Excavator size is the most consequential decision in the whole buying process, and it's the one buyers most often get wrong. Undersize the machine and every job takes an extra half-day. Oversize it and you're paying float transport, higher fuel and a bigger finance repayment for productivity you don't use.
This is our definitive weight-band guide for the Australian market — what each class is designed for, typical applications, the popular models per size, transport implications, and current AUD price ranges. If you want a shorter overview, our companion post on excavator sizes explained covers the fundamentals; this one gets into the working detail of each band.
Under 2 tonne — micro excavators
The 1.0-1.8t class is designed for one thing: work that nothing bigger can reach. Standard 900mm gate access with tracks retracted, dig depth 1.7-2.4m, and lift capacity to shift a footing's worth of concrete. Rubber tracks protect finished lawns and paved surfaces.
Where they excel
- Backyard landscaping — retaining walls, footings, pond digs.
- Interior demolition and slab preparation.
- Rural fencing and irrigation trenching.
- Cemetery work.
Popular models: Kubota U17, Yanmar SV17, Bobcat E17, Takeuchi TB216. Used pricing $12,000-$35,000. Trailerable behind a 1-tonne ute on a standard plant trailer.
2-5 tonne — compact excavators
The busiest segment in the Australian market. The 3-tonne class in particular is the single most-traded excavator size in the country because it sits at the crossover between "residential access" and "genuinely productive". Dig depth 2.8-3.6m, comfortably runs a full attachment set, and still trailers behind a well-specced ute or light truck.
3-3.5 tonne (the all-rounder)
The default residential and light-civil machine. Dig depth ~3.0m, weight 2,900-3,700kg. Popular models: Kubota U35/KX040, Yanmar VIO35, Bobcat E35, Takeuchi TB235. Used $25,000-$55,000. Browse 3 tonne excavators for sale. For a make comparison, our Kubota vs Yanmar mini excavator post breaks down the two dominant Japanese brands.
5 tonne (the light-commercial step-up)
Dig depth 3.6-4.2m, hydraulic power for tilt hitches and larger buckets, and enough weight to feel stable on genuine civil work. Right at the trailer-limit for a 3.5-tonne plant trailer. Used $40,000-$85,000. Browse 5 tonne excavators for sale.
6-10 tonne — midi excavators
The 8-tonne class is the first size that feels like a full commercial machine — heavier undercarriage, cab-forward ergonomics, high enough auxiliary flow for a proper breaker, and dig depth of 4.2-5.0m. This is the size civil crews turn to for bulk trenching, building-pad prep and drainage work where a 5-tonner would slow the whole crew down.
The transport step-up happens here: you're past what a 3.5t plant trailer can handle and into dedicated float or plant-truck territory, which adds $200-$400 per site move if you're outsourcing transport. Popular models: Kubota KX080, Yanmar SV100, Sany SY75C, Sumitomo SH80. Used $60,000-$140,000. Browse 8 tonne excavators for sale, or narrow to state at 8 tonne excavators for sale in VIC.
10-16 tonne — the civil workhorse
The 13-tonne class is the most popular mid-size in Australian construction — the standard choice for bulk trench work, stormwater infrastructure, road construction, subdivision earthworks, and quarry loading of smaller trucks. Dig depth 5.5-6.5m, bucket capacity 0.5-0.7m³, and enough hydraulic muscle to run a rock breaker on hard material all day.
Popular models: Kobelco SK135SR, Hitachi ZX135, Volvo EC140, Sumitomo SH135X. Used pricing $80,000-$180,000, and low-hour Japanese and European brands hold value exceptionally well. Every unit at this size needs a float or a plant truck to move. Our Kobelco vs Hyundai excavators comparison covers the two dominant value picks in this class.
18-25 tonne — the bulk earthworks standard
The 20-tonne class is the most common large excavator on Australian civil sites — the machine crews reach for when the daily volume of dirt matters more than access. Dig depth 6.5-7.5m, bucket capacity 0.9-1.3m³, and the productivity to keep a rotation of tandem tippers moving on a bulk cut. Also the standard mine-support size.
Popular models: Komatsu PC200, Cat 320, Hitachi ZX200, Volvo EC220, Sany SY215C. Used pricing $90,000-$250,000. All need dedicated float transport. Browse 20 tonne excavators for sale. Our Caterpillar vs Komatsu excavators comparison breaks down the two dominant heavy brands.
26-35 tonne — heavy civil and quarrying
The 30-tonne class is a production machine. Dig depth 7-8m, buckets to 2m³, and the reach and breakout force for major infrastructure, tunnelling and heavy quarrying. Popular models: Cat 330, Komatsu PC300, Hitachi ZX330, Volvo EC300. Used pricing $140,000-$380,000, new pricing starting around $500,000. Machines this size rarely leave site once positioned — the transport cost of moving them regularly outweighs the day rate of hiring one locally.
40 tonne and above — mining and major infrastructure
Above 35 tonnes, excavators enter dedicated production territory — mining faces, major roadworks, coal handling. New pricing starts around $600,000 and can pass $1.5 million for high-capacity mining spec. Popular models: Cat 349/374/390, Komatsu PC490/PC800, Hitachi ZX490/ZX870, Liebherr R946/R956. Buyers at this size are almost always evaluating specific machines against known site conditions rather than shopping by weight class.
How to decide
Work through four questions in this order:
- Access: what's the narrowest point the machine must pass through? That sets your maximum size.
- Dig depth: how deep does your typical job go? That sets your minimum size.
- Transport: can you tow it, or do you need a float? If float transport is a per-move cost, factor it in.
- Productivity: how many m³ per day do you need to shift? That decides between the top two sizes on your shortlist.
When you're genuinely between two sizes in a productive-crew context, the 3-tonne and 13-tonne classes are the safest defaults — they're the most traded, so used pricing is competitive, resale is strong, and hire cover is available in every capital city.
Hire rates as a sanity check
Australian dry-hire benchmark rates: 1.8t $180-$260/day, 3t $250-$350/day, 5t $350-$500/day, 8t $500-$700/day, 13t $700-$950/day, 20t $900-$1,300/day. Multiply your annual usage by the day rate — if that number exceeds 40-50% of the machine's purchase price, ownership is comfortably the right call. Below 20%, hire keeps you flexible.
Finance
Excavator finance for AU ABN holders is one of the most standardised parts of the equipment finance market — chattel mortgage over 4-5 years is the default, and lenders are comfortable across the full weight range from 1.8t up to 40t+. Equifund arranges finance across every major lender and can usually indicate approval within 24 hours; start at Asset Scanner finance. Sort your finance number before you shop and you'll stay in the right weight band.
Ready to compare? Browse every excavator for sale on Asset Scanner, filter by size and state, and use our free valuation tool to sanity-check the price of any machine you're serious about.