Brief Review: 10 Popular 6-Ton Mini Excavators

Here’s a quick comparison of 10 popular 6-ton class mini excavators:
Doosan DX60-9C, Kobelco SK60-8, Hyundai HX60, Caterpillar Next Gen 306, Komatsu PC60-8, Hitachi ZX60-5A, SANY SY60C, XCMG XE60DA, Liugong CLG906D, and Volvo EC60D.

Doosan DX60-9C

The DX60-9C is slightly slower but operates smoothly. The bucket is a bit small but digging force is relatively strong, and fuel consumption is average. It’s one of the few models not using a Yanmar engine — instead, it has a slightly higher power output. The cab is very comfortable with ample legroom. However, the steel quality could be better and undercarriage parts are not very durable. Overall detailing still needs improvement. It has excellent breaker capability, making it suitable for hammering work. In summary: strong digging force, fast swing, good for hammering, slightly slower movements, thinner steel plates, more minor issues, but relatively affordable.

Kobelco SK60-8

The SK60 is fast, with the quickest swing speed in this group. It’s fuel-efficient and does a good job for earthmoving tasks, with a moderate bucket size. It uses a Yanmar 94 engine with lower power and displacement, so it lacks power and has weak travel force. The cab is smaller and less comfortable than Doosan’s. The undercarriage is decent and the steel quality is among the better ones in this list. Overall, it’s cost-effective for hourly rental work and general earthmoving but not ideal for heavy-duty tasks. It has acceptable quality but tends to develop small issues over time.

Hyundai HX60

The new Hyundai uses an imported Yanmar 94 engine. The bucket is small, swing is slow, but travel speed is good and fuel consumption is low. It’s prone to minor problems but comes at a reasonable price. The cab is well-finished and comfortable. Good for hammering work. Overall: affordable, good speed, hammer-friendly, decent for daily rental.

Caterpillar Next Gen 306

The new 306 is powered by Caterpillar’s own C2.4 engine — the lowest power output among these ten. Fuel consumption is lower than the old version, but so is digging force. Travel speed is the fastest, even quicker than the Kobelco. It has a bulky rear end, making it prone to bumps and scratches. It features lots of advanced tech, a high-end cab, but has complex wiring which can be troublesome when repairs are needed. Best suited for light-duty tasks and rental work.

Komatsu PC60-8

One of the toughest machines in this group. It has a large bucket, comfortable operation, heavy weight, high power, and strong digging force — all translating to high work efficiency. The undercarriage is very durable. It’s great in almost every aspect except fuel consumption: it’s a gas guzzler, even higher than the SANY 75. In summary: very durable, few minor issues, high work efficiency, but very thirsty for fuel and on the expensive side.

Hitachi ZX60-5A

Has the highest engine power among these ten, relatively quick, quite fuel-efficient, and a larger bucket. Digging force is not as strong as the Komatsu. The cab is clear, user-friendly, and comfortable. The undercarriage sits low and small, making it prone to getting stuck. Compared to the older model, it’s slightly slower but with a nicer cab. Some reports of cylinder noise and a few minor issues on new units.

SANY SY60C

Fast, fuel-efficient, but movement coordination is not very smooth. Digging force is moderate, travel force is weak, and undercarriage parts wear out quickly. The engine may emit black smoke and has its share of small problems, especially with the undercarriage. However, it has the largest fuel tank, which is a plus. Overall: good for hourly rental and earthwork, well-priced.

XCMG XE60DA

The new XCMG’s performance is quite average. The design has some issues: no major failures but frequent minor problems. Movements are so-so, fuel consumption isn’t low, but pricing is attractive.

Liugong CLG906D

Decent digging force, but the fuel tank is quite small — only about 100 liters. Overall good for a domestic model. Travel speed is acceptable, bucket is slightly large, swing is not slow. Pricing is reasonable, though still behind joint ventures in overall refinement. Some small issues but no major flaws.

Volvo EC60D

Fast swing and quick compound action. Fuel-efficient, bucket size is moderate at about 0.23 m³. Digging force is similar to the Doosan. The fuel tank is also quite small at just 100 liters. Travel force is not very strong. Reportedly prone to some minor issues, but it’s relatively affordable for a joint-venture machine. In summary: solid overall performance, suitable for earthwork and rental use.

Final Thoughts

Each model has its pros and cons. Some stand out for durability, some for fuel economy, some for speed, and some for price-performance ratio. When choosing a 6-ton excavator, consider your main job type, fuel cost, and expected reliability to pick the one that best suits your needs.