--- title: How to best choose your excavator? description: Choosing the best excavator can be a puzzle but if you know all the key factors to consider when choosing the excavator it can help make the best decision! image: https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/Blog_How_to_choose_your_excavator.jpg --- [![Logo_building_tomorrow-1](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo_building_tomorrow-1.png?width=200&height=51&name=Logo_building_tomorrow-1.png "Logo_building_tomorrow-1")](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en) - [EN](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en) - [FR](https://blog.toromontcat.com/fr) - [Toromont Cat website](https://www.toromontcat.com/) - - - # How to best choose your excavator? [By Toromont Cat](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/author/toromont-cat) March 16, 2021 [HEAVY EQUIPMENT](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/topic/heavy-equipment) 2 minute read - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/Blog_How_to_choose_your_excavator.jpg) Choosing the best [excavator](https://www.toromontcat.com/newproducts/406-equipment/464-excavators) can be a puzzle but if you know all the key factors to consider when choosing the excavator it can help make the best decision!   ## **![arrow](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hs-fs/hubfs/arrow.png?width=40&name=arrow.png)Top 3 factors**   ### **Size: Understand the available classes and their limitations** - #### **Mini – Up to 10 metric tons** - Ideal for tight spaces and smaller jobs – landscaping, sidewalks, etc. - Versatule & fuel efficient, easly transportable and perfect for a surface dig and small lift capacity ![mini-excavator ToromontCat](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/mini-exca-1.jfif) [> See all the mini excavators by click](https://www.toromontcat.com/newproducts/406-equipment/464-excavators/154-mini-excavators)[ing here](https://www.toromontcat.com/newproducts/406-equipment/464-excavators/154-mini-excavators)   - #### **Small – 11 – 19 metric tons** - Deliver more dig depth, reach and power than minis, still good for tight spaces - Many models available with zero or near zero tailswing ![small-excavator ToromontCat](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/small-exca-2.jfif) [> See all the small excavators by clicking here](https://www.toromontcat.com/newproducts/406-equipment/464-excavators/265-small-excavators)   - #### **Medium– 20 – 35 metric tons** - Most common sizes found in general construction - More power & capacity, still maneuverable and versatile - Heavier working weights which lead to transport considerations ![standart-excavator ToromontCat](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/standart-exca-2.jfif) [> See all the medium excavators by clicking here](https://www.toromontcat.com/newproducts/406-equipment/464-excavators/329-medium-excavators)   - #### **Large – Greater than 36 metric tons** - Most powerful choice for heavy construction, sewer / water, mass truck loading - Oversized trucks and trailers are required for transport - Requires high utilization to get steady ROI ![large-excavator ToromontCat](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/large-exca-2.jfif) [> See all the large excavators by clicking here](https://www.toromontcat.com/newproducts/406-equipment/464-excavators/291-large-excavators)   ### **Know your job requirements** Jobs are bid based on volumes to be moved but multiple job requirements such as dig depth, reach, breakout force, bucket capacity and lift capability are also important things to consider when shopping for excavators.   **What’s your budget?** - Is it more beneficial to rent a specific machine for a particular job or will your future work support purchasing? - What is the maximum you can afford to finance and will your utilization support those payments and provide you with the desired return? **Jobsite Conditions** - Open spaces or tight quarters where swing radius is important. - Can you meet power and lift requirements with a compact radius machine? - Heavy tramming applications…would a wheeled excavator make more sense than tracks? **Dig Depth & Reach** - What depth and reach do you typically require? - If your business grows, how much more depth and reach will you need? - Could a longer boom and stick option today give you the depth and reach you may need tomorrow? **Lift Capacity** - What is the highest-density material you typically move? - What lift capacity do you require for earthmoving or material handling? i.e. pipe - If your business grows, how much more capacity could you require? **Bucket Capacity** - What are the max material volume / densities you move? - What bucket capacity will consistently move those volumes with a proper pass match (4-6 cycles) - What size excavator best matches that bucket capacity? **Hydraulic attachments** - What kind of hydraulic flow may be required for your work tools? - What kind of power will you need to optimize the performance of those tools? - Will you be able to use a quick coupler with your bucket choice in order to make quick tool changes? **Transportation** - Do you have a trailer suitable to haul the excavator you want? - For larger machines, are you aware of permit and license requirements? - Are there carriers in your area that are capable of moving the machine for you? - Will it need to be broken down (stick, c/w removed) prior to transport? ##### **Versions: Understand all versions available** #### **GC line** - GC products are known to be affordable, reliable and durable and simple to operate - Offer on medium and large excavators and soon in small excavators (Only a few choices available) - Offer in rental, used and new machines #### **Standard** - Low maintenance costs machines - High performance - Integrated technologies to maximizes performance in the next generation line - Available on all size-excavators (see point size class) - Available in new (new generation), rental and used machines Taking the time to properly analyze all the factors before choosing the right excavator to meet your needs will allow you to have the right machine that will do the job properly.       Don't hesitate to contact your Toromont Cat representative to help you in your decision-making process! [> Contact us for more information](https://www.toromontcat.com/contact-us?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=link_blog_referral_g_general_equipment_how-to-best-choose-your-excavator_general_en)   ###### About Company ![](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/BG_landing.jpg) [Toromont Cat](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/author/toromont-cat) Toromont Cat is your Cat Dealer in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, P.E.I., Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nunavut. We are dedicated to supplying and servicing new and used equipment, delivering a superior customer experience and exceptional product support to the markets we serve. ##### You might also like ![From First Time Cat Equipment Owner to Big Time Advocate](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/001%202000x1050%20B.jpg) [From First Time Cat Equipment Owner to Big Time Advocate](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/from-first-time-cat-equipment-owner-to-big-time-advocate) March 16, 2021 ![Toromont Cat – Building Canada Year After Year](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/COR%2009-25%20TCat%20History_blog.jpg) [Toromont Cat – Building Canada Year After Year](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/toromont-cat-building-canada-year-after-year) March 16, 2021 ![The Cat 305 Mini Excavator: Paul Hamel’s go-to machine for every job](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/Blog-banner.jpg) [The Cat 305 Mini Excavator: Paul Hamel’s go-to machine for every job](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/the-cat-305-mini-excavator-paul-hamel-go-to-machine-for-every-job) March 16, 2021 ### Subscribe to Our Blog We want to hear from you! 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