Unfortunately for contractors, this often means the headache of finding equipment that has limited noise and vibrations. Or again, in the case of working on an active hospital redevelopment project, requires it.

Fortunately, electric mini excavators create less noise and have reduced vibration levels. This can be beneficial in many circumstances. Also, more regulations are being passed about noise levels on a construction site and restrictions can limit the options for contractors.

Want more information on excavator bucket widths? Feel free to contact us.

Choosing the Right Mini Excavator for Your Project

Factors to Consider

There are a few things to consider when picking between these excavators: the environment, the specs required, costs, and availability.

Each of these will play a part in determining which version of the machine will work best for you. Working indoors? An electric model will get the job done. Not only from an emissions perspective but also because the models are small and can fit through doors easily.

Need a certain amount of power and dig depth? This will affect whether there's even an electric model that fits those specific requirements. Trying to cut down on fuel costs? That's an easy factor in choosing an electric model.

These are all important things to consider and every job site will have different limitations.

Conclusion

Overall, electric equipment still has a ways to go before its general adoption into everyday use. Some great applications make electric models worth the choice. However, they also have some major disadvantages in comparison to non-electric models right now including spec diversity and availability.

Renting the right equipment is important. You don't want to have any issues where you realize the equipment you have isn't going to help you get the project done.

It's worth connecting with the sales team of the rental company for expert advice when trying to pick the right equipment. Contact DOZR's team with any additional questions to see what mini excavator rental is right for you.

The Kubota R640 has a Kubota V2607 engine rated at 64.3 gross horsepower. The hydrostatic transmission provides a top speed of 12.4 mph. Auxiliary flow is 17.8 gpm and pressure is 2,973 psi. Articulation is 40 degrees each direction; rear frame oscillation is plus or minus 8 degrees. Bucket breakout force is 9,869 pounds. Hinge pin height is 10 feet 8 inches, and dump height is 8 feet 3 inches.

By design and in response to customer demand, compact wheel loaders – those with less than 90 horsepower – are being adapted to a wider range of applications.

They can be fitted with a variety of attachments beyond buckets and forks, making some competition for skid steers.

But for the most part compact wheel loaders are used for their primary purpose: loading and material handling.

And as loaders, compact models fit a specific spot. While not as nimble as compact machines with counterrotation, they still deliver good maneuverability in tight spaces.

“They provide an advantage in confined and compact supply yards where you have enough space to operate because there’s enough space for trucks to maneuver throughout the yard,” says Andrew Dargatz, product manager, Case Construction Equipment.

Moving up to mid-sized wheel loaders offers even more performance, but machine size and cost also go up quickly.

“Compact wheel loaders are the perfect bridge between larger wheel loaders and more compact equipment, such as a skid steer or CTL,” he says.

Expanding the range

YanmarFitted with buckets or forks, compact wheel loaders are true production machines, similar to larger wheel loaders. Their operating costs are consistent and vary only as input costs vary.

But Patrick Baker, Kubota product manager for construction equipment, says that while compact wheel loaders are “excellent at dirt work and lifting heavy loads with pallet forks, they can also be fitted with a wide range of attachments including brush cutters, grapples and stump grinders.”

One challenge, though, is trying to determine the costs of using the machines beyond their primary purpose and how that can affect project selection and bidding.

“Compact wheel loaders have the same costs as other ground-engaging equipment,” says Frank Gangi, product manager CWLs and attachments for Yanmar Compact Equipment North America.

These include fuel, tires and maintenance items such as oil and filters. But moving from traditional loading to more diverse applications may affect those costs.

“If you are in very rocky terrain that will damage tires, you should consider that cost in the bid,” Gangi says. “If it is very hilly or there are long travel distances, you should consider the additional fuel costs.”

GiantHow do you minimize escalating costs?

“In general, if you have a good plan and avoid things like wheel spin, static turning and excessive idling,” he says, “you can avoid extra wear and tear and wasted fuel.”

Tires designed for loading may not be best for other applications such as clearing, forestry and site preparation, says Luke Gribble, solutions marketing manager, John Deere. “Examine tire options to get the best match, and do understand tire load.”

A good metric for ensuring a tire’s load rating can meet job demands is ton-miles per hour, or TMPH (TKPH in countries using kilometers per hour for speed). TMPH/TKPH is often given in tire spec sheets for larger equipment but not always for tires of the size used by CWLs.

Pros and cons of compact wheel loaders

JCBCompact wheel loaders have many advantages over other compact equipment, including greater breakout force, load height and reach and lift capacity. They also have higher ground speed and better operator comfort and visibility.

The level of turf disruption may be less than with other machines, but it can also be more.

One advantage offered by compact wheel loaders over other compact equipment of comparable lift capacity is less horsepower. “Lower horsepower usually means lower maintenance costs and always means lower fuel consumption,” says Ethan Clowes, JCB product manager for skid steer/compact track loaders and backhoe loaders.

JCB’s two compact models, the 407 and 409, both have engines of less than 75 horsepower, use no diesel exhaust fluid and have no diesel particulate filter. Yet the 409 offers up to 10,104 pounds straight tipping load with a general purpose bucket.

Ryan Anderson, product marketing manager at New Holland Construction, says transportability puts compact wheel loaders at an advantage in some cases, depending on the application. “Because of their size, skid steer and compact track loaders are easier to trailer than compact wheel loaders,” he says. “But because of their roadability, compact wheel loaders are able to drive from job to job, a huge advantage in applications such as snow removal.”

