Whether you’re a landscaper renovating a backyard, a contractor laying utility lines, or a farmer managing your property, choosing the right mini excavator makes the difference between a smooth, profitable job and a frustrating one. Go too small and you’ll fight the ground all day; go too big and you won’t fit through the gate.
Achilles Machinery offers six mini excavator models for Australian conditions, from the compact 1.2-tonne A12SE to the powerhouse 3.8-tonne A38S. This guide breaks down each model and helps you match the right machine to your real-world needs.
Key Specs to Understand Before You Buy
Three numbers matter most when comparing mini excavators.
Operating weight determines ground pressure, transport requirements, and digging force. Heavier machines dig harder but are trickier to move and can damage lawns or sealed surfaces.
Engine power (HP) dictates how responsive the hydraulics are, especially when running attachments like augers or hydraulic hammers simultaneously with the tracks.
Bucket capacity (m³) tells you how much material moves per scoop — a direct driver of daily productivity.
Keep these in mind as we step through the Achilles range.
A12SE — Best for Tight Spaces and Homeowners
Engine: KOOP KD192 | Power: 12 HP | Weight: 1,200 kg | Bucket: 0.025 m³ | Price: $12,990 Inc. GST
The A12SE is the most affordable machine in the lineup and the easiest to transport and manoeuvre. Its KOOP single-cylinder, air-cooled engine delivers 12 hp — modest but sufficient for residential-scale work. The standout feature is its two-way swing boom, which lets the arm pivot sideways so you can excavate right up against a wall or fence without repositioning the machine. A standard hydraulic thumb grabber and mechanical quick hitch add practical versatility without complexity.
Best for: Backyard renovations, garden drainage, retaining wall installation, hobby farm maintenance, and any job where site access is the main constraint. If you’re regularly going through standard residential side gates, this is your machine.
Step up if: You need to dig regularly beyond 1.5 metres or you’re running the machine for multiple hours every day.
A14SE — The Step-Up for Professional Use
Engine: YANMAR 3TNV70 | Power: 20.8 HP | Weight: 1,400 kg | Bucket: 0.028 m³ | Price: $19,990 Inc. GST
The A14SE is where the range gets serious. The jump to a Yanmar three-cylinder, water-cooled diesel engine is significant — water-cooled engines run cooler under sustained load, last longer, and are the standard across professional construction equipment globally. At 20.8 hp, you have nearly 75% more power than the A12SE, which translates to snappier hydraulics and the ability to run an auger or ripper without bogging down.
The expandable track system (830 mm–1,030 mm) is a practical highlight: narrow to slip through gates, then widen for stability on slopes or soft ground. Pilot controls and ergonomic layout make longer operating sessions noticeably more comfortable.
Best for: Professional landscapers, plumbers and electricians trenching for services, small civil contractors, and operators who use their excavator several times per week and need reliability over the long term.
Step up if: Your work involves consistently large volumes of soil or harder ground conditions where more bucket capacity would save meaningful time.
A18SE — The Sweet Spot for Most Professionals
Engine: YANMAR 3TNV70 | Power: 20.8 HP | Weight: 1,900 kg | Bucket: 0.045 m³ | Price: $29,990 Inc. GST
The A18SE shares its engine with the A14SE but adds 500 kg of operating weight and a 60% larger bucket. That bigger bucket is the key — fewer passes to move the same volume of earth means faster job completion, which means more jobs per week and better return on investment.
The 1.8-tonne class is widely regarded as the sweet spot for professional landscaping and light construction in Australia. It’s heavy enough to have real digging force in compacted ground, yet compact enough for standard residential site access. For landscaping businesses looking for their main production machine, this model typically offers the best balance of capability, running costs, and ease of transport.
Best for: Landscaping businesses, pool excavations, drainage projects across larger residential or light commercial properties, tree removal support work, and any operator for whom daily productivity is the primary priority.
Step up if: You’re doing consistent commercial earthworks, need greater dig depth, or regularly run demanding auxiliary attachments for hours at a time.
A22SE SDLG — Commercial-Grade Performance
Engine: YANMAR 3TNV80F | Power: 23.9 HP | Weight: 2,200 kg | Bucket: 0.06 m³ | Price: $33,990 Inc. GST
The A22SE SDLG steps up to the larger Yanmar 3TNV80F engine, adding more power and a bigger bucket in the 2-tonne weight class. The extra horsepower makes a real difference when running hydraulic attachments continuously — hammers, augers, and tilt buckets all benefit from the higher hydraulic flow, running at peak efficiency without the engine working hard.
