JCB Mini Excavators for Sale (98)

Overview of the JCB Mini Digger Range

Anyone new to mini diggers could be excused by the baffling array of model numbers in the JCB mini excavator range. That’s to say that there are lots of naming conventions, rather than one convention and lots of models.

The JCB Micro Range

To explain further, the current micro excavator range starts with the 8008 CTS 8010 CTS models (Conventional Tail Swing – as opposed to the zero tail swing models). You may be confused why these numbers? Well, the ‘80’ is as good a place as any to start, but why 08 and 10 when the operating weights are 950 and 1110kg respectively?  This becomes clearer when considering the transport weight.  The operating weight includes a 75kg operator, full tanks and two TOPS protection posts. Without these extras, the machines weigh in at close to 800 kg (8008) and 1000kg for the 8010.  For larger machines, the operating weight and transport weight are relatively similar, but on these micro excavator machines, they make a difference to the specifications.

JCB Mini-Excavator Range

So, the model numbering becomes slightly more confusing here, as JCB market a new range of excavators with simplistic numbering alongside the old ‘80’ range. So, whilst your 16C-1 has an operating weight of 1749kgs – it is no the 17.5C-1 as you would expect, JCB use the transport weight of 1545kg to get to the ‘16’ – the ‘C’ replacing the ‘CTS’ from the earlier range.

As we go up the weight range, we can see a pattern emerge, 18Z-1 would be a mini-digger with a transport weight of around 1800kgs with a zero tail swing. The next machine is the 19C-1. So we have it nailed! Except the model after this one in the range is the 8025 ZTS rather than the ‘25Z-1’. Then, after the 8026 CTS with its old style numbering we return to the new format with the new generation 35Z-1 digger. The remaining weight ranges are 50, 56, 60, 85, 86, 90 and 100 with a mixture of conventional and zero swing models.

If it has to be stage V compliant, then you need to be looking at the new model numbering (so a 35Z should be Stage V Compliant).

Popular Used JCB Mini Digger Models

Unsurprisingly, it is the lighter, smaller machines that make up the most popular second hand JCB mini-diggers here at Plant Pages. It’s the 8008 under one-tonne machine that we see the most, with the1.5 tonne 15C-1 being the most popular of the new generation of Mini-excavators from JCB.

Buyer’s Advice

If you can’t find the right size of JCB mini-digger for you, then you might want to consider alternative manufacturers. In pure number terms, it is Kubota that dominate in the UK’s used mini digger market with usually twice the numbers available for sale than JCB by comparison. Smaller players include Yanmar and Hitachi.