Wacker NeusonTwo of the largest operating costs favor compact wheel loaders, says Jay Quatro, commercial product manager, Wacker Neuson. Unlike skid steers, compact wheel loaders don’t skid or drag their tires, so tire wear is reduced.

“A wheel loader, whether articulating or all-wheel-steer, saves premature wear and allows the owner to get more hours out of a set of tires,” Quatro says.

Wheel loaders also typically use less fuel than a skid steer or compact track loader of the same size and capacity, he says. “This is because operators don’t run at full throttle on a wheel loader as they usually do on those other machines.”

Case CEDarren Ashton, product manager compact equipment at Volvo Construction Equipment, points to the advantages of CWLs’ larger size.

“Their higher ground clearance helps when a jobsite is rough,” he says. “The added cab height and higher speed options allow quicker, easier work for applications such as street sweeping and moving snow.”

That higher design of the CWL, however, also creates a higher center of gravity. “The stability and load capacity of a wheel loader is negatively affected the more irregular the terrain becomes,” says Quatro. Articulation amplifies this effect. “Operators should exercise caution when leaving pavement or other hard surfaces and venturing onto uneven ground or rough terrain.”

New HollandWhen it comes to running attachments, auxiliary hydraulics are becoming commonplace on compact wheel loaders. Many also offer high-flow options.

However, high flow is relative, says Anderson. That option on a compact wheel loader may provide 32 gallons per minute and 3,500 psi (65 hydraulic horsepower), which is significantly more pressure and double the gallons per minute of the historical CWL standard configuration. (Hydraulic horsepower is a convenient way of comparing the hydraulic power of two machines with dissimilar pressure and flow values. Hydraulic horsepower = gpm x psi ÷ 1,714, so in this example 32 x 3,500 ÷ 1,714 = 65.3 hhp.)

But skid steers and compact track loaders continue to increase their high-flow numbers as well, with 50 gpm and 4,500 psi (131 hydraulic hp) becoming available.

So a compact wheel loader even when equipped with a high-flow option may not have sufficient hydraulic horsepower to operate attachments designed for the newest, most powerful skid-steer and compact track loaders.

“Certain mulcher heads, cold planers and the like may require more hydraulic horsepower than even a high-flow compact wheel loader can provide,” says Anderson.

“But for most applications, they’ll be fine.”

Tech for compact wheel loaders

CaterpillarWhile compact wheel loaders are being used for more applications than in the past, they’ll never have the versatility of other compact machines nor do they provide as good a platform for technological development. There have been tech features added to compact wheel loaders, however, especially to help them function better as loaders.

Kade Lusk, product application specialist, Cat, describes the benefits of six such features:

• Ride control improves operator comfort, reduces material spillage and machine wear.
• Speed control decouples engine speed from travel to allow full hydraulic power at low ground speeds.
• Rimpull control reduces wear on the tires and machine while increasing loading efficiency.
• Drivetrain modes match performance parameters to conditions and operator preferences.
• Differential locks improve performance in difficult underfoot conditions. “Not all diff locks are the same,” says Lusk. “Some can be engaged on the fly while some require the wheels be stopped first. Be sure you know which type you have to prevent expensive damage.”
• Programmable kickouts return the linkage to an operator-designated point on every cycle to improve efficiency and safety while reducing operator fatigue. “Contrary to what some people think, these are not mere creature comforts or added-cost items,” says Lusk. “They provide added safety and value. We can show the dollar amount saved over any given time period by utilizing these features.”

Electric models hit the market

Volvo CEGiant loaders, distributed in North America by Tobroco Machinery LLC, has seven model series of compact wheel loaders. Available features include an optional gearbox providing travel speeds up to 21.6 mph, cab or canopy operator station and high-flow hydraulics. They come in Z-bar or X-Tra boom configurations. The X-Tra provides better visibility and more lift capacity. While Giant loaders have both articulation and oscillation, their Stabilo feature locks out oscillation for improved performance in rough conditions.

Giant partnered with Jungheinrich in designing the G200E electric wheel loader. It currently offers telescopic booms on its G1200, G3500 and G5000 models. Tele models of the G1500 and a second-generation G2700 tele loader are scheduled for release later in 2022.

Within three to five years Giant intends to have standard, telescopic and electric versions of all models.

As for electric models, more are emerging. Compact wheel loaders’ high rated operating capacities handle battery weight well. Their applications benefit from the near-instantaneous torque provided by electric motors.

“Models such as Volvo’s L20 Electric and L25 Electric are ideal for low-emission and low-noise jobs,” says Ashton. They also don’t require engine-related maintenance products including oil, oil filters, diesel particulate filters or diesel exhaust fluid.

Other buying considerations

John DeereAnderson says linkage options must be considered when purchasing a compact wheel loader. “The Z-bar design provides greater bucket breakout force, while the parallel or toolcarrier design provides better visibility to the forks.”

He says New Holland uses a Euro-style bucket as standard equipment, but there’s growing interest in skid-steer style buckets. These use longer lips and lower backs for improved visibility with no loss of capacity.

“The new Kubota R540 and R640 wheel loaders feature a standard multi-function operating lever,” says Baker. “This gives operators the ability to perform work quicker and more efficiently.” Those models also offer KubotaNow telematics.

Gribble says the Deere 244L and 324L have hydrostatic drive and an optional Attachment Assist Package, which includes creep mode with throttle lock. Ride control can be set to deactivate at lower speeds so it doesn’t inhibit performance when loading from a pile.

So how do you choose the right loader?

Clowes, with JCB, says lift height determines model choice. The right-sized loader is the one that just gets material into the hopper.

“That’s the loader,” he says, “that provides the customer with the best value.”

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