At 2.2 tonnes, you’re also bringing more breakout force to the bucket teeth. On compacted fill or clay, this difference shortens excavation time considerably. This is a machine built for contractors who run their equipment hard every day.
Best for: Civil contractors, utility installation, building contractors excavating footings and slabs regularly, rural operators on hard terrain, and anyone whose machine is a core revenue tool rather than an occasional helper.
A26S — Serious Earthworks Productivity
Engine: YANMAR 3TNV80F | Power: 23.9 HP | Weight: 2,750 kg | Bucket: 0.1 m³ | Price: $37,990 Inc. GST
The A26S shares its engine with the A22SE but adds 550 kg and doubles the bucket capacity to 0.1 m³. That larger bucket is the critical upgrade — on bulk earthworks, the difference between a 0.06 m³ and 0.1 m³ machine can amount to several hours of digging time over a full day.
At 2.75 tonnes, this sits at the upper end of the “mini” category but remains transportable on a standard tandem axle trailer — keeping it genuinely mobile between sites. It delivers substantial reach and digging depth, opening the door to bulk footing excavation, rural drainage channels, and subdivision development support.
Best for: Earthmoving contractors needing transportable production capability, large rural properties with ongoing earthworks, subdivision development, and operators who want maximum daily output without moving into full-size excavator territory.
A38S SDLG — Maximum Power in the Lineup
Engine: YANMAR 3TV88 | Power: 36.3 HP | Weight: 3,800 kg | Bucket: 0.1 m³ | Price: $47,990 Inc. GST
The A38S SDLG tops the Achilles range with the Yanmar 3TV88 engine at 36.3 hp — more than three times the power of the A12SE. At 3,800 kg, this machine brings serious hydraulic muscle and breakout force to demanding conditions. Its power advantage over the A26S is most apparent on hard or rocky ground and when running heavy attachments like hydraulic hammers continuously throughout the day.
The bucket capacity matches the A26S at 0.1 m³, so the advantage here is raw power and durability rather than per-cycle volume. This is the machine for operators who know they push their equipment hard and want the power headroom to handle it.
Best for: Established earthmoving businesses, rock and hard-ground excavation, commercial construction site support, and operators running demanding attachments to their limits on a regular basis.
Quick-Reference Comparison
| Model | Weight | Power | Bucket | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A12SE | 1,200 kg | 12 HP | 0.025 m³ | $12,990 |
| A14SE | 1,400 kg | 20.8 HP | 0.028 m³ | $19,990 |
| A18SE | 1,900 kg | 20.8 HP | 0.045 m³ | $29,990 |
| A22SE | 2,200 kg | 23.9 HP | 0.06 m³ | $33,990 |
| A26S | 2,750 kg | 23.9 HP | 0.1 m³ | $37,990 |
| A38S | 3,800 kg | 36.3 HP | 0.1 m³ | $47,990 |
How to Choose: Four Questions to Ask Yourself
Can your site be accessed by a larger machine?
Measure your gate or access point first. The A12SE and A14SE (with its expandable tracks) are your best options for standard residential side access. Larger models suit open sites.
How deep and how hard?
Garden-level work suits any model. Regular trenching at 1–1.5 m calls for the A14SE to A22SE range. Deep footing excavation in tough ground needs the A26S or A38S.
How many hours per day?
Occasional users can get by with smaller machines. Professional operators doing four-plus hours daily need the sustained performance of the Yanmar-powered models. Heavy commercial use warrants the A22SE or above.
Are you running attachments?
Occasional auger or ripper use is fine across the range. Continuous use of hydraulic hammers and tilting attachments demands the higher hydraulic flow of the A22SE, A26S, or A38S.
Contact Achilles Machinery for Mini Excavators
Choosing the right mini excavator for your specific needs can be challenging, with so many options available for different tasks and projects. Achilles Machinery simplifies this process by offering a wide selection of new mini excavators.
To learn more about our range of mini excavators and rental services, reach out to us today. Call us at 1800 325 158 or visit our Brisbane branch at: Unit 2/7 Shettleston St, Rocklea QLD 4106.
Our team is ready to assist with any inquiries and help you find the perfect solution for your needs.
View specifications and availability across all Achilles mini excavators for sale.