Mini Excavator vs. Skid Steer: Which Do You Need?

Mini Excavator: The Digging Specialist

Mini excavators excel at precise digging, trenching, and working in tight spaces. The boom and arm design gives you reach and depth that other machines can't match.

• Dig depth: Up to 8+ feet (our R13 Pro reaches 7'11")
• Precision: Joystick controls for accurate bucket placement
• Reach: Can dig from one position without repositioning
• Access: Zero-tail swing works close to walls and fences
• Ground pressure: Lighter footprint, less lawn damage

Skid Steer: The Material Mover

Skid steers are workhorses for moving material, grading large areas, and tasks requiring raw pushing power.

• Capacity: Can lift and carry 1,500+ lbs of material
• Speed: Faster travel for moving across job sites
• Grading: Wide bucket is great for leveling large areas
• Attachments: Huge variety (pallet forks, augers, etc.)
• Power: More pushing force for moving piles

Choose Mini Excavator When

• Digging trenches (French drains, utilities, footings)
• Removing stumps and roots
• Working in tight residential spaces
• Precision is more important than speed
• You need to dig deeper than 3-4 feet
• Protecting lawn/landscape is a priority

Choose Skid Steer When

• Moving large amounts of dirt, gravel, or mulch
• Grading and leveling large areas
• Demolition and debris removal
• You need to carry heavy loads across the site
• The work area is open (no tight spaces)

Why We Offer a Mini Excavator

Most residential projects in Eugene need digging — French drains, stump removal, utility trenches, fence posts. For these jobs, a mini excavator is simply the right tool. It's more versatile in tight residential lots, causes less damage to established landscapes, and handles the deep, precise digging that homeowners typically need. If you need a skid steer for material moving or large-scale grading, several rental companies in Eugene offer them. But for the digging jobs most homeowners face, our Rippa R13 Pro is the better choice.