This report analyses the market in France for hydraulic excavators. They are defined as machines which are mounted either on tyres or on steel tracks and are capable of turning through 360 degrees. Service weights range from 6.1 to over 600 tonnes. Off-Highway Research classifies machines up to 6.0 tonnes as mini excavators, and they are not included in this report. Hydraulic excavators with a weight classification of between 6.0 and 11.0 tonnes are referred to as ‘midi or ‘compact’ excavators. These machines, which often have a special design to minimise the tail swing, making the machines useful in narrow job sites, are included in the report's definition of the hydraulic excavator.