I Bought the Smallest Excavator… and It Shocked Me (MB500 Review)

This video was originally filmed when I first got my hands on the Jansen MB500 micro excavator—and honestly, it made a bigger impression than I expected. After dealing with long shipping delays, poor communication, and mixed quality from Alibaba machines like my Cardiwell CW12 Pro and DRT450 skid steer, this was a completely different experience. Delivered in just 7 days, fully protected in a steel crate, and ready to go with minimal setup. But what really surprised me wasn’t just the delivery—it was the attention to detail: Fully protected hydraulic lines Case drain drive motors Spin-on hydraulic filter (with suction filter!) Real owner’s manual (not generic) Thoughtful design features everywhere At under $7,000 delivered with attachments, this machine is making a serious case as a budget-friendly alternative to larger excavators. 👉 But the big question is: Does going smaller actually make more sense? This video is part of my MB500 series where I’ll be: ✔ Comparing it head-to-head with my Cardiwell CW12 Pro ✔ Testing real-world performance ✔ Deciding which machine stays… and which one goes Subscribe and follow along—because this is going to be a battle. 👇 Join the Facebook group: Jansen MB500 Micro Excavator Owners & Enthusiasts (Manual is posted there!)