Which brand of small excavator is best to buy? Popular brands and purchasing guides across the Internet
Recently, the topic of purchasing small excavators has become increasingly popular on major construction machinery forums and social media. Whether it is rural infrastructure, garden construction or small urban projects, the demand for small excavators continues to grow. This article will combine the hot discussion data of the entire Internet in the past 10 days to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of mainstream brands for you, and provide structured purchasing suggestions.
1. Top 5 popular mini excavator brands in 2023

| Ranking | Brand | market share | Popular models | Price range (10,000 yuan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sany Heavy Industry | 28% | SY16C | 12-18 |
| 2 | XCMG | 25% | XE15E | 11-16 |
| 3 | Caterpillar | 18% | 301.6D | 18-25 |
| 4 | Liugong | 15% | CLG9035E | 10-15 |
| 5 | Shandong Lingong | 14% | E660F | 8-12 |
2. Comparison of core purchasing parameters
| parameters | Domestic advantages | Import advantage | Recommended choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine power | High cost performance | Strong durability | Domestic (limited budget) |
| Hydraulic system | Low maintenance cost | Higher accuracy | Import (precision operation) |
| Operating comfort | Basically satisfied | Excellent ergonomics | Choose based on frequency of use |
| Accessories supply | Available 24 hours a day | Reservation required | Domestic (remote areas) |
3. Recommendations for different usage scenarios
Based on recent measured video data from engineering bloggers on Douyin, Kuaishou and other platforms, we have compiled the following scenario-based suggestions:
1. Rural infrastructure:PreferenceShandong Lingong E660ForLiugong CLG9035E, characterized by a small turning radius (<2m), suitable for operations in narrow sites.
2. Municipal Engineering: RecommendedSANY SY16CThe zero-tail rotation model avoids collision with obstacles during construction.
3. Landscaping: Caterpillar301.6DThe multifunctional quick-change connector design can quickly switch between different attachments.
4. Mining operations:XCMGXE15EThe reinforced chassis and roll cage are safer.
4. Summary of real user feedback
| Complaints | Domestic brands | Imported brands |
|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic oil leak | 12% | 5% |
| circuit failure | 8% | 3% |
| After-sales service response | 4 hours | 24 hours |
| High fuel consumption | 15% | 9% |
5. New purchasing trends in 2023
1.The rise of new energy models: The electric version SY16E recently launched by Sany can work for 8 hours after charging for 2 hours, which is especially suitable for urban operations with strict environmental protection requirements.
2.Intelligent control system: XCMG’s latest model is equipped with Beidou positioning and remote monitoring, and can upload operation data in real time.
3.Second-hand mobile phone replacement boom: Data from platforms such as Guazi Machinery show that the transaction rate of second-hand mobile phones that are 1-3 years old has increased by 40% year-on-year.
Conclusion:When purchasing a small excavator, you need to consider the budget, usage scenarios and subsequent maintenance costs. Domestic brands have obvious advantages in the range of 80,000 to 150,000 yuan, while imported brands still maintain technological leadership in the high-end market of more than 200,000 yuan. It is recommended to test drive more than 3 models on the spot, focusing on the sensitivity of the hydraulic system and the ergonomic design of the cab.
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