Top 10 Most Popular Mini Excavators on LECTURA Specs

By Patrik Eder · July 26, 2022

We have counted and analyzed over 1,100,000 checked machines from 77 manufacturers and we proudly present to you the Global TOP 10.

Check out the TOP 10 most popular mini excavators in 2022 on LECTURA Specs.

#	Globally (1,100,725 machines*)
1	8018 CTS JCB
2	KX41-2 V Kubota
3	X 320 Bobcat
4	TB 125 Takeuchi
5	301.8C Caterpillar
6	U55-4 Kubota
7	302.5C Caterpillar
8	8014 CTS JCB
9	KX61-3 GL Kubota
10	TB 016 S Takeuchi

* As of 26.7.2022

The global ranking is dominated by JCB 8018 CTS. Furthermore, the British manufacturer has another mini excavator in the Top 10 ranking - the 8014 CTS that ranked 8th. The second place was seized by Kubota and its model KX41-2 V. The Japanese manufacturer has two more machines in the Top 10 ranking; the U55-4 (6th) and KX61-3 GL (9th). The third place belongs to American manufacturer Bobcat and its mini excavator X 320. Another Japanese company, Takeuchi, gained two positions with TB 125 (4th) and TB 016 S (10th), whereas the two remaining spots were claimed by Caterpillar 301.8C (5th) and Caterpillar 302.5C (7th).

JCB 8018 CTS is our global winner

And now let's have a look at the local champions:
You will find all countries with at least „20,000" checked machines.

#	Germany (172,869)	France (139,850)	Italy (117,617)	United States (109,806)	Poland (75,368)	United Kingdom (61,425)
1	KX 019-4 GL Kubota	EC25 Volvo	U27-4 HI Kubota	KX61-2 G Kubota	8018 CTS JCB	8014 CTS JCB
2	KX41-2 V Kubota	KX41-2 V Kubota	320 D Bobcat	VIO 35 Yanmar	8025 ZTS JCB	KX36-3 GL Kubota
3	KX61-3 GL Kubota	U25-3α GL Kubota	8018 CTS JCB	VIO 55 Yanmar	E19 Bobcat	KX61-3 GL Kubota
4	KX41-3 VHGL Kubota	U27-4 NHGL Kubota	322 D Bobcat	KX91-2 Kubota	1404 Wacker Neuson	KX 027-4 HGL Kubota
5	HR 16 Terex-Schaeff	302.5C Caterpillar	U17-3 Kubota	B 27 Yanmar	301.8C Caterpillar	U10-3 G Kubota
6	1404 Wacker Neuson	302.7D CR Caterpillar	PC50MR-2 Komatsu	KX121-2 Kubota	1503 Neuson	8018 CTS JCB
7	HR 12 Terex-Schaeff	X 320 Bobcat	X 320 Bobcat	U55-4 Kubota	8014 CTS JCB	U27-4 HI Kubota
8	KX 057-4 Kubota	8018 CTS JCB	PC16R-3HS Komatsu	HR 14 Terex-Schaeff	KX 019-4 GL Kubota	U55-4 Kubota
9	8018 CTS JCB	8025 ZTS JCB	303 C R Caterpillar	E32 Bobcat	E 16 Bobcat	TB 125 Takeuchi
10	U10-3 G Kubota	U17-3 Kubota	PC12R-8 Komatsu	305.5E CR Caterpillar	8015 JCB	8015 JCB

Overall, the most visitors (over 172,000) have come from Germany. As you can see, the most popular model in Germany is currently Kubota KX 019-4 GL, moreover, the Japanese manufacturer dominates German ranking with 6 models out of 10; Kubota KX41-2 V and KX61-3 GL achieved the 2nd and 3rd spot, respectively. In France, Kubota has become the most popular brand as well, seizing the domestic chart with 4 models. However, Volvo EC25 seems to be the most popular mini excavator there. The situation is quite even in Italy: both Bobcat and Komatsu seized 3 positions, but Kubota U27-4 HI holds the top spot. The Japanese manufacturer is also the most popular brand in the USA, holding 4 spots, including rank 1 (Kubota KX61-2 G). The second most popular brand in the USA is Yanmar that managed to get ranks 2 and 3 with models VIO 35 and VIO 55, respectively. If we look at the ranking in Poland, the first thing we see is the dominance of JCB. The first two spots are claimed by the British brand and its models; JCB 8018 CTS and JCB 8025 ZTS mini excavators. Furthemore, the rest of the chart includes two more models of JCB that are followed by Bobcat which owns the third most popular mini excavator in Poland - the E19. JCB also holds the top spot within the most popular mini excavators in the UK: the 8014 CTS model. Two more machines manufactured by the domestic brand made it into the ranking: the 8018 CTS (rank 6) and the 8015 (rank 10). Nevertheless, Kubota seems to be the most popular manufacturer number-wise, holding 6 spots out of 10 within the ranking, including the second and third places (the KX36-3 GL and the KX61-3 GL mini excavators).

