The most common question on our phone line isn't about brands — it's about size. First-time excavator buyers almost always land on the same fork in the road: a 1-ton machine they can tow behind the truck they already own, or a 2-ton machine that digs deeper and lifts more. Both are the right answer for somebody. Here's how to figure out which one is right for you.
The quick answer
If your work is residential landscaping, irrigation trenching, fence posts, stump removal, and small foundation prep, a 1-ton handles 90% of it. If you do utility work, trench past 5 feet, take on small commercial site jobs, or need real lift capacity for boulders and pipe, step up to a 2-ton.
Side-by-side comparison
| Spec | 1-ton class | 2-ton class |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 2,000–2,500 lb | 4,000–4,500 lb |
| Max dig depth | 5'6"–6'2" | 8'–11' |
| Max reach | 8–9 ft | 13–14 ft |
| Lift at full reach | 600–800 lb | 1,400–2,000 lb |
| Tow vehicle | Half-ton pickup, 7,000 lb trailer | 3/4-ton pickup minimum, heavier trailer |
| Best for | Homeowners, fencing, irrigation, landscaping | Utility trenching, deeper digs, heavier lifts |
Transport is the hidden deciding factor
A 1-ton excavator at 2,000–2,500 lb tows behind a half-ton pickup on a standard 7,000 lb utility trailer. Most homeowners and small landscapers can move one with equipment they already own, no CDL required.
A 2-ton machine at 4,000–4,500 lb is a different commitment: you'll want at least a 3/4-ton truck and often a heavier deck-over trailer. If you don't already own that setup, add the cost to your math before you fall in love with the bigger spec sheet.
Dig depth and reach — where the 2-ton earns its keep
The extra reach is what 2-ton owners rave about. With 13–14 feet of reach you can sit on one side of a trench and finish the far side without repositioning, which matters constantly in utility work. A 1-ton tops out around 6 feet of dig depth — plenty for irrigation, drainage, footings, and fence lines, short for septic and deeper utility runs.
Same story on lift: 600–800 lb at full reach from a 1-ton versus 1,400–2,000 lb from a 2-ton. Setting culvert pipe, landscape boulders, or loaded concrete forms is 2-ton work.
Engine choices at each size
Within each weight class you'll pick an engine, and for occasional users it changes the price tier more than the performance:
- Kubota diesel (premium tier): longest service life, best fuel economy, smoothest under load. Examples: AGT DY16 1-ton and the MMS MS20 2-ton.
- Briggs & Stratton gas (mainstream): lower cost, easy field service. Examples: AGT DM13-C and the MMS MS10.
- RATO gas (entry-level): lowest entry price, shorter service life. Example: AGT MX15R.
We compare these head-to-head in our Kubota vs RATO engine guide — worth five minutes before you commit either way.
Our picks
Current pricing for every machine is on its product page.
- Best 1-ton value: AGT DM13-C — cab, hydraulic thumb, and swing boom included as standard, features most machines in its class charge extra for.
- Best 1-ton premium: AGT DY16 — Kubota diesel reliability in a towable package.
- Best 2-ton: TYPHON Terror XVIII — Kubota diesel and an air-conditioned cab for full-day work.
Whichever size you land on, budget for buckets and a ripper — the 8-piece mini excavator attachment set covers most 1-ton machines in one box.
Still not sure?
Browse the full mini excavator catalog, or call +1 (989) 267-6985, Mon–Sun 8am–7pm ET. Tell us your typical job and your tow vehicle, and we'll spec the right machine — every unit ships with free delivery in 7–12 business days and the full factory warranty.