OpenTube

Best Mini Excavators $10K–$15K — 7 Machines I’d Actually Consider

JEFFSCAVATOR

5,104 views

Looking for a mini excavator in the $10,000–$15,000 range? This is where these machines start getting serious.

In this video, I compare 7 mini excavators that I think are worth considering:

• Huayee HY16C
• Typhon 17
• Huayee HY18B
• Rippa R15 ECO
• KYMRON ZX16D
• Rippa R13 Pro
• Huayee SHY12

Once you get above $10,000, you start seeing features that were optional—or completely missing—on cheaper machines become much more common: Kubota diesel engines, pilot controls, boom swing, hydraulic thumbs, auxiliary hydraulics, case drains, hydraulic coolers, expandable tracks, quick couplers, zero-tail swing and even climate-controlled cabs.

But features aren't the whole story.

I also compare the warranties available on these machines because if you're spending $10,000–$15,000, who stands behind the machine matters.

I don't sell these excavators and I don't have a financial incentive for you to buy any of them. These recommendations are based on my own research, talking with dealers, attending equipment auctions and owning and operating Chinese mini excavators myself.

If you're shopping for a mini excavator, hopefully this saves you a few hours of research.

NEXT UP: Mini excavators in the $15,000–$20,000 price range.

Subscribe to JEFF’SCAVATOR for more mini excavator reviews, Chinese equipment comparisons, auction coverage, modifications and real-world equipment testing.

Are you diggin or are you fillin?

#MiniExcavator #ChineseMiniExcavator #Excavator #HeavyEquipment #JEFFSCAVATOR
Welcome to JEFFSCAVATOR—videos about affordable mini excavators, skid steers, crawler dumpers, attachments, equipment modifications, maintenance, auctions, and the rapidly changing Chinese equipment market.

Subscribe to JEFFSCAVATOR:
@jeffscavator

Amazon and equipment links:
https://a.co/d/0gLTi40b

Some links in this description may be affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to keep producing equipment videos.

For business inquiries:
stotlarj@gmail.com

Are you diggin’ or are you fillin’?

18 Comments

@Jeffscavator Creator 1 day ago Pinned

Which of these $10K–$15K mini excavators would YOU buy?

For me, this price range is where these machines really start stepping up—diesel engines, pilot controls, better hydraulics, more features, and most importantly, real warranties.

Drop your pick below—and if you own one of these machines, tell us what you like and what you DON'T like about it. That kind of real-world feedback helps everyone shopping in this price range.

Next up: the $15,000–$20,000 mini excavator class.

And just to be clear: I don’t sell or represent any of these machines, and I have no financial incentive if you buy one.

Are you diggin’ or are you fillin’?

@JTcor-t2u 1 day ago

Really good information 👍

@wademizelle3433 1 day ago

Can’t wait for the next one. My problem is location of dealers in NC. Thanks

@ljprep6250 2 hours ago

Wow, gotta have cup holders to drench you while driving a zero suspension digger over rocky ground.

@Kamiri21 1 day ago

The Huayee SHY12 also has a load sensing piston pump instead of gear driven. Much smoother operation.

For me personally, I'm not going near the Rippa machines. If something goes wrong good luck getting parts any time soon. Thanks for the video.

@Vitorlopes7311 1 day ago

From Portugal...Obrigado pela informação 😊👍

@tommyjones5793 1 day ago

Appreciate content jeff keep em comin material

@larrybrinker1664 1 day ago

I got an sdee22 and havnt been able to find a lot of info on it online. But it seems pretty well built so far. Just swapped out fluids and checked over the hoses and grease points so far

@kevinandivy 17 hours ago

Cylinder on top of boom has less strength or pressure from the cylinder

@kevinandivy 17 hours ago

Cylinder on top when pulling boom back the rod is on the pull end and reduces hydraulic force hence less max lift

@scott9751 1 day ago

A huge thing missing is the hydraulics. Some use load sensing piston pumps vs gear pumps and there are very large differences in fluid flow.

@Davidslusher-wr2lc 1 day ago

Nuoman e18 pro

@MadMax-ut2wc 1 day ago

I have the HY16C and used it it for 750 feet of french drain.
Have almost 200 hours on it and it is flawless.
Only concern is the valve connections between the tracks that could rip off if you run over a stump.
Needs a guard there to stop it from doing it.

@ShaneWatson-d9l 1 day ago

Jeff good topic…I would pick something with features you haven’t mentioned…piston pump, certified ROPS, 30mm pins, long boom, heavy duty blade further from tracks, attachment package
Then what you did mention, which it will come with…diesel liquid & hydraulic cooled, pilot, 2 speed drive with case drain, long thumb to suit quick hitch (they’re nearly all too short!), expandable tracks & swing boom, aux & hydraulic quick hitch.
I would pick a Rhinoceros XN18L at your price point, with Kubota or Yanmar options
Current 1.8 is more like a 1.2 with Yanmar 3TNV70, pilot, Parker gear pump, Eaton slew & drive (no case drain), seperate aux pump & was $8100 plus import costs 4 years ago

@tommyjones5793 1 day ago

Hey Jeff fan of the channel I have the huayee HY18B mini excavator its been decent unit have little trouble with warranty stuff they just don't want come off parts they want u do this amd do that all to buy time so I just pay for the shit hell who wants sit weeks broke down but ive put about 3 00 hrs on it and actually dug a pond with it it was ideal spot but I sure did use the HY18B to do it with ,so the unit is worth what they want my only complaint warranty and wish had access to parts quicker ,but I havent try the gas engine I dont know how they preform but the desiel engine sound is sweet

@stump-bossBIll 1 day ago

"...Unhealthy research"....haha. I'd say, with all your knowledge (hands on and research) you might offer a "Best in Class" rating. Sure, use case varies, but majority of folks want best bang for the buck. Seems like to me the Kymron is the "go to" machine you presented in this class. A little weight is sacrificed for getting all the features one needs to make this a work horse around the "place" machine. Kymron seems to be that "Pro-Sumer" class. Probably still not a use all-day - everyday pro-grade machine, but can get you started off that direction if desired. Are you going to roll Sany's in as you get bigger here?

@msbigfoot 7 hours ago

There is a new EV + EREV excavators coming online, they are about 1/3 more expensive.

But the newer EV + EREV excavators should be more maintainable becuase they are potentially
mechanically simple

I'm not fond of EV + EREV as it is a potential to hide FLOCK/ALPR technology inside.

Or, batteries themselves could be a FLOCK/ALPR where our leaders don't increase the OIL
supply or the NUCLEAR potential and all excess energy is used in EVs and EREV batteries.

And, all the excess OIL energy is accounted for for datacenters.

But, EV + EREV excavators are an excellent technology that solves some of the long-term
problems especially in industrial equipment. Batteries and motors are easier to repair
and replace than entire engines.

@april7_ 1 day ago

Owning 4 months and almost 50 hours now a Rippa R15 I have to say that I am pleased to this machine and it is more capable than I expected! Many features that are not available in cheaper models have been in my mind worth of the investment and of course that long warranty is something that is also a good thing at this price point too! I did too several years of googling thru internet and talk with some friends with same interest in mind before!