How much a used excavator costs depends mostly on size class. MachineryList asking-price examples rechecked on October 28, 2026 ran from about $20,000 to $60,000 for minis and $50,000 to $100,000 for midi machines. Two verified 2026 used Cat 320 auction sales were $97,500 and $110,000 before buyer's premium. Year, hours, condition, attachments and location change the comparison. These are selected examples, not a market-wide valuation range. Asking prices are not sale prices.
Quick Answer
| Size class (approx. operating weight) | Selected price evidence (USD) | Source and type |
|---|---|---|
| Mini (under about 6 metric tons) | $19,875–$59,875 in selected examples | MachineryList asking prices, rechecked Oct. 28, 2026 |
| Midi (about 6–10 metric tons) | $49,875–$99,875 in selected examples | MachineryList asking prices, rechecked Oct. 28, 2026 |
| 12–14 metric tons | $61,500 and $62,950; two examples | MachineryList asking prices, rechecked Oct. 28, 2026 |
| 20-ton class, used Cat 320 / 320 GC | $97,500 and $110,000, plus premium | J.M. Wood sold results, March 2026 |
Weight classes are approximate; verify the exact configuration. Compare current asking prices in new and used excavators for sale. Prices and availability can change.
Used Excavator Prices by Ton Class
Mini Excavators
On October 28, 2026, the listed 2019 Takeuchi TB216 showed 1,720 hours and a $19,875 asking price; a 2022 Kubota U35 showed 285 hours at $49,875. A priced 2018 Cat 305 example asked $59,875. These are asking prices, not completed sales. For a deeper breakdown, see our used mini excavator price guide.
Midi Excavators
The rechecked examples included a 2017 Kubota KX080-4 with 4,875 hours at $49,875, a 2022 Caterpillar 306 with 1,035 hours at $59,875, and a 2023 Bobcat E88 with 450 hours at $99,875. Year, hours and configuration explain part of the spread within a class.
12–14 Ton Excavators
A 2001 Caterpillar 312CL with 6,178 hours asked $62,950; a 2018 Caterpillar 313FLGC with 3,156 hours asked $61,500. These two selected listings do not establish a market range. Their similar asking prices also show why age alone cannot explain value.
20-Ton Excavators
Many larger listings show “call for price.” Verified auction records provide another kind of evidence, but compare their condition, specification and fee basis carefully:
| Machine and sale date | Displayed hours | Published result (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Cat 320 GC — March 20, 2026 | 424 | $97,500 plus buyer’s premium |
| 2019 Cat 320 with hydraulic hammer — March 23, 2026 | 2,929 | $110,000 plus buyer’s premium |
| 2023 Cat 320 GC, advertised new/unused — June 17, 2026 | 28 | $162,500 plus buyer’s premium; separate from used comparisons |
| 2024 Cat 320GC — October 8, 2026 | 13 | $96,250 displayed price realized; auction terms list a 5% premium |
The first three figures come directly from J.M. Wood's sold records. The HiBid result is labeled “price realized”; its terms list a 5% buyer's premium. Confirm the invoice basis before adding a fee to that displayed figure. The new/unused $162,500 machine is not a typical used-machine comparable. The 320 GC also differs from a standard 320, and the hammer changes the 2019 machine's configuration.
What Moves the Price of a Used Excavator
- Hours: compare similar machines and verify the meter. See how many hours is a lot for an excavator.
- Undercarriage: inspect chains, rollers, sprockets and track shoes. Get a wear measurement and replacement quote; Caterpillar's undercarriage guidance explains why this system deserves attention.
- Attachments: confirm whether the thumb, coupler and buckets are included, and whether auxiliary hydraulics fit your work.
- History: service records, repairs, structural damage and verifiable hours affect confidence in the machine.
- Location: hauling and removal costs can erase an apparent bargain.
- Market: Sandhills Global's September 2026 report said used crawler-excavator asking values were down 4.14% year over year. That is its tracked asking-value market, not every completed sale.
Asking Price vs Auction Price
| Channel | What you see | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer / marketplace | Asking price or call for price | Written quote, condition and included equipment |
| Auction | Sold amount or displayed realized price | Premium basis, taxes, inspection and removal terms |
| Private seller | Negotiated price | Identity, ownership, liens and payment terms |
Neither channel establishes a reliable price floor. Compare similar specifications, condition and sale dates, then calculate the total landed cost. A low auction figure may reflect damage or restrictive sale terms; a dealer asking price may include services that an auction result does not.
Practical Next Steps
- Choose the size class your work needs before comparing prices.
- Collect several comparable listings and recent sales for the same model, year and hours.
- Request service records, undercarriage condition and a list of included attachments.
- Inspect in person or hire an independent inspector.
- Add applicable transport, taxes, auction fees and immediate repairs.
- Check ownership: read do excavators have titles and complete a heavy-equipment lien check.
Sources
- MachineryList excavator listings and the individual examples linked above, rechecked October 28, 2026.
- J.M. Wood: 2020 Cat 320 GC, sold March 20, 2026.
- J.M. Wood: 2019 Cat 320, sold March 23, 2026.
- J.M. Wood: 2023 Cat 320 GC, new/unused, sold June 17, 2026.
- James G. Murphy via HiBid: 2024 Cat 320GC, October 8, 2026.
- Sandhills Global market report, October 6, 2026.
- Caterpillar excavator undercarriage guidance.
Related Guides
- How Much Does a Used Mini Excavator Cost?
- How Many Hours Is a Lot for an Excavator?
- Do Excavators Have Titles?
- 2026 Heavy Equipment Market Trends
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a used 20-ton excavator cost?
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Two verified March 2026 J.M. Wood results for used Cat 320-series excavators were $97,500 and $110,000 before buyer's premium. Those examples are not a full market range. Compare the exact model, condition, hours and attachments; treat new/unused and salvage machines separately.
Are used excavator prices going down in 2026?
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Sandhills Global reported used crawler-excavator asking values down 4.14% year over year in September 2026. Its figures describe the market it tracks, not every transaction. A lower market indicator does not guarantee a lower quote on a particular machine.
Why do so many excavator listings say “call for price”?
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The public listing may not include a price, so request a current written quote rather than inferring one. Ask what equipment and services are included, and obtain hours, service records and undercarriage information. Compare the total cost with similar machines.
Prices shown are dated examples, not appraisals; confirm current pricing, fees and condition before buying.
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