This report examines in detail the Indian market for mini excavators, and is an update of the last Off-Highway Research study on the subject that was last published in March 2021.

Mini excavators are compact hydraulic excavators with a maximum operating capacity of 6 tonnes, capable of being turned through 360 degrees. The machines may be mounted on tracks or wheels, but most of them are on rubber or steel tracks. Wheel mounted mini excavators are not sold in India.

Extraordinarily popular in the more established equipment markets, to date the mini excavator has found little favour in India. Demand has remained small but has grown very significantly in the last 10 years. The market is expected to grow in future but will remain much smaller than major selling equipment such as hydraulic excavators and backhoe loaders.

The findings presented are based on Off-Highway Research’s database, and information collected through a series of in-depth interviews conducted with the industry’s leading manufacturers and importers in February and March 2023.