Mini Excavator vs Skid Steer: Which Should You Buy FIRST?

If you’re starting a small excavation business and trying to decide between a mini excavator or skid steer as your FIRST machine, this video is for you. Ready to build your own mini excavation business? Learn more at: https://www.earthandstonedivision.com TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Which Machine First 00:53 The Real Question 01:18 Higher Value Work 02:18 Fuel Efficiency 02:47 Versatility 03:38 Less Property Damage 04:08 The Counter Argument 05:25 The Main Point 05:48 The Best First Machine After running my own mini excavation business, Common Ground, for nearly 20 years in Hawaii and Florida, I’ve had to make the “first machine” decision more than once — and I’ve learned what actually matters when you’re trying to build a business without drowning in overhead. In this video, I break down: ✔️ Versatility ✔️ Fuel efficiency ✔️ Profit potential ✔️ Types of work each machine opens up ✔️ Why your first machine matters so much as an owner-operator This isn’t about brand loyalty or machine wars. Both machines are incredibly useful. But if you can only afford ONE machine, the real question becomes: Which gives a new owner-operator the best chance of making this business work? If you're serious about starting or growing a mini excavation business, subscribe. I’m sharing the real side of this industry — the wins, the mistakes, the numbers, equipment decisions, and the stuff nobody explains before you spend a pile of money on iron. Let me know in the comments: What would you get first and why? Earth & Stone Division | Helping You Build A Mini Excavation Business From the Ground Up #MiniExcavator #MiniExcavation #ExcavationBusiness