Every mini-excavator owner will tell you how useful and versatile mini-excavators are. They will also tell you that you need to buy some mini-excavator tools, and they will probably recommend some options. But what are the true must-have tools for your mini-excavator? Keep reading this article to find out!
Why Do You Need To Buy Mini Excavator Accessories
First, let's see why you need any mini-excavator accessories. After all, don’t these mini-excavators come already with a bucket? Well, yes, but to truly unlock the full potential of your mini-excavator, you should invest in some additional tools.
You see, sometimes you might need to do a specific type of digging, and having a regular bucket won’t be enough. Or, maybe you will need to break through a layer of concrete before you can start digging. Again, you can’t do that with the bucket that came with the mini-excavator.
On the other side, buying a new machine for every specific task is too expensive. Plus, every new machine takes so much additional space and requires you to spend even more money and time on maintenance. Buying new tools and attachments instead is much cheaper. These tools also take up so much less space, and they rarely require you to do any maintenance.
Our Top Picks Of Must-Have Tools For Your Mini-Excavator
Now that you understand why buying an additional tool for your mini-excavator is a good idea, let’s see which tools should be your priority:
1. Hydraulic Thumbs
Hydraulic thumbs are attachments that come in handy when you need to grab and carry something with your excavator. You can do that with some other attachments as well, but hydraulic thumbs offer far more control and precision, especially when handling objects such as rocks, debris, and logs.
2. Grapple Attachments
If, on the other hand, you need an attachment that will allow you to handle large, irregular objects, then you should get a grapple. Grapple also has a firmer grip, which makes it even better for large and heavy objects, such as large rocks, trees, scrap metal, and large debris after a building demolition.
3. Different Buckets
Apart from the default bucket that you get with the excavator, you should consider buying at least two or three other types of digging buckets. For instance, these other types of buckets come in handy when you need to do some trenching, grading, ditching, or scooping. For each type of digging, there is a specialized bucket, so choose the ones that you need.
4. Auger Attachments
Additionally, maybe you need to drill holes instead of digging them the traditional way. In that case, you can’t use a digging bucket; you need an auger attachment. These attachments look like massive drills (which, to be fair, they are). They also come in several diameters and sizes, which means you can easily find the one that’s perfect for your needs.
5. Hydraulic Breaker Hammer
When we explained the advantages of buying mini-excavator attachments, we mentioned that you can use a regular digging bucket to break through the concrete. However, you can use a hydraulic breaker hammer, an attachment that can break through a thick layer of concrete and allow you to remove all that concrete or dig underneath it.
Honorable Mentions
The list of useful mini-excavator attachments goes on, and apart from the five tools that we mentioned above, you should also consider buying one of these:
- Quick coupler - allows you to change attachments more easily.
- Ripper attachment - breaks up tough or frozen soil.
- Tilt rotator - allows you to rotate and tilt attachments on your mini-excavator.
- Compaction wheel - compacts the soil after digging or backfilling.
- Mulcher -mulches vegetation and other organic debris.
- Grading blade - used for grading gravel, soil, or sand and for other finishing works.
- Brush cutter - clears overgrown vegetation and cuts bushes and small trees.
- Pallet fork - allows you to use your mini-excavator as a forklift.
Where To Look For Mini-Excavator Tools
If you have already bought your mini-excavator, the place where you bought it is probably the best place to buy attachments and tools for it. Alternatively, you can visit local hardware stores or other stores that specialize in selling heavy machinery and additional equipment.
However, if you haven’t bought your mini-excavator yet, that’s even better. It gives you an opportunity to buy everything you need at once, and maybe even get a discount for buying several things together. To help you out, we have found two mini-excavators and the tools that you can buy with them:
13.5 HP 1 Ton B&S Engine Mini Excavator
This mini-excavator is perfect for doing work in tight spaces, especially if the terrain is rough and uneven. It has a strong 13.5 HP engine with a maximum digging force of 2586 lbf (11.5 KN). You can choose to buy it as a standalone or with a hydraulic thumb. Some other tools you can buy with this mini-excavator are a hydraulic breaker hammer, a hydraulic drill auger, and a ripper attachment.
23 HP 1.3 Ton B&S Engine Mini Excavator
For those who want a bit more power, this is a perfect choice. It is a 23 HP mini-excavator with a maximum digging force of 3262 lbf (14.5 KN). Thanks to its all-terrain tracks, this mini-excavator can navigate through even the most challenging workplaces and terrains. Buy it as a standalone, with a hydraulic thumb, or with more tools, such as a quick hitch attachment, a hydraulic drill auger, or a screening skeleton bucket.
No matter which option you choose, you can rest assured that you have purchased a high-quality machine with superb additional tools and attachments.
Conclusion
This article has shown you some must-have tools for your mini-excavator. Of course, the exact list of must-have tools depends on your needs and the tasks that you must complete with your mini-excavator. However, our list has at least given you a general idea of which mini-excavator tools and attachments you should buy.
With proper attachments and tools, you can make your mini-excavator extremely versatile and do the work that would otherwise require several machines. Remember, no matter which tool or attachment you choose, make sure that it’s compatible with your micro excavator and meets some quality standards.