#	Spain (27,586)	Austria (26,228)	Canada (24,370)	Australia (23,991)	Czechia (23,212)	Netherlands (22,972)
1	TB 260 Takeuchi	TB 016 S Takeuchi	KX121-3α GL Kubota	ZX55U-5A Hitachi	KX36-3 GL Kubota	KX 019-4 GL Kubota
2	TB 210 R Takeuchi	TB 145 Takeuchi	KX41-2 V Kubota	U55-4 Kubota	KX 057-4 Kubota	U10-3 G Kubota
3	TB 216 A Takeuchi	TB 250 Takeuchi	KX 057-4 Kubota	8018 CTS JCB	303 C R Caterpillar	E 16 Bobcat
4	TB 016 S Takeuchi	TB 135 Takeuchi	304 C R Caterpillar	301.7D Caterpillar	301.8C Caterpillar	EX 8 Hitachi
5	KX161-3α GL Kubota	TB 125 Takeuchi	KH191 Kubota	SK 55 SRX 6 Kobelco	8026 CTS JCB	TB 016 S Takeuchi
6	E60C New Holland	TB 016 A Takeuchi	KX91-2 Kubota	VIO 17 Yanmar	KX61-3 GL Kubota	TB 125 Takeuchi
7	TB 145 Takeuchi	TB 216 S Takeuchi	VIO 35 Yanmar	R17Z-9A Hyundai	TB 125 Takeuchi	KX41-2 V Kubota
8	TB 250 Takeuchi	TB 228 Takeuchi	KH28 Kubota	U17-3 Kubota	8035 ZTS JCB	SWE20F Sunward
9	EB 12 Pel-Job	TB 210 R Takeuchi	KH41 Kubota	PC15R8 Komatsu	8018 CTS JCB	6502 Neuson
10	EZ28 Wacker Neuson	TB 230 Takeuchi	KX41-3 GLV Kubota	R 60 CR-9 Hyundai	PC02 Komatsu	B 12 Yanmar

The Spanish ranking shows that the most popular model is Takeuchi TB 260, followed by the TB 210 R and TB 216 A from the same manufacturer. Moreover, the Japanese OEM holds 6 positions out of 10 within the Spanish ranking. Takeuchi excels in the Austrian ranking, seizing all 10 (!) ranks. The three most popular models are the TB 016 S, the TB 145 and the TB 250, in that particular order. Kubota KX121-3α GL is the most popular model in Canada, accompanied by Kubota KX41-2 V (2nd) and Kubota KX 057-4 (3rd), stressing the domination of the Japanese manufacturer in Canada, having 8 models out of 10 in the ranking. The situation in Australia is pretty different; Hitachi ZX55U-5A leads the ranking over Kubota U55-4 and JCB 8018 CTS. The rest of the Australian mini excavator ranking is varied and includes models from 8 different manufacturers. The visitors from Czech Republic favour Kubota KX36-3 GL over Kubota KX 057-4 and Caterpillar 303 C R. Caterpillar and JCB seem to be the closest competitors to Kubota within the Czech mini excavator ranking. Kubota KX 019-4 GL is the most popular mini excavator model according to Dutch visitors. It defeated Kubota U10-3 G and Bobcat E 16, which claimed the following spots. Japanese manufacturer Takeuchi also has two mini excavators in the domestic ranking; the TB 016 S and TB 125.

Most popular mini excavators FAQ

How do I choose a mini excavator?

Choosing the right excavator for your job depends on several factors such as the environment, area of the jobsite, preferred type of engine (diesel vs electric) or for example the age and costs of the machine. You can have a look at the 10 most popular mini excavators on LECTURA Specs.

How much does a mini excavator weigh?

The specific range often depends on the manufacturer or the exact classification. LECTURA classifies all excavators that weigh up to 6 metric tonnes as mini excavators. The smallest mini excavator in our database is Komatsu PC01-1, weighing only 300 kg (661 pounds). The heaviest models are for example JCB 8060, XCMG XE60DA or Kubota KH191, all weighing 6,000 kg.

What is a mini excavator?

Mini excavators, also called compact excavators, are small earthmoving machines. LECTURA classifies them as excavators that weigh up to 6 metric tonnes. They are designed to work in narrow spaces and restricted areas, which is a huge benefit, often combined with the usage of electric machines and therefore being quiet and environmentally-friendly.

What is the best mini excavator?

8018 CTS is the most popular mini excavator globally, according to LECTURA Top 10 most popular mini excavator ranking. The 8018 CTS is followed by Kubota KX41-2 V and Bobcat X 320.