Keeping Your Mini Excavator Ready for the Dirt

BY RHINOCEROS DIGGERS TEAM – WRITTEN BY NORA

Keeping Your Mini Excavator Ready for the Dirt | Daily Maintenance Guide

"Daily Checks, Right Tools, & Safety First."

If you own a mini excavator or operate one for a living, you know these machines are the backbone of small job sites. They require regular maintenance to remain reliable.

Maintenance is about safety and ensuring your machine actually does what you want it to do.

5 Min
Daily Walk-Around
3
Key Fluids to Check
100%
Safety First
🔧

The Daily Walk-Around

Simple visual checks before starting the engine

Check for Leaks

Look under the machine and around hydraulic cylinders. Check hoses for wet spots.

Grease the Pivot Points

Grease the boom, arm, and bucket pins daily.

Inspect the Tracks

Check for debris in the undercarriage. Check tension—too loose or too tight causes problems.

Mini excavator working on a mountain job site

Choosing the Right Tools

Match the attachment to the job

A mini excavator is only as good as the attachment on the end of the arm. For most digging, a standard digging bucket is the go-to choice.

🔨 Specialized Attachments

For demolition, a breaker makes quick work of concrete.

Browse our full range of attachments.

💧

Why Fluids Matter

Keep your machine's lifeblood in check

If oil is dirty or coolant is low, the engine and hydraulic pump system will struggle.

🛢️

Engine Oil

Check the dipstick. If pitch black or gritty, time for a change.

Hydraulic Fluid

Check sight glass. If milky, water has leaked in—flush the system.

❄️

Cooling System

Ensure radiator isn't clogged. Quick air compressor spray prevents overheating.

✓ Keeping Spare Parts Handy

Nothing halts a project faster than a broken pin when you're miles from a shop.

🛡️ Safety on the Job

Safety is all about making sure everyone is secure before starting:

Seatbelts — Use them. The cab is the safest place if the machine tips.
Lower the Bucket — Place flat on the ground whenever you park or exit.
Watch the Slope — Keep tracks pointed up or down the slope to prevent rollover.
⚠️
Track Tension Warning

Tracks too loose may pop off. Too tight wears out rollers. Check undercarriage components weekly.

Final Thoughts

Keep it well-maintained, check fluids regularly, and don't push it beyond its limits. It will last for years.

Explore Mini Excavators → Browse Spare Parts →
×