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Compact construction equipment is an emerging term used in the construction equipment industry, which refers to small units that are designed to perform the same tasks as their larger versions but are more nimble, easier to manoeuvre on the job, and provide a lower cost of ownership over the life of the equipment. 

The main advantages of compact construction equipment are their flexibility, low cost, light weight and easy of transportability. Another benefit of compact equipment is that the smaller size of the machine puts the operator closer to the work, creating improved sight lines and overall work quality.

With the growing popularity of compact equipment on construction sites, manufacturers of compact equipment are continually making each new generation of compact equipment more powerful with greater breakout forces, higher lift/dump heights and more technology, to enable them to perform the work that gets completed by larger equipment.

Mini-excavators, also known as compact excavators, are small hydraulic excavators valued primarily for their ability to manoeuvre and function within tight or narrow areas where larger excavators can't. In terms of size, mini excavators are classified as having an operating weight of around 5-6 tons and under. However, like their full-size counterparts, they are typically differentiated by their power rating, arm force, maximum dig depth, maximum loading height, and maximum dump height.

Even though mini excavators are smaller and compact, their functions and capabilities are comparable to that of a full-sized excavator. Mini excavators work similarly to full-sized excavators, they still have the ability to swing 360 degrees. Mini excavators are convenient to use in small or tight spaces, but can often keep up with bigger machinery on large-scale construction sites. It is a common perception that smaller machinery carries less power compared to their full-sized counterparts, but that is not necessarily true.  

The majority of mini excavators have three assemblies that comprise a house, undercarriage, and work group. All movements and functions of the machine are accomplished through the transfer of hydraulic fluid. The work group and blade are activated by hydraulic fluid acting upon hydraulic cylinders. The rotation and travel functions are also activated by hydraulic fluid powering hydraulic motors.

Most mini excavators now come with a retractable undercarriage meaning that the tracks can be expanded and detracted to less than three feet (0.91 m) wide or larger to accommodate fitting the machine through tight spaces. Steel tracks provide great traction and optimal damage resistance in demanding applications, such as demolition and rocky underfoot conditions. Full rubber tracks are gentler on finished surfaces and although they're not as robust as steel tracks, they're far more durable.

Hydraulic piston pump technology utilization in mini excavators allows machines to be built with a smaller engine, as piston pumps require 20 percent less horsepower. The latest hydraulic pump systems are a combination of piston and gear pumps in which different pumps carry out different functions. For example, two pumps typically manage the operation of the boom arm and bucket and a third pump manages the swinging of the cab.

With its versatility and ease to operate and transport, the mini excavator is used by contractors from all different backgrounds and is capable of performing a wide range of tasks that include utility trenching, concrete removal, tree harvesting, repair digs, small scale excavation operations, tree transport and planting, grave digging, light demolition, home repair, renovation, and roadside applications.

The mini excavator's light weight gives it so much versatility. Because of its light weight, the mini excavator is suitable for working on different types of sensitive terrain and will ultimately cause less ground damage. The lighter the machine, the more it is adaptable to working on transverse, soft wet ground that heavier machines can't work on. Also because of their small size, mini excavators are very easy to transport by trailer or a regular truck.

Most manufacturers are now building mini excavators with zero tail swing or zero swing radius. Conventional tail swing is the ability of the machine to rotate at 360 degrees. On the contrary, zero tail swing allows the machine to rotate to the full 360 degrees without the cab overlapping the width of the tracks. This is helpful since mini excavators work in such compact spaces. This technology enables the cab to avoid hitting any obstacles when rotating at the base.

Offset booms also known as articulated booms or swing booms are also becoming a standard feature on several models too. The offset boom or independent boom swing enables the machine to dig within close proximity to walls, foundations, or other structures without having to change angles or be realigned. This provides the machine arm with the ability to dig parallel to the tracks.

Because they pump more hydraulic fluid per minute, mini excavators are able to run a larger variety of attachments, especially larger buckets, which improves cycle times and overall productivity. A number of attachments can be fastened to the boom arm with a quick-coupler attachment mechanism. This has become a standard feature on most mini-excavators and increases the machine's job tasking capabilities. A number of machines are manufactured with a backfill blades giving the machine dual functional capability to not only dig up dirt but to push dirt back into the hole after being dug up or for basic levelling. Some of the more popular mini excavator attachments in addition to the backfill blade are grapple, auger, hammer and thumb attachments. Range of other attachments may include rippers, breakers, clamps, plate compactors, trenchers, etc.