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How wide is a mini excavator –
and is there one that’s
micro enough for me?
When it comes to working in tight spaces, no mini excavator is too mini. We’ve designed our Next Generation Mini Excavators to help you overcome the challenges of working in smaller spaces. Now you can access a wide range of jobsites, with all the strength of a Cat® in a micro design. You can also adjust the width of some models to fit the space you’re working in.
Narrow spaces? No problem
The undercarriages on all the 1 to 2-tonne models are retractable. This allows you to sail through narrow entrances and passages. When you’re ready to start digging, you expand the tracks again to get maximum stability.
To retract the tracks and make the machines narrower, you simply lift the machine off the ground using the blade and excavator arm. Then you use the blade lever to bring the tracks in. By raising the machine from the ground, you protect the expanding and retracting tracks from any sharp rocks or rebar that might be underneath them.
Once the tracks have been drawn in, the machine is narrower than the dozer blade, so don’t forget to fold in the blade extensions. We have designed these extensions to be permanently fixed to the machine so they can’t be accidently misplaced.
Watch the video to see how quick and easy it is to reduce the width of the tracks.
The Next Generation Mini Excavator models that offer adjustable tracks are:
Tiny turns with Compact Radius
Our Compact Radius option gives you all the swing and strength of a Cat design in a small machine. With less overhang than other designs, this is a great option if you’re working in smaller spaces.
There are four models to choose from with a Compact Radius design, which is indicated by the ‘CR’ after the model number:
- 301.7 CR in the 1-2 tonne range. The track must be extended to its full width of 51.18 inches to have a Compact Radius.
- 302 CR in the 1-2 tonne range. The track must be extended to its full width of 55.12 inches to have a Compact Radius.
- 308 CR in the 7-10 tonne range.
- 309 CR in the 7-10 tonne range.
Contact your local Cat dealer to find out how a Compact Radius model could benefit your business.
Swing into small jobsites
Sometimes the entrance to a jobsite is so narrow that driving an excavator in is impossible. Don’t panic! The 1 to 2-tonne models provide two lifting points on the roof. That means you can simply pick up the machine and place it where you need it to go. Plant operator David Unsworth found this feature very useful in his work:
“With the Cat 301.5, there’s two lifting points on the canopy; makes it extremely easy, safe, to lift it over walls. Or, if we are working in a confined area where access is tight, we can just lift it straight in with ease,” said David.
Check your mini and micro digger width
You can find the full spec and all the details for each model – including the track width, tail swing and dig depth – on each model’s page.
Contact your local Cat dealer to find out more about any of these mini features. They will be happy to give you expert advice and guidance on choosing a Next Generation Mini Excavator.
And don’t forget to book a test drive to see how small and mighty these machines really are.
#LetsDoTheWork
