Mini Excavator vs Skid Steer — What to Choose Based On Popular DIY Projects

Written by Luis Montes Updated On  Dec 18, 2025

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The purpose of this article is to be an easy-to-read and straight-to-the-point guide for those looking to use a mini excavator or a skid steer for the first time in a DIY construction, landscaping, excavation, or any other small-scale project.

We’ll compare both machines' strongest features, what we consider suitable tasks for each type of equipment, and the dimensions of some popular mini excavators and skid steers within the small to mid-size range, to give you an idea of what you need to work safely and efficiently in your project.

Visit the Rent1 website to access the largest rental fleet of skid steers, mini excavators, and a variety of attachments to get the work done properly.

Mini Excavator Reach vs Skid Steer Speed

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The reach of the mini excavator boom and arm makes this machine better for excavations, e.g., a basement, a pool, or a trench. A skid steer or compact track loader can do shallow excavations, although it is messier than an excavator.

Image source: www.youtube.com/@Dirtmonkey.

Also, the excavator’s reach allows for tearing down small buildings more safely, since you keep a greater distance from the structure and most of the time won’t have to get inside a partially demolished building to hook a chain onto a support.

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On the other hand, a skid steer is much faster than a mini excavator, so it shines when it comes to hauling material.

For instance, the John Deere 317G compact track loader’s single speed is 7 mph, whereas the John Deere 35G mini excavator’s max speed is 2.7 mph—a difference of 2.5 times.

The gap is even greater against wheeled skid steers, which develop more speed than their tracked counterparts. Our article “A Closer Look: Skid Steer vs Track Loader Face-Off” delves deeper into the topic.

While a mini excavator can haul material by swinging its boom, it won’t be as efficient as a skid steer. Besides, you would need to repeat the procedure for large distances. On top of that, the mini excavator needs an obstacle-free area to swing safely.

Image source: www.youtube.com/@Dirtmonkey.

Mini Excavator vs Skid Steer — Suitable Tasks

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The list below isn’t written in stone. It’s just what we think would be the best equipment options and attachment configurations to get the job done efficiently.

You still could dig a trench with a skid steer, grade with a mini excavator blade, or plow snow with a regular bucket, but it won’t be as efficient as doing it with the right equipment and attachment.

Mini Excavator and Skid Steer Models Size Range

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Besides knowing the right equipment and attachment, you must consider the available working space. We compare several mini excavators and skid steer models (from biggest to smallest) to give you an idea of which could be the appropriate choice for your project.

In a Nutshell

For projects that require excavations, especially deep ones, go for a mini excavator. On the other hand, a skid steer—especially a wheeled model—is the best option if you require hauling material fast.

For anything in between, both will work as long as you get the right attachment.

We didn’t mention choosing the right rubber tracks when renting a tracked skid steer. Our post “What are the Best Tracks for Skid Steers to Enhance Performance?” breaks down what each rubber track tread pattern is suitable for.