Mini Excavator Price: New MSRP, Auction Results and Payments

How much does a mini excavator cost?

A new mini excavator costs roughly $28,000 to $140,000 on Kubota's published list, depending mostly on size. On October 28, 2026, Kubota's published MSRPs ran from $28,450 for its smallest K008-5 to $138,273 for the 8 ton class KX080-5. Used machines cost far less: Purple Wave auction results show 2019 and 2020 Kubota U17s sold at auction for $11,550 to $19,800, and a 2020 Kubota U35-4 sold at auction for $26,950 on October 22, 2026.

Three things to know before reading the tables below:

• MSRP is a starting point. It is the manufacturer's suggested retail price for a base machine. Dealer prices, attachments, freight, setup and sales tax change the number you actually pay, so ask every dealer for an out-the-door figure.
• Auction results are real sales, but each one is a single machine. Hours, condition, attachments and location all move the price, so look at several results, not one.
• "Ton" means operating weight in metric tons. A 1.7 ton machine weighs about 1,700 kg (roughly 3,750 lb) ready to work.

What does a mini excavator cost by size class?

New prices climb steeply with size: on Kubota's list, a 1 to 2 ton machine starts under $40,000, a 3 to 4 ton machine runs about $50,000 to $69,000, and an 8 ton machine is over $138,000. Used auction results run well below new list price in every class. We use Kubota for new prices because it publishes model MSRPs; Purple Wave because it publishes closed auction results with sale dates.

New: manufacturer list prices

The weight ranges reflect canopy or cab, rubber or steel tracks, and blade type. Within one model, the heavier configurations are usually the better equipped ones.

Used: auction results

Look at the two 2020 KX040-4 results: one sold for $42,350 in October 2024 and another for $15,400 in September 2026 (same Purple Wave page). Same model, same year, very different money. That gap is hours, condition and equipment, which is why a year and model alone never tell you what a used machine is worth.

How much does a full-size 20 ton excavator cost?

A used 20 ton class excavator costs several times a mini. On Purple Wave, a 2018 Caterpillar 320 sold at auction for $137,500 (June 19, 2025), a 2023 Caterpillar 320GC for $167,200 (December 4, 2025) and a 2023 Komatsu PC210LC-11 for $170,500 (April 9, 2026), per its Caterpillar excavator results and hydraulic excavator results, both seen October 28, 2026. We did not find a published new list price for a 20 ton machine; ask dealers for a written quote.

What drives mini excavator price?

Size sets the price band, and condition decides where a machine lands inside it. In Kubota's list above, moving from the 1 to 2 ton U17-5 to the 3 to 4 ton U35-4 adds $18,227 at MSRP, and the 8 ton KX080-5 lists at more than three times the U17-5.

What to check on any machine:

• Hours. The hour meter is the main wear measure. Ask for it on every listing and compare results at similar hours, not just similar years.
• Size and dig depth. Buy for the deepest trench and heaviest lift you actually do. An oversized machine costs more to buy, to haul and often needs a bigger trailer and truck.
• Cab or canopy. An enclosed cab with heat and air adds weight and cost but matters if you run year round.
• Tracks. Rubber tracks protect lawns, driveways and pavement; steel tracks suit rock and demolition. Ask what condition the tracks and undercarriage are in, since replacing them is a real expense.
• Attachments and hydraulics. A thumb, auxiliary hydraulics for a breaker or auger, a quick coupler, an angle or 6-in-1 blade and extra buckets all add value. Confirm which are included in the price.
• Brand and dealer support. Parts availability and a nearby dealer affect downtime and resale. Compare like with like across brands.
• Telematics and service records. Kubota says the U17-5 and KX040-5 come standard with KubotaNOW telematics. Data and dealer service records make a used machine easier to judge and easier to finance.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy a mini excavator?

Renting is cheaper for occasional jobs; buying usually wins once the machine works most months of the year. On October 28, 2026, The Home Depot Rental store at 901 S Grady Way in Renton, Washington listed a 1.5 ton mini excavator at $434 a day, $1,267 a week and $2,937 for four weeks on DOZR's Renton mini excavator page.

Rental rates vary by city and season, and the page notes "Price based on availability". Compare that four-week rate with the payment examples below: the 1.5 ton four-week rental is several times the estimated monthly payment on a new U17-5. A payment is not the whole cost of owning, though. Add insurance, maintenance, wear parts, transport and the trailer and truck to haul it, then compare. If you would rent more than a few months a year, run the numbers on buying with your accountant.

What is the monthly payment on a mini excavator?

On the prices above, estimated payments range from about $440 a month (a used U35-4 at its $26,950 auction price, 72 months, 9% estimated APR) to about $3,340 a month (a new KX080-5 at its $138,273 MSRP, 48 months, 13% estimated APR).

These examples assume 10% down, estimated APRs of 9% and 13%, terms of 48, 60 and 72 months, payments rounded to the nearest $10, and exclude taxes, fees and insurance.

These are illustrations, not quotes. Ironmark does not set rates and is not a lender; your actual rate, term and down payment come from the lender and depend on your credit, the machine and the deal. Older, high-hour machines may not qualify for the longest terms.

Check the manufacturer's current financing offers before you sign. They apply to new machines from participating dealers and change often, so compare them with a cash discount.

How does mini excavator financing work?

A mini excavator is usually financed with an equipment loan or lease secured by the machine itself, so the machine's age, hours and value matter alongside your credit and time in business. Ironmark is not a lender: we connect you with third-party lenders, and those lenders make the credit decision and set the rate and terms.

Where you buy matters too. Dealer purchases come with an invoice and often promotional financing. Auction purchases have short payment deadlines, so line up financing before you bid; see auction equipment financing. Our article on what lenders look at explains the credit side, and new vs used equipment covers the trade-offs. For inspection points, use the excavators buying guide and the used equipment buying checklist.

What do you need for a mini excavator financing quote?

• The machine: year, make, model, serial number, hour meter reading, and photos of the undercarriage and hour meter
• The price: dealer quote or invoice, auction lot link, or private seller's asking price, with attachments listed
• Whether it has a cab or canopy, rubber or steel tracks, thumb, auxiliary hydraulics and which buckets are included
• Your down payment amount and where it is coming from
• Business formation documents and EIN; business tax returns and recent bank statements if the company already operates
• A short description of the work the machine will do (trenching, utility, landscaping, demolition)
• Your insurance agent's contact for proof of coverage

To see how Ironmark connects buyers with lenders, go to excavator financing.