A micro excavator — also called a compact mini excavator, or a mini excavator under 1 tonne — is a compact tracked machine whose operating weight does not exceed 1,000 kg. It is the lightest category, designed for work in very tight spaces and transportable on a simple category B licence.
It stands out for its extreme compactness (from 754 mm wide), its featherweight that protects fragile ground, and its ease of transport on a small trailer.
The advantages of a micro excavator
- Ultra-compact: from 754 mm, it gets through any standard gate
- Transportable on a small trailer: 800 to 995 kg, towable on a category B licence
- Accessible to private individuals: get the hang of it in 30 min
- Protects the ground: low pressure (under 0.5 kg/cm²)
- Easy storage: fits in a standard garage
- Affordable price: from €4,125 excl. VAT
- Indoor use: the CL08 (754 mm) fits through a standard doorway
What is a micro excavator used for?
- Garden landscaping: beds, tree planting, ponds, shaping
- Trenches: water, electricity, fibre, drainage down to 1.70 m
- Light earthworks: terrace, slab, shed foundations, stripping
- Confined spaces: inner courtyards, landlocked gardens
- Drainage works: ditches, inspection chambers, drains
- Fence installation: post holes with an auger
Beyond 1.70 m of depth, move up to a 1.2 to 2 tonne mini excavator.
Key comparison criteria
- Operating weight: 800 to 995 kg (load capacity and transport)
- Overall width: from 754 mm (site access)
- Digging depth: 1.41 m (CL08) to 1.73 m (CL10S)
- Engine power: 10 to 10.2 hp KOOP diesel
- Offset boom: digging along a wall (CL10S, SJW-12F)
- Breakout force: capacity in compacted ground
The 3 CZN micro excavators compared
| Specification | CL08 | CL10S | SJW-12F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | LEITE | LEITE | SONCA |
| Weight | 800 kg | 860 kg | 995 kg |
| Width | 754 mm | 930 mm | 1,000 mm |
| Max depth | 1,410 mm | 1,725 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Dump height | 1,900 mm | 2,400 mm | 2,350 mm |
| Power | 10.2 hp | 10 hp | 10 hp |
| Breakout force | 5.2 kN | 6.1 kN | 5.8 kN |
| Offset boom | No | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor use | Yes | Borderline (93 cm) | No |
| Price excl. VAT | €5,250 | €6,100 | €6,425 |
The CL08 for very narrow passages or indoor work. The CL10S for more depth and the offset boom. The SJW-12F for slightly more compacted ground.
Real-world use cases
Fibre-optic trench
Fibre laid at 40-60 cm in a 15-20 cm trench: the ideal use case. A tradesperson lays 50 to 80 m/day in loose ground versus 15 to 20 m by hand, without wrecking the garden.
Garden mini-earthworks
A 30 m² concrete terrace (strip 25 cm, ~8 m³): 2-3 days by hand, 3-4 hours with a CL08, access through a 75 cm gate without damaging the lawn.
Fence installation
50 m of fencing (25 holes every 2 m): with a hydraulic auger, the CL10S drills the holes in half a day, aligned and at a constant depth.
What a micro excavator cannot do
- Depth > 1.70 m: move up to a 1.5-2 t
- Rocky/very clayey ground: insufficient hydraulic power
- Volumes > 30-40 m³: bucket too small (~40 L)
- Heavy demolition work: insufficient mass
- Slopes > 20°: instability (short wheelbase)
- Heavy lifting: capacity of just 150 to 250 kg
Transport: choosing the right trailer
800 to 995 kg = transportable on a category B licence (towing vehicle + loaded trailer gross weight < 3,500 kg). You need a plant trailer: min 1,500 kg gross weight, low bed (< 35 cm), width ≥ 1.20 m, sturdy ramps (min 1,200 kg, max 15° angle), 4 lashing straps. Load by tracking on in 1st gear, centre the machine, lock the bucket and blade, lash in a cross pattern, recheck after 10 km.
Specific maintenance
Particularities linked to the size: strict greasing every 8 h (small pins under more strain), track tension every 10 h in clay, air filter every 50 h (a disproportionate impact on a 10 hp), oil change every 200-250 h, washing after every use in clay. Service life: 4,000 to 6,000 hours — i.e. 10 to 15 years at 400 h/year.
The micro excavator from €5,250 excl. VAT
3 compact models, delivered assembled with training, a 24-month warranty and after-sales in France.
Insurance and liability
Private individuals: usually covered by home multi-risk insurance (check motorised plant); otherwise plant insurance (€100 to €200/year). Professionals: professional liability + ideally all-risk site cover. Transport: declare the trailer to your insurer (registration mandatory above 750 kg gross weight in France).
Buy or rent?
Rental: €200 to €350/day. Purchase: from €4,125 excl. VAT. Fewer than 10 days/year: renting is an option. 10 to 15 days/year: purchase pays off in 2-3 years. More than 15 days/year: buying is always cheaper. A CL08 at €5,250 is still worth €3,500 to €4,000 after 3 years (to deduct from the real cost).
Our CZN micro excavators
3 models with a 24-month warranty and after-sales in France: CL08 (754 mm, €5,250) for very tight access and indoor work, CL10S (€6,100) for more depth and the offset boom (best versatility/price ratio), SJW-12F (€6,425) the heaviest. All delivered assembled with 30 min of training, financing over 12 to 60 months available.
Micro excavator FAQ
Can you use it on a lawn without damaging it?
Yes, rubber tracks exert ~0.3 to 0.5 kg/cm² (like an adult walking). On a dry lawn, minimal damage; on waterlogged ground, lay trackway mats.
Can it fit through a house doorway?
Only the CL08 (754 mm) fits through a standard doorway (83-93 cm). Also check the folded-arm height and the floor's load capacity.
Do you need a special licence?
Private use: none. Professional use: CACES R482 category A mandatory whatever the weight (France).
Can it dig in frozen ground?
No, not effectively: frost hardens the ground and overloads the hydraulic circuit. Wait for the thaw (a surface frost can be broken up with a light breaker).
Can you fit a breaker?
Technically yes (50-80 kg class on the CL10S/SJW-12F), but the power limits effectiveness to kerbs and thin slabs, not dense rock.
What is the fuel consumption?
A 10 hp KOOP engine uses ~1 to 2 L/h, i.e. 8 to 15 L over an 8 h day (€10 to €20) — a major advantage of micro excavators.