HUAYEE Mini Excavator Range Compared: HY08 to HY60

Dawn Payne

Aug 29

3 min read

Choosing the right size HUAYEE mini excavator comes down to matching operating weight and engine power to the job. Here's the full range compared, model by model.

Under 1.5 tonnes — tight-access and light work

HY08 (0.8T) — 800 kg operating weight, 10.19HP engine. The smallest and lightest machine in the range, built for landscaping, residential tight-access jobs, and small earthworks.
HY10 (1.0T) — 1,000 kg, 10.2HP. Entry point for landscaping, fencing, irrigation, and small site works.
HY10X (1.0T) — 1,000 kg, 13.5HP. Same footprint as the HY10 with a higher-power engine for tougher digging.
HY12 (1.2T) — 1,200 kg, 13.6HP. One of the lightest full machines in the range; fits through gates as narrow as 900mm and tows on a small trailer behind a standard vehicle.

1.6–2.2 tonnes — mid-size trades and tight-space work

HY16 (1.6T) — 1,600 kg, 13.6–25.4HP depending on engine option. A step up in capability for medium-sized jobs.
HY18 (1.8T) — 1,800 kg, up to 30HP diesel. Handles tight-access residential and rural jobs larger machines can't reach.
HY18U (1.8T, zero tail swing) — 1,800 kg, 16HP. Same class as the HY18 with a zero-tail-swing frame.
HY20 (2.0T) — 2,000 kg, 15.8–24.3HP. A reliable mid-size machine for trades, hire fleets, and farms.
HY20U (2.0T, zero tail swing) — 2,000 kg, 15.8HP. Built-up sites where swing clearance matters.
HY22U (2.2T, zero tail swing) — 2,200 kg. Zero-tail-swing design keeps the rear of the machine within track width through a full 360° rotation — no risk of the cab clipping fences, walls or parked vehicles.

2.5–3.5 tonnes — heavier earthworks

HY25 (2.5T) — 2,500 kg, 34HP diesel / 19HP petrol. More bucket breakout force and digging depth than the HY18 or HY22U — the better choice for hard clay, rock-breaking, or larger-volume material moving.
HY25U (2.5T, zero tail swing) — 2,500 kg, 20.4–18.8HP. The dig depth of a 2.5T with a manoeuvrable, compact swing.
HY30U (3.0T, zero tail swing) — 3,000 kg, 20.9HP. Strong dig capability in a compact swing radius.
HY35S (3.5T) — 3,500 kg, 26HP. Suited to construction sub-contractors and hire fleets.
HY35U (3.5T, zero tail swing) — 3,500 kg, 24.7–38HP. Real trenching productivity with a tight swing.

4–6 tonnes — full-size capability

HY40 (4.0T) — 4,000 kg, 25HP. A serious step up in capacity while still remaining transportable.
HY40S (4.0T) — 4,000 kg, 24.8HP. A reliable workhorse for general earthworks.
HY40U (4.0T, zero tail swing) — 4,000 kg, 24.4–26.2HP. Maximum productivity in a compact swing radius.
HY60 (6.0T) — 6,000 kg, 48.6–56.9HP. The largest mini excavator in the HUAYEE range.

Choosing between them

Match tonnage to your job, not the other way around: light landscaping and fencing work rarely needs more than 1–1.8 tonnes, general trenching and site prep sits comfortably in the 2–3 tonne bracket, and heavier earthworks, rock, or large-volume material moving is where the 3.5–6 tonne machines earn their keep. If access is the constraint — narrow gates, fenced yards, tight urban sites — look at the "U" (zero tail swing) variants first, since they hold the same digging capability in a frame that won't swing wide on turns.

Huayee Aust is the authorised Australian dealer for Shandong HUAYEE Heavy Industry Group, based in Newcastle NSW with Australia-wide delivery and factory-backed warranty support. Call 1300 941 781 or email info@huayeeaust.com for current pricing and availability on any model in this range.