Mini Excavators

Unlike some of their cousins, such as Bulldozers, backhoes and graders that combine mechanical and hydraulic drive systems, all the functions of a hydraulic mini excavator are powered a hydraulic pump to create hydraulic pressure. This means that specs like pump flow rate are important as they affect the operations of the machine.

Mini-excavator terminology explained

The cab is the body of the excavator, it contains the operator’s controls, engine, hydraulic pump, fuel tank, counterweight and other components. The cab sits on top of the undercarriage or track frame, to which it connected by a swing drive.

The cab and swing drive are attached by slew rings that allow the cab to pivot to either side so that it can dig or trench parallel to the tracks.

The boom and dipper arm is attached to the cab and are actuated by multiple hydraulic rams with attachments such as buckets, augers or hammers are attached to the dipper arm with either a half hitch or a double locking quick hitch.

The advantages of a mini-excavator – independent boom swing

Independent boom swing, a feature not found on conventional excavation equipment, enables offset digging around obstacles or along obstructions such as walls. It also allows cycling in narrow situations that prevent cab rotation which reduces wear and tear on components, improves efficiency and lengthens the lifespan of your machine.

The advantages of a mini-excavator - zero tail swing

Traditionally excavators have what is termed tail swing. This is where the counterweight that is part of the cabin extends beyond the tracks. When the cab is rotated the counterweight on the rear of the cab swings in an extended arc behind the machine, potentially hitting nearby objects.

With a zero-tail swing excavator, the cab remains within the footprint of the tracks. This has two advantages, it allows the operator to focus on digging without having to worry about the rear striking something and it also enables digging in confined spaces, such as next to a wall.

The backfill blade adds extra versatility to the operations of a mini-excavator. Using a backfill blade the excavator operator can grade, level, backfill and move soil. The blade can also be used to provide extra stability while digging.

Mini excavators are relatively new solutions to an old problem – saving time and money on smaller trenching and landscaping jobs – especially retaining walls. With a blade and bucket combination and the option of accessories such as augers and hammers, a mini excavator can be a profitable change to the way you do business.

You’d be surprised at the range of people – from builders, to tradies - such as plumbers, electricians to landscapers and more – that use a mini excavator. Once you’ve replaced hours of labouring with a crowbar, pick and shovel with a mini excavator, you’ll never want to go back to hand tools again.

Most people who buy a mini excavator begin by hiring one. Then, it becomes a numbers game. With finance available for under $120 a week on some models and hire charges often exceeding that for a day, the decision to buy can be simple. With moderate use a quality mini excavator such as Sany with a long service life can pay for itself many times over.

If you or your staff have the expertise to operate a mini-excavator, dry hire may be the solution. In a dry hire you only hire the mini-excavator itself. If you don’t have the expertise or people available to operate the machine, wet hire, in which your hire the mini-excavator and an operator is the better solution.

Hire to buy mini-excavators

If you’re not sure whether to hire or buy, Ultro can provide you with a third option – rent to buy. In this situation, you can rent a Sany mini-excavator and then, when you are ready to buy, Ultro will give you a price to purchase the mini-excavator you are hiring – and they can even organise finance. The advantages of rent to buy are that you know the machine and get it immediately without interrupting your workflow.

Manufacturing and Components

A Sany mini-excavator gives you the best of both worlds – the value of being built with a low-cost Chinese manufacturing base and the quality of top-class components sourced from some of the world’s best manufacturers.

The engines are Japanese, Yanmar, world-renowned for efficiency and reliability under tough operating conditions – they are a favourite for marine applications and that’s one of the harshest environments there is.

Sany also use Kawasaki hydraulics and Italian valve components.

Efficiency and Durability

Fuel consumption is lower than competitive models, and SANY machines have an extended service life thanks to their quality components and manufacturing processes.

Power and Performance

Sany mini-excavators give you digging forces that are up to 20% higher than those of other machines, coupled with swing speeds are up to 10% faster. The result is that you finish the job faster – saving time and money.

Testing and Endurance

You can choose a Sany mini-excavator with the confidence of knowing that Sany excavators have been though 2000 hours of excavation field testing and that key components have been fatigue tested over 800,000 times.

Intelligent Control System

The independently developed intelligent control system automatically matches the hydraulic pump output to the available engine power, delivering you greater hydraulic system efficiency and lower fuel consumption.

Ultro stocks a wide range of SANY mini excavators from 1550 kg – 5200 kg, with buckets from 0.04m3 to 0.15m3. Other Sany products – from 75 tonne excavators to wind turbines are available on order.

Product, Price and Service

As the Australian Dealer for Sany products, Ultro Plant and Equipment have the combination of product, price and service that will provide you with a simple, cost effective resource for your business and the peace of mind that you know you can rely on Sany quality and Ultro service to keep it performing at its best. Come see us at our Melbourne-based showroom in Pakenham.

The Ultro Plant and Equipment KEEP YOU GOING guarantee

Designed to keep your Sany machine hard at work, Ultro’s KEEP YOU GOING guarantee gives you:

• 24-Hour support
• Rapid on-site service to get your machine back to work as soon as possible
• If on-site repair is not possible, Ultro will quickly arrange a like-for-like replacement at no cost while your machine is repaired under warranty
• In case of misplaced keys, Ultro offers spare key quick-dispatch service
  

Sany mini-excavators purchased from Ultro Plant and Equipment typically include a 450mm or 600mm GP or general purpose bucket depending on the size machine, then most customers also purchase a 350mm trenching bucket, and a 900mm or 1200mm mud bucket, again depending on machine size. An auger is often added by purchasers who need to dig holes for posts or footings.

A Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara or a similar four-wheel drive will generally be able to tow up to 3500kg, with electric brakes. In terms of the Sany range, that could include a Sany SY26U with three buckets and a hydraulic quick hitch. Larger machines require a vehicle with a higher towing capacity.

Yes, they sell trailers to suit all Sany machines.

The Ultro Plant and Equipment inhouse service

Our in-house service centre and spare parts shop is behind our main showroom and sales yard at 6/100 Bald Hill Road, Pakenham VIC 3810. To give you the security of access to onsite and 24/7 service, Ultro also provide onsite service and 24/7 support.